In this article, we will take a look at some of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now.
Dividend Aristocrats are companies that have consistently increased their dividend payments for at least 25 consecutive years. While they are an integral part of the broader market, they have been overshadowed recently by the surge in technology stocks. In 2024, the Dividend Aristocrats Index rose by about 6%, trailing the broader market’s nearly 27% gain and NASDAQ’s impressive 35% return. However, the long-term appeal of dividend stocks remains strong. These companies have proved their mettle, continuing to reward shareholders even during challenging market conditions.
Historical data underscores the effectiveness of dividends in keeping pace with inflation and cushioning the effects of economic downturns over the past century. This makes them a crucial element of long-term investment strategies. Dividend payouts have remained relatively stable compared to earnings per share across multiple recessions. For instance, during the 2007–2009 global financial crisis, while the broader market dropped by 41% and earnings per share plunged by 92%, dividends per share declined by just 6%, according to a report by The Vanguard Group. This stability plays a key role in preserving income streams and enhancing total returns, which factor in both price appreciation and reinvested dividends.
Also read: These Were Last Week’s 10 Best Dividend Stocks
The report also emphasized the importance of diversifying investments across different sectors and regions to safeguard against industry-specific downturns and geopolitical uncertainties. A clear example of this occurred during the initial COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 when European banks, following regulatory directives, suspended dividend payments to account for potential loan losses. Although many banks were financially capable of maintaining payouts, most distributions were delayed until 2021, disrupting investors’ regular income. Adopting a diversified investment strategy not only helps stabilize cash flow but also strengthens overall returns, making portfolios more resilient to economic volatility.
That said, a company’s history of annual dividend increases, no matter how long, does not guarantee future payouts. The year 2020 served as a significant test of the stability of Dividend Aristocrats. When the pandemic hit in March, consumer demand plummeted across various industries, leading many companies to reduce or suspend their dividends. Some made this decision voluntarily, while others were required to do so as a condition of accepting stimulus funds. By the end of 2020, a total of 66 companies within the broader market had distributed less in dividends compared to 2019.
In recent years, dividend investing has gained popularity, particularly during periods of heightened market volatility. Investors have increasingly recognized the value of dividend stocks, steadily allocating capital to them to benefit from their long-term potential. Annual dividend payouts from the broader market have been rising, climbing from $420 billion in 2017 to $522 billion in 2021 and reaching a record $588.2 billion by 2023. This upward trend highlights the role of dividend stocks in generating both growth and income over time. In addition, dividends have been a significant driver of overall market returns, accounting for approximately 17% of the total return from 2013 to 2022, according to a Morgan Stanley report. Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to invest in.
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Our Methodology:
Dividend aristocrats are the companies that have increased their dividends consistently over the past 25 consecutive years. We scanned Insider Monkey’s database of over 1,000 hedge funds and picked the top 10 dividend aristocrats, which means the stocks mentioned in this list are the most popular dividend aristocrats among the elite hedge funds in America. The list is ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds having stakes in the companies.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
10. The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 74
The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) is an Ohio-based paint and coating manufacturing company. The company is structured around three primary divisions: the Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. Lately, it has prioritized growth by making strategic investments and optimizing pricing strategies. Its success is driven by improved operational efficiency, enhanced customer service, and technological advancements across both retail and industrial sectors. In the past 12 months, the stock has surged by 7%.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) reported revenue of $5.3 billion, which showed a modest 1% growth from the same period last year. The company’s Paint Stores Group saw net sales climb 3.4% to $3.04 billion, driven by price adjustments and increased demand for new residential construction and repainting projects. Segment profit grew 6.9% to $606.4 million, supported by strategic pricing initiatives. The management expects diluted net income per share to range between $10.70 and $11.10 in 2025, with adjusted EPS projected between $11.65 and $12.05. While recognizing possible demand challenges, the company remains optimistic, focusing on expanding market share and leveraging technology to support growth.
The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW)’s cash position remained strong during FY24, generating net operating cash of $3.15 billion. The company also returned $2.46 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. On February 19, the company declared a 10.5% hike in its quarterly dividend to $0.79 per share. This marked the company’s 46th consecutive year of dividend growth, which makes it one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks. The stock has a dividend yield of 0.92%, as of February 23.
9. The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 79
The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) is an American consumer goods company that offers a broad range of products across various categories, including beauty, grooming, oral care, personal care, fabric and home care, baby and feminine products, and family care. Rather than focusing on creating new brands, the company’s strategy revolves around strengthening its existing ones through continuous product improvements and effective marketing. This approach drives volume growth while allowing for gradual price increases. Even during economic downturns, P&G delivers strong performance, as demand for everyday essentials remains stable compared to more discretionary spending.
In the past 12 months, The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) has surged by nearly 6%. The company released its fiscal Q2 2025 earnings, reporting $21.9 billion in revenue—a 2% increase from the previous year—surpassing analysts’ estimates by over $291 million. Organic sales, which exclude currency fluctuations, divestitures, and acquisitions, grew by 3%. Despite pausing price hikes, the company successfully drove volume growth, which is often seen as a more sustainable driver of long-term revenue. Organic volume increased by 2%, while pricing remained steady. The baby, feminine, and family care segment performed particularly well, with both organic volume and sales rising by 4%.
The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) currently pays a quarterly dividend of $1.0065 per share for a dividend yield of 2.37%, as of February 23. The company has a long track record of dividend growth, increasing its payouts for 68 consecutive years. This achievement is supported by the company’s strong cash position. In the latest quarter, it generated $4.8 billion in operating cash flow, with a free cash flow productivity rate of 84%. In addition, the company distributed $2.4 billion to shareholders through dividends.