Rather than subject themselves to this risk, savvy investors can stabilize their portfolios by taking positions in reliable dividend growth stocks. These companies offer consistent dividend payments but also usually maintain growing share prices, allowing investors to collect returns from receiving both dividend payments and value appreciation. The three dividend growth stocks to buy have met a number of additional criteria. Each of the three stocks has outstanding growth, with their 1-year returns higher than 20%. Each company has increased its dividend annually for more than 15 consecutive years, making them profitable and stable options to hold for a long time.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is an unquestioned software giant most famous for its development of the Windows operating system and Office suite. Honeywell International (NYSE:HON) is considered by some investors as the gold standard of industrial companies. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) Abbott Laboratories is a medical devices company founded in 1888 that produces pediatric nutritional products, diagnostic equipment and pharmaceuticals.

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