Here are three stocks that have increased dividends by 10%, over three times the historical rate of inflation growth, in 2018: Eaton Corporation plc (NYSE: ETN) , A.O. Inflation has historically grown roughly 3% a year, quietly eroding the buying power of stagnant or slow-growth dividends. Big yield, solid prospects Eaton is a diversified industrial giant with a focus on helping companies make efficient use of energy.