AvalonBay Communities [stock AVB][/stock] expects to hike its dividend by 8% – 12% in the first quarter of 2013, based on its solid operating platform and the recent acquisition of Archstone.

Currently, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) REIT pays a regular quarterly dividend that yields 2.8% annually. The company reported impressive third-quarter results in October and consequently witnessed positive earnings estimate revisions for 2013.