Author: Brian Bollinger, Simply Safe Dividends

The company’s scale, hard-to-replicate network assets, mission-critical services, brand recognition, and massive subscriber base remain important competitive advantages.

Oil producers are not normally known for being dependable sources of safe, growing dividends. But this company has proven itself an exception to the rule, thanks to management’s long-term dedication to conservative and profitable capital allocation, low debt levels, integrated operations, and slow but consistent dividend growth.

Recessions and bear markets are an unavoidable part of long-term investing. Economic and market downturns can’t be predicted and more will surely happen in the coming years and decades. But it’s important for investors to realize that while stock prices can be extremely volatile during such periods, dividends tend to be far less so.

These companies have dividend yields near 3% or higher, stable business models, solid balance sheets, and proven commitments to maintaining and growing their dividends in all manner of economic, industry, and interest rate conditions. Simply put, these dividend growth stocks are worthy candidates to consider as part of a diversified portfolio to help you sleep well at night during the next recession, confident that your passive income is as safe as it can be and likely to keep growing your wealth over time.

Let’s take a closer look at whether or not the company appears to remain a dependable long-term dividend growth stock.