This year, companies are expected to pay a record amount of dividends

How to go about it.

According to a note published on Sunday by S&P Global's Howard Silverblatt, it is anticipated that dividend payments in the S&P 500 will increase by more than 10 percent this year, which would set a new annual record. This would be the case if companies followed through and paid what the current yield indicates they would pay.

Even while the economy is showing signs of slowing down and interest rates are rising, "the present working perspective for S&P 500 dividends continues to be optimistic," noted Silverblatt. Growth is also anticipated.

Which are the best equities to play the trend given that investors are forecasted to receive an unprecedented amount of income? I looked for firms that have a track record of consistently increasing payouts, offer substantial dividend yields, and are in healthy financial position.

These businesses have increased their dividend payments annually for the past four out of the last five years, and their current yield is higher than the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. The vast majority of analysts believe that purchasing opportunities exist in the stock market.

The dividend yield for BlackRock is 2.8 percent, and the company has increased the amount of money it distributes to shareholders every year for the previous five years—even in the midst of the pandemic. Morgan Stanley, in a note sent in June, stated that a recession might be a "great opportunity to develop a position in such a high quality compounder," which led the investment firm to conclude that the stock presents a purchasing opportunity.

Fifth Third Bancorp has a dividend yield of 3.6 percent and has grown its dividend payment every year for the past five years. According to a note published on Sunday by Wedbush Securities, the company was regarded as "one of the finest managers of interest rate sensitivity," along with Regions Financial.

Corning has maintained a steady increase in its dividend payment over the past five years and currently has a dividend yield of 3%.

The dividend yield for Valero is 3.8 percent, and the company has increased its payout in four out of the past five years.

The American Electric Power Company, Broadcom, Citizens Financial Group, Digital Realty Trust, MetLife, NiSource, VICI Properties, and Williams Companies are some of the other businesses that are included on this list.