Reliable Dividend Growers
Historically Great Dividend Companies
Are you looking to build a reliable passive income stream? Investing in great dividend companies is a popular strategy for achieving financial independence. The insight below will guide you in identifying and analyzing the best dividend-paying stocks. You’ll discover how to build and track a successful dividend portfolio, find high-yield opportunities, and learn from the strategies of seasoned investors. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, our insights will help you make informed decisions to grow your wealth.
For a deeper dive into all aspects of dividend investing, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on dividend investing and income.
Dividend Aristocrats
Perhaps the most well-known list of dividend companies is the Dividend Aristocrats. Dividend aristocrats are made of an elite group of companies. As of January 2025, only 69 companies qualify for Aristocrat status. Dividend aristocrats are mature companies. They are not going to represent growth companies or emerging markets. Of course, they must meet rigorous requirements for qualification.
Dividend Aristocrat Requirements
To become a Dividend Aristocrat, a company must have increased its dividend payment for at least 25 consecutive years. It cannot have skipped a year, even in down markets.
It must also be in the US S&P 500, and it must have float-adjusted market capitalization of at least $3 billion, and an average daily trading volume of at least $5 million. In other words, a company must be one of the largest market-cap stocks in the US.
Dividend Aristocrats Benefits
There are many benefits to owning a Dividend Aristocrat. First and foremost, these stocks have a long history of increasing dividend payments year after year. Next, they have a track record of proven safety even in short and long-term declining markets. This history means they can be particularly beneficial for buy and hold investors. Furthermore, there is a good deal of pressure to remain on the list. So, once a company makes the list, they rarely fall off.
Most dividend investors know the importance of a consistent payment, but a growing payment is even more valuable. Identifying companies with goals devoted to their dividend will help dividend investors create an optimal portfolio. Consistent, growing payments can help you achieve your goals faster, retire sooner, or better whether price declines.
The Dividend Aristocrats list is made up of some of the most well-known companies in the world including Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, McDonald’s, and Wal-Mart.
Many investors choose to access these companies through a Dividend Aristocrats ETF, which provides instant diversification and simplified management. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance way to invest in consistent income, a Dividend Aristocrats ETF can be an ideal option.
Dividend Kings
In addition to Dividend Aristocrats, there are also Dividends Kings. Dividend Kings are considered to be the best of the best and make up the most exclusive list of dividend companies. The only requirement is that they must have increased their dividend for at least 50 consecutive years. As of August 2025, a mere 56 companies qualify for this status.
While there is some overlap between Dividend Aristocrats and Dividend Kings, not all Kings are also on the Aristocrat list simply because Kings are not required to be on the S&P 500. That makes the Dividend Kings a unique subset of ultra-consistent payers with impressive longevity.
Dividend Champions
Next, we have Dividend Champions. Like Dividend Aristocrats, they must also have increased their dividend for at least 25 consecutive years. However, they do not have to be a member of S&P 500 and they do not have to meet trading volume requirements. The purpose of this list is to identify companies with a strong dividend history, regardless of size or market cap of the company. Because of this, the list is more inclusive than the Aristocrat list and includes around 165 companies.
Other Dependable Dividend Payers
Now, let’s examine lists that require a shorter period of time for increasing dividend payments.
First, we have Dividend Contenders. To be a contender, a company must have increased its dividend for at least 10 consecutive years. There are currently over 300 Dividend Contenders.
Like Contenders, Dividend Achievers must have also increased their dividend payments for at least 10 consecutive years. However, they are required to trade on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ, but they do not have to be on the S&P 500. Achievers are considered to be quality dividend growth stocks.
Finally, we have Dividend Challengers. To be a challenger, a company must have 5 years of consecutive dividend increases. This list will include newer companies, growth companies, or companies that have been inconsistent in their dividend payments.
Blue-Chip Dividend Stocks
Start Investing with Great Dividend Companies
Investors can identify reliable dividend companies by using established lists that categorize firms based on how long they’ve consecutively increased their dividends. Elite tiers like Dividend Aristocrats (25+ years) and Dividend Kings (50+ years) represent the most dependable income stocks. Broader lists like Champions, Contenders, and Challengers help investors find quality companies with shorter track records.