How to find top-quality companies with sustainable and growing dividends
Ian Mortimer, portfolio manager of Guinness Global Equity Income Fund, shares three favourites as he explains where he'd put his money

Our investment philosophy centres on a quality dividend-growth strategy. By focusing on high-quality stocks with sustainable and growing dividends, we aim to provide steady income and long-term capital growth. Rather than chasing high-yield stocks, which often underperform, we prioritise proven resilience.
Every company we invest in must deliver sustainable dividends, supported by at least ten consecutive years of strong cash returns on investment. Additional quality screens, including balance-sheet strength, narrow down the criteria further. This disciplined process often leads us beyond traditional income sectors to firms combining steady growth with attractive dividend potential. Here are three examples.
Publicis (Paris: PUB), a French advertising and media agency, is the third-largest player in its field after WPP and Omnicom. Through strategic acquisitions of Sapient, a business transformation consultancy, and Epsilon, a data firm, Publicis has evolved from focusing on traditional media to becoming a comprehensive solutions provider with cutting-edge digital capabilities. This forward-thinking strategy has driven industry-leading performance. It achieved the highest organic growth among peers for eight successive quarters.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Publicis excels by anticipating trends such as the rise of AI-driven marketing and the shift to first-party data, allowing it to mitigate cyclicality. Offering sector-leading margins, a 30% return on capital, and a yield of 3.5%, coupled with a 10% five-year dividend compound annual growth rate, Publicis is well positioned for both dividend and capital appreciation.
Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is a household name and a global leader in technology, but what really stands out is the company’s innovation and adaptability. Its Azure cloud platform continues to lead the market with growth of about 30%, driven by a hybrid-cloud model and early investments in AI, including Azure AI and Copilot. AI is now a meaningful contributor to growth, solidifying Microsoft’s position at the forefront of technological advancement.
Beyond Azure, Microsoft’s diversified portfolio spans intelligent cloud, productivity and business processes, and personal computing, providing multiple high-margin growth engines. Under CEO Satya Nadella’s leadership, the company has leveraged its enduring competitive advantages, scale, and network effects to reinvest in innovation while maintaining financial strength. With a dividend policy boasting a 10% compound annual growth rate since 2010, Microsoft combines growth potential with shareholders’ returns, making it a core holding.
Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), the world’s largest non-alcoholic beverage company, holds an unmatched position, with five of the top six global non-alcoholic carbonated drinks under its umbrella: Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Diet Coke, and Coke Zero.
Coca-Cola exemplifies a business with a formidable competitive advantage underpinned by its iconic brand and global recognition. The company has consistently found new avenues of growth through strategic initiatives such as portfolio optimisation, reformulated beverages to meet changing consumer preferences, and innovative smaller-sized packaging.
This has been reflected in the past three years, during which Coca-Cola has achieved double-digit organic growth despite high inflation. CEO James Quincey summarised Coca-Cola’s success by stating that “our all-weather strategy is working”.
This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
Portfolio manager, Guinness Global Equity Income Fund
-
Will “Liberation Day” strike again?
Donald Trump’s 90-day tariff pause comes to an end on 9 July. Can we expect further market turmoil?
-
Israel claims victory in the '12-day war' with Iran
Donald Trump may have announced a ceasefire in the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, but what comes next depends on what happens internally in Iran
-
Investors can buy into tomorrow’s top global technology stocks today
Opinion Anthony Ginsberg, manager of HAN-GINS Tech Megatrend Equal Weight UCITS ETF, highlights three technology stocks as he tells us where he'd put his money
-
'Seeking out quality and resilience will pay off for patient British investors'
Opinion Gary Channon, chief investment officer of Phoenix Asset Management Partners, and Kartik Kumar, member of the Investment Team, select three stocks
-
Resilient and profitable performers will excel in the era of deglobalisation
Opinion James Harries, co-manager, STS Global Income & Growth Trust, selects his favourite stocks as he shares where he'd put his money
-
Growth trends such as low-carbon grids and AI boost key infrastructure — how to invest
Opinion Richard Sem, partner, head of Europe, and portfolio manager at Pantheon Infrastructure, highlights three favourites as he shares where he'd put his money
-
Trainline: a cheap cash machine for investors
Opinion Trainline’s shares have slumped owing to concerns about growth, but the sell-off seems overdone
-
Look to British stocks to lead the charge as the Magnificent Seven falter
Opinion Gervais Williams, fund manager, The Diverse Income Trust, picks three British stocks where he'd put his money
-
'Technology will determine tomorrow’s top stocks in emerging markets'
Opinion John Citron, investment manager of the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Investment Trust, tells us where he’d put his money
-
Three British mid-caps that could make 'attractive' investments
Opinion Charles Luke, manager of the Murray Income Trust, highlights three UK-listed mid-cap companies, as he tells us where he'd put his money