Dividend Aristocrats are companies in the S&P 500 that have demonstrated dividend increases for 25 consecutive years or more. This achievement is an indicator of resilience and financial health.
Thanks to this list, income investors have the opportunity to quickly find high-quality dividend stocks. Additional requirements for inclusion in the index pertain to market capitalization and stock liquidity, ensuring maximum reliability of investments.
Another group of companies capable of generating consistent cash flows is known as Dividend Kings. To qualify for this category, a company must increase its dividends annually for more than 50 consecutive years.
The Dividend Aristocrats index is maintained by Standard & Poor’s, and its composition is reviewed annually in January. In this article, we will provide a brief overview of all the companies and offer a free dividend aristocrats spreadsheet.
Table of Contents
2025 Dividend Aristocrats List by Yield
In 2025, the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index saw new additions. Erie Indemnity Company, Eversource Energy, and FactSet Research Systems were added to the index. Below is a list of the Dividend Aristocrats. You can also download the spreadsheet.
Free dividend aristocrats spreadsheet.
| Ticker | Name | Dividend Yield | Dividend Safety Scores |
| BEN | Franklin Resources | 6.64% | Safe |
| O | Realty Income | 5.69% | Safe |
| TROW | T. Rowe Price | 5.55% | Safe |
| AMCR | Amcor | 5.29% | Borderline Safe |
| ES | Eversource Energy | 4.92% | Safe |
| FRT | Federal Realty | 4.54% | Safe |
| TGT | Target | 4.32% | Safe |
| SWK | Stanley Black & Decker | 4.29% | Safe |
| ADM | Archer-Daniels-Midland | 4.26% | Safe |
| CVX | Chevron | 4.12% | Very Safe |
| HRL | Hormel Foods | 3.82% | Very Safe |
| PEP | PepsiCo | 3.81% | Very Safe |
| SJM | J.M. Smucker | 3.71% | Safe |
| KMB | Kimberly-Clark | 3.58% | Very Safe |
| GPC | Genuine Parts Company | 3.48% | Safe |
| KVUE | Kenvue | 3.46% | Safe |
| XOM | Exxon Mobil | 3.36% | Safe |
| ESS | Essex Property Trust | 3.36% | Very Safe |
| CLX | Clorox | 3.34% | Safe |
| NEE | NextEra Energy | 3.22% | Very Safe |
| ABBV | AbbVie | 3.20% | Safe |
| MDT | Medtronic | 3.20% | Very Safe |
| ED | Consolidated Edison | 3.13% | Very Safe |
| JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 3.03% | Very Safe |
| KO | Coca-Cola | 2.90% | Safe |
| SYY | Sysco | 2.75% | Safe |
| IBM | International Business Machines | 2.74% | Safe |
| BF.B | Brown-Forman | 2.63% | Very Safe |
| PPG | PPG Industries | 2.53% | Very Safe |
| CHRW | C.H. Robinson | 2.45% | Borderline Safe |
| APD | Air Products and Chemicals | 2.45% | Very Safe |
| ITW | Illinois Tool Works | 2.43% | Very Safe |
| PG | Procter & Gamble | 2.40% | Very Safe |
| CINF | Cincinnati Financial | 2.39% | Safe |
| MCD | McDonald’s | 2.31% | Safe |
| ATO | Atmos Energy | 2.28% | Very Safe |
| FAST | Fastenal | 2.26% | Very Safe |
| ALB | Albemarle | 2.24% | Borderline Safe |
| CL | Colgate-Palmolive | 2.24% | Very Safe |
| GD | General Dynamics | 2.23% | Very Safe |
| MKC | McCormick & Company | 2.21% | Safe |
| AFL | Aflac | 2.11% | Very Safe |
| AOS | A. O. Smith | 2.07% | Very Safe |
| ADP | Automatic Data Processing | 2.05% | Very Safe |
| LOW | Lowe’s | 2.01% | Very Safe |
| EMR | Emerson Electric | 1.94% | Safe |
| BDX | Becton, Dickinson and Company | 1.83% | Very Safe |
| NUE | Nucor | 1.80% | Very Safe |
| ABT | Abbott Laboratories | 1.80% | Very Safe |
| CAT | Caterpillar | 1.71% | Very Safe |
| NDSN | Nordson Corporation | 1.56% | Very Safe |
| CAH | Cardinal Health | 1.48% | Safe |
| ERIE | Erie Indemnity Company | 1.33% | Safe |
| CB | Chubb | 1.31% | Very Safe |
| LIN | Linde | 1.31% | Very Safe |
| EXPD | Expeditors International of Washington | 1.22% | Very Safe |
| DOV | Dover | 1.18% | Very Safe |
| PNR | Pentair | 1.15% | Very Safe |
| WMT | Walmart | 1.10% | Very Safe |
| CHD | Church & Dwight | 1.08% | Very Safe |
| ECL | Ecolab | 1.04% | Very Safe |
| SHW | Sherwin-Williams | 0.93% | Very Safe |
| FDS | FactSet | 0.93% | Very Safe |
| GWW | W.W. Grainger | 0.84% | Very Safe |
| CTAS | Cintas | 0.77% | Very Safe |
| SPGI | S&P Global | 0.76% | Very Safe |
| ROP | Roper Technologies | 0.57% | Very Safe |
| BRO | Brown & Brown | 0.49% | Very Safe |
| WST | West Pharmaceutical Services | 0.38% | Very Safe |
Dividend Aristocrats’ Performance, Sector Mix, and Dividend Growth
For long-term periods, the total returns of the Dividend Aristocrats index matched those of the overall S&P 500 index, while the former category of companies exhibited lower volatility.
After 2020, however, the situation changes. This is due to the presence of growth stocks in the broad market index, particularly tech-heavy stocks from AI companies.
The list of high yield dividend aristocrats does not include growth stocks. This status is primarily held by “defensive stories.” The sector composition includes consumer staples, industrials, healthcare, and utilities.
The main advantage of reliable dividends payers is not their total returns, but their consistent dividends growth. The average annual dividend growth rate is around 6%. However, this figure reflects a survivorship bias, as it does not take into account the current dividends of companies that have dropped out of the Dividend Aristocrats list.
Understanding Dividend Aristocrats Rankings and Selection Criteria
For a company to be considered a Dividend Aristocrat, it must have a dividend growth streak of at least 25 consecutive years. However, exceptions are allowed; for example, J.M. Smucker has paid dividends for 22 years. In fact, many of the stocks included in this index have paid dividends for 45 straight years or more, with some companies existing since the 1800s.
Additional criteria, aside from the dividends growth streak, include:
- inclusion in the S&P 500 index;
- market capitalization (market cap) of at least $3 billion;
- average daily trading volume (ADVT) of at least $5 million over the past three months.
Our article will help identify high yield dividend aristocrats among iconic dividend growers and provide the best ideas for a stock portfolio. It includes an overview of all 69 dividend aristocrats with valuation metrics. This will assist in selecting the most durable companies and the best dividend growth stock ideas.
In addition to high yield dividend aristocrats, the index also includes companies with yields below 1%. However, even they provide stable growth in passive income.
20 Highest-Yielding Dividend Aristocrats
The S&P 500 Index average yield from dividends is around 1.3%. High-Yield Dividend Aristocrats are companies that pay dividends in the range of 3.2% to 6.6%. By selecting high-yield dividend aristocrats, an income-focused investor can receive increased payouts without having to compromise on quality.
High yield dividend aristocrats have stable business models and significant growth potential for future dividends. They are leaders in their industries and demonstrate strong competitive advantages. This is what allows them to provide high shareholder returns and a stable stream of dividends.
List of dividend aristocrats by yield:
- Franklin Resources – 6.64%;
- Realty Income – 5.69%;
- T. Rowe Price – 5.55%;
- Amcor – 5.29%;
- Eversource Energy – 4.92%;
- Federal Realty – 4.54%;
- Target – 4.32%;
- Stanley Black & Decker – 4.29%;
- Archer-Daniels-Midland – 4.26%;
- Chevron – 4.12%;
- Hormel Foods – 3.82%;
- PepsiCo – 3.81%;
- J.M. Smucker – 3.71%;
- Kimberly-Clark – 3.58%;
- Genuine Parts Company – 3.48%;
- Kenvue – 3.46%;
- Exxon Mobil – 3.36%;
- Essex Property Trust – 3.36%;
- Clorox – 3.34%;
- NextEra Energy – 3.22%.
All 69 Dividend Aristocrats Profiles
Dividend Aristocrat #1: J.M. Smucker (SJM)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Packaged Foods and Meats
- Growth Streak: 22 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.7-4.0%
The company produces consumer packaged goods such as Jif peanut butter and jams. Its brands include Folgers, Dunkin’, Milk-Bone and Meow Mix. SJM is showing organic sales growth despite rising pricing.
The company is included in the Dividend Aristocrats index, even though it has increased dividends for less than 25 years.
Dividend Aristocrat #2: FactSet (FDS)
- Sector: Financials – Financial Exchanges and Data
- Growth Streak: 25 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 0.9%
FactSet is a digital platform for investment professionals. Its clients include asset managers, bankers, and hedge funds. The company provides financial data for market intelligence on a subscription-based model.
Dividend Aristocrat #3: Eversource Energy (ES)
- Sector: Utilities – Electric Utilities
- Growth Streak: 25 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 5.1%
Eversource Energy is the largest utility provider in New England. The company operates in the regulated utility sector. The number of electricity and gas customers exceeds 4 million. By making it onto the list of high yield dividend aristocrats, the company secured the fifth position.
Dividend Aristocrat #4: Fastenal (FAST)
- Sector: Industrials – Trading Companies and Distributors
- Growth Streak: 25 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.3%
Fastenal manufactures industrial supplies and construction supplies. Its product range includes fasteners, bolts, screws, anchors, and hardware. An additional focus is on inventory management and providing supply chain solutions through custom manufacturing.
Dividend Aristocrat #5: C.H. Robinson (CHRW)
- Sector: Industrials – Air Freight and Logistics
- Growth Streak: 26 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Borderline Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.5%
CHRW is a leading third-party logistics company in the United States. It provides freight brokerage transportation services, intermodal transport, customs brokerage, as well as supply chain management and distribution services.
Dividend Aristocrat #6: Church & Dwight (CHD)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Household Products
- Growth Streak: 27 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.1%
Church & Dwight manufactures household and hygiene products. These include baking soda products, laundry detergents, condoms, stain removers, and water flossers. The company owns brands such as ARM & HAMMER, TROJAN, OXICLEAN, and WATERPIK.
Dividend Aristocrat #7: International Business Machines (IBM)
- Sector: Information Technology – IT Consulting and Other Services
- Growth Streak: 28 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.7-3.6%
International Business Machines focuses on enterprise software and automation in data analytics. It is also involved in artificial intelligence, consulting, and cybersecurity.
According to the quarterly results, software revenue is growing due to hybrid cloud solutions, specifically the Red Hat platform.
Dividend Aristocrat #8: NextEra Energy (NEE)
- Sector: Utilities – Electric Utilities
- Growth Streak: 28 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.3%
NextEra Energy traces its history back to Florida Power & Light. The company is a leader in renewable power. It sells wind and solar power through long-term contracts. The primary operations are based in Florida, where NEE serves more than 12 million electric utility customers.
Dividend Aristocrat #9: Albemarle (ALB)
- Sector: Materials – Specialty Chemicals
- Growth Streak: 29 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Borderline Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.2%
Albemarle operates in sectors such as energy, electronics, and automotive. Its key product is lithium compounds, which are used in the production of electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage. The second product, bromine-based chemicals, is in demand in the fire safety industry.
Dividend Aristocrat #10: Essex (ESS)
- Sector: Real Estate – Multi-Family Residential REITs
- Growth Streak: 29 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.4%
Essex owns apartment communities on the West Coast, including Southern California, Northern California, and Seattle. The company reports an increase in revenue and Funds from Operations (FFO) per share, driven by the growth in blended lease rates.
Dividend Aristocrat #11: Expeditors (EXPD)
- Sector: Industrials – Air Freight and Logistics
- Dividend Growth Streak: 29 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.3%
Expeditors is a global logistics company. It provides supply chain solutions, air and ocean freight forwarding, and customs brokerage services. EXPD also works with ground transportation and offers warehousing and distribution services.
Dividend Aristocrat #12: Realty Income (O)
- Sector: Real Estate – Retail REITs
- Growth Streak: 29 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 5.5-5.6%
Realty Income manages retail properties and industrial warehouses. Its tenants include government services, healthcare organizations, gaming venues, and other representatives of the entertainment sector. The company owns standalone properties in the UK and Spain and is increasing its investment volume outside the United States. A key condition of its partnerships is triple-net lease agreements.
The company ranks second among high yield dividend aristocrats. Its main feature is monthly dividend payments, which is an exception as monthly dividend aristocrats typically do not pay dividends.
Dividend Aristocrat #13: Caterpillar (CAT)
- Sector: Industrials – Construction Machinery and Heavy Equipment
- Growth Streak: 30 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.7%
Caterpillar manufactures construction equipment, mining equipment, diesel engines, natural gas engines, industrial turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Its products are in demand in the Construction Industries, Resource Industries, Energy & Transportation sectors.
Dividend Aristocrat #14: Chubb (CB)
- Sector: Financials – Property and Casualty Insurance
- Growth Streak: 30 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.4%
Chubb provides insurance and reinsurance services for commercial property and worker safety. The company offers personal insurance, agricultural insurance, and risk management in the aviation and energy sectors.
Dividend Aristocrat #15: A. O. Smith (AOS)
- Sector: Industrials – Building Products
- Growth Streak: 31 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.1%
A. O. Smith manufactures water heaters, boilers, heat pumps, and water treatment products. The products are distributed through plumbing distributors, retail chains, and online sales. The company’s brands are available in North America, China, Europe, and India.
Dividend Aristocrat #16: Brown & Brown (BRO)
- Sector: Financials – Insurance Brokers
- Growth Streak: 31 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 0.5%
BRO sells insurance products and services in four main segments:
- the Retail segment;
- the National Programs segment (specialized insurance packages);
- the Wholesale Brokerage segment;
- the Services division (claims management and medical services).
BRO has one of the lowest dividend yields in the index.
Dividend Aristocrat #17: Linde (LIN)
- Sector: Materials – Industrial Gases
- Growth Streak: 31 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.3%
Linde supplies atmospheric gases and process gases, including hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Its consumers are companies in the engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, and electronics industries. LIN also owns gas production facilities and processing facilities.
Dividend Aristocrat #18: Roper (ROP)
- Sector: Information Technology – Application Software
- Growth Streak: 31 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 0.6%
This diversified technology company offers software and engineered products. Its operations are conducted in the following segments:
- Application Software;
- Network Software;
- Technology Enabled Products.
ROP’s services are in demand in healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation. The company employs an asset-light business model. Roper has an extremely low dividend yield.
Dividend Aristocrat #19: West Pharmaceutical (WST)
- Sector: Healthcare – Life Sciences Tools and Services
- Growth Streak: 31 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 0.4%
WST manufactures delivery systems for injectable medicines. Its products include stoppers, seals, and self-injection devices. The company also offers custom-made components for surgical, diagnostic, and drug delivery systems.
West Pharmaceutical shows the lowest dividend yield in the index.
Dividend Aristocrat #20: Ecolab (ECL)
- Sector: Materials – Specialty Chemicals
- Growth Streak: 32 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.0%
Ecolab manufactures water treatment systems and cleaning solutions for infection prevention. They are in demand in the pharmaceuticals, hospitality, healthcare, and foodservice industries. Additional areas include pest elimination and maintaining cleanliness in semiconductor manufacturing.
Dividend Aristocrat #21: General Dynamics (GD)
- Sector: Industrials – Aerospace and Defense
- Growth Streak: 32 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.2%
A leader in the U.S. aerospace industry manufactures business jets for commercial customers. However, the primary focus of the company is defense. GD supplies nuclear-powered submarines, combat vehicles, M1 Abrams tanks, IT, and communication systems for the military. The main revenue comes from the U.S. government.
Dividend Aristocrat #22: Erie Indemnity (ERIE)
- Sector: Financials – Property and Casualty Insurance
- Growth Streak: 35 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.2%
Erie Indemnity is a leading provider of insurance services and the management company for Erie Insurance Exchange. It is one of the largest property and casualty insurers. The company is involved in underwriting, marketing, and managing policies for auto insurance, home insurance, business insurance, life insurance, and more.
Dividend Aristocrat #23: Chevron (CVX)
- Sector: Energy – Integrated Oil and Gas
- Growth Streak: 36 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 4.1-4.6%
The oil company produces 1.5 million oil-equivalent barrels per day. Chevron is engaged in the upstream activities of oil and natural gas extraction and the downstream operations of refining. It owns refineries and gas stations. Quarterly results show production growth in petroleum products, gasoline, and petrochemicals. Positive results are driven by the PDC Energy acquisition and the gradual Hess acquisition. A major drawback is the dependence on oil prices.
Dividend Aristocrat #24: T. Rowe Price (TROW)
- Sector: Financials – Asset Management and Custody Banks
- Dividend Growth Streak: 37 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 4.3-5.1%
T. Rowe Price is a large investment manager, ranking third on the list of high yield dividend aristocrats. The company manages equity funds and bond funds, utilizing fundamental analysis and quantitative analysis. Investment advisory fees are based on assets under management. Therefore, market appreciation offsets net client outflows.
Dividend Aristocrat #25: McCormick & Company (MKC)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Packaged Foods and Meats
- Growth Streak: 38 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.2%
MKC produces spices, seasonings, and food flavor condiments. The Consumer segment includes brands such as McCormick, French’s, and Frank’s RedHot. The Flavor Solutions segment supplies seasoning blends to food manufacturers and restaurant clients.
Dividend Aristocrat #26: Cardinal Health (CAH)
- Sector: Healthcare – Health Care Distributors
- Growth Streak: 39 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.6%
Cardinal Health is a middleman in the sale of pharmaceuticals, medical products, drugs, and medical supplies. The company purchases products and distributes them to hospitals, pharmacies, labs, and other patient care providers.
Dividend Aristocrat #27: Brown-Forman (BF.B)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Distillers and Vintners
- Growth Streak: 40 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.6%
Brown-Forman produces alcoholic beverages, including whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, and tequila under the brands Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, and el Jimador. Sales occur through distributors and direct sales to retailers and governments.
Dividend Aristocrat #28: Aflac (AFL)
- Sector: Financials – Life and Health Insurance
- Growth Streak: 41 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.2%
Aflac offers life insurance and supplemental health insurance, including accident insurance, cancer insurance, critical illness coverage, hospital insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance. Premiums are primarily paid through payroll deduction. The company operates in the United States and Japan.
Dividend Aristocrat #29: Amcor (AMCR)
- Sector: Materials – Paper and Plastic Packaging Products and Materials
- Dividend Growth Streak: 41 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Borderline Safe
- Dividend Yield: 4.9-5.1%
Amcor’s packaging products cover the Flexibles segment and Rigid Packaging for food, beverages, medical supplies, personal care products, sauces, pharmaceutical, medical, and consumer products. The company also offers plastic caps for drinks.
The latest quarterly results were worse than the previous ones in terms of EPS. However, the company ranks fourth among high yield dividend aristocrats. For the fiscal year 2025, adjusted free cash flow is projected to be between $0.9 billion and $1 billion.
Dividend Aristocrat #30: Atmos Energy (ATO)
- Sector: Utilities – Gas Utilities
- Growth Streak: 41 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.4%
Atmos Energy is one of the largest natural gas distributors. The company serves 3 million customers in eight states, including Texas, Colorado, and Louisiana. This includes residential customers, commercial customers, public authority customers, and industrial customers. ATO manages thousands of miles of underground distribution and transmission pipelines.
Dividend Aristocrat #31: Exxon Mobil (XOM)
- Sector: Energy – Integrated Oil and Gas
- Growth Streak: 41 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.3-3.8%
Exxon Mobil was founded as part of Standard Oil, owned by John D. Rockefeller. Today, this diversified energy company covers all stages from the upstream segment (exploration and production of petroleum) to retail gasoline sales downstream segment, including the refining segment and chemical segments (transportation and refining of petrochemical products). Vertical integration reduces dependence on commodity price fluctuations. The Pioneer Natural Resources acquisition has allowed for increased output in the Permian output.
Dividend Aristocrat #32: Air Products (APD)
- Sector: Materials – Industrial Gases
- Growth Streak: 42 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.3%
Air Products supplies industrial gases (hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen) under long-term contracts. This includes packaged cylinders, bulk tankers for delivery, and on-site facilities for natural gas liquefaction and air separation. Customers are companies from industries such as energy, chemicals, electronics, and healthcare.
Dividend Aristocrat #33: Cintas (CTAS)
- Sector: Industrials – Diversified Support Services
- Growth Streak: 42 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 0.8%
Cintas provides various business services in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. These include uniform rental, uniform sales, facility services, fire protection services, first aid products, safety products, and safety courses. In addition to uniforms, the company offers mats, mops, and restroom supplies.
Dividend Aristocrat #34: Franklin Resources (BEN)
- Sector: Financials – Asset Management and Custody Banks
- Growth Streak: 44 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 5.3-6.5%
Franklin Resources offers global investment management and assistance in achieving financial goals. Strategies include mutual funds in equities and fixed income, as well as alternative investments such as hedge funds and real estate.
Profit comes from management fees. Putnam Investments acquisition, net market change, and long-term net inflows have led to an increase in AUM. Today, BEN manages $1 trillion in assets. The company is a leader among high yield dividend aristocrats.
Dividend Aristocrat #35: Sherwin-Williams (SHW)
- Sector: Materials – Specialty Chemicals
- Growth Streak: 45 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 0.9%
Sherwin-Williams sells paints and coatings, including industrial coatings, automotive finishes, protective coatings, and marine coatings. The company owns brands such as Valspar, Minwax, Krylon, Purdy, and Thompson’s WaterSeal. Its customers include architectural painting contractors, industrial painting contractors, do-it-yourself homeowners, and retail stores.
Dividend Aristocrat #36: Medtronic (MDT)
- Sector: Healthcare – Health Care Equipment
- Dividend Growth Streak: 46 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.0-3.5%
Medtronic is one of the largest medical equipment device companies. MDT’s products are in demand for 70 medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and neurological disorders, and are also applicable in Cardiovascular segment, the Medical Surgical division and Neuroscience. The company offers cardiac pacemakers, insulin pumps for diabetes treatment, surgical instruments, patient monitoring systems, biomedical devices, and implantable technologies.
Dividend Aristocrat #37: Clorox (CLX)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Household Products
- Growth Streak: 47 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.2-3.6%
Clorox produces consumer products and professional products. These include bleach, cleaning products, wipes, personal care items, food bags and wraps, trash bags, charcoal, water filtration products, and cat litter. The company owns well-known brands such as Pine-Sol, Liquid-Plumr, Clorox, Burt’s Bees, Glad, Hidden Valley dressings, Kingsford, Brita, and Fresh Step.
Organic sales are growing, including charcoal and cleaning supplies. However, quarterly earnings have declined. Additionally, in 2024, the company faced cyberattacks.
Dividend Aristocrat #38: McDonald’s (MCD)
- Sector: Consumer Discretionary – Restaurants
- Growth Streak: 47 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.3%
The company’s business is franchise restaurants. The main source of revenue comes from franchise fees and royalties. The target audience is value-conscious customers. The menu includes quick affordable meals such as burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, breakfast items, and beverages.
Dividend Aristocrat #39: Pentair (PNR)
- Sector: Industrials – Industrial Machinery and Supplies and Components
- Growth Streak: 47 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.1%
Pentair sells water solutions, pumps, filtration systems, water softeners, pool equipment, heaters, and maintenance tools. The markets served include residential customers, commercial customers, and industrial customers.
Dividend Aristocrat #40: Consolidated Edison (ED)
- Sector: Utilities – Multi-Utilities
- Growth Streak: 50 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.4%
The original name of ED was New York Gas Light Company. Its activity involved supplying gas that replaced whale oil in street lamps. The company grew through capital investments in infrastructure related to steam and electricity.
Today, ED is engaged in regulated activities in the energy sector, including the transmission and distribution of electric, gas, steam power, and natural gas. The primary revenue comes from the CECONY business in New York City and Westchester County. The company benefits from rising rate bases.
Dividend Aristocrat #41: Automatic Data Processing (ADP)
- Sector: Industrials – Human Resource and Employment Services
- Growth Streak: 50 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.0%
ADP provides payroll services and HR services, including HR outsourcing solutions, cloud-based software for payroll, benefits, compliance, and employee performance evaluation. Among its clients are more than 80 Fortune 100 companies.
Dividend Aristocrat #42: Nucor (NUE)
- Sector: Materials – Steel
- Growth Streak: 50 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.7%
The largest steel recycler in North America manufactures steel products from carbon steel, cold finished steel, and alloy steel. NUE offers steel piling, steel joists, steel deck, concrete reinforcing steel, and steel fasteners. The products are in demand in non-residential construction and automotive markets.
Dividend Aristocrat #43: S&P Global (SPGI)
- Sector: Financials – Financial Exchanges and Data
- Growth Streak: 50 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 0.7%
S&P Global provides market participants with index services (such as Dow Jones), markets’ analytics, insights, data on the commodity sector and energy sector, and credit ratings. Among its consumers are retail investors, investment advisors, and wealth managers. The mobility segment of SPGI offers information solutions for the automotive industry.
Dividend Aristocrat #44: Walmart (WMT)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Consumer Staples Merchandise Retail
- Growth Streak: 50 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.0%
Walmart is the world’s largest retailer, operating 10,000 stores with low prices. The formats include Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club. The shelves feature groceries, health products, and general merchandise. Additionally, WMT offers financial services on its e-commerce platform.
Dividend Aristocrat #45: Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Agricultural Products and Services
- Growth Streak: 51 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 4.5%
ADM is a leader in agricultural processing, human nutrition, and animal nutrition. The company works with crops such as corn, oilseeds, and wheat. It produces vegetable oil, protein meal, corn flour, corn sweeteners, and ethanol. These products are used in the manufacturing of food, beverages, animal feed, chemicals, and in energy markets.
H4 Dividend Aristocrat #46: Kimberly-Clark (KMB)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Household Products
- Growth Streak: 51 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.4-3.6%
Kimberly-Clark produces tissue products, hygiene products, diapers, wipes, toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, and personal care items under the brands Huggies, Kleenex, Cottonelle, Scott, and Kotex. The offered personal care items and workplace hygiene products are used by over 25% of the global population. KMB demonstrates strong quarterly earnings and growth in organic sales in the Personal Care Segment and Consumer Tissue segment.
Dividend Aristocrat #47: PepsiCo (PEP)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Soft Drinks and Non-alcoholic Beverages
- Growth Streak: 51 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.2-3.7%
Pepsi soda was created by a pharmacist from North Carolina. Today, the Pepsi-Cola Company is a global food and beverage company that owns 20 brands in the snack categories and beverage categories, including Frito’s, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Quaker, Lay’s, Cheetos, Bubly, Aquafina, and Rockstar. Each of these brands generates billions of dollars in sales. PEP demonstrates growth in its quarterly results.
Dividend Aristocrat #48: AbbVie (ABBV)
- Sector: Healthcare – Biotechnology
- Growth Streak: 52 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.1-4.0%
AbbVie was formed as a result of the separation of the branded biopharma business from Abbott Laboratories. It entered the index due to the dividends payment history of its parent company.
ABBV owns Skyrizi, Rinvoq, Imbruvica, and Venclexta. These drugs are used in immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, and for the treatment of autoimmune conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease. The main challenge is the biosimilar competition to Humira. The latest report shows no quarterly earnings, and the company incurred a loss.
Dividend Aristocrat #49: Abbott (ABT)
- Sector: Healthcare – Health Care Equipment
- Growth Streak: 52 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.7%
Abbott is one of the largest medical companies. ABT produces diagnostic systems, medical devices, nutritional products (nutritional brands Ensure and Similac), branded generic pharmaceuticals, diabetes care devices (FreeStyle Libre), cardiovascular devices, stents, pacemakers, and rapid diagnostic tests for COVID-19.
Dividend Aristocrat #50: Becton Dickinson (BDX)
- Sector: Healthcare – Health Care Equipment
- Growth Streak: 52 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.9%
BDX produces medical supplies, devices, diagnostic tools, medicines administration systems, syringes, needles, catheters, specialized medical equipment, blood collection systems, diagnostic tools, and surgical products for hernia repair and urology care. Becton Dickinson’s customers include hospitals and labs.
Dividend Aristocrat #51: W.W. Grainger (GWW)
- Sector: Industrials – Trading Companies and Distributors
- Growth Streak: 52 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 0.8%
GWW produces maintenance products, repair products, operating products, safety equipment services, security equipment, material handling tools, and plumbing supplies. The company serves 4.5 million customers in North America, Japan, and the United Kingdom through branches, distribution centers, and the online platform Grainger.com.
Dividend Aristocrat #52: Illinois Tool Works (ITW)
- Sector: Industrials – Industrial Machinery and Supplies and Components
- Growth Streak: 52 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.3%
ITW produces specialized industrial products, equipment, plastic components, metal components, automobiles, commercial food equipment, refrigeration systems, cooking systems, arc welding tools, adhesives, sealants, construction fasteners, and beverage packaging equipment.
Dividend Aristocrat #53: PPG (PPG)
- Sector: Materials – Specialty Chemicals
- Growth Streak: 52 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.5%
PPG produces paints for decoration, coatings, specialty materials, and special-purpose coatings for the aerospace, automotive, general industrial, and marine applications. The products are used in packaging and architectural markets. Marketability is ensured by quality protection, high performance, and durability.
Dividend Aristocrat #54: Target (TGT)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Consumer Staples Merchandise Retail
- Growth Streak: 52 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.9%
Target, one of the high yield dividend aristocrats, offers affordable quality and a stylish shopping experience. The company is a leader among retailers in the United States. TGT sells clothing, beauty items, groceries, electronics, furniture, toys, and home decor in stores and on the website Target.com for those who appreciate a convenient shopping experience.
Dividend Aristocrat #55: Sysco (SYY)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Food Distributors
- Growth Streak: 55 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.7%
Sysco is a food distributor. The company acts as a middleman between food producers and retail consumers. It supplies food products (fresh foods, frozen foods, dairy, beverages) and non-food items (disposable tableware, cleaning supplies) to restaurants, schools, governments, hotels, and healthcare facilities.
Dividend Aristocrat #56: Federal Realty (FRT)
- Sector: Real Estate – Retail REITs
- Growth Streak: 56 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 4.0-4.3%
One of the oldest REITs owns apartments, offices, shopping centers, and mixed-use properties in coastal markets (Silicon Valley, New York, Washington D.C.). Among the retail tenants of office space and retail space are drugstores, restaurants, apparel retailers, gyms, banks, home furnishings stores, as well as a grocery component that drives foot traffic.
A strong point is the growth in rental income, particularly same center revenue and leasing. The company is among the 20 high yield dividend aristocrats.
Dividend Aristocrat #57: Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)
- Sector: Industrials – Industrial Machinery and Supplies and Components
- Growth Streak: 56 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.7-4.0%
SWK leads in tools and storage sales. The company manufactures tools, outdoor products, accessories, power tools, hand tools, and lawn equipment under the brands Dewalt, Craftsman, and Black+Decker. Sales occur through retailers, distributors, and direct sales.
The industrial segment includes fasteners, engineered products, and engineered fastening for automotive, aerospace, and commercial electronic security. Quarterly results show an increase in net income.
Dividend Aristocrat #58: Hormel (HRL)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Packaged Foods and Meats
- Growth Streak: 58 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 4.0%
Hormel is a global branded food company. HRL produces fresh meats, refrigerated meals, sausages, hams, guacamole, and bacon. Among its brands are Skippy peanut butter, SPAM meat, Applegate meats, Wholly Guacamole dips, and Jennie-O turkey. The products are supplied to 80 countries for retail customers (deli customers and foodservice customers) and commercial customers. The company is among the Dividend Kings.
Dividend Aristocrat #59: Colgate-Palmolive (CL)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Household Products
- Growth Streak: 61 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.2%
CL produces toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, cleaning products, and pet food under the brands Colgate, Palmolive, Irish Spring, Softsoap, and Hill’s Science Diet. The products are sold in retail stores and online in the United States and emerging markets.
Dividend Aristocrat #60: Kenvue (KVUE)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Personal Care Products
- Growth Streak: 61 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.6-4.4%
Kenvue, spun off from Johnson & Johnson, made this list due to the dividends of its parent company.
KVUE operates in consumer healthcare. The Self Care segment includes skin health and beauty products such as Neutrogena and Aveeno (face care, body care, hair care).
The Essential Health segment includes Band-Aid, pain relief products, allergy medications (Tylenol, Zyrtec), oral health products (Listerine), baby health, and women’s health. The company demonstrates stable quarterly earnings.
Dividend Aristocrat #61: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
- Sector: Healthcare – Pharmaceuticals
- Growth Streak: 61 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.0-3.2%
JNJ is a global leader in pharmaceuticals. This diversified health care company manufactures medical devices, prescription medications for therapeutic areas such as oncology, immunology, neuroscience, surgery, orthopedics, and vision care, as well as consumer products. Johnson & Johnson is a Dividend King, increasing its payouts for over 60 consecutive years.
Dividend Aristocrat #62: Coca-Cola (KO)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Soft Drinks and Non-alcoholic Beverages
- Growth Streak: 61 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.9%
A leading beverage corporation produces 200 drink brands, including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Dasani, and Minute Maid. Through a franchised distribution system, syrup concentrate is supplied to 200 countries. Licensed bottlers package the finished beverages on-site.
Dividend Aristocrat #63: Nordson (NDSN)
- Sector: Industrials – Industrial Machinery and Supplies and Components
- Growth Streak: 61 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.5%
Nordson offers equipment for applying adhesives, coatings, sealants, and medical components (catheters, syringes), as well as testing tools (x-ray systems and acoustic microscopy systems for semiconductors). The products are in demand in the production of biomaterials, packaging, electronics, and healthcare. Automated dispensers for adhesives are used in packaging and electronics assembly, coating systems, and medical devices.
Dividend Aristocrat #64: Cincinnati Financial (CINF)
- Sector: Financials – Property and Casualty Insurance
- Growth Streak: 63 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.4%
CINF offers insurance products to residents of the United States. These include commercial insurance, personal insurance, surplus lines, business liability, personal auto insurance, home insurance, equipment, life insurance, annuities, and surety bonds. An additional source of income for the company comes from investments in bonds and stocks.
Dividend Aristocrat #65: Lowe’s (LOW)
- Sector: Consumer Discretionary – Home Improvement Retail
- Growth Streak: 63 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.9%
The home improvement retailer Lowe’s offers national brand merchandise and private brand merchandise for home construction, maintenance, and decoration, including appliances, tools, paint, and garden supplies. LOW provides installation services and maintenance through independent contractors. Customers include homeowners and businesses. Sales in the United States are made through stores, the website Lowes.com, and mobile apps.
Dividend Aristocrat #66: Genuine Parts (GPC)
- Sector: Consumer Discretionary – Distributors
- Growth Streak: 67 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 3.4%
GPC sells replacement parts in the automotive markets and industrial machinery markets. Sales occur through a global network of distribution centers and retail outlets, including NAPA and Alliance Automotive Group.
Buyers include mechanics, dealers, repair shops, manufacturers, and consumers. Replacement parts for vehicles to be fixed and maintained are recession-resistant products. Equipment breakdowns are not dependent on the economic cycle.
This company is the only one that has paid dividends for over 60 years and ranks among the top 20 high yield dividend aristocrats.
Dividend Aristocrat #67: Dover (DOV)
- Sector: Industrials – Industrial Machinery and Supplies and Components
- Growth Streak: 68 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.1%
Dover’s business includes the following segments:
- the Engineered Products segment (tools and waste management services, vehicle care systems, industrial technology);
- the Clean Energy & Fueling segment (equipment and supplies for working with fuels and gases);
- the Imaging & Identification segment (marking equipment and coding equipment);
- Pumps & Process Solutions (specialized pumps and connectors);
- Climate & Sustainability Technologies (refrigeration systems).
Dividend Aristocrat #68: Procter & Gamble (PG)
- Sector: Consumer Staples – Household Products
- Growth Streak: 68 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
- Dividend Yield: 2.3%
PG is one of the oldest dividend aristocrats, founded in 1837. The company produces laundry detergents, baby wipes, diapers, paper towels, cleaning products, shampoos, deodorants, and toothpaste, as well as other consumer goods. Its products are marketed under brands such as Luvs, Pampers, Tampax, Charmin, Downy, Tide, Cascade, Dawn, Febreze, Head & Shoulders, Old Spice, Pantene, Gillette, Braun, Crest, and Oral-B.
Dividend Aristocrat #69: Emerson Electric (EMR)
- Sector: Industrials – Electrical Components and Equipment
- Growth Streak: 69 years
- Dividend Safety Score: Safe
- Dividend Yield: 1.9%
EMR supplies technology and software solutions for control systems and measurement systems. This includes valves, sensors, liquids, gases, automation tools, and advanced test systems to enhance industrial performance. The products are applicable in the oil and gas, refining, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment markets.
The company has extensive experience in modeling and simulation and strives for maximum efficiency and safety. Emerson Electric has the longest streak of dividend growth among dividend aristocrats but offers a below-average dividend yield.
Closing Thoughts on Dividend Aristocrats
Dividend investors believe that dividend stocks will provide them with dependable income and that the future remains bright. Aristocrat dividend stocks are the most attractive investment options.
Competitive advantages include predictable cash flow, prudent balance sheets and financial health, established business models, shareholder-friendly management teams, and high growth potential for dividends.
Extreme high-dividend stocks typically have low quality. The S&P 500 Index average yield is around 1.3%.
High-yield individual security research presents challenges for newcomers and retirees. Therefore, it is advisable to focus on high yield dividend aristocrats among high dividend yield stocks. They allow for income significantly above average with low risks.
More ideas for building a quality dividend growth portfolio can be found through investment research and the portfolio tools provided by BeatMarket.
FAQ
What is the best Aristocrat dividend stock?
The best dividend aristocrat is considered to be Franklin Resources. It is the highest-yielding dividend aristocrat. Realty Income and T. Rowe Price take the second and third places among high yield dividend aristocrats.
Do dividend aristocrats outperform S&P 500?
No. Their total return is lower, even when considering only high yield dividend aristocrats. The reason is that there are almost no technology companies in this index.
What is a 25 year dividend aristocrat?
Companies that have increased dividends for exactly 25 consecutive years include FactSet, Eversource Energy, and Fastenal.
Is there an ETF that tracks dividend aristocrats?
Yes, it is the ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF. There are also mutual funds based on this index, such as the Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund. The management company is Fidelity Investments. The downside of index investing is the inability to focus on high yield dividend aristocrats.
What is the average return of dividend aristocrats?
As of 2024, the compound annual growth rate of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index has been 7.29% excluding dividends. Dividend growth is around 6%.
What are the four requirements for a stock to be a dividend aristocrat?
First, a streak of dividend increases for at least 25 consecutive years. Second, inclusion in the S&P 500 Index. Third, a market cap of at least $3 billion. Fourth, an average daily trading volume of at least $5 million.
