Dividend growth stocks can make for ideal investment options whether you're a retiree or a long-term investor. The types of businesses that increase their payouts on a regular basis normally have a lot of consistency in their earnings from one year to the next, making them safe investments. That doesn't mean that all dividend growth stocks are safe options, but many of them are.

Three of the safer ones you can put in your portfolio today are Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT), Procter Gamble (NYSE: PG), and Enbridge (NYSE: ENB). Here's why these can be ideal investment options for investors who just want a stable dividend to collect and not worry about.

Healthcare giant Abbott Laboratories has a strong track record of paying and growing its dividend. It belongs to the exclusive club of Dividend Kings, which are stocks that have increased their payouts for at least 50 consecutive years. But that's not why Abbott is a good option for income investors. Instead, it's the stability that the business has through its diverse operations, and the promising growth opportunities that lay ahead.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com