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Companies with a long history of paying dividends and consistently hiking them remain appealing to income-focused investors. Cogent Communications, Cadence Bank and Unum Group have rewarded their shareholders for several decades and announced dividend increases not long ago. Furthermore, these companies offer high dividend yields of around 3-5%.

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Cogent Communications

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CCOI) provides high-speed internet access, private network and global data center co-location space services. The company offers on-net internet access and private network services to various sectors, including law firms, financial services, advertising and marketing firms, health care providers and educational institutions.

As per the company’s most recent dividend hike announcement on Aug. 8, its Board of Directors raised the quarterly dividend from $0.975 to $0.985 per share, equal to $3.94 annually. This represents Cogent's 48th consecutive quarterly dividend increase. Currently, the company's dividend yield is 5.62%.

According to the company’s Q2 2024 earnings report, it generated revenues of $260.44 million and an EPS of ($0.68). While the EPS came in better than the consensus estimate, revenues missed the expectations.

Check out this article by Benzinga for two more high-dividend-yield companies that have consistently hiked their dividends for years.

Cadence Bank

Cadence Bank (NYSE:CADE) provides commercial banking and financial services. Its products and services include consumer banking, consumer loans, mortgages, home equity lines and loans, credit cards, commercial and business banking, treasury management, specialized and asset-based lending, commercial real estate, equipment financing and correspondent banking services.

Cadence Bank has increased its dividends consecutively since 2013. According to the company's most recent dividend hike announcement on Jan. 24, its Board of Directors raised the quarterly dividend by 6.4% to $0.25 per share, equal to $1 annually. Currently, the company's dividend yield is 3.31%.

Cadence Bank's annual revenue (as of June 30) is $1.3 billion. According to the company’s Q2 2024 earnings report on July 22, it generated revenues of $456.98 million and an EPS of $0.69. Both were above Street estimates.

“Our second-quarter results reflect steady loan and core customer deposit growth combined with stable funding costs, which improved our net interest margin. Importantly, our credit quality metrics remained stable, reflected by a flat linked quarter provision for credit losses and slight improvement in our past due loans as well as criticized and classified loans," said Dan Rollins, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cadence Bank.

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Unum Group

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) provides group and individual income protection insurance products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland and other countries. It is the largest domestic disability insurer, with most premiums generated from employer plans. The company also offers a complementary portfolio of other insurance products, including long-term care insurance, life insurance and employer- and employee-paid group benefits.

Unum has raised its dividends every year for the last 15 years. On April 30, the company's most recent dividend hike announcement, its Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by 15% to $0.42 per share or $1.68 annualized, with a yield of 3.15%.

As of June 30, Unum's annual revenue stood at $12.6 billion. According to the company's most recent earnings announcement on July 30, it generated Q2 2024 revenues of $3.23 billion and an EPS of $2.16. Both figures were above consensus estimates.

“Our team delivered another strong quarter as we continued to execute against our growth strategy, with contributions from across the company and particularly strong results in our Group Life business. As a result of our better performance in the first half of 2024 and positive trends, we are increasing our full-year after-tax adjusted operating earnings per share outlook to double-digit growth,” said Richard P. McKenney, president and chief executive officer.

Here’s how much $1,000 invested in Unum stock five years ago would be worth today.

Cogent Communications, Cadence Bank and Unum Group are good choices for investors seeking reliable passive income. Their offered dividend yields of around 3-5% and their long history of consistent hikes make them particularly attractive to income-focused investors.

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This article Looking For Yields: Cogent Communications, Cadence Bank And Unum Are Consistent Moneymakers originally appeared on Benzinga.com