Three Underappreciated Dividend Champions to Watch in 2025

Enbridge has raised its dividend for 30 straight years, Enterprise Products Partners for 27 years, and NNN REIT for 36 years. These companies are known as Dividend Champions and have a history of reliability. Enbridge has secured $23 billion in expansion projects, Enterprise Products Partners has $6 billion in projects coming online by year-end, and NNN REIT has a strong track record of dividend growth.

Title: Dividend Champions: Enbridge, Enterprise Products Partners, and NNN REIT Continue Their Streaks

Enbridge, Enterprise Products Partners, and NNN REIT have established themselves as reliable dividend champions, each boasting impressive streaks of consecutive dividend increases. These companies, known for their consistency and reliability, are worth close attention for income-focused investors.

Enbridge (NYSE: ENB), a Canadian pipeline and utility company, has raised its dividend for 30 consecutive years. This remarkable streak is a testament to its strong financial health and commitment to shareholder value. Enbridge has secured $23 billion in expansion projects, which it expects to complete through 2029. These projects include oil pipeline expansions, new gas pipelines, natural gas utility projects, and renewable energy developments. The company anticipates a 3% compound annual cash flow per share growth rate through 2026, accelerating to 5% thereafter. The high-yield payout of nearly 6% makes Enbridge an attractive option for income-focused investors [1].

Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD), a leading midstream energy company, has increased its distribution for 27 straight years. Despite being a master limited partnership (MLP) that issues a Schedule K-1 federal tax form, EPD offers a high-yielding distribution of around 7%. The company is about to hit a growth spurt, with $6 billion in expansion projects coming online by year-end. This should meaningfully boost its cash flow in the coming quarters. EPD’s predictable fee-based revenue model and investment-grade balance sheet position it well for sustained dividend growth [2].

NNN REIT (NYSE: NNN), a smaller real estate investment trust (REIT), has extended its dividend growth streak to 36 consecutive years. This is the third-longest streak among REITs and a mark achieved by fewer than 80 public companies. NNN REIT’s high-yield dividend, nearly 6%, is often overlooked by investors. The company closed $464.9 million in new investments in the first half of 2025, close to its annual target of $500 million-$600 million. With its strong financial profile, it could easily exceed this goal, enhancing its ability to continue increasing its dividend [2].

These Dividend Champions offer unique opportunities for investors seeking reliable income and long-term growth. Their consistent dividend increases and strong fundamentals make them compelling choices for patient investors. As the broader market hits record highs, these stocks stand out as undervalued gems for those looking to diversify their portfolios with stable income streams.

References
[1] https://www.aol.com/2-phenomenal-dividend-growth-stocks-162416313.html
[2] https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/3-dividend-champion-stocks-im-watching-2025-0