The best thing about investing in shares, to my mind, is receiving dividend payments.
Companies which have managed to pay an increasing stream of dividends over many years are the best friend to an income-focused investor.
Here are two quality businesses who have done just that…
Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW)
Brickworks Limited is in the building materials game. The company manufactures a variety of clay and concrete products, and is also involved in property development and investments.
Brickworks has been around since the 1930s and operates across Australia and New Zealand.
Over the last 20 years, the company has been able to increase dividends by 8.5% per annum. During the GFC the dividend was held steady and then continued to grow.
In the last 10 years, the dividend has grown at a rate of 3% per annum.
The current payout ratio is a very conservative 40%, so Brickworks should have no trouble maintaining (or even increasing) the dividend as housing construction eventually slows.
Brickworks is trading on a PE of 11.9, and a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.6%.
Event Hospitality and Entertainment Ltd (ASX: EVT)
Event Hospitality and Entertainment operates cinemas, resorts and hotels across Australia, New Zealand and Germany.
Event has been running since 1910 and now has 142 cinemas and 54 hotels, as well as an investment property portfolio.
The company's main business – cinemas – has remained relevant over the years in the face of competition from the likes of Pay-TV, and more recently, subscription services like Netflix and Stan.
Over the last 20 years, Event has managed to increase its dividend on average, at a rate of 7.6% per annum. During the GFC, the company was able to keep increasing its dividend. In the last 10 years, the dividend has grown at a rate of 6.2% per annum.
The current payout ratio is 78%, which is a little high, but lower than it was a few years ago.
Shares currently trade at around 18 times earnings, and a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.2%.
Foolish takeaway
Out of these two, Brickworks currently looks like the better buy. It's trading on a cheaper valuation and the low payout ratio means the dividend is well supported when the construction boom slows.
These are just two of the many companies out there who have provided investors with a solid and increasing dividend stream over time.
