Dividend Kings List 2026

Elite companies with 50+ consecutive years of dividend increases. The most reliable dividend payers in market history.

All Dividend Kings

50+ Years

These elite companies have increased dividends every year for at least 50 years:

SymbolCompanySectorYieldYears
DOV Dover Industrials 1.01% 69
GPC Genuine Parts Consumer Discretionary 3.01% 68
PG Procter & Gamble Consumer Staples 2.45% 68
EMR Emerson Electric Industrials 1.82% 67
MMM 3M Company Industrials 1.74% 66
CINF Cincinnati Financial Financials 2.15% 64
KO Coca-Cola Consumer Staples 2.90% 62
JNJ Johnson & Johnson Healthcare 2.38% 62
LOW Lowe's Consumer Discretionary 1.73% 62
CL Colgate-Palmolive Consumer Staples 2.46% 61
NDSN Nordson Industrials 1.21% 61
ITW Illinois Tool Works Industrials 2.44% 60
HRL Hormel Foods Consumer Staples 4.83% 58
SWK Stanley Black & Decker Industrials 3.92% 57
FRT Federal Realty Investment Real Estate 4.36% 56
TGT Target Consumer Discretionary 0.00% 56
SYY Sysco Consumer Staples 2.74% 54
PPG PPG Industries Materials 2.00% 53
ABT Abbott Laboratories Healthcare 2.07% 52
ABBV AbbVie Healthcare 3.23% 52
BDX Becton Dickinson Healthcare 2.03% 52
KMB Kimberly-Clark Consumer Staples 5.07% 52
PEP PepsiCo Consumer Staples 3.89% 52
NUE Nucor Materials 1.50% 51
SPGI S&P Global Financials 0.71% 51
WMT Walmart Consumer Staples 0.80% 51
ED Consolidated Edison Utilities 3.40% 50
Phin Smith
CREATED BY Phin Smith UPDATED
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Table of Contents

What is a Dividend King?

A Dividend King is a company that has increased its dividend every year for at least 50 consecutive years. This elite group represents the most reliable dividend payers in US stock market history, having maintained dividend growth through multiple recessions, market crashes, and economic cycles.

Dividend Kings vs Dividend Aristocrats:

  • Dividend Kings - 50+ years of consecutive dividend increases (no S&P 500 requirement)
  • Dividend Aristocrats - 25+ years of increases AND must be in the S&P 500
  • Overlap - Many Kings are also Aristocrats if they're in the S&P 500

Why Invest in Dividend Kings?

  • Unmatched reliability - 50+ years proves exceptional commitment to shareholders
  • Recession-tested - Maintained dividends through multiple economic downturns
  • Quality businesses - Only the strongest companies can achieve King status
  • Compounding growth - Decades of dividend increases create powerful wealth-building

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Dividend Kings are there?

As of 2026, there are approximately 50 Dividend Kings. The number changes as companies reach the 50-year milestone or if any company cuts its dividend.

What happens if a Dividend King cuts its dividend?

If a company cuts, freezes, or suspends its dividend, it immediately loses Dividend King status and must start the 50-year count over from zero. This is rare given their track records but can happen during severe economic stress.

Which Dividend King has the longest streak?

American States Water (AWR) holds the record with over 69 consecutive years of dividend increases, making it the longest-running Dividend King. Other top streaks include Dover (DOV) with 69 years and Procter & Gamble (PG) with 68 years.

Are Dividend Kings safe investments?

While past performance doesn't guarantee future results, Dividend Kings have demonstrated exceptional resilience through multiple recessions and market crashes. However, investors should still diversify across sectors and research individual companies' fundamentals.

What is the difference between Dividend Kings and Dividend Aristocrats?

Dividend Kings have raised dividends for 50+ consecutive years with no index requirement. Dividend Aristocrats have raised dividends for 25+ consecutive years but must also be members of the S&P 500 index. Many Dividend Kings are also Aristocrats if they meet both criteria.