The Motley Fool·2025-12-24 07:45Core Viewpoint - Investing in dividend-paying stocks is highlighted as a beneficial strategy for generating a growing income stream by 2026, with specific recommendations for top dividend investments [1]. Realty Income - Realty Income aims to provide reliable monthly dividend income that increases over time, having raised its dividend 133 times since its public listing in 1994, including 113 consecutive quarters [3]. - The current monthly dividend yield is 5.7%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of around 1.2%, translating to approximately $4.75 monthly income for every $1,000 invested, or $57 annually [4]. - Realty Income maintains a diversified real estate portfolio, generating stable rental income through long-term net leases, and pays out about 75% of its cash flow in dividends, retaining the rest for further investments [6]. Brookfield Infrastructure - Brookfield Infrastructure is a global leader in infrastructure, owning utility, energy midstream, transportation, and data assets, which provide stable cash flow supported by long-term contracts [7]. - The company has consistently increased its dividend since 2008, with a current yield of 3.8% and a target growth rate of 5% to 9% annually [9]. - Brookfield has $7.8 billion in organic expansion projects planned over the next two to three years, alongside $1.5 billion in new investments, positioning it for over 10% annual growth in funds from operations per share [10]. Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF is recognized as a top dividend ETF, holding 100 high-yielding dividend stocks selected based on quality characteristics [11]. - The ETF currently offers a dividend yield of 3.7%, with its holdings having increased dividends by an average of over 8% annually over the past five years [12]. - Notable holdings include Bristol Myers Squibb, which has a 1.6% recent dividend increase, extending its growth streak to 17 years, and has paid dividends for 94 consecutive years [13].