Few investors need to be told that stock prices, even for some of the market's sturdiest blue chips, are down these days. But that makes compelling buys out of the better-managed companies that pay regular dividends. And when those solid businesses declare dividend raises, their stocks become that much more attractive.

Two excellent examples of this in recent times are McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) and Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX). On top of that, investors who want to add to their passive income pile still have time to take advantage of the two hikes. Here's more about both.

McDonald's, almost indisputably the most recognized restaurant chain on the planet, has actually been a fairly resilient stock of late. It's "only" fallen 8% in price year to date, compared to the nearly 23% swoon of the S&P 500 index. 

Continue reading

Source Fool.com