Companies with a long history of paying dividends and consistently hiking them remain appealing to income-focused investors. Avista, Hershey, and Virtus Investment Partners have rewarded shareholders for years and recently announced dividend increases. These companies currently offer dividend yields of up to 5%.

Avista Corporation

Avista Corporation (NYSE:AVA) operates as an electric and natural gas utility company in the U.S.

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Avista has increased its dividends every year for the last 23 years. In its most recent dividend hike announcement on Feb. 12, the company raised the quarterly payout from $0.475 to $0.49 per share, equal to an annual figure of $1.96 per share. The dividend yield on the stock currently stands at 5.05%. 

The company’s annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $1.94 billion. As per its Q4 2024 earnings release on Feb. 26, it posted revenues of $517 million, beating the consensus estimate of $487.48 million, while EPS of $0.84 came in below the consensus of $0.87.

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Hershey

Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) manufactures and sells confectionery products and pantry items in the U.S. and internationally.

Hershey has raised its dividends consecutively for the last 15 years. In its latest dividend hike announcement on Feb. 8, 2024, the company's board increased the quarterly payout from $1.19 to $1.37 per share, equaling an annual figure of $5.48 per share. More recently, in its dividend announcement on Feb. 6, the company maintained the payout at the same level. The dividend yield currently stands at 3.21%.

Hershey’s annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $11.20 billion. In its most recent earnings report on Feb. 6, the company posted Q4 2024 revenues of $2.89 billion and EPS of $2.69. Both figures came in above the consensus estimates.

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Virtus Investment Partners

Virtus Investment Partners (NYSE:VRTS) is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to individual and institutional clients. 

Virtus has increased its dividends every year for the past seven years. In its most recent dividend hike announcement on Aug. 15, the board raised its quarterly payout by 18% to $2.25 per share, equal to $9 annually. The current dividend yield on the stock stands at 5.22%.

Virtus’ annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $902.82 million. As per its most recent earnings release on Jan. 31, it posted Q4 2024 revenues of $233.49 million and EPS of $7.50. Both figures came in above the consensus estimates.

Avista, Hershey, and Virtus Investment Partners 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.

Check out this article by Benzinga for three more stocks offering high dividend yields. 

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This article Why Avista, Hershey, And Virtus Investment Partners Are Winners For Passive Income originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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