Companies with a long history of paying dividends and consistently hiking them remain appealing to income-focused investors. Exxon Mobil, Johnson & Johnson, and Cogent Communications have rewarded shareholders for years and recently announced dividend increases. These companies currently offer dividend yields of up to 5%.

Exxon Mobil 

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the U.S. and internationally.

Exxon Mobil has raised its dividends every year for the last 42 years. According to its most recent dividend hike announcement on Nov. 1, the company increased the quarterly payout by 4% to $0.99 per share, which is equal to an annual figure of $3.96 per share. The current dividend yield is 3.76%.

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Exxon Mobil’s annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $339.25 billion. In its Q4 2024 earnings release on Jan. 31, the company posted quarterly revenues of $83.43 billion, missing the consensus estimate of $87.20 billion, while EPS of $1.67 came in above the consensus of $1.55. 

If you invested $10,000 in Exxon Mobil stock 10 years ago, how much would you have now? Check out this article by Benzinga to learn more.

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of various products in the healthcare field worldwide.

Johnson & Johnson has increased its dividends consecutively for the last 62 years. In its most recent dividend hike announcement on April 16, the company's board raised the quarterly payout by 4.2% to $1.24 per share, equal to an annual figure of $4.96 per share. Currently, the dividend yield on the stock is 3.00%.

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Johnson & Johnson’s annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $88.82 billion. As per the company's Q4 2024 earnings report on Jan. 22, it posted revenues of $22.52 billion and EPS of $2.04. Both figures came in above the consensus estimates.

Check out this article by Benzinga for 14 analysts' insights on Johnson & Johnson.

Cogent Communications

Cogent Communications Holdings (NASDAQ:CCOI) provides high-speed Internet access, private network, and data center colocation space services in North America, South America, Europe, Oceania, and Africa.

Cogent Communications has increased its dividend consecutively for the last 13 years. As per the company's most recent dividend announcement on Feb. 27, its board of directors raised the quarterly payout by $0.01 to $1.005 per share, which is equal to an annual figure of $4.02 per share. The dividend yield currently stands at 5.72%.

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The company's annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $1.04 billion. In its most recent earnings report on Feb. 27, it posted Q4 2024 revenues of $252.29 million, missing expectations, while the per-share loss of $0.91 came in better than feared. 

Exxon Mobil, Johnson & Johnson, and Cogent Communications are good choices for investors seeking reliable passive income. Their dividend yields of up to 5% and long history of consistent hikes make them attractive to income-focused investors.

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This article How Exxon Mobil, Johnson & Johnson, And Cogent Communications Can Put Cash In Your Pocket originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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