Dividend Leaders, Contenders, and Pursuers: Insights from May 18th Week
Revamped Guide to Dividend Investing: Champions and Kings
Hey there! Ever wondered about companies that consistently up their annual dividend payouts? We gotcha covered with the Dividend Champions list! But hold on, remember this list gets updated just once a month, so keep that in mind.
Looking for a more in-depth analysis of outstanding dividend stocks? You're in luck! Check out the Dividend Kings marketplace service!
Let's dive into the world of Dividend Champions:
- The Dividend Champions are a group of extraordinary companies with at least 25 consecutive years of dividend hikes, as of May 2025, we're talking about 137 of them! And the list evolves daily, don't miss a beat!
- New additions to the Dividend Aristocrats for 2025, which have additional requirements like being in the S&P 500, include FactSet, Erie Indemnity, and Eversource Energy.
- Eversource Energy has been stealing the spotlight with its steady dividend growth and financial successes in 2024. With a return to profitability and $2.27 earnings per share for the whole year, it's one to watch!
- Dividend Champions have a long-standing record of dividend stability and growth, with shining stars like Andersons Inc., PepsiCo, Sonoco Products, Becton Dickinson, and Stepan Co. among them.
Moving on to the Dividend Kings Service and List:
- The Dividend Kings list of 2025 sees regular updates, featuring companies that have enhanced their dividends for 50 or more years - a fantastic dividend stock screening tool!
- Walmart reigns supreme on the Dividend Kings list with a market cap of approximately $813 billion, followed historically by Johnson & Johnson (market cap reduction recently). At the smaller end, Stepan and Farmers & Merchants Bancorp make the list with lower market caps.
- The Dividend Kings list is a treasure trove for investors seeking steady, long-term dividend growth stocks with solid financial fundamentals and market presence.
Recent Performance and Market Analysis of Dividend Stocks:
- In April 2025, the Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) posted a negative total return of 3.9%, falling behind the broader market**.
- Among high-yield Dividend Aristocrats for May 2025, you'll find Franklin Resources (6.76%), T. Rowe Price Group (5.71%), Amcor Plc (5.68%), and Realty Income Corp (5.60%) grabbing headlines.
- As per Morningstar’s Q1 2025 analysis, top-performing dividend-paying stocks included Philip Morris International, CVS Health, Exelon, and more. The Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index skyrocketed 9% during the quarter, outstripping the general US stock market, which dropped 4.6% in the same period.
- Dividend stocks provide income streams, protection from market rollercoasters, and growth potential over time. So, don't count them out amidst market volatility!
In the end, both Dividend Champions and Dividend Kings lists continue to be essential resources for finding top-notch dividend growth stocks. New entrants like Eversource Energy joined the Aristocrats and Champions clubs recently. Although some indices experienced temporary setbacks like the Dividend Aristocrats ETF in April 2025, dividend stocks in totality, including top performers highlighted by Morningstar, remain steadfast and offer appealing returns! The Dividend Kings marketplace service stands as a curated, dynamic screening tool for the most elite dividend growth companies, perfect for income-focused investors!
** Market performance data may fluctuate and is subject to change.
In the context of the provided text, here are two sentences containing the words 'finance' and 'investing':
- For investors who prioritize long-term dividend growth stocks with strong financial fundamentals, the Dividend Kings marketplace service offers a dynamic screening tool for finding exceptional finance and investing opportunities (context: Description of Dividend Kings Service and List).
- The revamped guide to Dividend Investing, with its focus on the Dividend Champions and Kings, provides valuable insights for those looking to finance and invest in companies with a consistent record of dividend hikes (context: Conclusion of the text that the guide is helpful for dividend investing).
