My top 7 FTSE dividend stocks for building a growing passive income

I’d choose shares with strong, high-quality underlying businesses capable of raising their dividends a bit each year to build a growing passive income.

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

The idea of building a rising passive income with FTSE dividend stocks appeals to me. So, I’d choose shares with strong, high-quality underlying businesses capable of raising their dividends a bit each year.

If I hold stocks like that, my portfolio could generate a rising passive income. And, on top of that, share prices tend to increase over time to reflect the progress of underlying business operations. So, I may see my dividend income rising and the capital value of my portfolio increasing as well.

Of course, nothing’s certain. But by being selective about the shares chosen means there’s a good chance the investing outcome will be favourable over the long term. And, right now, I’ve got my eye on seven potential investments that may be suitable for a portfolio aimed at generating a rising passive income.

My top dividend stocks

They all have a decent trading record and a long history of paying rising shareholder dividends. And they all occupy attractive niches within defensive sectors. Operations tend to generate decent cash inflow in each case. And I reckon all the underlying businesses have the potential to keep dividends rising in the years ahead.

FTSE SmallCap company AG Barr makes soft drinks and owns several popular brands including Irn-Bru. City analysts predict a robust single-digit percentage increase in the dividend for the trading year to January 2022. And with the share price near 518p, the forward-looking yield is just below 3%.

In the FTSE 100, I’d go for smoking products maker British American Tobacco. Steady mid-single-digit percentage advances in the dividend are ahead, according to analysts’ estimates. Meanwhile, with the share price near 2,803p, the forward-looking yield is almost 7.9% for 2021.

Meanwhile, premium branded alcoholic drinks supplier Diageo has a steady record of single-digit percentage increases in the dividend. And the FTSE 100 company predicts further gains ahead. With the shares at 3,036p, the forward-looking yield is just over 2.4% for the trading year to June 2022.

Business software company Sage is another Footsie company that stands out for its solid record of dividend raising. Analysts expect further increases ahead. And with the share price near 575p, we can expect a yield for the trading year to September 2022 of around 3%.

I’d select water company Severn Trent from the FTSE 100 too. We can expect modest dividend increases ahead. And the share price of 2,367p implies a forward yield of just over 4.3% for the trading year to March 2022.

More from the attractive soft drinks sector

From the FTSE 250, I’d select soft drinks producer Britvic. Forward-looking predictions for the dividend are robust. And with the shares at 817p, the yield anticipated for the trading year to September 2022 is around 3.6%.

My final pick is small-cap company and owner of the Vimto brand Nichols. Again, we can expect decent dividend rises ahead. And with the shares at 1,220p, the yield for 2021 is just above 3.1%.

Kevin Godbold has no position in any share mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended AG Barr, Britvic, Diageo, Nichols, and Sage Group. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Calendar showing the date of 5th April on desk in a house
Investing Articles

Investors are rushing to buy these before the Stocks and Shares ISA deadline. Should we join in?

Despite geopolitical troubles causing so much pain in the world, Stocks and Shares ISA investors in the UK are keeping…

Read more »

Mature friends at a dinner party
Investing Articles

How much do you need in a Stocks and Shares ISA for a £10,000 second income?

Ben McPoland highlights a FTSE 100 dividend stock yielding 7% that could contribute nicely to an ISA generating a second…

Read more »

Close-up of a woman holding modern polymer ten, twenty and fifty pound notes.
Investing Articles

How big a Stocks and Shares ISA is needed to target £500 of monthly passive income?

Christopher Ruane explains how a Stocks and Shares ISA could potentially earn someone thousands of pounds in dividends per year.

Read more »

British pound data
Investing Articles

With the stock market down, here are 2 potential ISA bargains to consider right now

When the stock market dips, investors looking at long-term prospects should seek out cheap shares, right? I have my eye…

Read more »

Mature black woman at home texting on her cell phone while sitting on the couch
Investing Articles

Want a £1m Stocks and Shares ISA? Step 1 starts before 5 April

Dr James Fox explains why the Stocks and Shares ISA is an incredible vehicle, and why investors may want to…

Read more »

Happy woman commuting on a train and checking her mobile phone while using headphones
Investing Articles

2 dirt-cheap stocks to consider buying for an ISA portfolio in April

This pair of UK shares are down by double digits in recent months. Ben McPoland sees both as stocks to…

Read more »

Front view photo of a woman using digital tablet in London
Growth Shares

I think this undervalued penny stock has serious potential to outperform

Jon Smith points out a penny stock that's started to rise as the company pushes ahead with a transformation that…

Read more »

Close-up of children holding a planet at the beach
Investing Articles

2 dividend-paying investment trusts to consider for a Stocks and Shares ISA

These two London-listed funds source their dividends globally, offering income investors diversification inside an ISA portfolio.

Read more »