Some companies don’t wait a whole year to boost their dividends—they raise them every single quarter. This means steady, predictable income for investors who want more than just the usual yearly bump. Clearway Energy, Energy Transfer, and W.P. Carey are three names making waves with this quarterly dividend hike strategy, attracting attention from those hunting for reliable, growing passive income streams.
Let’s unpack why these firms stand out, and what’s fueling their confidence to keep increasing payouts so regularly.
Clearway Energy’s Clean Energy Push Powers Dividend Growth
Clearway Energy is sitting on a solid 5.7% dividend yield right now, paying out about $1.75 annually per share. What’s more impressive is that the company’s dividend hasn’t just been steady—it’s grown every quarter. Last quarter, Clearway nudged its dividend up by 1.7%, and it’s aiming for a 6.5% raise next year. Investors hungry for consistency have good reasons to watch this stock.
Why’s Clearway able to do this? It’s all about long-term contracts. The company sells clean energy to utilities and big corporations, locking in prices with power purchase agreements (PPAs). This setup creates a predictable revenue stream—no wild swings.
Recently, Clearway has been adding to its portfolio with new solar and wind projects. For instance, it bought a solar farm in California and a wind farm in Washington state. Plus, it’s re-powering the Mt. Storm Wind project in West Virginia, with a 20-year deal to sell that power to Microsoft. This mix of steady contracts and smart investments is the backbone of Clearway’s confidence to keep hiking dividends.
Energy Transfer: A Midstream Giant with Cash Flow to Spare
Energy Transfer is a different beast but just as intriguing. The energy midstream company hands out a 7.3% yield right now, making it one of the highest-yielding names on this list. It’s been raising its payout by $0.0025 per unit every quarter—a small but steady climb that adds up to 3% to 5% growth annually.
A key reason this works is Energy Transfer’s fee-based business model. About 90% of its earnings come from fee-based assets, which means their cash flow is stable and less volatile than commodity prices might suggest. The company keeps a healthy balance sheet, distributing just over half its earnings and reinvesting the rest into growth projects.
This year alone, Energy Transfer is pumping $5 billion into new projects. These expansions will soon start adding fresh cash flow, fueling more dividend raises. And it’s not just about organic growth—the company’s acquisition of WTG Midstream last year is expected to boost cash flow significantly over the next few years.
Key Points on Energy Transfer’s Growth
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7.3% dividend yield at recent prices
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Quarterly distribution increases of $0.0025 per unit
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$5 billion invested in growth projects for 2025
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Strategic acquisitions fueling cash flow growth
The steady cash flow and robust growth investments give Energy Transfer a strong footing to continue rewarding investors regularly.
W.P. Carey’s Real Estate Approach to Dividend Increases
W.P. Carey, a real estate investment trust (REIT), rounds out the trio with a solid 5.7% yield. The REIT has been bumping its dividend every quarter since 2023, after it shifted focus away from office properties. Last year, quarterly hikes were about $0.005 per share, but this year they’ve accelerated to $0.01 per share each quarter.
Two things keep W.P. Carey’s dividend on an upward track. First, the REIT owns properties leased under long-term net leases with built-in rent escalations. Half of these leases are linked to inflation, and the rest have fixed annual rent increases. So rental income rises steadily, much like clockwork.
Second, the company plows its free cash flow back into buying more properties that follow this same reliable rent pattern. It’s a smart cycle—rental income grows, supporting dividend increases, which attract investors looking for steady payouts.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 5.7% |
| Annual Dividend | $3.56 per share |
| Market Cap | $14 billion |
| Lease Types | Inflation-linked and fixed annual rent hikes |
| Dividend Growth | $0.01 per share quarterly increase in 2025 |
This dual approach—stable rental income plus strategic acquisitions—makes W.P. Carey a favorite for dividend growth seekers.
Why Quarterly Dividend Hikes Matter More Than You Think
Quarterly dividend increases aren’t just about showing off generosity. They tell a story about a company’s financial health and future plans. If a business can commit to raising payouts four times a year, it’s usually got strong, predictable cash flow and confidence in its growth strategy.
For investors, this means:
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A smoother, more reliable income boost
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Easier reinvestment planning with steady dividend increases
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Less risk of surprise dividend cuts
And sure, nothing’s guaranteed—markets can throw curveballs. But Clearway Energy, Energy Transfer, and W.P. Carey have a track record that says they’re serious about rewarding shareholders consistently.
Ever thought about dipping into dividend stocks? These picks could be the start of a dependable income stream that grows before your eyes—quarter after quarter.
