Printed on Might twelfth, 2026 by Bob Ciura
Positive Dividend advocates a long-term buy-and-hold method to generate rising dividends.
Whereas this method doesn’t require a lot in the best way of day-to-day exercise, it does require consistency.
Being constant means not:
- Getting swept up in market fads and intervals of overoptimistic “animal spirits.”
- Pouring your consideration and wealth into speculative investments that might someday have the ability to pay dividends years down the road.
As an alternative, we suggest investing in high quality companies which have confirmed and proceed to show they will pay extra in dividends yr after yr.
Due to this fact, we suggest traders buy-and-hold high quality dividend shares such because the Dividend Aristocrats, that are S&P 500 corporations which have raised their dividends for not less than 25 consecutive years.
You may obtain the complete listing of Dividend Aristocrats by clicking on the hyperlink beneath:
Disclaimer: Positive Dividend shouldn’t be affiliated with S&P International in any manner. S&P International owns and maintains The Dividend Aristocrats Index. The data on this article and downloadable spreadsheet is predicated on Positive Dividend’s personal evaluate, abstract, and evaluation of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) and different sources, and is supposed to assist particular person traders higher perceive this ETF and the index upon which it’s primarily based. Not one of the data on this article or spreadsheet is official knowledge from S&P International. Seek the advice of S&P International for official data.
Holding by means of downturns is one other essential issue that traders ought to be mindful.
The U.S. has been by means of a number of recessions up to now a number of a long time, such because the Nice Recession of 2007-2009 and the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
However traders who offered throughout these intervals missed out on vital positive factors when the markets subsequently recovered.
Holding (and ideally shopping for) by means of market draw-downs tends to be probably the most tough a part of sustaining consistency together with your investing follow.
This text will listing 10 constant Dividend Aristocrats for long-term dividend compounding for the subsequent 25 years and past.
Desk of Contents
The desk of contents beneath permits for simple navigation.
These 10 Dividend Aristocrats have Dividend Threat Scores of ‘A’, our highest rating. In addition they have dividend payout ratios beneath 70%.
The shares are listed by present dividend yield, from lowest to highest.
Constant Dividend Aristocrat #10: Becton, Dickinson & Co. (BDX)
Becton, Dickinson & Co. is a world chief within the medical provide business. The corporate was based in 1897 and has 75,000 workers throughout 190 international locations.
The corporate generates about $20 billion in annual income, with roughly 43% of revenues coming from exterior of the U.S.
On November sixth, 2025, BD elevated its quarterly dividend 1.0% to $1.05, extending the corporate’s dividend progress streak to 54 consecutive years.
BD additionally introduced outcomes for the primary quarter of fiscal yr 2026, which ended December thirty first, 2026. For the quarter, income improved 1.5% to $5.25 billion, which topped estimates by $100 million.
Adjusted earnings-per-share of $2.91 in contrast unfavorably to $3.43 within the prior yr, however this was $0.10 greater than anticipated.
For the quarter, Medical Necessities was down 0.6% on a forex impartial foundation to $1.6 billion as positive factors in U.S. Vascular Entry Administration and the BD Vacutainer portfolio have been greater than offset by order timing in China.
Linked Care grew 4.7% to $1.13 billion attributable to progress in Pharmacy Automation and energy in Superior Affected person Monitoring.
BioPharma was up 1% to $429 million attributable to double-digit progress in Biologics. Interventional climbed 5.1% to $1.33 billion, principally attributable to greater demand for the PureWick franchise and Superior Tissue Regeneration.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on BDX (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Constant Dividend Aristocrat #9: Sysco Corp. (SYY)
Sysco Company is the most important wholesale meals distributor in the US and is increasing internationally.
The corporate was based in Houston, Texas, in 1969 and now serves 600,000 places with meals supply, together with eating places, hospitals, faculties, accommodations, and different amenities.
On January twenty seventh, 2026, Sysco reported second-quarter outcomes for Fiscal 12 months 2026. The corporate reported fiscal Q2 2026 income of $20.8 billion, up 3.0% year-over-year, whereas adjusted EPS rose 6.5% to $0.99.
Gross revenue elevated 3.9% to $3.8 billion, with gross margin bettering to 18.3% attributable to efficient administration of product value inflation and sourcing efficiencies.
Nonetheless, working earnings declined 2.8% to $692 million and internet earnings fell 4.2% to $389 million, primarily attributable to greater working bills tied to investments in gross sales capability and infrastructure.
Section efficiency was blended throughout areas. U.S. Foodservice gross sales grew 2.4% to $14.4 billion, supported by 0.8% whole case progress and 1.2% native case progress, reflecting bettering demand regardless of slower restaurant foot visitors.
Worldwide operations delivered stronger efficiency, with gross sales rising 7.3% to $4.0 billion and working earnings rising 23.2% to $117 million, pushed by robust quantity progress and disciplined margin administration.
Administration expects full-year adjusted EPS of $4.50–$4.60.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on SYY (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Constant Dividend Aristocrat #8: Procter & Gamble (PG)
Procter & Gamble is a client merchandise big that sells its merchandise in over 180 international locations.
Notable manufacturers embody Pampers, Luvs, Tide, Acquire, Bounty, Charmin, Puffs, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Previous Spice, Daybreak, Febreze, Swiffer, Crest, Oral-B, Scope, Olay and lots of extra.
The corporate generated $84 billion in gross sales in fiscal 2024 and 2025. Procter & Gamble has paid a dividend for 134 years and has grown its dividend for 69 consecutive years – one of many longest energetic streaks of any firm.
In late January, Procter & Gamble reported (1/22/26) outcomes for the second quarter of fiscal 2026. Its gross sales edged up 1% whereas natural gross sales remained flat over the prior yr’s quarter, as modest value hikes have been offset by barely decrease volumes.
Core earnings-per-share remained flat at $1.88, beating the analysts’ consensus by $0.02. The agency gross sales amid sustained value hikes are a testomony to the energy of the manufacturers of Procter & Gamble.
Nonetheless, we be aware a exceptional deceleration in value hikes within the final seven quarters. This means that the corporate can not maintain elevating its costs aggressively anymore.
Because of delicate client spending amid elevated financial uncertainty, Procter & Gamble reiterated its modest steering for fiscal 2026. It expects 0%-4% progress of natural gross sales and 0%-4% progress of core earnings-per-share.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on PG (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Constant Dividend Aristocrat #7: Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
Abbott Laboratories, based in 1888, is likely one of the largest medical home equipment & gear producers on this planet, comprised of 4 segments: Diet, Diagnostics, Established Prescribed drugs and Medical Gadgets.
Abbott Laboratories gives merchandise in over 160 international locations and employs 114,000 folks. The corporate generated $44 billion in gross sales in 2025.
On December twelfth, 2025, Abbott Laboratories raised its quarterly dividend 6.8% to $0.63, extending the corporate’s dividend progress streak to 54 years.
On January twenty second, 2026, Abbott Laboratories launched fourth quarter and full yr outcomes for the interval ending December thirty first, 2025. For the quarter, income grew 4.5% to $11.46 billion, however this missed estimates by $340 million.
Adjusted earnings-per-share of $1.50 in comparison with $1.34 within the prior yr and was $0.01 higher than anticipated. For the yr, income grew 5.7% to $44.3 billion whereas adjusted earnings-per-share of $5.15 in comparison with $4.67 in 2024.
For This autumn, U.S. gross sales grew 0.9% whereas worldwide was greater by 6.7%. Forex change was a 1.4% headwind for the interval.
Abbott Laboratories offered steering for 2026 as properly, with the corporate anticipating adjusted earnings-per-share in a spread of $5.55 to $5.80 for the yr. On the midpoint, this is able to characterize progress of 10.3% from 2025.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on ABT (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Undervalued Dividend Aristocrat #6: Computerized Information Processing (ADP)
Computerized Information Processing is likely one of the largest enterprise companies outsourcing corporations on this planet.
The corporate gives payroll companies, human sources expertise, and different enterprise operations to greater than 700,000 company clients.
ADP posted second quarter earnings on January twenty eighth, 2026, and outcomes have been higher than anticipated on each the highest and backside traces.
Adjusted earnings-per-share got here to $2.62, which was a nickel forward of estimates, and was up from $2.49 in Q1, and from $2.35 within the year-ago interval. Income was up 7.2% year-over-year to $5.36 billion, beating estimates by $20 million.
Bills got here to $4.08 billion, which was greater from $3.98 billion in Q1 and $3.88 billion a yr earlier. Adjusted EBIT margin was 26.0% of income, up from 25.5% in Q1 and from 25.2% a yr in the past.
The corporate guided for income progress of 6% for this yr, adjusted EBIT margin of ~60 foundation factors, and adjusted diluted earnings-per-share progress of 9% to 10%.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on ADP (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Constant Dividend Aristocrat #5: AbbVie Inc. (ABBV)
AbbVie is a biotechnology firm targeted on growing and commercializing medication for immunology, oncology and virology. It was spun off by Abbott Laboratories in 2013.
Since then, AbbVie has change into one of many largest gamers within the biotechnology business.
AbbVie reported its fourth quarter earnings outcomes on February 4. The corporate generated income of $16.6 billion in the course of the quarter, up 10% year-over-year.
Income was positively impacted by compelling progress from a few of its main medication, together with Skyrizi and Rinvoq, whereas Humira gross sales declined by 26% attributable to competitors from biosimilars and market share losses.
AbbVie earned $2.71 per share in the course of the fourth quarter, which was 25% greater than the corporate’s earnings-per-share in the course of the earlier yr’s quarter.
AbbVie’s earnings-per-share beat the consensus analyst estimate by $0.06, as analysts anticipated a smaller revenue enhance.
The revenue enhance was pushed by greater revenues and a few margin growth. AbbVie’s steering for 2026’s adjusted earnings-per-share is $14.37 – $14.57.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on ABBV (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Constant Dividend Aristocrat #4: Medtronic plc (MDT)
Medtronic is the most important producer of biomedical gadgets and implantable applied sciences on this planet.
It serves physicians, hospitals, and sufferers in additional than 150 international locations and has over 95,000 workers. Medtronic has 4 working segments: Cardiovascular, Medical Surgical, Neuroscience and Diabetes.
The corporate generated $34 billion in income in its final fiscal yr.
In mid-February, Medtronic reported (2/17/26) outcomes for the third quarter of fiscal 2026. Natural income grew 6% over the prior yr’s quarter due to robust progress in Cardiovascular and Diabetes.
Because of elevated promoting and administrative bills, earnings-per-share dipped -2%, from $1.39 to $1.36, however exceeded the analysts’ consensus by $0.05.
As well as, Medtronic reiterated its steering for five.5% progress of natural income and earnings-per-share of $5.62-$5.66 in fiscal 2026.
Medtronic has raised its dividend for 47 consecutive years. It has grown its dividend by 9.7% per yr on common during the last decade and by 5.6% per yr on common during the last 5 years.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on MDT (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Constant Dividend Aristocrat #3: Goal Company (TGT)
Goal was based in 1902 and has operations solely within the U.S. market.
Its enterprise consists of about 1,850 huge field shops, which supply normal merchandise and meals, in addition to serving as distribution factors for the corporate’s burgeoning e-commerce enterprise.
Goal ought to produce greater than $105 billion in whole income this yr. The corporate additionally sports activities a particularly spectacular dividend enhance streak of 57 years.
Goal posted fourth quarter and full-year earnings on March third, 2026, and outcomes have been higher than anticipated. The corporate noticed income fall 1.5% year-over-year to $30.45 billion for the quarter, which met expectations.
Nonetheless, earnings got here to $2.44 per share on an adjusted foundation, which beat estimates by a large 28 cents. The administration group famous promoting income was greater, in addition to good ends in magnificence and meals & beverage.
Gross sales have been weaker in most of its main classes, nevertheless, ensuing within the 1.5% drop. Comparable gross sales have been down 2.5%, barely worse than anticipated, as transactions fell 2.9% and common ticket rose 0.4%.
The corporate expects gross sales to develop at about 2% for this yr, reflecting a small enhance in comparable gross sales, new shops, and non-merchandise gross sales contributing to progress.
Earnings are anticipated between $7.50 and $8.50 per share on an adjusted foundation. Power in earnings may come from greater gross sales and working margins anticipated to be 20 foundation factors above fiscal 2026.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on TGT (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Constant Dividend Aristocrat #2: PepsiCo Inc. (PEP)
PepsiCo is a world meals and beverage firm that generates nearly $94 billion in annual gross sales. The corporate’s merchandise embody Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Frito-Lay chips, Gatorade, Tropicana orange juice and Quaker meals.
The corporate has greater than 20 $1 billion manufacturers in its portfolio.
On February third, 2026, PepsiCo introduced that it will enhance its annualized dividend by 4.0% to $5.92 beginning with the fee for June 2026, extending the corporate’s dividend progress streak to 54 consecutive years.
That very same day, PepsiCo launched fourth quarter and full yr outcomes for the interval ending December thirty first, 2025. For the quarter, income grew 5.6% to $29.3 billion, which beat estimates by $370 million.
Adjusted earnings-per-share of $2.26 in contrast favorably to $1.96 the prior yr, which was $0.02 greater than anticipated.
For the yr, income grew 2.3% to $93.9 billion whereas adjusted earnings-per-share of $8.14 was down from $8.16 in 2024. Natural gross sales grew 2.1% for the quarter and 1.7% for the yr.
For the quarter, meals quantity fell 2% whereas drinks grew 1%. PepsiCo Drinks North America’s natural income improved 2% for the interval at the same time as quantity decreased by 4%.
Income for PepsiCo Meals North America as decrease by 1%, largely attributable to divestitures. Meals quantity declined 1%.
The Worldwide Drinks section grew 2% attributable to 3% quantity progress. Revenues in Europe/Center East/Africa have been up 5%. Meals quantity declined 5%, however this was offset by a 1% acquire in drinks.
Forex was a 7% headwind for this area. Latin America Meals elevated 5% and Asia Pacific Meals grew 4%.
PepsiCo offered steering for 2026 as properly, with the corporate anticipating natural gross sales in a spread of two% to 4%. The corporate expects earnings-per-share progress in a spread of 4% to six%.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on PEP (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Constant Dividend Aristocrat #1: Real Elements Co. (GPC)
Real Elements Firm was based in 1928 and since that point, it has grown right into a sprawling conglomerate that sells automotive and industrial elements, electrical supplies, and normal enterprise merchandise.
Its international span reaches all through North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe and is comprised of greater than 3,000 places. It has about 63,000 workers with about $24 billion in annual income.
Real Elements has raised its dividend for an unimaginable 69 consecutive years.
Real Elements posted fourth quarter and full-year earnings on February seventeenth, 2026, and outcomes have been weak on each the highest and backside traces.
Adjusted earnings-per-share got here to $1.55, which was properly off of estimates that have been 27 cents greater. Income was up 4.1% year-over-year to $6 billion, however missed estimates by $60 million.
Gross sales efficiency was attributed to a 1.7% enhance in comparable gross sales, a 1.5% profit from acquisitions, and a foreign exchange translation acquire of 0.9%.
Gross revenue was up 70 foundation factors on an adjusted foundation to 37.6% of gross sales. Earnings was down from $1.61 per share a yr earlier.
The corporate guided for whole gross sales progress of three% to five.5%, and adjusted earnings-per-share of $7.50 to $8.00.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on GPC (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Further Studying
The next Positive Dividend databases include probably the most dependable dividend growers in our funding universe:
- The Dividend Champions: Dividend shares with 25+ years of dividend will increase, together with these that won’t qualify as Dividend Aristocrats.
- The Dividend Kings: thought-about to be the last word dividend progress shares, the Dividend Kings listing is comprised of shares with 50+ years of consecutive dividend will increase.
- The Blue Chip Shares Checklist: shares that qualify as Dividend Achievers, Dividend Aristocrats, and/or Dividend Kings.
- The Excessive Dividend Shares Checklist: shares that enchantment to traders within the highest yields of 5% or extra.
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