The last 12 months have been reasonably disappointing for many of Australia's most popular dividend shares.
But I wouldn't let that put you off dividend shares, especially in this low interest environment.
Here are three top dividend shares that I think investors ought to consider today:
Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR)
I believe that Dicker Data is one of the best dividend shares on the Australian share market. Due to the solid growth the computer software and hardware wholesale distributor has achieved over the last few years, the company has been able to grow its dividend at a solid rate. This year will be no different, with management planning to pay an 18 cents per share fully franked dividend in quarterly instalments. This will be a 7% increase on FY 2017's payout and equates to a 6% yield based on its last close price.
National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR)
Another top dividend option in my opinion is this storage giant. Due to increasing demand for its storage facilities and the company's plan to develop both new and existing sites, I believe National Storage is in a position to grow its bottom line and distribution at a steady rate over the coming five years. In FY 2018 I expect the company to pay an annual distribution of 9.8 cents per share, equating to a yield of 6.2%.
Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)
Finally, this real estate investment trust is another dividend share which I think income investors ought to consider. As its name implies, the trust has a focus on rural assets such as poultry and wine production. It currently owns a total of 38 rural properties across six agricultural sectors and has rented them out on long-term leases. As of its last update, the tenancy agreements on its assets had an average of 12.5 year to run and had rental indexation built into them. I believe this gives both management and shareholders great visibility on Rural Funds' long-term earnings and distribution potential. Its shares offer a trailing distribution yield of 4.8% at present and go ex-dividend for its latest quarterly instalment at the end of this month.
