3 Dividend-Raising Income Stocks to Buy in December

There's no shortage of reasons investors love dividends. Besides the cash flexibility they provide, these payouts act as cushions during market swoons and amplify returns over long holding periods when you reinvest the income.

A dividend hike is also a useful sign for income investors, since it usually reflects expanding growth opportunities for the business, improving profitability, or both.

With that in mind, let's look at three dividend stocks that raised their payouts in recent weeks: Nike (NYSE: NKE), McCormick (NYSE: MKC), and Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST). Here's why these stocks look like solid long-term investments today.

Source Fool.com