One of the many reasons I like dividend stocks is because they provide continuous feedback. As time passes, dividend investors see their income grow steadily. You don't have to wait five to ten years to determine if the strategy is working. Each dividend and dividend increase provides reassurance that the strategy is working. When companies like 3M Company (MMM), Emerson Electric (EMR) and Dover Corp. (DOV) put together a string of consecutive dividend increases in excess of 50 years, they are sending a strong message to their shareholders. [More...]