In fact, on Monday, the oldest dividend payer of the big AI tech stocks, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), announced a dividend increase of more than 10%. Here are the essential things to know about Redmond's new bigger payout to owners. Microsoft announced it ...

Dividend-growth stocks have historically produced the highest-total returns. That's why investors should take note of the recent raises that Microsoft, Verizon, and Realty Income have provided to their investors. With more growth ahead, they're in solid positions to produce above-average total returns in the future.

Microsoft said its next quarterly dividend would be 83 cents a share, up from 75 cents. It also announced a $60 billion share repurchase authorization.

Like Microsoft, Keurig Dr Pepper was in no great rush to declare its latest dividend raise. More than a month after unveiling its second-quarter fundamentals, the company said its next quarterly payout will be $0.23 per share, an amount 7% higher than the last distribution.

Microsoft's share repurchase program, which has no expiration date, replaces its previous $60 billion authorization announced four years ago. Meanwhile, investors also cheered the news that shareholders of record as of Nov. 21 will receive a quarterly dividend of 83 cents per share, up from the current 75 cents a share.

Microsoft has announced a $60 billion stock buyback plan, the largest in its history, and a 10% dividend increase.