Dividend Aristocrats for 2012
0.06%April 24 | MyPlanIQ portfolio symbol P_36110

Dividend stocks are going to be a focus for the coming few years and we continue to look for ideas that can help provide income and mitigate against the worst of the continuing financial turbulence. Brendan Byrnes
of the Motley Fool gives his view on where to invest for dividends in 2012 and we will follow what he has to say and measure it against our ETF benchmark.

• 3M (NYSE: MMM) produces more than 50,000 products. Even in 2009, one of the "worst economic times in memory," according to CEO George Buckley, the company still released more than 1,000 new products.This is a double edged sword with diversified products to minimize the impact of any one business going south against not being a dominant player in one large market. It has also increased its dividend for 53 consecutive years.
• McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) isn't a surprise having been on the RADAR for many companies. However, there has been some bad news recently. Despite this, Brendan believes 2012 could be very profitable. The company is yielding 2.9%, and has increased that dividend for 35 consecutive years.
• Sysco (NYSE: SYY) is his surprise pick. Sysco is North America's leading food-service distributor, commanding 17% of the market. The company is the highest dividend yielder of the three, at 3.7%, and has been able to grow that dividend for 42 straight years.