Dividend Kings are companies that have raised their dividend every year for at least 50 years in a row. That means they kept increasing payouts through oil shocks, recessions, the 2008 financial crisis and the pandemic. In 2026 the list holds roughly 55 to 60 US companies, depending on who compiles it. Here is what they are, some well-known names, and how to invest in them sensibly.
Dividend Kings vs Dividend Aristocrats
| Dividend Kings | Dividend Aristocrats | |
|---|---|---|
| Years of increases | 50+ | 25+ |
| Who qualifies | Any US-listed company | S&P 500 members only, with size and trading rules |
| Official index? | No, it is an informal list | Yes, the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index |
| Number of companies | About 55 to 60 | About 65 to 70 |
| Easy ETF | No major dedicated fund | Yes, such as NOBL |
Well-known Dividend Kings
- Consumer staples: Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, PepsiCo, Kimberly-Clark, Hormel Foods.
- Health care: Johnson & Johnson.
- Retail: Walmart, Target, Lowe’s.
- Industrials: Dover, Emerson Electric, Genuine Parts, Stanley Black & Decker.
- Utilities: American States Water, which has one of the longest streaks of all at about 70 years.
Companies can drop off. 3M, a King for decades, lost its status after cutting its dividend in 2024 following its health care spin-off. Always check a current list before you rely on a streak.
Why investors like Dividend Kings
- Proven durability. A 50-year record suggests a strong business and a board committed to shareholders.
- Rising income. Annual raises help your income keep up with inflation.
- Lower volatility. Many are mature, steady businesses that tend to fall less in sell-offs.
The risks
- Past streaks do not guarantee future raises. Companies sometimes raise by a token amount just to keep the streak alive.
- Slow growth. Many Kings are mature companies whose share prices grow slowly.
- Concentration. The list leans heavily on consumer staples, industrials and utilities, with almost no tech.
- Valuation. Popular Kings can trade at high prices, which lowers their yield and future returns.
How to invest in Dividend Kings
- Buy a handful of individual Kings across different sectors, keeping each position small.
- Use a Dividend Aristocrats ETF such as NOBL, which overlaps heavily with the Kings and spreads your money across about 65 companies.
- Use a broad dividend ETF like SCHD, which holds many Kings among its 100 stocks. Compare options in SCHD vs VYM vs DGRO.
New to dividends? Start with dividend investing for beginners, and see why a single stock is riskier than a fund in ETFs vs individual stocks.
Prefer monthly payouts? See monthly dividend stocks and ETFs.
Run your own numbers with our free dividend calculator.
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Frequently asked questions
How many Dividend Kings are there in 2026?
Roughly 55 to 60, depending on the source and the date. The count changes as companies reach 50 years or cut their dividend.
What is the difference between a Dividend King and a Dividend Aristocrat?
A King needs 50 consecutive years of dividend increases and can be any US company. An Aristocrat needs 25 years and must be in the S&P 500.
Is there a Dividend Kings ETF?
There is no large, widely held fund that tracks only the Kings. Most investors use a Dividend Aristocrats ETF or a broad dividend fund instead.
Are Dividend Kings a good investment?
They are often solid, lower-risk income stocks, but a long streak does not make a stock cheap or guarantee future raises. Diversify rather than relying on a few names.
This article is general information, not financial advice.
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