Thus, stocks such as AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) and Chevron (NYSE: CVX) can not only offer adequate cash flow but also provide the inflation protection that comes with rising payouts. However, a number of companies have increased dividends annually for so long that discontinuing payout hikes may result in a loss of confidence in a stock. Admittedly, the stock has struggled in recent years amid patent expirations across the world for its longtime blockbuster drug, Humira.