Dividend kings are stocks with an unparalleled track record of increasing their dividends over time. The minimum requirement to be considered in this elite list is 50 years of dividend increases. In this post, we will present these stocks by sector. We will also provide, for each stock, the current dividend yield, payout ratio, and dividend growth rate of the past five years.

The list below is a good start for any dividend investor to pick from the best dividend stocks. As you can see below, the list is dominated by consumer defensive stocks and some industrial heavy weights. It’s no surprise. For a company to pay and increase dividends for over 50 years, it has to operate in sectors that can weather difficult times or be dominant in its industry.
S&P 500 dividend aristocrats: full list by sector
10 Best Covered Call ETF Canada – High dividend yield
Investing in dividend-paying stocks
Investing in dividend paying stocks is a strategy that appeals to young and old investors. Here is a quick reminder of the main concepts to keep in mind before applying this strategy:
Investment horizon: 5 years or more minimum. The strategy of investing in dividend paying stocks is not suitable for an investor with a short term horizon (less than 5 years).
Objective: The strategy can help you build passive income or further grow your capital by reinvesting the dividends received.
Risk Tolerance: Medium (provided you restrict yourself to selecting quality securities and having a diversified portfolio across several sectors).
Why invest in Dividend Kings
If you are asking yourself, what is the typical profile of a dividend king stock? I have listed some common characteristics below:
Dividend kings tend to dominate their industry
• The vast majority are companies that are well established in their sector. They manage to generate significant profits thanks to their comfortable position against the competition. They also sometimes operate in regulated markets such as electric utilities with almost no competition;
Safe heaven during turbulent times
• “Dividend kings” are sometimes considered by the financial market as safe havens in the event of a market correction or decline. Indeed, dividend aristocrats are generally less volatile than the market, and there are less targeted by speculators;
Strong financial statements
• “Dividend kings” will tend to have a better financial situation in terms of liquidity than the rest of the market. Their levels of liquidity or debt are generally better than the rest of the market;
Limited growth but there are exceptions
• In general, dividend aristocrats are mature businesses. That is, the growth potential is quite limited. However, some companies can pay dividends and invest in their growth. Usually, the dividend payout ratio is a good indicator. If the rate is low, it means the business is saving some money to grow. Business with high dividend pay out ratio have no financial resources left to grow.
Financial Services
Number of Consecutive Years of Dividend Increases DGR Streak
Titre | Nom | DGR* Streak |
CINF | Cincinnati Financial Corp. | 62 |
FMCB | Farmers & Merchants Bancorp | 57 |
CBSH | Commerce Bancshares, Inc. | 53 |
Dividend yield and Payout ratio
Updated daily
Industrials
number of Consecutive Years of Dividend Increases DGR Streak
Ticker | Name | Years of Dividend Increases |
DOV | Dover Corp. | 67 |
EMR | Emerson Electric Co. | 66 |
PH | Parker-Hannifin Corp. | 66 |
MMM | 3M Co. | 64 |
NDSN | Nordson Corp. | 59 |
ITW | Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | 58 |
ABM | ABM Industries Inc. | 55 |
SWK | Stanley Black & Decker Inc | 55 |
MSA | MSA Safety Inc | 52 |
GWW | W.W. Grainger Inc. | 51 |
TNC | Tennant Co. | 51 |
GRC | Gorman-Rupp Co. | 50 |
Dividend yield and Payout ratio
Updated daily

Consumer defensive
number of Consecutive Years of Dividend Increases DGR Streak
Ticker | Name | Years of Dividend Increases |
CL | Colgate-Palmolive Co. | 60 |
HRL | Hormel Foods Corp. | 57 |
KMB | Kimberly-Clark Corp. | 50 |
KO | Coca-Cola Co | 60 |
LANC | Lancaster Colony Corp. | 60 |
MO | Altria Group Inc. | 53 |
PEP | PepsiCo Inc | 50 |
PG | Procter & Gamble Co. | 66 |
TGT | Target Corp | 54 |
TR | Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. | 54 |
SYY | Sysco Corp. | 52 |
UVV | Universal Corp. | 52 |
Dividend yield and Payout ratio
Updated daily
Energy
Dividend yield and the number of Consecutive Years of Dividend Increases DGR Streak
Ticker | Name | Years of Dividend Increases |
NFG | National Fuel Gas Co. | 52 |
Dividend yield and Payout ratio
Updated daily
Utilities
number of Consecutive Years of Dividend Increases DGR Streak
Ticker | Name | Years of Dividend Increases |
AWR | American States Water Co. | 68 |
NWN | Northwest Natural Holding Co | 67 |
CWT | California Water Service Group | 54 |
SJW | SJW Group | 54 |
BKH | Black Hills Corporation | 52 |
CDUAF | Canadian Utilities Ltd. | 50 |
MSEX | Middlesex Water Co. | 50 |
Dividend yield and Payout ratio
Updated daily
Real estate (Reits)
Dividend yield and the number of Consecutive Years of Dividend Increases DGR Streak
Ticker | Name | Years of Dividend Increases |
FRT | Federal Realty Investment Trust. | 55 |
Dividend yield and Payout ratio
Updated daily
Consumer cyclical
Dividend yield and the number of Consecutive Years of Dividend Increases DGR Streak
Ticker | Name | Years of Dividend Increases |
GPC | Genuine Parts Co. | 66 |
LOW | Lowe`s Cos., Inc. | 60 |
LEG | Leggett & Platt, Inc. | 51 |
VFC | VF Corp. | 50 |
Dividend yield and Payout ratio
Updated daily
Healthcare
Ticker | Name | Years of Dividend Increases |
JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 60 |
ABBV | Abbvie Inc | 51 |
ABT | Abbott Laboratories | 51 |
BDX | Becton, Dickinson And Co. | 51 |
Dividend yield and Payout ratio
Updated daily
Basic materials
Ticker | Name | Years of Dividend Increases |
SCL | Stepan Co. | 55 |
FUL | H.B. Fuller Company | 53 |
PPG | PPG Industries, Inc. | 51 |
NUE | Nucor Corp. | 50 |
Dividend yield and Payout ratio
Updated daily