If history gives a hint about the future, it indicates that companies in certain industries tend to generate stable earnings or cash flows that lead to stable dividends.
If we choose the quality companies from these industries, we can then build a diversified portfolio that generates a secure, growing income stream. Below, I list some possibilities.
Utilities: A Must-Own Sector
Earnings generated by utilities are relatively stable because people need to use electricity, gas, and water, etc. no matter if the economy is doing well or not.
One utility that came out strongly from the last recession was Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (TSX:BIP.UN)(NYSE:BIP). Since 2009 it has been a five-bagger.
Brookfield Infrastructure is a rock solid utility, which owns and operates a global, quality portfolio of infrastructure assets, including toll roads, railroads, ports, pipelines, and telecom towers.
Its trusted management, Brookfield Asset Management (TSX:BAM.A)(NYSE:BAM), employs value investing and actively recycles mature assets for higher returns. Because management owns 30% of the partnership, retail unitholders can expect the management to be unitholder-friendly.
Indeed, Brookfield Infrastructure has increased its distribution every year since 2009. Going forward, it gives the guidance to grow its distribution by 5-9% per year. Currently, it offers a yield of 4.5% to start.
