Last updated: Jul 2026 | Data source: SEC EDGAR filings
All 36 Dividend Aristocrats (2026), Ranked by Safety
The complete list of 36 Dividend Aristocrats — S&P 500 companies with 25+ consecutive years of dividend increases — each rated with our Safety Grade based on Payout Ratio and Free Cash Flow Coverage.
Safety Grade Distribution
Dividend Aristocrats with Safety Scores
Safety Score based on Payout Ratio and Free Cash Flow Coverage.Learn more
| Company | Sector | Years | Payout Ratio | FCF Coverage | Safety | 5Y CAGR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHWSherwin-Williams | Materials | 49 | 31% | 3.4x | A | - |
| ECLEcolab | Materials | 40 | 36% | 2.5x | A | +0.6% |
| ERIEErie Indemnity | Financials | 36 | 45% | 2.2x | A | - |
| JKHYJack Henry & Associates | Financials | 36 | 36% | 3.6x | A | +11.9% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics | Industrials | 35 | 38% | 2.5x | A | +6.4% |
| LINLinde plc | Materials | 34 | 41% | 1.8x | A | +3.2% |
| BROBrown & Brown | Financials | 33 | 18% | 7.2x | A | +9.1% |
| AOSA. O. Smith | Industrials | 33 | 36% | 2.8x | A | +20.9% |
| CATCaterpillar Inc. | Industrials | 33 | 31% | 3.2x | A | -6.7% |
| WSTWest Pharmaceutical Services | Health Care | 33 | 12% | 7.7x | A | -0.6% |
| EXPDExpeditors International | Industrials | 31 | 26% | 4.6x | A | +7.9% |
| CHDChurch & Dwight | Consumer Staples | 30 | 39% | 3.8x | A | -1.5% |
| FDSFactSet | Financials | 27 | 27% | 3.9x | A | - |
| CAHCardinal Health | Health Care | 25 | 32% | 3.7x | A | -6.9% |
| XOMExxonMobil | Energy | 45 | 60% | 1.4x | B | -3.1% |
| TROWT. Rowe Price | Financials | 40 | 55% | 1.3x | B | +1.1% |
| MKCMcCormick & Company | Consumer Staples | 39 | 61% | 1.5x | B | +7.6% |
| IBMIBM | Information Technology | 30 | 59% | 1.9x | B | - |
| CHRWC.H. Robinson | Industrials | 28 | 51% | 3.0x | B | -1.8% |
| CLXClorox | Consumer Staples | 49 | 74% | 1.3x | C | +2.1% |
| BENFranklin Resources | Financials | 46 | 130% | 1.3x | C | +9.3% |
| ATOAtmos Energy | Utilities | 44 | 46% | -2.7x | C | - |
| CVXChevron Corporation | Energy | 39 | 104% | 1.3x | C | - |
| FASTFastenal | Industrials | 27 | 80% | 1.0x | C | - |
| ESEversource Energy | Utilities | 26 | 64% | -0.0x | C | - |
| KVUEKenvue | Consumer Staples | 25 | 108% | 1.1x | C | - |
| AMCRAmcor | Materials | 25 | 431% | 1.0x | D | +7.9% |
| CTASCintas | Industrials | 45 | - | - | N/A | -18.1% |
| AFLAflac | Financials | 42 | 33% | - | N/A | - |
| CBChubb Limited | Financials | 34 | 15% | - | N/A | - |
| ROPRoper Technologies | Information Technology | 34 | 23% | - | N/A | +3.3% |
| ALBAlbemarle Corporation | Materials | 31 | - | 3.6x | N/A | -4.6% |
| SJMJ.M. Smucker Company (The) | Consumer Staples | 30 | - | 1.8x | N/A | -9.3% |
| NEENextEra Energy | Utilities | 30 | 68% | - | N/A | +3.4% |
| ORealty Income | Real Estate | 26 | 276% | - | N/A | - |
| ESSEssex Property Trust | Real Estate | 25 | 93% | - | N/A | +4.7% |
Top 10 Safest Dividend Aristocrats
Aristocrats with the highest Safety Grades, indicating strong dividend sustainability.
Dividend Aristocrats by Sector
What Are Dividend Aristocrats?
A Dividend Aristocrat is an S&P 500 company that has increased its annual dividend for at least 25 consecutive years. Tracked by the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, these companies represent a balance of growth potential and income stability that has made them a cornerstone of many long-term investment strategies.
Aristocrats vs. Kings: Understanding the Difference
While Dividend Kings (50+ years) focus on historical endurance and stability, Aristocrats occupy a unique space. Many are still in their growth phase — large enough to pay consistent dividends but dynamic enough to deliver meaningful dividend growth rates. This combination of income and growth is what distinguishes the Aristocrats search intent from Kings.
Why Safety Grades Matter
A 25-year streak is impressive, but it does not guarantee the dividend is safe today. Our Safety Grades evaluate current financial health using Payout Ratio and Free Cash Flow Coverage from the most recent SEC EDGAR filings. A company graded "A" has strong fundamentals supporting its dividend, while a "D" grade signals that the payout may be under pressure.
How Companies Become Aristocrats
To qualify, a company must be a member of the S&P 500 and have increased its dividend every year for at least 25 years. The S&P Dow Jones Indices reviews the list annually. Companies that cut, freeze, or fail to increase their dividend are removed. Those that reach 50 years are also designated as Dividend Kings.
Learn more in our Dividend Investing Guide or explore how dividend safety is measured.
How We Calculate Dividend Safety
Our Dividend Safety Score combines two key metrics to assess whether a company can sustain its dividend:
Payout Ratio
Dividends Paid / Net Income
Lower is better. Shows what percentage of earnings goes to dividends. Below 50% is considered safe.
FCF Coverage
Free Cash Flow / Dividends Paid
Higher is better. Shows how many times FCF covers dividends. Above 1.5x is considered safe.
- AVery Safe: Payout <50% AND FCF Coverage >1.5x
- BSafe: Payout <65% AND FCF Coverage >1.2x
- CModerate: Payout <80% OR FCF Coverage >1.0x
- DAt Risk: Payout >80% AND FCF Coverage <1.0x
Data source: SEC EDGAR filings. This is for educational purposes only, not investment advice. See our Methodology page for full details.
Related Pages
About This Data
All financial data on this page is sourced directly from SEC EDGAR filings (10-K and 10-Q reports). Dividend Aristocrat classifications are verified against official S&P Dow Jones Indices criteria. Safety Grades are calculated using our methodology combining Payout Ratio and Free Cash Flow Coverage from the most recent annual filings.
Data is updated quarterly following earnings season. Last data refresh: Jul 2026. See our Methodology page for details on data processing.