With all the other investment strategies out there, why should investors consider dividend or income investing? There are a multitude of reasons to follow a dividend growth strategy. These include: investment stability, security of cash, continuous feedback, potential higher returns, low maintenance, et. al. But for me the most important reason is the inflation hedge that a growing income will provide in my retirement years.

Below are several companies building an inflation hedge for their shareholders by increasing their cash dividends:

Royal Gold, Inc. (NASDAQ:RGLD) acquires and manages precious metals royalties, metal streams, and similar interests.  On November 10 the company increased its quarterly dividend 4.5% to $0.23 per share. The dividend is payable January 22, 2016 to stockholders of record on January 8, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of January 6, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 2.4%.

New Jersey Resources Corporation (NYSE:NJR), an energy services holding company, provides regulated gas distribution services and retail and wholesale energy services. On November 10 the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.7% to $0.24 per share. The dividend is payable January 4, 2016 to stockholders of record on December 17, 2015, with an ex-dividend date of December 15, 2015. The yield based on the new payout is 3.2%.

McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is the largest fast-food restaurant company in the world, with about 35,000 restaurants in 119 countries. On November 10 the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.89 per share. The dividend is payable December 15, 2015 to stockholders of record on December 1, 2015, with an ex-dividend date of November 27, 2015. The yield based on the new payout is 3.1%.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services to individual and institutional customers in the United States and internationally. On November 10 the company increased its quarterly dividend 21% to $0.70 per share. The dividend is payable December 17, 2015 to stockholders of record on November 24, 2015, with an ex-dividend date of November 20, 2015. The yield based on the new payout is 3.2%.

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) provides business process outsourcing services worldwide. On November 10 the company increased its quarterly dividend 8.2% to $0.53 per share. The dividend is payable January 1, 2016 to stockholders of record on December 11, 2015, with an ex-dividend date of December 9, 2015. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE:SNA) manufactures and markets tools, equipment, diagnostics, and repair information and systems solutions for professional users worldwide. On November 6 the company increased its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.61 per share. The dividend is payable December 10, 2015 to stockholders of record on November 24, 2015, with an ex-dividend date of November 20, 2015. The yield based on the new payout is 1.4%.

CDK Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDK) provides integrated information technology and digital marketing/advertising solutions to the automotive retail industry worldwide. On November 6 the company increased its quarterly dividend 12% to $0.135 per share. The dividend is payable December 30, 2015 to stockholders of record on December 1, 2015, with an ex-dividend date of November 27, 2015. The yield based on the new payout is 1.1%.

United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBSI) operates as the bank holding company for United Bank (WV) and United Bank (NASDAQ:VA) that provides commercial and retail banking services and products in the United States. On November 6 the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.1% to $0.33 per share. The dividend is payable January 4, 2016 to stockholders of record on December 11, 2015, with an ex-dividend date of December 9, 2015x. The yield based on the new payout is 3.1%.

Selecting stocks with increasing dividends is critical for an income growth strategy. The above list contains stocks that recently raised their dividends; it is not a list of recommend buys. As always, due diligence should be performed before buying or selling any stock. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.