Dividend aristocrats are S&P 500 companies that have increased their dividends annually for at least 25 consecutive years, earning a reputation for resilience and reliability.
These stocks have weathered major challenges like the dot-com bubble, the 2008 financial crisis, the pandemic, and today’s high-inflation, high-interest-rate environment—all while consistently raising their payouts.
Investors value dividend aristocrats for their financial health and consistent cash flows, which enable them to keep delivering predictable dividend growth.
Below is the latest dividend aristocrats list, complete with updated dividend yields and Dividend Safety Scores™. You can also explore detailed reviews of all 66 aristocrat stocks and their key valuation metrics.
If you're looking for more stocks with impressive dividend histories, check out our analysis of the dividend kings, firms with 50-plus years of payout raises.
2024 Dividend Aristocrats List by Yield
Here's a complete list of all 66 Dividend Aristocrats in 2024 along with up-to-date dividend yields and Dividend Safety Scores™:
Dividend Aristocrats' Performance, Sector Mix, and Dividend Growth
Over most long-term periods, S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats have delivered similar total returns to the S&P 500 but with lower volatility.
However, in recent years aristocrats have not kept up with the increasingly tech-heavy S&P 500 as investors have flocked to growth stocks and AI companies.
Source: S&P Dow Jones Indices
This underperformance doesn't come as a big surprise since the dividend aristocrats index looks nothing like the S&P 500.
The tech sector is not well represented with just two aristocrats (IBM and Roper), and over half the group is concentrated in more stable sectors with a slow pace of change – consumer staples, industrials, healthcare, and utilities.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
But what aristocrats lack in excitement they make up for with consistency. The group has delivered steady annual dividend growth of 6% over the last decade.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Let's take a closer look at the many high-quality companies that make up this elite group of stocks.
All 66 Dividend Aristocrats Ranked
The S&P 500 dividend aristocrats analyzed below are ranked by the length of their dividend growth streaks, starting with the shortest.
You'll learn about each company's business to get a feel for what makes these iconic dividend growers so durable.
We've also included valuation metrics for each aristocrat to make it quick and easy to get some timely dividend growth stock ideas for your portfolio.
J.M. Smucker was founded in 1897 and has become a leading purveyor of consumer packaged goods found in most American kitchens. The firm maintains a well-balanced portfolio across at-home coffee (Folgers, Dunkin'), pet nutrition (Milk-Bone, Meow Mix), and consumer foods (mostly Jif peanut butter and its namesake jams). Almost all of Smucker's sales are made in the U.S. to retail outlets, with a much smaller portion generated from restaurants and hotels.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
* Note: S&P added J.M. Smucker to the dividend aristocrat index in January 2023 despite the firm having a 21-year dividend growth streak, which management also confirms. Smucker's dividend was frozen from June 1995 - March 1998 but has otherwise been paid without interruption since 1972.
Dividend Aristocrat #2: Fastenal (FAST)
Sector: Industrials – Trading Companies and Distributors
Dividend Growth Streak: 25 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.9%
Fastenal Company, founded in 1967, distributes industrial and construction supplies, including fasteners, bolts, screws, anchors, and other hardware. Serving a wide range of industries such as manufacturing, construction, transportation, and government, Fastenal operates over 3,000 locations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and internationally. In addition to product sales, the company offers inventory management, custom manufacturing, and supply chain solutions, helping customers streamline operations and reduce costs.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #3: C.H. Robinson (CHRW)
Sector: Industrials – Air Freight and Logistics
Dividend Growth Streak: 26 years
Dividend Safety Score: Borderline Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.3%
C.H. Robinson, founded in 1905, is a leading third-party logistics company that manages the transportation and distribution of goods globally. The firm offers services like freight brokerage, intermodal transport, customs brokerage, and supply chain management. C.H. Robinson doesn't own or operate vehicles itself but instead connects around 100,000 customers with a vast network of carriers, earning revenue by taking a cut from each transaction.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #4: Church & Dwight (CHD)
Sector: Consumer Staples – Household Products
Dividend Growth Streak: 27 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.0%
Established in 1846, Church & Dwight sells a variety of household and personal care products. Its well-known brands include ARM & HAMMER for baking soda products and laundry detergents, TROJAN for condoms, OXICLEAN for stain removers, and WATERPIK for water flossers. The company provides these products through supermarkets, drugstores, and online platforms. In addition, it produces specialty products for the agriculture industry, like baking soda as a feed additive for livestock, optimizing animal health and productivity.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #5: International Business Machines (IBM)
Sector: Information Technology – IT Consulting and Other Services
Dividend Growth Streak: 28 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.9%
IBM, founded in 1911, is a global technology company operating in over 175 countries. It provides hybrid cloud solutions, artificial intelligence (AI), consulting, and enterprise software focused on areas like cybersecurity, automation, and data analytics. With its hybrid cloud platform, anchored by Red Hat, IBM helps businesses streamline operations, reduce costs, and leverage data to gain a competitive edge across various industries.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #6: NextEra Energy (NEE)
Sector: Utilities – Electric Utilities
Dividend Growth Streak: 28 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.7%
Founded in 1984 as Florida Power & Light, NextEra Energy changed its name in 2010 to better represent its aggressive push into renewable power. The company owns the largest electric utility in Florida, serving more than 12 million people. NextEra Energy is also the world's largest producer of wind and solar power, selling the electricity generated from these assets under long-term contracts to utilities and other businesses.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #7: Albemarle (ALB)
Sector: Materials – Specialty Chemicals
Dividend Growth Streak: 29 years
Dividend Safety Score: Borderline Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.6%
Albemarle, founded in 1887, is a global leader in specialty chemicals. The company’s primary focus is producing lithium compounds essential for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage. Albemarle also offers bromine-based chemicals used in fire safety and other industrial applications. Serving markets like energy, electronics, and automotive, Albemarle plays a critical role in supporting clean energy and advanced technologies.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #8: Essex (ESS)
Sector: Real Estate – Multi-Family Residential REITs
Dividend Growth Streak: 29 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.3%
Essex, founded in 1971, is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns over 250 apartment communities. Essex focuses on high-quality properties in urban and suburban submarkets of Southern California, Northern California, and Seattle, serving a diverse tenant base.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #9: Expeditors (EXPD)
Sector: Industrials – Air Freight and Logistics
Dividend Growth Streak: 29 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.2%
Expeditors, founded in 1979, is a global logistics company offering a range of supply chain solutions. Operating through a network of over 300 locations in more than 100 countries, Expeditors provides services such as air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, ground transportation, warehousing, and distribution. The company serves diverse industries, including retail, electronics, technology, and manufacturing, by coordinating the efficient movement of goods worldwide.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #10: Realty Income (O)
Sector: Real Estate – Retail REITs
Dividend Growth Streak: 29 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 5.6%
Realty Income got its start in 1969 with a single investment in a Taco Bell. Today, the retail REIT owns thousands of properties across America leased to hundreds of tenants operating in dozens of industries. Retail properties account for most of the firm's rental revenue, with industrial warehouses and gaming venues generating almost all of the remainder. All properties are under long-term, triple-net lease agreements, which shift property operating expenses to tenants and generate predictable cash flow to fund monthly dividend payments.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #11: Caterpillar (CAT)
Sector: Industrials – Construction Machinery and Heavy Equipment
Dividend Growth Streak: 30 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.4%
Caterpillar, founded in 1925, is a global leader in manufacturing construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. The firm operates through several segments, including Construction Industries (excavators, loaders, bulldozers), Resource Industries (mining trucks, drills), and Energy & Transportation (engines, turbines). Caterpillar also provides financing and insurance to support its sales. With a diverse customer base and extensive dealer network, Caterpillar supports infrastructure and resource development worldwide.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #12: Chubb (CB)
Sector: Financials – Property and Casualty Insurance
Dividend Growth Streak: 30 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.3%
Founded in 1882, Chubb provides insurance and reinsurance solutions globally. In North America, it supports businesses with commercial property, worker safety, and risk management coverage, alongside personal insurance for affluent clients, covering home, auto, and valuables. Its agricultural segment covers various farming-related risks. Internationally, Chubb offers property and specialty insurance, including aviation and energy sectors. Additionally, it provides reinsurance services. Chubb makes money by writing premiums and investing the proceeds for income before costs and claims need to be paid out.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #13: A. O. Smith (AOS)
Sector: Industrials – Building Products
Dividend Growth Streak: 31 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.8%
A. O. Smith, established in 1874, produces water heaters, boilers, heat pumps, and water treatment products for homes and businesses. Serving North America, China, Europe, and India, its products are used in homes and various commercial sites like restaurants, hotels, and hospitals. The company markets its offerings under several brand names, such as A. O. Smith and Lochinvar, distributing through plumbing distributors, retail chains, and direct online sales.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #14: Brown & Brown (BRO)
Sector: Financials – Insurance Brokers
Dividend Growth Streak: 31 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 0.5%
Brown & Brown, founded in 1939, provides insurance products and services primarily in the U.S. The firm operates through four main areas. The Retail segment delivers a broad range of personal and commercial insurance products and risk management services. The National Programs segment focuses on specialized insurance packages for professionals like dentists and lawyers. The Wholesale Brokerage segment specializes in marketing hard-to-place insurance needs through independent agents. Lastly, the Services division manages claims and medical services, mainly for worker's compensation.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #15: Linde (LIN)
Sector: Materials – Industrial Gases
Dividend Growth Streak: 31 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.2%
Linde, founded in 1879, is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company. It supplies atmospheric gases like oxygen and nitrogen, and process gases such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide, serving industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and electronics. Linde also designs and constructs gas production and processing facilities. Its products are integral to various applications, from medical oxygen for hospitals to high-purity gases for electronics manufacturing.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #16: Roper (ROP)
Sector: Information Technology – Application Software
Dividend Growth Streak: 31 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 0.6%
Roper, founded in 1981, is a diversified technology company specializing in software and engineered products. Operating through three segments—Application Software, Network Software, and Technology Enabled Products—Roper serves industries such as healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. The company generates revenue by designing and developing vertical software solutions and technology-enabled products, often through its various subsidiaries. Roper's asset-light business model focuses on acquiring and managing niche market leaders, contributing to its consistent cash flow and shareholder value growth.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #17: West Pharmaceutical (WST)
Sector: Healthcare – Life Sciences Tools and Services
Dividend Growth Streak: 31 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 0.3%
West Pharmaceutical, founded in 1923, designs and manufactures systems for delivering injectable medicines. The company’s products include stoppers, seals, and self-injection devices, as well as custom-made components for surgical, diagnostic, and other drug delivery systems. West serves pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies, helping ensure the safe and reliable delivery of medications worldwide.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #18: Ecolab (ECL)
Sector: Materials – Specialty Chemicals
Dividend Growth Streak: 32 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 0.9%
Founded in 1923, Ecolab provides water treatment, cleaning, and infection prevention solutions worldwide. It serves industries like manufacturing, foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. Ecolab’s offerings include water treatment systems, cleaning products, and infection control solutions. The company also provides pest elimination services and specialized products for semiconductor manufacturing. Ecolab essentially helps businesses maintain clean, safe, and efficient operations across the globe.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #19: General Dynamics (GD)
Sector: Industrials – Aerospace and Defense
Dividend Growth Streak: 32 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.0%
Formed in 1899, General Dynamics is one of the world’s leading global aerospace and defense companies. The firms designs and manufactures business jets, nuclear-powered submarines, combat vehicles like the M1 Abrams tank, and critical IT and communication systems for military and civilian applications. General Dynamics earns most of its revenue from the U.S. government, with the rest coming from U.S. commercial clients and international military and commercial customers.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #20: Chevron (CVX)
Sector: Energy – Integrated Oil and Gas
Dividend Growth Streak: 36 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 4.1%
Chevron was born from the 1879 discovery of an oilfield near Los Angeles that yielded 25 barrels of oil per day. Today, Chevron is one of the world's largest oil companies, producing over 1.5 million oil-equivalent barrels daily. The oil major's profits come from upstream activities like exploring for and producing oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas, as well as downstream operations, including refineries that use crude oil to make petroleum products such as gasoline and petrochemicals and a network of gas stations.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #21: T. Rowe Price (TROW)
Sector: Financials – Asset Management and Custody Banks
Dividend Growth Streak: 37 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 4.0%
Founded in 1937, T. Rowe Price is one of the world’s largest investment managers. The company uses fundamental and quantitative analysis to create and manage a wide variety of equity and bond funds. T. Rowe makes most of its money through investment advisory fees charged for managing clients' money. Fees are generally assessed as a percentage of assets under management, so they are driven by the total value and mix of the funds T. Rowe manages.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #22: McCormick & Company (MKC)
Sector: Consumer Staples – Packaged Foods and Meats
Dividend Growth Streak: 38 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.3%
Founded in 1889, McCormick produces and sells a variety of spices, seasonings, and condiments that enhance food flavor. The company operates through two main areas: Consumer and Flavor Solutions. The Consumer segment offers brands like McCormick, French’s, and Frank’s RedHot to grocery and e-commerce stores. The Flavor Solutions segment provides seasoning blends and flavors to food manufacturers and restaurant clients. McCormick serves both retail customers and large food companies worldwide.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #23: Cardinal Health (CAH)
Sector: Healthcare – Health Care Distributors
Dividend Growth Streak: 39 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.6%
Founded in 1971 as a small food distributor, Cardinal Health is now one of the world's largest suppliers of pharmaceuticals and medical products. The firm acts as a middleman, sourcing mostly drugs along with some medical supplies from over 5,000 manufacturers and through its own medical equipment business. The company distributes these products to hospitals, pharmacies, labs, and other patient care providers, earning a sliver of profit on each sale.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #24: Brown-Forman (BF.B)
Sector: Consumer Staples – Distillers and Vintners
Dividend Growth Streak: 40 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.2%
Established in 1870, Brown-Forman crafts and sells a range of alcoholic beverages such as whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, and tequila. The company’s well-known brands, including Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, and el Jimador, are marketed worldwide. Brown-Forman sells its products through a mix of distributors and direct sales to retailers and governments, meeting the needs of both individual consumers and retail partners across the globe from its base in Louisville, Kentucky.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #25: Aflac (AFL)
Sector: Financials – Life and Health Insurance
Dividend Growth Streak: 41 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.2%
Founded in 1955, Aflac offers supplemental health and life insurance in the United States and Japan. The company offers a range of insurance products, including accident, cancer, critical illness, hospital, dental, vision, and life insurance, primarily through payroll deduction. Aflac's policies are designed to provide financial protection by paying cash benefits directly to policyholders in the event of a covered illness or injury, helping them manage out-of-pocket expenses not covered by major medical insurance.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #26: 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%
Founded in 1926, Amcor develops and sells packaging products globally. Its Flexibles segment offers packaging for food, beverages, medical supplies, and personal care products, while the Rigid Packaging division provides sturdy containers for drinks, sauces, and personal care items, along with plastic caps. Headquartered in Switzerland, Amcor serves diverse industries by supplying essential packaging materials, working closely with clients to meet their specific needs.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #27: Atmos Energy (ATO)
Sector: Utilities – Gas Utilities
Dividend Growth Streak: 41 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.4%
Atmos Energy, established in 1906, is one of the largest natural gas distributors in the United States. It serves over 3 million customers across eight states, including Texas, Colorado, and Louisiana. The company operates thousands of miles of underground distribution and transmission pipelines, delivering natural gas to residential, commercial, public authority, and industrial customers.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #28: Exxon Mobil (XOM)
Sector: Energy – Integrated Oil and Gas
Dividend Growth Streak: 41 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.4%
Exxon Mobil was formed in 1870 as part of business magnate John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil empire. The firm has evolved from a regional refiner and distributor of kerosene used in lamps to one of the world's largest petroleum and petrochemical enterprises. Exxon controls all aspects of the fossil fuel business, from exploration and production to transportation, refining, and retail gasoline sales. This vertical integration diversifies Exxon's cash flow and softens its sensitivity to commodity price fluctuations.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #29: Air Products (APD)
Sector: Materials – Industrial Gases
Dividend Growth Streak: 42 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.2%
Air Products and Chemicals, founded in 1940, supplies industrial gases like hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen to industries such as energy, chemicals, electronics, and healthcare. It delivers gases through packaged cylinders, bulk tankers, and on-site facilities built near customers' locations, often under long-term contracts. The company also designs equipment for natural gas liquefaction and air separation, supporting industrial processes worldwide.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #30: Cintas (CTAS)
Sector: Industrials – Diversified Support Services
Dividend Growth Streak: 42 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 0.7%
Cintas , formed in 1929, provides a range of business services, including uniform rental and sales, facility services, first aid and safety products, and fire protection services. Serving over one million businesses across the United States, Canada, and Latin America, Cintas offers uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, and safety courses. The company operates through a vast distribution network and local delivery routes, catering to clients from small enterprises to major corporations.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #31: Franklin Resources (BEN)
Sector: Financials – Asset Management and Custody Banks
Dividend Growth Streak: 44 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 5.4%
Founded in 1947, Franklin Resources is a global investment management firm helping individuals and institutions achieve long-term financial goals. Managing over $1 trillion in assets, primarily from U.S. clients, Franklin earns revenue through management fees. The firm offers a wide range of strategies, including mutual funds focused on equities and fixed income, as well as alternative investments like hedge funds and real estate. Its diversified offerings cater to various investor needs while managing risks across financial markets.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #32: Sherwin-Williams (SHW)
Sector: Materials – Specialty Chemicals
Dividend Growth Streak: 45 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 0.7%
Sherwin-Williams was founded in 1866 is a global leader in paints and coatings. The company primarily serves the needs of architectural and industrial painting contractors and do-it-yourself homeowners through a network of more than 4,500 company-operated retail stores, but it also sells some industrial coatings, automotive finishes, and protective and marine coatings. The firm's key brands include its namesake paints, Valspar, Minwax wood stains, Krylon spray paints, Purdy painting tools, and Thompson's WaterSeal products.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #33: Medtronic (MDT)
Sector: Healthcare – Health Care Equipment
Dividend Growth Streak: 46 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.3%
Formed in 1949, Medtronic is one of the world’s largest medical equipment device companies. The firm's products help treat over 70 medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and neurological disorders. Medtronic's offerings encompass cardiac pacemakers, insulin pumps, surgical instruments, and patient monitoring systems, serving healthcare systems, physicians, and patients worldwide.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #34: Clorox (CLX)
Sector: Consumer Staples – Household Products
Dividend Growth Streak: 47 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.9%
Clorox started in 1913 when five businessmen invested $100 each to manufacture and sell the firm's namesake bleach. Impressively, Clorox remained a one-product business for its first 56 years. Today, Clorox boasts a balanced portfolio of well-known brands spanning categories such as cleaning products (Pine-Sol, Liquid-Plumr), wipes (Clorox), personal care items (Burt's Bees), bags and wraps (Glad), food (Hidden Valley dressings), charcoal (Kingsford), water filtration (Brita), and cat litter (Fresh Step). Most of the firm's sales are generated in the U.S.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #35: McDonald's (MCD)
Sector: Consumer Discretionary – Restaurants
Dividend Growth Streak: 47 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.4%
Founded in 1940, McDonald's franchises restaurants worldwide, earning most of its income from franchise fees and royalties. This model insulates it from short-term shifts in restaurant profitability. McDonald's targets value-conscious customers seeking quick, affordable meals, offering menu staples like burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, breakfast items, and beverages.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #36: Pentair (PNR)
Sector: Industrials – Industrial Machinery and Supplies and Components
Dividend Growth Streak: 47 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 0.9%
Pentair was founded in 1966 and provides smart and sustainable water solutions globally. The company makes pumps, filtration systems, water softeners, and pool equipment such as heaters and maintenance tools. Pentair serves diverse needs, from improving drinking water quality to maintaining pools and supporting agricultural irrigation, helping residential, commercial, and industrial customers manage and enjoy water resources efficiently.
Sector: Consumer Staples – Agricultural Products and Services
Dividend Growth Streak: 48 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.8%
Established in 1902, ADM is a global leader in agricultural processing and human and animal nutrition. The firm procures and processes crops like corn, oilseeds, and wheat into products such as vegetable oil, protein meal, flour, corn sweeteners, and ethanol. These are used in food, beverages, animal feed, chemicals, and energy markets. About half of ADM’s revenue comes from the U.S., with the rest from Europe, Brazil, Mexico, and other international markets.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #38: Consolidated Edison (ED)
Sector: Utilities – Multi-Utilities
Dividend Growth Streak: 49 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.4%
Consolidated Edison was formed in 1823 as the New York Gas Light Company, providing gas rather than whale oil to power New York's street lamps. The utility now provides energy for the 10 million people who live in and around New York City. Almost all of Con Ed's earnings are generated from regulated activities involving the transmission and distribution of electric, gas, and steam power.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #39: Automatic Data Processing (ADP)
Sector: Industrials – Human Resource and Employment Services
Dividend Growth Streak: 50 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.0%
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) was founded in 1949 and is a global leader in payroll and HR services. ADP provides cloud-based software and services used by businesses of all sizes to manage payroll, benefits, compliance, HR, and employee performance. The firm earns most of its revenue from recurring payroll services while also offering fully integrated HR outsourcing solutions. Trusted by over 80% of Fortune 100 companies, ADP supports organizations in managing their workforce efficiently.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #40: Nucor (NUE)
Sector: Materials – Steel
Dividend Growth Streak: 50 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.4%
Founded in 1940, Nucor is the largest manufacturer of steel products in North America and America's largest steel recycler. The firm's main products are carbon and alloy steel (used in bars, beams, sheets, and plates); steel piling; steel joists; steel deck; concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; and steel fasteners. Steel is sold into a variety of end markets, but non-residential construction and automotive markets are the biggest sources of demand.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #41: S&P Global (SPGI)
Sector: Financials – Financial Exchanges and Data
Dividend Growth Streak: 50 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 0.7%
Founded in 1860, S&P Global offers critical insights and data for various markets worldwide. It provides credit ratings and analytics, helping investors and market participants make informed decisions. The firm delivers information and benchmarks for commodity and energy sectors and offers data solutions for the automotive industry through its mobility segment. With its index services, S&P Global maintains indices like the Dow Jones, aiding investment advisors and wealth managers.
With roots tracing back to 1945, Walmart is the world’s largest retailer with over 10,000 stores. The company offers groceries, health products, and general merchandise at low prices. Walmart also has a strong e-commerce platform and provides financial services like money transfers. Through its Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club stores, Walmart serves millions of customers globally with a focus on affordability and convenience.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #43: Kimberly-Clark (KMB)
Sector: Consumer Staples – Household Products
Dividend Growth Streak: 51 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.6%
Kimberly-Clark, founded in 1872 as a paper mill in Wisconsin, is now a leading maker of tissue and hygiene products. About 25% of the global population uses its brands daily, including Huggies, Kleenex, Cottonelle, Scott, and Kotex. Half of its sales come from personal care items like diapers and wipes, while the rest includes tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, and workplace hygiene products. Kimberly-Clark sells primarily to supermarkets, mass merchandisers, and drugstores.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #44: PepsiCo (PEP)
Sector: Consumer Staples – Soft Drinks and Non-alcoholic Beverages
Dividend Growth Streak: 51 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.4%
The first Pepsi soda was created in 1898 by a pharmacist in North Carolina, inspired by Coca-Cola's recent success. The drink quickly gained popularity, and in 1902, the Pepsi-Cola Company was officially incorporated. Today, PepsiCo is a global leader in various snack and beverage categories and boasts more than 20 brands that each generate over a billion dollars in sales, including Frito's, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Quaker, Lay's, Cheetos, Bubly, Aquafina, and Rockstar.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #45: AbbVie (ABBV)
Sector: Healthcare – Biotechnology
Dividend Growth Streak: 52 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.7%
AbbVie was formed in 2013 when healthcare giant Abbott Laboratories spun off its branded biopharma business. AbbVie has remained focused on branded drugs in immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care. Its flagship product, Humira, treats autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. AbbVie also offers Skyrizi and Rinvoq for immunological disorders, as well as cancer treatments such as Imbruvica and Venclexta.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #46: Abbott (ABT)
Sector: Healthcare – Health Care Equipment
Dividend Growth Streak: 52 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.9%
Founded in 1888, Abbott is one of the world’s largest medical companies, with a portfolio of leading offerings in diagnostic systems, medical devices, nutritional products, and branded generic pharmaceuticals. Abbott is known for its diabetes care devices like FreeStyle Libre, cardiovascular devices such as stents and pacemakers, rapid diagnostic tests for conditions like COVID-19, and nutritional brands such as Ensure and Similac. With a presence in over 160 countries, Abbott focuses on improving health outcomes worldwide.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #47: Becton Dickinson (BDX)
Sector: Healthcare – Health Care Equipment
Dividend Growth Streak: 52 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.9%
Founded in 1897, Becton Dickinson is a leading global manufacturer of medical supplies, devices, and diagnostic tools. It offers a range of products including syringes, needles, and catheters. Many of its products help hospitals deliver medicines to patients, but the firm also delivers specialized medical equipment for labs such as blood collection systems and diagnostic tools. Additionally, it provides surgical products used in areas like hernia repair and urology care. The firm's customers include hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, labs, and blood banks.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #48: W.W. Grainger (GWW)
Sector: Industrials – Trading Companies and Distributors
Dividend Growth Streak: 52 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 0.7%
Established in 1927, W.W. Grainger is a leading distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products and services, primarily operating in North America, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Serving over 4.5 million customers worldwide, Grainger offers products such as safety and security equipment, material handling tools, plumbing supplies, and more. The company reaches its diverse clientele—including businesses, government entities, and institutions—through a network of over 300 branches, online platforms like Grainger.com, and more than 30 distribution centers.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #49: Illinois Tool Works (ITW)
Sector: Industrials – Industrial Machinery and Supplies and Components
Dividend Growth Streak: 52 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.2%
Formed in 1912, Illinois Tool Works (ITW) is a global manufacturer of specialized industrial products and equipment. ITW’s diverse offerings include plastic and metal components for automobiles, commercial food equipment like refrigeration and cooking systems, arc welding tools, adhesives, sealants, and construction fasteners. It also provides beverage packaging equipment, product coding tools, and materials testing systems. ITW serves industries like automotive, construction, electronics, and foodservice, distributing its products directly to manufacturers and through independent distributors.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #50: PPG (PPG)
Sector: Materials – Specialty Chemicals
Dividend Growth Streak: 52 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.2%
PPG, founded in 1883, is a global leader in paints, coatings, and specialty materials. Over half of the firm's sales are special-purpose coatings used in aerospace, automotive, general industrial, packaging, and marine applications, with the remainder used in architectural markets. PPG's offerings provide protection, performance, and decoration for a wide range of products, improving their durability and marketability.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Established in 1902, Target is one of the largest retailers in the United States. It sells a wide variety of products, including clothing, beauty items, groceries, electronics, furniture, toys, and home decor. Target serves customers through its stores and online at Target.com. With a focus on affordable quality, Target aims to provide a convenient and stylish shopping experience for millions of customers nationwide.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #52: Sysco (SYY)
Sector: Consumer Staples – Food Distributors
Dividend Growth Streak: 55 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.6%
Founded in 1969, Sysco is the largest global distributor of food and acts as a middleman between food producers and retail consumers. The firm provides a full line of food products and non-food items to thousands of customer locations, including restaurants, schools and governments, hotels, and healthcare facilities. Its extensive product range encompasses fresh and frozen foods, dairy, beverages, and non-food items like disposable tableware and cleaning supplies.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #53: Federal Realty (FRT)
Sector: Real Estate – Retail REITs
Dividend Growth Streak: 56 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.9%
Founded in 1962, Federal Realty is one of the oldest REITs in the world. The company owns over 100 shopping centers and mixed-use properties located primarily in coastal markets such as Silicon Valley, New York, and Washington, D.C. Most of the firm's centers have a grocery component that drives consistent foot traffic for Federal Realty's retail tenants, which include drugstores, restaurants, apparel retailers, gyms, banks, and home furnishings stores. The firm also owns some apartments and offices.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #54: Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)
Sector: Industrials – Industrial Machinery and Supplies and Components
Dividend Growth Streak: 56 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.8%
Founded in 1843, Stanley Black & Decker is a major provider of tools, outdoor products, and accessories. It offers a wide range of items like power tools, hand tools, and lawn equipment under well-known brands such as Dewalt, Crafstman, and Black+Decker. The firm's products are available through retailers, distributors, and direct sales. Serving various sectors, the industrial segment supplies fasteners and engineered products to industries like automotive and aerospace, enhancing their manufacturing and construction processes.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #55: Hormel (HRL)
Sector: Consumer Staples – Packaged Foods and Meats
Dividend Growth Streak: 58 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.7%
Hormel Foods was founded in 1891 and is a global branded food company offering fresh meats, refrigerated meals, sausages, hams, guacamole, and bacon. The company's portfolio features well-known brands such as Skippy peanut butter, SPAM meat, Applegate meats, Wholly Guacamole dips, Jennie-O turkey, and numerous Hormel-branded meat products. The firm's products are available in over 80 countries, serving retail, foodservice, deli, and commercial customers.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #56: Colgate-Palmolive (CL)
Sector: Consumer Staples – Household Products
Dividend Growth Streak: 61 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.1%
Founded in 1806, Colgate-Palmolive sells toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, cleaning products, and pet food through retail stores and online. The firm's popular brands include Colgate, Palmolive, Irish Spring, Softsoap, and Hill’s Science Diet. Most of the company's revenue is derived outside the United States, with a focus on emerging markets.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #57: Kenvue (KVUE)
Sector: Consumer Staples – Personal Care Products
Dividend Growth Streak: 61 years **
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.5%
Kenvue was separated from Johnson & Johnson in 2022 and sells consumer health products. The firm's Self Care segment offers products for issues like pain relief and allergies under brands like Tylenol and Zyrtec. In Skin Health and Beauty, it provides face, body, and hair care products featuring Neutrogena and Aveeno. The Essential Health segment delivers oral, baby, and women's health products with brands like Listerine and Band-Aid, making health and wellness more accessible through trusted, everyday items.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
** Note: S&P added Kenvue to the dividend aristocrats index in August 2023 after the consumer healthcare firm was spun off by Johnson & Johnson. Kenvue was given credit for J&J's dividend growth streak and should have no trouble continuing it with an A credit rating, payout ratio near 70%, and recession-resistant products.
Dividend Aristocrat #58: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Sector: Healthcare – Pharmaceuticals
Dividend Growth Streak: 61 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.3%
Established in 1886, Johnson & Johnson is a global leader in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The company develops prescription medications for various therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, and neuroscience. Its medical devices portfolio encompasses products for surgery, orthopedics, and vision care.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #59: Coca-Cola (KO)
Sector: Consumer Staples – Soft Drinks and Non-alcoholic Beverages
Dividend Growth Streak: 61 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.1%
Coca-Cola, founded in 1892, is a leading global beverage corporation. It offers a diverse portfolio of over 200 drink brands, including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Dasani, and Minute Maid, available in more than 200 countries. The firm operates on a franchised distribution system, producing syrup concentrate sold to licensed bottlers worldwide, who then manufacture, package, and distribute the finished beverages.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #60: Nordson (NDSN)
Sector: Industrials – Industrial Machinery and Supplies and Components
Dividend Growth Streak: 61 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.2%
Incorporated in 1954, Nordson makes equipment that precisely applies adhesives, coatings, sealants, and biomaterials for industries like packaging, electronics, and healthcare. Its products include automated dispensers for adhesives in packaging and electronics assembly, coating systems for medical devices, and testing tools like x-ray and acoustic microscopy systems for semiconductors. Nordson also supplies medical components such as catheters and syringes. By enhancing precision and efficiency, Nordson helps customers improve production processes, reduce waste, and ensure product reliability.
Sector: Financials – Property and Casualty Insurance
Dividend Growth Streak: 63 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.1%
Established in 1950, Cincinnati Financial offers a range of insurance products in the U.S. It provides commercial, personal, and surplus lines of insurance that cover everything from business liability and equipment to personal auto and home insurance. Additionally, it offers life insurance, annuities, and surety bonds. The firm also invests in bonds and stocks to generate income.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #62: Lowe's (LOW)
Sector: Consumer Discretionary – Home Improvement Retail
Dividend Growth Streak: 63 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.7%
Founded in 1921, Lowe's is a leading home improvement retailer in the United States, providing a wide range of products for home construction, maintenance, and decoration. It offers everything from appliances and tools to paint and garden supplies. The company also provides installation services through independent contractors and sells national and private brand merchandise to a variety of customers, including homeowners and businesses. Products are available in-store and online through Lowes.com and mobile apps.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #63: Genuine Parts (GPC)
Sector: Consumer Discretionary – Distributors
Dividend Growth Streak: 67 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 3.2%
Founded in 1928, Genuine Parts distributes replacement parts in the automotive and industrial machinery markets. The company sells what are often recession-resistant products since vehicles and equipment break down over time and need to be fixed or maintained. Its products are sold to mechanics, dealers, repair shops, manufacturers, and consumers through a global network of distribution centers and retail outlets, including thousands of NAPA and Alliance Automotive Group auto parts stores.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #64: Dover (DOV)
Sector: Industrials – Industrial Machinery and Supplies and Components
Dividend Growth Streak: 68 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.0%
Dover, established in 1947, delivers equipment, supplies, and services globally across several industries. Its Engineered Products segment crafts tools and systems for vehicle care, waste management, and industrial technology. In Clean Energy & Fueling, it supplies solutions for handling fuels and gases. The Imaging & Identification segment offers marking and coding equipment for consumer goods and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the Pumps & Process Solutions and Climate & Sustainability Technologies segments produce specialized pumps, connectors, and refrigeration systems for various applications.
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #65: Procter & Gamble (PG)
Sector: Consumer Staples – Household Products
Dividend Growth Streak: 68 years
Dividend Safety Score: Very Safe
Dividend Yield: 2.3%
With roots tracing back to 1837, Procter & Gamble is among the oldest dividend aristocrats and boasts the longest dividend growth streak in the group. The company has become one
Source: Simply Safe Dividends
Dividend Aristocrat #66: Emerson Electric (EMR)
Sector: Industrials – Electrical Components and Equipment
Dividend Growth Streak: 69 years
Dividend Safety Score: Safe
Dividend Yield: 1.6%
Incorporated in 1890, Emerson Electric offers a range of technology and software solutions. Its main businesses include providing control and measurement systems, with products like valves and sensors to manage liquids and gases. The firm also specializes in automation tools, advanced test systems, and software for optimizing industrial performance. Emerson focuses on enhancing efficiency and safety in various sectors worldwide, drawing on years of expertise in modeling and simulation. The company serves a wide variety of end markets, including oil and gas, refining, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment.
Many of these companies generate predictable cash flow, maintain prudent balance sheets, and have shareholder-friendly management teams.
Investors considering dividend aristocrats just have to believe that the future remains as bright as the past for these impressive dividend growth stocks.
