Dividend Aristocrats List 2026: All 69 Stocks Ranked
The Dividend Aristocrats are the royalty of the stock market. These are S&P 500 companies that have done something incredibly rare — increased their dividend every single year for at least 25 consecutive years.
Think about what that means. These companies raised their dividends through the 2008 financial crisis. Through COVID-19. Through inflation spikes, recessions, trade wars, and everything else the economy has thrown at them. And they kept paying more every year.
As of early 2026, there are 69 Dividend Aristocrats. In this guide, we'll list every single one, highlight our top 10 picks, break down the sectors, and show you which Aristocrats are best for beginners.
What Is a Dividend Aristocrat?
A Dividend Aristocrat must meet three criteria:
- Be a member of the S&P 500 — Only large-cap, financially stable companies qualify
- Have increased dividends for 25+ consecutive years — One missed year and you're out
- Meet minimum float-adjusted market cap and liquidity requirements — Ensures the stock is tradeable
The index is maintained by S&P Dow Jones Indices and rebalanced annually in January. Companies are added when they reach the 25-year threshold and removed if they fail to increase their dividend or get dropped from the S&P 500.
Fun fact: Despite the name suggesting "aristocratic" wealth, many Dividend Aristocrats have modest yields. The real power is in the growth — a stock yielding 2% today that grows its dividend 8% annually will yield 4.3% on your original investment in 10 years.
The Complete 2026 Dividend Aristocrats List
Here are all 69 current Dividend Aristocrats, organized by sector:
Consumer Staples (12 Companies)
| Ticker | Company | Dividend Yield | Growth Years | Payout Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KO | Coca-Cola | 2.71% | 64 years | Quarterly |
| PG | Procter & Gamble | 2.67% | 70 years | Quarterly |
| PEP | PepsiCo | 3.47% | 54 years | Quarterly |
| CL | Colgate-Palmolive | ~2.2% | 63 years | Quarterly |
| KMB | Kimberly-Clark | ~3.5% | 54 years | Quarterly |
| CLX | Clorox | ~3.3% | 49 years | Quarterly |
| HRL | Hormel Foods | ~3.6% | 60 years | Quarterly |
| MKC | McCormick & Company | ~2.2% | 40 years | Quarterly |
| SJM | J.M. Smucker | ~3.4% | 27 years | Quarterly |
| CHD | Church & Dwight | ~1.2% | 28 years | Quarterly |
| ADM | Archer-Daniels-Midland | ~3.8% | 53 years | Quarterly |
| SYY | Sysco | ~2.7% | 56 years | Quarterly |
| WMT | Walmart | ~1.0% | 53 years | Quarterly |
| KVUE | Kenvue | ~3.5% | 27 years | Quarterly |
| BF.B | Brown-Forman | ~2.1% | 42 years | Quarterly |
Industrials (14 Companies)
| Ticker | Company | Dividend Yield | Growth Years | Payout Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT | Caterpillar | 0.83% | 33 years | Quarterly |
| EMR | Emerson Electric | ~1.8% | 69 years | Quarterly |
| DOV | Dover Corp | ~1.1% | 70 years | Quarterly |
| ITW | Illinois Tool Works | ~2.2% | 62 years | Quarterly |
| GD | General Dynamics | ~2.0% | 33 years | Quarterly |
| CTAS | Cintas | ~0.7% | 43 years | Quarterly |
| FAST | Fastenal | ~2.1% | 27 years | Quarterly |
| AOS | A.O. Smith | ~1.7% | 32 years | Quarterly |
| SWK | Stanley Black & Decker | ~4.2% | 59 years | Quarterly |
| ROP | Roper Technologies | ~0.5% | 33 years | Quarterly |
| NDSN | Nordson | ~1.1% | 62 years | Quarterly |
| GWW | W.W. Grainger | ~0.7% | 54 years | Quarterly |
| PNR | Pentair | ~1.0% | 50 years | Quarterly |
| CHRW | C.H. Robinson | ~2.5% | 27 years | Quarterly |
| EXPD | Expeditors International | ~1.2% | 32 years | Semi-Annual |
Health Care (6 Companies)
| Ticker | Company | Dividend Yield | Growth Years | Payout Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 2.12% | 64 years | Quarterly |
| ABBV | AbbVie | 2.93% | 54 years | Quarterly |
| ABT | Abbott Laboratories | ~1.8% | 54 years | Quarterly |
| BDX | Becton Dickinson | ~1.6% | 54 years | Quarterly |
| MDT | Medtronic | ~3.2% | 49 years | Quarterly |
| WST | West Pharmaceutical Services | ~0.3% | 33 years | Quarterly |
Financials (8 Companies)
| Ticker | Company | Dividend Yield | Growth Years | Payout Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFL | AFLAC | ~1.9% | 44 years | Quarterly |
| CINF | Cincinnati Financial | ~2.4% | 66 years | Quarterly |
| BEN | Franklin Resources | ~6.0% | 46 years | Quarterly |
| TROW | T. Rowe Price | ~4.3% | 40 years | Quarterly |
| SPGI | S&P Global | ~0.7% | 53 years | Quarterly |
| CB | Chubb Limited | ~1.3% | 33 years | Quarterly |
| BRO | Brown & Brown | ~0.6% | 32 years | Quarterly |
| ERIE | Erie Indemnity | ~1.5% | 36 years | Quarterly |
| FDS | FactSet Research Systems | ~0.9% | 27 years | Quarterly |
Materials (7 Companies)
| Ticker | Company | Dividend Yield | Growth Years | Payout Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APD | Air Products & Chemicals | ~2.3% | 44 years | Quarterly |
| ECL | Ecolab | ~1.1% | 34 years | Quarterly |
| SHW | Sherwin-Williams | ~0.8% | 48 years | Quarterly |
| PPG | PPG Industries | ~2.1% | 54 years | Quarterly |
| LIN | Linde plc | ~1.2% | 33 years | Quarterly |
| NUE | Nucor | ~1.5% | 53 years | Quarterly |
| ALB | Albemarle | ~2.1% | 31 years | Quarterly |
| AMCR | Amcor | ~5.2% | 43 years | Quarterly |
Energy (2 Companies)
| Ticker | Company | Dividend Yield | Growth Years | Payout Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XOM | Exxon Mobil | 2.75% | 45 years | Quarterly |
| CVX | Chevron | ~4.1% | 39 years | Quarterly |
Consumer Discretionary (3 Companies)
| Ticker | Company | Dividend Yield | Growth Years | Payout Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOW | Lowe's | 1.86% | 54 years | Quarterly |
| MCD | McDonald's | ~2.2% | 50 years | Quarterly |
| TGT | Target | 3.80% | 55 years | Quarterly |
| GPC | Genuine Parts Company | ~3.3% | 70 years | Quarterly |
Utilities (4 Companies)
| Ticker | Company | Dividend Yield | Growth Years | Payout Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ED | Consolidated Edison | ~3.4% | 51 years | Quarterly |
| ATO | Atmos Energy | ~2.3% | 42 years | Quarterly |
| NEE | NextEra Energy | ~2.9% | 31 years | Quarterly |
| ES | Eversource Energy | ~4.7% | 27 years | Quarterly |
Information Technology (2 Companies)
| Ticker | Company | Dividend Yield | Growth Years | Payout Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADP | Automatic Data Processing | ~1.9% | 52 years | Quarterly |
| IBM | IBM | ~2.6% | 31 years | Quarterly |
Real Estate (3 Companies)
| Ticker | Company | Dividend Yield | Growth Years | Payout Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | Realty Income | 4.91% | 22 years | Monthly |
| FRT | Federal Realty Investment Trust | ~4.0% | 59 years | Quarterly |
| ESS | Essex Property Trust | ~3.3% | 32 years | Quarterly |
Top 10 Dividend Aristocrats: Our Best Picks for 2026
Not all Aristocrats are created equal. Here are our top 10 picks based on a combination of yield, safety, dividend growth, and total return potential:
1. 🥇 Procter & Gamble (PG) — The Gold Standard
- Price: $158.30
- Dividend Yield: 2.67%
- Annual Dividend: $4.23/share
- Payout Ratio: 62.66%
- Consecutive Increases: 70 years
- Dividend Growth Rate: 4.97%
P&G has raised its dividend for 70 consecutive years — the longest streak of any publicly traded company in America. With brands like Tide, Pampers, Gillette, and Bounty, this company sells products people buy regardless of the economy. The 2.67% yield won't make you rich overnight, but the 5% annual growth rate means your income doubles every 14 years.
2. 🥈 Coca-Cola (KO) — Warren Buffett's Favorite
- Price: $78.10
- Dividend Yield: 2.71%
- Annual Dividend: $2.12/share
- Payout Ratio: 67.76%
- Consecutive Increases: 64 years
- Dividend Growth Rate: 4.83%
Warren Buffett bought Coca-Cola stock in 1988 and hasn't sold a single share. Why? Because KO's yield on his original cost basis is now over 50%. That's the power of dividend growth investing. At today's prices, you get a solid 2.71% yield with nearly 5% annual growth.
3. 🥉 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) — Healthcare Fortress
- Price: $245.30
- Dividend Yield: 2.12%
- Annual Dividend: $5.20/share
- Payout Ratio: 47.14%
- Consecutive Increases: 64 years
- Dividend Growth Rate: 4.84%
JNJ is the definition of a defensive stock. Healthcare spending is recession-resistant, and J&J's diversified portfolio spans pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health. The low 47% payout ratio means plenty of room for future dividend increases.
4. PepsiCo (PEP) — Snacks + Drinks = Cash Machine
- Price: $163.92
- Dividend Yield: 3.47%
- Annual Dividend: $5.69/share
- Payout Ratio: 94.83%
- Consecutive Increases: 54 years
- Dividend Growth Rate: 4.98%
PepsiCo isn't just soda — it's Frito-Lay, Quaker, Gatorade, and Tropicana. The 3.47% yield is one of the highest among blue-chip Aristocrats. The elevated payout ratio (95%) is worth monitoring, but PepsiCo's consistent cash flow has supported increases for 54 straight years.
5. AbbVie (ABBV) — Pharma Powerhouse
- Price: $236.19
- Dividend Yield: 2.93%
- Annual Dividend: $6.92/share
- Consecutive Increases: 54 years (including Abbott heritage)
- Dividend Growth Rate: 5.64%
AbbVie offers the best combination of yield AND growth among healthcare Aristocrats. With blockbuster drugs like Skyrizi and Rinvoq replacing Humira revenue, the dividend pipeline looks secure. At nearly 3% yield with 5.6% growth, ABBV is a compounding machine.
6. Target (TGT) — Retail Resilience at a Discount
- Price: $120.08
- Dividend Yield: 3.80%
- Annual Dividend: $4.56/share
- Payout Ratio: 55.84%
- Consecutive Increases: 55 years
Target is trading well below its all-time highs, making that 3.80% yield extra attractive. 55 years of consecutive dividend increases through every retail disruption imaginable — including the rise of Amazon. The moderate payout ratio gives management plenty of room to keep raising.
7. Exxon Mobil (XOM) — Energy Income
- Price: $149.82
- Dividend Yield: 2.75%
- Annual Dividend: $4.12/share
- Payout Ratio: 60.30%
- Consecutive Increases: 45 years
- Dividend Growth Rate: 4.12%
XOM maintained its dividend through the 2020 oil price crash when many energy companies cut theirs. That's the Aristocrat difference. The 2.75% yield plus 4% growth provides solid total return potential, and the Pioneer Natural Resources acquisition has strengthened the company's production profile.
8. Realty Income (O) — The Monthly Dividend Company
- Price: $66.00
- Dividend Yield: 4.91%
- Annual Dividend: $3.24/share
- Consecutive Increases: 22 years
- Payout Frequency: Monthly
Realty Income literally trademarked "The Monthly Dividend Company." It pays dividends monthly instead of quarterly, making it perfect for retirees who want regular income. The 4.91% yield is among the highest of any Aristocrat, backed by a portfolio of 15,000+ commercial properties with long-term leases.
9. Lowe's (LOW) — Dividend Growth Beast
- Price: $258.62
- Dividend Yield: 1.86%
- Annual Dividend: $4.80/share
- Payout Ratio: 40.08%
- Consecutive Increases: 54 years
- Dividend Growth Rate: 4.40%
Lowe's yield looks modest at 1.86%, but this is a dividend GROWTH story. The low 40% payout ratio means massive room for future increases, and the company has been aggressively buying back shares. Over the past 10 years, Lowe's has been one of the best-performing Aristocrats in terms of total return.
10. Automatic Data Processing (ADP) — Payroll King
- Price: ~$295
- Dividend Yield: ~1.9%
- Consecutive Increases: 52 years
ADP processes payroll for 1 in 6 U.S. workers. More hiring = more revenue = more dividend increases. It's a beautifully simple business model that throws off consistent cash. The yield is modest, but dividend growth has averaged 10-12% annually over the past decade.
Sector Breakdown: Where Do Aristocrats Come From?
| Sector | # of Aristocrats | % of Index |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Staples | 15 | 21.7% |
| Industrials | 15 | 21.7% |
| Financials | 9 | 13.0% |
| Materials | 8 | 11.6% |
| Health Care | 6 | 8.7% |
| Utilities | 4 | 5.8% |
| Consumer Discretionary | 4 | 5.8% |
| Real Estate | 3 | 4.3% |
| Energy | 2 | 2.9% |
| Information Technology | 2 | 2.9% |
| Communication Services | 0 | 0% |
Key takeaway: Consumer Staples and Industrials dominate, making up 43% of all Aristocrats. These are the sectors with the most predictable, recession-resistant cash flows. Note that Communication Services has zero representation — telecom companies have historically been poor dividend growers (AT&T was removed from the index in 2022 after cutting its dividend).
Best Dividend Aristocrats for Beginners
If you're new to individual stock picking, start with these 5 Aristocrats. They're large, stable, easy to understand, and offer reasonable yields:
- Coca-Cola (KO) — Everyone knows the product. 64-year streak. Bulletproof brand.
- Procter & Gamble (PG) — 70-year streak. You use their products every day.
- Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) — Healthcare giant. Low payout ratio. Safe as it gets.
- Realty Income (O) — Monthly dividends. 4.91% yield. Simple business model.
- Target (TGT) — 3.80% yield at current prices. 55-year streak.
Pro tip: Don't try to buy all 69 Aristocrats individually. If you want broad Aristocrat exposure, consider the ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) or SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) — or check out our best dividend ETFs comparison.
How to Invest in Dividend Aristocrats
Option 1: Buy Individual Stocks
Pick 5-10 Aristocrats across different sectors. This gives you control over your portfolio and lets you overweight your favorites. Use our dividend calculator to model the income from your selections.
Option 2: Buy an Aristocrats ETF
- NOBL (ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats) — Holds all 69 Aristocrats, equal-weighted
- SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend) — Broader definition (20+ years), 155 holdings
Option 3: Combine Both
Buy 3-5 individual Aristocrats you love, plus an ETF for broad exposure. This is what many experienced dividend investors do.
Ready to start? Open a commission-free account with Moomoo (get up to 20 free stocks) or Webull and start building your Aristocrat portfolio today.
The Power of DRIP: Why Reinvesting Aristocrat Dividends Is a Cheat Code
Here's what makes Dividend Aristocrats truly special: when you reinvest dividends (DRIP) from companies that raise their payouts every year, you get a compounding double-whammy:
- More shares — Each dividend payment buys you more stock
- Higher dividends per share — The company raises its dividend annually
- More shares × higher dividend = exponential income growth
Example: If you invested $10,000 in Coca-Cola 20 years ago and reinvested all dividends, your annual dividend income today would be approximately $1,400 — a 14% yield on your original investment. Without DRIP, you'd be earning about $570.
Use our DRIP calculator to see how reinvesting dividends from your favorite Aristocrats compounds over time.
Recent Changes to the Aristocrats Index
Added in 2025:
- Erie Indemnity (ERIE) — Insurance
- Eversource Energy (ES) — Utilities
- FactSet Research Systems (FDS) — Financial Data
- Royal Gold (RGLD) — Materials (note: may have since been removed based on S&P 500 membership changes)
Removed in 2024:
- Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) — Cut its dividend
- 3M Company (MMM) — Cut dividend after Solventum spinoff
The lesson? Even blue chips can fall from grace. Dividend Aristocrat status isn't permanent, which is why we recommend diversifying across multiple names or using an ETF.
Dividend Aristocrats vs. Dividend Kings
You may also hear about Dividend Kings — an even more elite group:
| Dividend Aristocrats | Dividend Kings | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum streak | 25 years | 50 years |
| Must be in S&P 500? | Yes | No |
| Number of companies | 69 | ~50 |
| Examples | All above | P&G, KO, JNJ, LOW, EMR, DOV |
Many Dividend Kings are also Aristocrats (like P&G with its 70-year streak), but some Kings are smaller companies that aren't in the S&P 500.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does the Aristocrats list change?
The index is rebalanced every January. Companies are added when they reach 25 years of consecutive dividend increases and removed if they cut/freeze their dividend or leave the S&P 500.
Are Dividend Aristocrats a good investment?
Historically, yes. The S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index has outperformed the broader S&P 500 with lower volatility over most long-term periods. The forced discipline of increasing dividends annually tends to select for well-managed, financially strong companies.
What's the average yield of the Aristocrats?
The average yield across all 69 Aristocrats is approximately 2.5-3.0%. Some yield under 1% (like Cintas at 0.7%), while others yield over 5% (like Amcor at 5.2%).
Can a company be removed from the Aristocrats list?
Yes — if a company freezes or cuts its dividend, it's immediately removed. Companies also get removed if they leave the S&P 500 (through acquisition, market cap decline, etc.).
What's the best way to track Dividend Aristocrats?
Follow the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index on S&P Global's website. We also update this page annually with the latest list and changes.
Last updated: March 5, 2026. Yield data sourced from StockAnalysis.com as of March 4, 2026. Aristocrats list sourced from S&P Dow Jones Indices and Wikipedia. This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice.
Related Tools
- 📊 Dividend Calculator — Project your dividend income over time
- 📈 DRIP Calculator — See how reinvesting dividends compounds your returns
- 🏆 Piotroski F-Score Calculator — Check fundamental health of any Aristocrat
Related Articles
Get Picks Like This Every Tuesday
Join 10,000+ value investors getting our best undervalued stock picks, Graham Number breakdowns, and dividend analysis — free.
Get Our Best Stock Picks — Free
Join 10,000+ value investors. Get our top undervalued stock picks, Graham-style analysis, and dividend recommendations delivered to your inbox every week.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.