Have you ever noticed those that most vehemently attack a buy-and-hold strategy really don't understand how the strategy works? They confuse a buy-and-hold strategy with day trading with a longer duration. A true implementation of buy-and-hold includes a focus on blue-chip stocks with a sustainable advantage, along with a reasonable asset allocation framework. One sign of a blue-chip stock is a long string of dividend increases.

Below are several companies that have recently raised the bar by increasing their cash dividends:

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) researches and develops, manufactures, and sells various products in the healthcare field worldwide. On April 28, the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.7% to $0.80 per share. The dividend is payable on June 7, 2016 to stockholders of record as on May 24, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 20, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), a research-based biopharmaceutical company, discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines in areas of unmet medical needs in North America, South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. On April 28, the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.3% to $0.47 per share. The dividend is payable on June 29, 2016 to stockholders of record as on June 16, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of June 14, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas in the United States, Canada/South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia/Oceania. On April 27, the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.7% to $0.75 per share. The dividend is payable on June 10, 2016 to stockholders of record as on May 13, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 11, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players to consumers, small and mid-sized businesses, education, and enterprise and government customers worldwide. On April 26, the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.6% to $0.57 per share. The dividend is payable on May 12, 2016 to stockholders of record as on May 9, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 5, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 2.2%.

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) provides information technology products and services worldwide. On April 26, the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.7% to $1.40 per share. The dividend is payable on June 10, 2016 to stockholders of record as on May 10, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 6, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 3.8%.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) provides retail, commercial, and corporate banking services to individuals, businesses, and institutions. On April 26th, the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.3% to $0.38 per share. The dividend is payable on June 1, 2016 to stockholders of record as on May 6, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 4, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 3.0%.

Exelon Corporation (NYSE:EXC), a utility services holding company, engages in the energy generation and delivery businesses in the United States and Canada. On April 26, the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.6% to $0.318 per share. The dividend is payable on June 10, 2016 to stockholders of record as on May 13, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 11, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 3.7%.

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) provides life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management products in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. On April 26, the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.7% to $0.40 per share. The dividend is payable on June 13, 2016 to stockholders of record as on May 9, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 5, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.

BB&T Corporation (NYSE:BBT) operates as a financial holding company that provides various banking and trust services for retail and commercial clients. On April 26 the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.7% to $0.28 per share. The dividend is payable on June 1, 2016 to stockholders of record as on May 13, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 11, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 3.1%.

United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) provides technology products and services to building systems and aerospace industries worldwide. On April 26, the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.1% to $0.66 per share. The dividend is payable on June 10, 2016 to stockholders of record as on May 20, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 18, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

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, click here.

Summary

• Those that most vehemently attack a buy-and-hold strategy really don't understand how the strategy works.
• A true implementation of buy-and-hold includes a focus on blue-chip stocks with a sustainable advantage.
• Below are several companies that have recently raised the bar by increasing their cash dividends.