In the past 12 months, at least two prominent dividend stocks decreased their payouts. Last year, it was Medical Properties Trust, a healthcare-focused real estate investment trust, while pharmacy chain giant Walgreens Boots Alliance started 2024 with a similar move.

These dividend cuts highlight the importance of finding stocks whose businesses are strong enough to support dividend increases even in challenging times. Fortunately, such stocks exist: Johnson Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), and (NYSE: V) are three great examples.

As far as dividend track records go, it's hard to find many more impressive than Johnson Johnson's. The company is on its 61st consecutive year of payout increases and the stock currently yields about 3%. That demonstrates a resilient and innovative business that can navigate challenging conditions, economic and otherwise, while constantly delivering strong financial results. And we can expect more of the same from Johnson Johnson for many more years as the drugmaker's lineup features more than a dozen blockbusters.

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Source Fool.com