Franklin Resources Inc

These undervalued stocks with wide and narrow moats have increased their dividends for 25 consecutive years or more.

$4.5 billion deal will put the combined group, which has $1.5 trillion in assets, in the top six of global asset managers by size.

Companies with a history of paying - or increasing - dividends tend to be favoured by investors, as competitively well-positioned, steady cash-generating businesses.