Got $1,000? 2 Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever.

Dividend stocks have proved to be powerful long-term wealth creators. Over the last 50 years, the average Dividend stock in the S 500 has produced a 9.2% average annual total return, outperforming the 7.7% average annual total return of an equal-weighted S 500 index. The best returns have come from dividend growers and initiators at 10.2%.

NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) and Brookfield Infrastructure (NYSE: BIPC)(NYSE: BIP) stand out for their ability to increase their dividends. That makes them great stocks to buy and hold for those seeking a potential lifetime of steadily rising income.

NextEra Energy has raised its dividend for 30 consecutive years. The utility has grown its payout at an 11% compound annual rate over the past decade, which is well above average. That has helped give it the power to produce a 13.1% average annual return over the last 10 years. It should have plenty of fuel to continue increasing its payout, which currently yields an attractive 3.3%. At that rate, it could turn a $1,000 investment into a $33 and growing annual income stream.

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Source Fool.com