Revealed on March 4th, 2025 by Bob CiuraSpreadsheet knowledge up to date every day
We advocate long-term buyers concentrate on high-quality dividend shares. To that finish, we view the Dividend Aristocrats as among the many greatest dividend shares to buy-and-hold for the long term.
The Dividend Aristocrats have a protracted historical past of outperforming the market on the subject of risk-adjusted returns. There are at present 69 Dividend Aristocrats.
You may obtain an Excel spreadsheet of all 69 Dividend Aristocrats (with metrics that matter comparable to dividend yields and price-to-earnings ratios) by clicking the hyperlink under:
Disclaimer: Positive Dividend is just not affiliated with S&P International in any method. S&P International owns and maintains The Dividend Aristocrats Index. The knowledge on this article and downloadable spreadsheet relies on Positive Dividend’s personal evaluation, abstract, and evaluation of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) and different sources, and is supposed to assist particular person buyers 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.
This text begins with an summary of the Dividend Aristocrats listing. Then, we listing our prime 10 excessive development Dividend Aristocrats.
The listing under is comprised of 10 Dividend Aristocrats, all of which have raised their dividends for over 25 years in a row, and are included within the S&P 500 Index.
This text will listing the ten Dividend Aristocrats with the very best returns anticipated to come back from earnings development. This doesn’t analyze anticipated whole returns, however reasonably how a lot future earnings development will issue into the anticipated whole returns.
These 10 Dividend Aristocrats do not need excessive dividend yields immediately. However with their outsized dividend development potential, these 10 Dividend Aristocrats are optimum dividend shares to purchase and maintain for the long term.
Desk of Contents
Dividend Aristocrats Overview
The necessities to be a Dividend Aristocrat are:
Be within the S&P 500
Have 25+ consecutive years of dividend will increase
Meet sure minimal measurement & liquidity necessities
All Dividend Aristocrats are high-quality companies primarily based on their lengthy dividend histories. An organization can not pay rising dividends for 25+ years with out having a powerful and sturdy aggressive benefit.
However not all Dividend Aristocrats make equally good investments immediately. That’s the place the spreadsheet on this article comes into play. You should utilize the Dividend Aristocrats spreadsheet to rapidly discover high quality dividend funding concepts.
The listing of all 69 Dividend Aristocrats is efficacious as a result of it provides you a concise listing of all S&P 500 shares with 25+ consecutive years of dividend will increase (that additionally meet sure minimal measurement and liquidity necessities).
A sector breakdown of the Dividend Aristocrats Index is proven under:
The highest 2 sectors by weight within the Dividend Aristocrats are Industrials and Shopper Staples. The Dividend Aristocrats Index is tilted towards Shopper Staples and Industrials relative to the S&P 500.
These 2 sectors make up over 40% of the Dividend Aristocrats Index, however lower than 20% of the S&P 500.
The Dividend Aristocrats Index can also be considerably underweight the Info Expertise sector, with a ~3.5% allocation in contrast with over 20% allocation throughout the S&P 500.
The next 10 Dividend Aristocrats have robust enterprise fashions, sturdy aggressive benefits, and long-term dividend development potential.
Excessive Development Dividend Aristocrat #10: Lowe’s Firms (LOW)
Lowe’s Firms is the second-largest house enchancment retailer within the US (after House Depot). It operates or companies greater than 1,700 house enchancment and {hardware} shops within the U.S.
Lowe’s reported fourth quarter 2024 outcomes on February twenty sixth, 2025. Whole gross sales got here in at $18.60 billion in comparison with $18.55 billion in the identical quarter a yr in the past.
Comparable gross sales elevated by 0.2%, whereas internet earnings-per-share of $1.99 in comparison with $1.77 in fourth quarter 2023.
Adjusted EPS was decrease at $1.93. Lowe’s continues to be negatively impacted from a discount in DIY discretionary spending.
The corporate repurchased 5.5 million shares within the quarter for $1.4 billion. Moreover, it paid out $650 million in dividends.
Lowe’s initiated its fiscal 2025 outlook and expects to earn diluted EPS of $12.15 to $12.40 on whole gross sales of $83.5 to $84.5 billion.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on LOW (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Excessive Development Dividend Aristocrat #9: Emerson Electrical Co. (EMR)
Emerson Electrical is a diversified world chief in expertise and engineering. Its world buyer base and various product and repair choices afford it greater than $17 billion in annual income.
Emerson posted first quarter earnings on February fifth, 2025, and outcomes had been combined. Adjusted earnings-per-share got here to $1.38, which was a dime forward of estimates. Income was up 1.5% year-over-year to $4.18 billion, however missed estimates by $40 million.
Underlying gross sales rose 2%, and adjusted phase EBITDA margin was 28% of income, a 340-basis level enchancment from the year-ago interval. Gross revenue reached a file stage of 53.5% of income, supported by operational efficiencies, value controls, and acquisition synergies.
Free money circulation was $694 million, up 89% year-over-year, with working capital enhancements being the first driver. Emerson’s backlog rose to $7.3 billion, excluding foreign exchange translation impacts.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on EMR (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Excessive Development Dividend Aristocrat #8: Real Components Co. (GPC)
Real Components has the world’s largest world auto elements community, with greater than 10,800 places worldwide. As a serious distributor of automotive and industrial elements, Real Components generates annual income of almost $23 billion.
It operates two segments, that are automotive (consists of the NAPA model) and the commercial elements group which sells industrial substitute elements to MRO (upkeep, restore, and operations) and OEM (unique gear producer) clients.
Prospects are derived from a variety of segments, together with meals and beverage, metals and mining, oil and fuel, and well being care.
Supply: Investor Presentation
The corporate reported its third-quarter 2024 outcomes, with gross sales reaching $6.0 billion, a 2.5% enhance from the earlier yr.
Web earnings fell to $227 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, down from $351 million in Q3 2023. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) additionally decreased to $1.88 in comparison with $2.49 final yr.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on GPC (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Excessive Development Dividend Aristocrat #7: Ecolab, Inc. (ECL)
Ecolab Inc. is the worldwide chief in water, hygiene, and power applied sciences and companies, with a presence in additional than 170 international locations.
The corporate operates in 4 main enterprise segments: International Industrial, International Institutional, International Healthcare and International Pest Elimination.
Supply: Investor Presentation
In mid-February, Ecolab reported (2/11/25) monetary outcomes for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. Natural gross sales grew 4% over the prior yr’s quarter, primarily because of accelerated development within the Industrial and Healthcare segments.
Because of greater volumes, materials worth hikes and decrease provide chain prices, adjusted earnings-per-share grew 17%, from $1.55 to $1.81, and exceeded the analysts’ consensus by $0.01.
Furthermore, because of sturdy pricing and new enterprise wins, administration supplied robust steerage for 2025. It expects earnings-per-share of $7.42-$7.62, implying 13% development over the prior yr on the mid-point.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on ECL (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Excessive Development Dividend Aristocrat #6: Roper Applied sciences Inc. (ROP)
Roper Applied sciences is a specialised industrial firm that manufactures merchandise comparable to medical and scientific imaging gear, pumps, and materials evaluation gear.
Roper Applied sciences additionally develops software program options for the healthcare, transportation, meals, power, and water industries. The corporate was based in 1981, generates round $5.4 billion in annual revenues, and relies in Sarasota, Florida.
On January thirtieth, 2025, Roper posted its This fall and full-year outcomes for the interval ending December thirty first, 2024. Quarterly revenues and adjusted EPS had been $1.88 billion and $4.81, indicating up 16% and 10% year-over-year, respectively.
Supply: Investor Presentation
The corporate’s momentum through the quarter remained robust, with natural development coming in at 7% and acquisitions pushed development coming in at 9%.
Natural development was as soon as once more pushed by broad-based power throughout its portfolio of area of interest main companies. For the yr, adjusted EPS grew by virtually 10% to $18.31.
Backed by Roper’s development momentum, stability sheet power, and a big pipeline of high quality acquisition alternatives, administration believes Roper is properly positioned for continued double-digit money circulation development.
Additional, Roper launched its adjusted EPS steerage for FY2025, anticipating it to land between $19.75 and $20.00.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on ROP (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Excessive Development Dividend Aristocrat #5: W.W. Grainger (GWW)
W.W. Grainger, headquartered in Lake Forest, IL, is among the world’s largest business-to-business distributors of upkeep, restore, and operations (“MRO”) provides.
Grainger has greater than 4.5 million lively clients, with greater than 30 million merchandise provided globally.
On January thirty first, 2025, W.W. Grainger posted its This fall and full-year outcomes. For the quarter, revenues had been $4.23 billion, up 5.9% on a reported foundation and up 4.7% on a every day, fixed forex foundation in comparison with final yr.
Outcomes had been pushed by stable efficiency throughout the board. The Excessive-Contact Options phase achieved gross sales development of 4.0% as a consequence of quantity development in all geographies.
Supply: Investor Presentation
Within the Countless Assortment phase, gross sales had been up 15.1%. Income development for the phase was pushed by core B2B clients throughout the phase in addition to enterprise buyer development at MonotaRO.
Web earnings equaled $475 million, up 20.2% in comparison with This fall-2023. Web earnings was boosted by a 110 foundation level growth within the working margin to fifteen.0%.
Earnings-per-share got here in at $9.74, 22.8% greater year-over-year, and had been additional aided by inventory buybacks. For the yr, EPS reached a file $38.71.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on GWW (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Excessive Development Dividend Aristocrat #4: Nordson Corp. (NDSN)
Nordson was based in 1954 in Amherst, Ohio by brothers Eric and Evan Nord, however the firm can hint its roots again to 1909 with the U.S. Computerized Firm.
At the moment the corporate has operations in over 35 international locations and engineers, manufactures, and markets merchandise used for meting out adhesives, coatings, sealants, biomaterials, plastics, and different supplies, with purposes starting from diapers and straws to cell telephones and aerospace.
Supply: Investor Presentation
On December eleventh, 2024, Nordson reported fourth quarter outcomes for the interval ending October thirty first, 2024. For the quarter, the corporate reported gross sales of $744 million, 4% greater in comparison with $719 million in This fall 2023, which was pushed by a optimistic acquisition influence, and offset by natural lower of three%.
Industrial Precision noticed gross sales lower by 3%, whereas the Medical and Fluid Options and Superior Expertise Options segments had gross sales will increase of 19% and 5%, respectively.
The corporate generated adjusted earnings per share of $2.78, a 3% enhance in comparison with the identical prior yr interval.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on NDSN (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Excessive Development Dividend Aristocrat #3: Walmart Inc. (WMT)
Walmart traces its roots again to 1945 when Sam Walton opened his first low cost retailer. The corporate has since grown into one of many largest retailers on this planet, serving over 230 million clients every week.
Income will seemingly be round $600 billion this yr.
Walmart posted fourth quarter and full-year earnings on February twentieth, 2025, and outcomes for This fall had been robust. Adjusted earnings-per-share got here to 66 cents, which was a penny forward of estimates for This fall.
Income was up 4.2% year-over-year to $180.6 billion, which beat estimates by $1.6 billion. International ecommerce gross sales had been up 16%, led by store-fulfilled pickup and supply, in addition to US market.
The timing of Flipkart’s Massive Billion Days gross sales occasion negatively impacted gross sales. The worldwide promoting enterprise grew 29%, with the US phase rising 24%.
Comparable gross sales excluding gasoline had been up 4.6% year-over-year, with transactions rising 2.8%, and common ticket rising 1.8%.
On-line gross sales rose 20%, which contributed 2.9% of the general 4.6% achieve. Sam’s Membership noticed comparable gross sales rise 5.7%, and up 7.1% excluding gasoline gross sales.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on Walmart (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Excessive Development Dividend Aristocrat #2: S&P International Inc. (SPGI)
S&P International is a worldwide supplier of economic companies and enterprise data and income of over $13 billion.
By its varied segments, it offers credit score scores, benchmarks and indices, analytics, and different knowledge to commodity market contributors, capital markets, and automotive markets.
S&P International has paid dividends repeatedly since 1937 and has elevated its payout for 51 consecutive years.
S&P posted fourth quarter and full-year earnings on February eleventh, 2025, and outcomes had been a lot better than anticipated on each the highest and backside traces.
Adjusted earnings-per-share got here to $3.77, which was a staggering 30 cents forward of estimates. Earnings rose from $3.13 a yr in the past.
Income was up 14% year-over-year to $3.59 billion, beating estimates by $90 million. The corporate posted income development in all of its working segments, along with robust working margin growth.
Working bills rose barely from $2.26 billion to $2.33 billion year-over-year. That led to working revenue of $1.68 billion, sharply greater from $1.39 billion a yr in the past.
With dividend development above 10%, SPGI is among the rock stable dividend shares.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on SPGI (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Excessive Development Dividend Aristocrat #1: Nucor Corp. (NUE)
Nucor is the biggest publicly traded US-based metal company primarily based on its market capitalization. The metal trade is notoriously cyclical, which makes Nucor’s streak of 52 consecutive years of dividend will increase much more exceptional.
Nucor Company reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings on January 28, 2025, highlighting robust operational efficiency regardless of ongoing challenges within the metal trade.
The corporate posted internet earnings of $287 million, or $1.22 per share, and $8.46 per share for the complete yr. EBITDA reached $751 million for the quarter and almost $4.4 billion for the yr.
Supply: Investor Presentation
Nucor ended 2024 with $4.1 billion in money, reflecting its sturdy monetary place.
As a commodity producer, Nucor is susceptible to fluctuations within the worth of metal. Metal demand is tied to development and the general financial system.
Buyers ought to concentrate on the numerous draw back danger of Nucor as it’s more likely to carry out poorly in a protracted recession.
That mentioned, Nucor has raised its base dividend for 52 straight years. This means the power of its enterprise mannequin and administration workforce.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on NUE (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Extra Studying
The Dividend Aristocrats are among the many greatest dividend development shares to purchase and maintain for the long term. However the Dividend Aristocrats listing is just not the one solution to rapidly display for shares that commonly pay rising dividends.
We have now compiled a studying listing for extra dividend development inventory investing concepts:
Thanks for studying this text. Please ship any suggestions, corrections, or inquiries to [email protected].
