A few years ago, I read an eye-opening report on dividends that completely changed my investing mindset. While I've always loved investing in dividend stocks, I focused on buying those with the highest yields.

However, the Power of Dividends report by Hartford Funds made me shift my direction. It showed that while dividend-paying stocks outperformed non-payers (9.6% average annual return vs. 4.8%), dividend growth stocks significantly outpaced companies with no change in their dividend policy (10.7% total return compared to 7.1%). That data has led me to refocus on investing in companies with a track record of growing dividends (that seems likely to continue in the future). 

One of the best is Realty Income (NYSE: O). The real estate investment trust (REIT) has increased its dividend for 27 straight years, including in the last 101 consecutive quarters. With that streak likely to continue, I buy more shares whenever I get the chance. 

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Source Fool.com