We have some exciting news to share! The Motley Fool UK has now become The Twelfth Magpie -- an independent, UK-owned company, led by our long-serving UK management team — Mark Rogers, Chris Nials and Heather Adlington. In practical terms, it’s the same team you know, now fully focused on serving our UK readers and members.

Just as importantly, our approach remains unchanged: long-term, jargon-free, and on your side. This site is our new home, and there will be extra tweaks made across the coming few days as we settle in. So if anything looks a little off, please bear with us!

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

My top 7 FTSE dividend stocks for building a growing passive income

I’d choose shares with strong, high-quality underlying businesses capable of raising their dividends a bit each year to build a growing passive income.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

The idea of building a rising passive income with FTSE dividend stocks appeals to me. So, I’d choose shares with strong, high-quality underlying businesses capable of raising their dividends a bit each year.

If I hold stocks like that, my portfolio could generate a rising passive income. And, on top of that, share prices tend to increase over time to reflect the progress of underlying business operations. So, I may see my dividend income rising and the capital value of my portfolio increasing as well.

XXX

Of course, nothing’s certain. But by being selective about the shares chosen means there’s a good chance the investing outcome will be favourable over the long term. And, right now, I’ve got my eye on seven potential investments that may be suitable for a portfolio aimed at generating a rising passive income.

My top dividend stocks

They all have a decent trading record and a long history of paying rising shareholder dividends. And they all occupy attractive niches within defensive sectors. Operations tend to generate decent cash inflow in each case. And I reckon all the underlying businesses have the potential to keep dividends rising in the years ahead.

FTSE SmallCap company AG Barr makes soft drinks and owns several popular brands including Irn-Bru. City analysts predict a robust single-digit percentage increase in the dividend for the trading year to January 2022. And with the share price near 518p, the forward-looking yield is just below 3%.

In the FTSE 100, I’d go for smoking products maker British American Tobacco. Steady mid-single-digit percentage advances in the dividend are ahead, according to analysts’ estimates. Meanwhile, with the share price near 2,803p, the forward-looking yield is almost 7.9% for 2021.

Meanwhile, premium branded alcoholic drinks supplier Diageo has a steady record of single-digit percentage increases in the dividend. And the FTSE 100 company predicts further gains ahead. With the shares at 3,036p, the forward-looking yield is just over 2.4% for the trading year to June 2022.

Business software company Sage is another Footsie company that stands out for its solid record of dividend raising. Analysts expect further increases ahead. And with the share price near 575p, we can expect a yield for the trading year to September 2022 of around 3%.

I’d select water company Severn Trent from the FTSE 100 too. We can expect modest dividend increases ahead. And the share price of 2,367p implies a forward yield of just over 4.3% for the trading year to March 2022.

More from the attractive soft drinks sector

From the FTSE 250, I’d select soft drinks producer Britvic. Forward-looking predictions for the dividend are robust. And with the shares at 817p, the yield anticipated for the trading year to September 2022 is around 3.6%.

My final pick is small-cap company and owner of the Vimto brand Nichols. Again, we can expect decent dividend rises ahead. And with the shares at 1,220p, the yield for 2021 is just above 3.1%.

Kevin Godbold has no position in any share mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended AG Barr, Britvic, Diageo, Nichols, and Sage Group. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Friends and sisters exploring the outdoors together in Cornwall. They are standing with their arms around each other at the coast.
Investing Articles

£503 buys 14 shares in this FTSE 250 stock that returned 23.9% annually for the last 15 years

This FTSE 250 stock has averaged a huge return for 15 years. At today's price, £503 buys 14 shares. But…

Read more »

Black woman using loudspeaker to be heard
Investing Articles

£1,000 buys 25 shares in this FTSE 100 stock that’s returned 29.2% annually for the last 10 years

This FTSE 100 mining stock has returned close to 30% a year for a decade. At 3,995p, £1,000 buys 25…

Read more »

Female student sitting at the steps and using laptop
Investing Articles

Down 47%, is this growth stock finally worth buying in May?

With a £288m order book and a hidden pipeline of defence and nuclear contracts, is this growth stock now too…

Read more »

House models and one with REIT - standing for real estate investment trust - written on it.
Investing Articles

2 REITs yielding 7%+ to consider for passive income in 2026

A REIT backed by the NHS and another backed by Tesco and Sainsbury's with both yielding 7%+. Here's why I'm…

Read more »

Woman riding her old fashioned bicycle along the Beach Esplanade at Aberdeen, Scotland.
Investing Articles

Just 97 shares of this UK dividend stock generate £238 in passive income

A 5.7% yield, £238 in passive income from just 97 shares, and one of the most divisive dividend stocks on…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

£10,000 in an ISA generates a second income of…

The London Stock Exchange is home to some of the world's most generous dividends. But how big a second income…

Read more »

Shot of a senior man drinking coffee and looking thoughtfully out of a window
Investing Articles

Expert recommendations: 2 top income stocks yielding 7%+!

With yields of 7.2% and 7.8% respectively, these two income stocks are catching the eyes of institutional analysts. Should investors…

Read more »

Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

3 top income-focused stocks to buy in May 2026, according to experts

Looking for a stock to buy for income in May 2026? Experts have flagged these three UK dividend shares as…

Read more »