For investors who seek regular passive income, ASX infrastructure stock Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI) continues to stand out as one of the best dividend propositions on the ASX.
This week the company delivered a double dose of good news for shareholders.
Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure announced an 8.5% lift in distribution guidance and declared a Q1 FY26 distribution of 6.75 cents per stapled security.
The result is that income investors now have greater visibility over their income stream from this ASX infrastructure stock.
And they have reasons to cheer.
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What Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure actually does
Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure owns and operates the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, a critical piece of bulk export infrastructure located near Mackay in Queensland.
The terminal is one of the largest metallurgical coal export facilities in the world, with a throughput capacity of 84.2 million tonnes per annum.
Critically, the terminal operates under a regulated access regime, meaning its revenues are not directly exposed to coal prices but are instead set by the Queensland Competition Authority through a pricing framework that allows Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure to recover its costs and earn a regulated return on capital.
In other words, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure benefits from highly visible cashflows, collecting fees for the use of its infrastructure regardless of commodity price movements.
The distribution update
Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure announced this week that distribution guidance for TY-26/27 has been set at 28.62 cents per stapled security, an 8.5% increase on the prior period.
That increase is supported by an 8.1% rise in the forecast Terminal Infrastructure Charge to approximately $4.02 per tonne for TY 26/27.
This reflects the regulated pricing framework that underpins Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure's revenue.
The terminal remains fully contracted at 84.2 million tonnes per annum until 30 June 2028.
What's more, evergreen renewal options provide additional visibility beyond that date.
The company pays distributions on a quarterly basis, in March, June, September, and December.
These distributions are structured as a combination of unfranked dividends and loan note repayments.
This has tax implications that investors should factor into their calculations.
The long-term income track record
Beyond this week's announcement, the longer-term income track record at Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure is genuinely impressive for a stock of its size.
In FY2025, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure reported Funds from Operations of $173.3 million, up 10.6%, and grew its annual distribution by nearly 12%.
Furthermore, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure chairman David Hamill reaffirmed this week that the company targets annual distribution growth of 3% to 7% for the foreseeable future, a commitment that gives income investors a clear framework for modelling future returns.
Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure shares have risen 37% over the past twelve months.
Consequently, investors who bought a year ago have enjoyed strong capital growth on top of the income stream.
What the chairman said
Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure chairman David Hamill summarised the investment proposition clearly at this week's AGM, stating:
With a low-risk business model and predictable cashflows, DBI is well positioned to deliver growing distributions and sustainable long-term value.
From an income investor's perspective, this is highly reassuring.
Foolish takeaway
Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure may not a high-growth stock.
However, for investors who prioritise reliable, growing income over capital appreciation, the company offers a rare combination of quarterly distributions, an inflation-linked regulated revenue base, and a long-term growth target.
In a volatile market, that kind of predictability has real value for investors.
