Share your opinion and earn yourself a free Motley Fool premium report!

We are looking for Fools to join a 75 minute online independent market research forum on 15th / 16th December.

To find out more and express your interest please click here

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

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

Forget high yields? Here’s the smart way to build passive income with dividend shares

Stephen Wright outlines how investors looking for passive income can put themselves in the fast lane with dividend shares.

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking up arrow on wooden block cubes
Investing Articles

15,446 Diageo shares gets me a £1,000 monthly second income. Should I?

Diageo has been a second-rate income stock for investors over the last few years. But the new CEO sees potential…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 FTSE 100 stocks to target epic share price gains in 2026!

Looking for blue-chip shares to buy? Discover which two FTSE 100 stocks our writer Royston Wild thinks could explode in…

Read more »

A row of satellite radars at night
Investing Articles

If the stock market crashes in 2026, I’ll buy these 2 shares like there’s no tomorrow

These two shares have already fallen 25%+ in recent weeks. So why is this writer wating for a stock market…

Read more »

British Pennies on a Pound Note
Investing Articles

How much money does someone really need to start buying shares?

Could it really be possible to start buying shares with hundreds of pounds -- or even less? Christopher Ruane weighs…

Read more »

Two gay men are walking through a Victorian shopping arcade
Investing Articles

With Versace selling for £1bn, what does this tell us about the valuations of the FTSE 100’s ‘fashionable’ stocks?

Reflecting on the sale of Versace, James Beard reckons the valuations of the FTSE 100’s fashion stocks don’t reflect the…

Read more »

A senior group of friends enjoying rowing on the River Derwent
Investing Articles

Want to stuff your retirement portfolio with high-yield shares? 5 to consider that yield 5.6%+

Not everyone wants to have a lot of high-yield shares in their portfolio. For those who might, here's a handful…

Read more »

Affectionate Asian senior mother and daughter using smartphone together at home, smiling joyfully
Investing Articles

How much do you need in a SIPP to target a £3,658 monthly passive income?

Royston Wild discusses a 9.6%-yielding fund that holds global stocks -- one he thinks could help unlock an enormous income…

Read more »