There are over 200 publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), most of which pay dividends. However, one REIT stands above all the rest: Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT). It has increased its dividend for 54 straight years, the longest streak in the REIT sector. 

That qualifies it as a Dividend King, an elite group of less than 50 dividend-paying stocks that have increased their dividend for at least 50 consecutive years. Here's why dividend growth investors will want to take a closer look at this REIT.

Federal Realty is one of 20 publicly traded REITs focused on owning shopping centers. It's not the biggest in the group. The retail REIT currently has the third-largest market cap, behind Kimco Realty (NYSE: KIM) and Regency Centers (NASDAQ: REG).

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Source Fool.com