Cintas Corporation (CTAS), VF Corp (VFC), Ecolab Inc. (ECL): Three Dividend Boosters for Your Watch List

When looking for investments, you may want to look to the S&P 500’s Dividend Aristocrats list. Companies merit a spot on the list when they boost dividends for at least a couple of decades. Of course, it would be unwise to invest in a company based solely on its inclusion on this list. Looking into company fundamentals and whether it sells a needed product represent a must when doing investment research.

The service professionals

The company boosted dividends for 30 straight years . Its free cash flow increased 15% last year and paid out a low 22% of the total in dividends . Currently, the company pays $0.64 per share per year and yields 1.3%.

Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) doesn’t rest on its laurels. It pushes geographic expansion. Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS)’s 2012 expansion in the European market will bode well for the company as the European economy shows signs of recovering from their recession woes.

A power brand collection

Apparel and footwear company, VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) owns a portfolio of strong brands such as The North Face, Lee, Wrangler, and Timberland. VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) understands the power of branding, quality, and customer loyalty.

As of Oct. 2012, VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) boosted dividends for 40 years straight . Last year, its free cash flow increased 19% and paid out 34% of the total in dividends. Currently the company pays $3.48 per share per year and yields 1.8%.

VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) wants to grow its business with a global focus, acquiring more powerful brands, and creating new products. The company expressed its goal of garnering 43% of its revenue from the international arena by 2017. In addition, VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) established the VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) innovation fund in order to internally fund employee product design initiatives and the more recent innovation centers staffed with engineers, scientists, and technical designers.

Keeping the world clean

Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) boosted its dividend for 21 straight years . Last year, Ecolab grew free cash flow 90% and paid out 50% of the total in  dividends. Currently, the company pays $0.92 per share per year and yields 1% annually.