Investors don't like to see these dividend streaks ending -- and right now Briggs & Stratton Corporation (NYSE: BGG) and Flowserve Corporation (NYSE: FLS) both look like they are about to let investors down in 2018. FLS Total Dividends Paid (TTM) data by YCharts To make matters worse, the last year or so has been particularly difficult for both companies. And making sure those checks keep coming, and hopefully growing in line with or faster than inflation , is a key step in the dividend stock selection process.