3 Dividend Stocks You Can Safely Hold for Decades

Dividends are a great reason for owning stocks in the long run. These discretionary payouts have the potential to rise over time, thereby giving you an increasing flow of passive income that helps to supplement your earned income. Dividend stocks are a great addition to any investment portfolio as these payments not only fatten your wallet but also represent a tangible return on your investment.

But before you dive in to scoop up some dividend stocks, it's important to have a checklist of what to look out for. You should target companies with strong brands and franchises in stable, mature industries that churn out copious and reliable free cash flow. These businesses should also ideally have a long track record of increasing their dividends through good times and bad. With such stocks in your portfolio, you can count on them for steady dividends while enjoying a peaceful night's sleep.

Here are three attractive dividend stocks that you can own in your portfolio for years or even decades.