The Top 3 Dividend Aristocrats to Watch in 2018

Income investors rely on the Dividend Aristocrats to provide them with reliable, growing dividend income. These stocks have all raised the amount they pay in dividends year in and year out for at least a quarter-century, and along the way, most of them have delivered not only steadily rising dividend payments but also share-price appreciation to boot.

Currently, about 50 companies make the Dividend Aristocrats list, with more likely to join its ranks. A few of them are especially deserving of attention as we move into the New Year. Below, you'll get a chance to learn more about ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), Dover (NYSE: DOV), and Stryker (NYSE: SYK) and why they should be on dividend investors' radar in 2018.

ExxonMobil has been the leader in the energy industry for years, and it also has a strong reputation for shareholder-friendly dividend payouts. For 35 years in a row, the energy giant has rewarded its investors with annual dividend increases, including its most recent 3% rise during the spring of 2017. With a current yield of 3.7%, ExxonMobil is one of the most attractive dividend stocks in the Dow Jones Industrials for those focused on current income.

Source: Fool.com