The data on dividends is powerful: Over the last 50 years, dividend-paying stocks have outperformed their non-paying peers by 2 to 1 (with 9.6% average annual total returns for dividend payers vs. 4.8% returns for non-payers, according to data from Ned Davis Research and Hartford Funds). Companies that steadily increase their dividends perform even better, with 10.7% annualized total returns.

Three companies that offer a compelling combination of an above-average dividend yield and an above-average dividend growth rate are American Tower (NYSE: AMT), Brookfield Infrastructure (NYSE: BIPC) (NYSE: BIP), and Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO). They could produce premier returns in the coming years, which makes them great dividend stocks to buy without hesitation.

Data infrastructure company American Tower currently yields 3.2%, nearly double the S&P 500's 1.7% dividend yield. That's its highest level since converting to a real estate investment trust (REIT) in 2012. Driving up American Tower's yield are a slumping stock price this year amid continued dividend growth.

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Source Fool.com