Revealed on November twenty sixth, 2025 by Bob Ciura
The objective of rational traders is to maximize complete return beneath a given set of constraints. Excessive dividend shares can contribute a good portion of a inventory’s complete return.
As well as, shares that increase their dividends every year, even throughout recessions, can present excessive returns to shareholders over the long term.
The Dividend Kings are a gaggle of simply 56 shares which have all elevated their dividends for not less than 50 consecutive years.
Common dividend will increase every year, even throughout recessions, are vital for dividend development traders. This makes the Dividend Kings an incredible supply of shares that may present long-term passive earnings.
You possibly can obtain the total listing, together with essential monetary metrics corresponding to dividend yields and price-to-earnings ratios, by clicking on the hyperlink beneath:
Whereas previous efficiency will not be a assure of future outcomes, it may be helpful to look again to see which Dividend Kings carried out the perfect.
Due to this fact, this text will talk about the ten best-performing Dividend Kings over the previous 10 years.
Desk of Contents
The desk of contents beneath permits for straightforward navigation. The shares are listed by annualized complete returns over the previous 10 years, in ascending order.
Finest Performing Dividend King #10: Lowe’s Firms (LOW)
- 10-year annualized complete returns: 13.9%
Lowe’s Firms is the second-largest residence enchancment retailer within the US (after Residence Depot). The corporate was based in 1946 and is headquartered in Mooresville, NC. Lowe’s operates or providers greater than 1,700 residence enchancment and {hardware} shops within the U.S.
On August 20, 2025, Lowe’s introduced it is going to purchase Basis Constructing Supplies (FBM), for $8.8 billion. FBM is a distributor of inside constructing merchandise for big residential and industrial professionals in new building and restore and transform. It generated $6.5 billion in income in 2024. The deal is anticipated to shut within the fourth quarter.
Lowe’s reported second quarter 2025 outcomes on August twentieth, 2025. Whole gross sales got here in at $24.0 billion in comparison with $23.6 billion in the identical quarter a 12 months in the past. Comparable gross sales elevated by 1.1%. Internet earnings-per-share of $4.27 in comparison with $4.17 in second quarter 2024, and have been pushed by sturdy efficiency in Professional and DIY, partly offset by
unfavorable climate.
The corporate didn’t repurchase any of its widespread inventory within the quarter, however it paid out $673 million in dividends. Lowe’s up to date its fiscal 2025 outlook and now expects to earn adjusted EPS of $12.20 to $12.45 on complete gross sales of $84.5 to $85.5 billion.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on LOW (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Finest Performing Dividend King #9: MSA Security (MSA)
- 10-year annualized complete returns: 14.9%
MSA Security Included, previously Mine Security Home equipment, was based in 1914. At the moment, it develops and manufactures security merchandise. Clients come from a wide range of industrial markets, together with oil & fuel, fireplace service, building, mining, and the army.
MSA Security’s main merchandise embrace fuel and flame detection, air respirators, head safety, fall safety, air purifying respirators, and eye safety gear. The corporate employs about 5,000 folks worldwide and has elevated its dividend for 55 years.
On October twenty eighth, 2025, MSA launched its Q3 outcomes. For the quarter, income got here in at $468.4 million, up 8% in comparison with Q3-2024 (3% natural). The Americas phase’s gross sales have been up 5% whereas the Worldwide phase’s gross sales rose by 16%.
MSA’s adjusted working margin declined by 50 foundation factors to 22.1% in comparison with final 12 months. Adjusted earnings got here in at $76.2 million, 5% greater than $72.3 million final 12 months. Adjusted EPS elevated by 6% to $1.94.
MSA’s administration reaffirmed its outlook for low-single-digit full-year natural gross sales development in 2025.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on MSA (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Finest Performing Dividend King #8: Dover Corp. (DOV)
- 10-year annualized complete returns: 15.4%
Dover Company is a diversified world industrial producer with annual income approaching $8 billion. Dover consists of 5 reporting segments: Engineered Methods, Clear Power & Fueling, Pumps & Course of Options, Imaging & Identification, and Local weather & Sustainability Applied sciences.
On August eighth, 2025, Dover introduced that it was elevating its dividend 2% for the September fifteenth, 2025 cost, marking 70 consecutive years of dividend development. That is the second-longest dividend development streak amongst U.S. corporations.
On October twenty third, 2025, Dover reported third quarter outcomes the interval ending September thirtieth, 2025. For the quarter, income grew 5.1% to $2.08 billion, however this was $30 million beneath estimates. Adjusted earnings-per-share of $2.62 in contrast favorably to $2.27 within the prior 12 months and was $0.11 greater than anticipated.
For the quarter, natural income grew 1% whereas bookings have been up 8%. Natural gross sales have been down 7% for the Engineered Merchandise phase as energy in aerospace and protection have been offset by as soon as once more by decrease volumes in automobile providers.
Clear Power & Fueling grew 5% on account of continued sturdy demand for clear power parts, fluid transportation, and retail fueling in North America. Imaging & Identification was greater by 3% on account of development in core marking and coding gear and serialization software program.
Local weather & Sustainability Applied sciences declined 7% as development in CO2 methods, world warmth exchangers, and beverage can-making have been offset by continued weak point in meals retail door instances and providers.
Dover offered up to date steering for 2025 as properly, with the corporate now anticipating adjusted earnings-per-share in a variety of $9.50 to $9.60. On the midpoint, this may signify 15.2% development from 2024.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on DOV (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Finest Performing Dividend King #7: Nucor Corp. (NUE)
- 10-year annualized complete returns: 16.8%
Nucor is the most important publicly traded US-based metal company primarily based on its market capitalization. The metal business is notoriously cyclical, which makes Nucor’s streak of 52 consecutive years of dividend will increase much more outstanding. Nucor is a member of the Dividend Kings on account of its dividend historical past.
On October 27, 2025, Nucor Company (NUE) offered outcomes for Q3 2025, reporting earnings considerably above expectations with web earnings per diluted share of $2.63 and complete income of roughly $8.52 billion, reflecting a 14% year-over-year enhance pushed by stronger shipments and better common realized pricing.
The corporate famous metal mill shipments rose about 12% 12 months over 12 months to roughly 6.4 million tons, and exterior common gross sales worth per ton elevated by roughly 5%.
Regardless of guiding earlier for weaker quarter-on-quarter outcomes — with EPS anticipated between $2.05 to $2.15 — Nucor’s efficiency benefited from favorable market dynamics together with lowered import competitors and resilient home demand.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on NUE (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Finest Performing Dividend King #6: W.W. Grainger (GWW)
- 10-year annualized complete returns: 18.7%
W.W. Grainger, headquartered in Lake Forest, IL, is likely one of the largest business-to-business distributors of upkeep, restore, and operations (“MRO”) provides on this planet. The corporate was based in 1927 and generated gross sales of $17.2 billion in 2024.
On August 1st, 2025, W.W. Grainger posted its Q2 outcomes for the interval ending June thirtieth, 2025. For the quarter, revenues have been $4.55 billion, up 5.6% on a reported foundation and up 5.1% on a each day, fixed forex foundation in comparison with final 12 months.
The Excessive-Contact Options phase noticed gross sales develop by 2.5% on a reported foundation, and a couple of.8% on a each day, fixed forex foundation on account of broad-based development throughout all geographies.
Within the Countless Assortment phase, gross sales have been up 19.7%. Income development for the phase was pushed by sturdy efficiency at each MonotaRO and Zoro.
Internet earnings equaled $482 million, up 2.6% in comparison with Q2-2024. Internet earnings was supported by sturdy expense leverage in Countless Assortment, whilst gross margin declined 80 foundation factors to 38.5%, and working margin fell 20 foundation factors to 14.9%.
Margin stress in Excessive-Contact from tariff-related inflation was partially offset by enhancements at Zoro. Earnings-per-share got here in at $9.97, 4.8% greater year-over-year, and have been aided by a decrease share rely.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on GWW (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Finest Performing Dividend King #5: S&P International (SPGI)
- 10-year annualized complete returns: 18.8%
S&P International is a worldwide supplier of economic providers and enterprise data with income of over $15 billion. By its varied segments, it gives credit score scores, benchmarks and indices, analytics, and different information to commodity market contributors, capital markets, and automotive markets.
S&P International has paid dividends repeatedly since 1937 and has elevated its payout for 52 consecutive years, and it is likely one of the latest members of the distinguished Dividend Kings.
S&P posted third quarter earnings on October thirtieth, 2025. The corporate noticed adjusted earnings-per-share of $4.73, which was 32 cents forward of estimates.
Earnings have been up sharply from $3.89 a 12 months in the past. Income was up nearly 9% year-on-year to $3.89 billion, beating estimates by $60 million.
Bills have been $2.22 billion, flat to the prior quarter, and up from $2.17 billion a 12 months in the past. Adjusted working margin expanded as soon as once more to 52.1% of income.
The corporate entered into an settlement to purchase non-public agency With Intelligence for $1.8 billion. The transaction is anticipated to shut late this 12 months or early subsequent 12 months, and needs to be barely dilutive to EPS in 2026, adopted by accretion within the years after.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on SPGI (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Finest Performing Dividend King #4: AbbVie Inc. (ABBV)
- 10-year annualized complete returns: 19.3%
AbbVie is a biotechnology firm centered on growing and commercializing medication for immunology, oncology and virology. It was spun off by Abbott Laboratories in 2013 and has turn into one of many largest gamers within the biotechnology business.
AbbVie reported its third quarter earnings outcomes on October 31. The corporate was capable of generate revenues of $15.8 billion in the course of the quarter, which was 9% year-over-year development.
Income was positively impacted by compelling development from a few of its main medication, together with Skyrizi and Rinvoq, whereas Humira gross sales declined by 55% on account of competitors from biosimilars and market share losses.
AbbVie earned $1.86 per share in the course of the third quarter, which was 38% lower than the corporate’s earnings-per-share in the course of the earlier 12 months’s quarter.
Earnings-per-share beat the consensus analyst estimate by $0.08. Steerage for 2025 adjusted earnings-per-share is $10.61 – $10.65.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on ABBV (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Finest Performing Dividend King #3: Walmart Inc. (WMT)
- 10-year annualized complete returns: 20.5%
Walmart traces its roots again to 1945 when Sam Walton opened his first low cost retailer. The corporate has since grown into the most important retailer on this planet, serving greater than 230 million clients every week. Income needs to be round $700 billion this 12 months.
Walmart posted second quarter earnings on August twenty first, 2025, and outcomes have been higher than anticipated on each the highest and backside traces. Adjusted earnings-per-share got here to 68 cents, which was six cents forward of estimates. Income was up nearly 5% year-on-year to $177.4 billion, beating estimates by $3 billion.
Comparable gross sales within the US have been up 4.6%, 50 foundation factors forward of consensus. Transactions have been 1.5% greater, whereas the common ticket was up 3.1%. E-commerce gross sales have been up 26% and contributed 350 foundation factors to comparable gross sales, implying the bodily shops contributed 110 foundation factors.
Sam’s Membership comparable gross sales have been up 5.9%, on energy in grocery and well being & wellness. Worldwide gross sales have been up 5.5% to $31.2 billion. The promoting enterprise was up 46% in the course of the quarter.
Adjusted working earnings was up simply 0.4% in the course of the quarter on gross sales leverage, offset by margin losses from tariffs. The corporate ended Q2 with money of $9.4 billion and complete debt of $0.3 billion. Free money circulation was $6.9 billion, and inventories have been up 3.8% year-over-year to $57.7 billion.
Steerage is for 3.75% to 4.75% gross sales development for the 12 months, up barely from prior steering.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on WMT (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Finest Performing Dividend King #2: Parker-Hannifin (PH)
- 10-year annualized complete returns: 25.4%
Parker-Hannifin is a diversified industrial producer specializing in movement and management applied sciences. The corporate generates annual revenues of $20 billion. Parker-Hannifin has elevated the dividend for 69 consecutive years.
In early November, Parker-Hannifin reported (11/6/25) outcomes for the primary quarter of 2026. Natural gross sales grew 5% over final 12 months’s quarter, primarily due to 13% development in aerospace.
Adjusted earnings-per-share grew 16%, from $6.22 to $7.22, due to sturdy gross sales and an growth of working margin from 23.1% to 24.8%.
Parker-Hannifin exceeded the analysts’ consensus by $0.60. Notably, Parker-Hannifin has exceeded the analysts’ EPS estimates for 41 consecutive quarters.
The corporate additionally raised its steering for fiscal 2026. It raised its steering for natural gross sales development from 3% to 4% and adjusted earnings-per-share from $28.40-$29.40 to $29.60-$30.40.
Parker-Hannifin has plenty of aggressive benefits, together with its scale, world distribution community, and technical expertise.
It manufactures parts which might be comparatively obscure but vital to the operations of heavy equipment, manufacturing facility gear, aircrafts, and different giant industrial gadgets. That is interesting as a result of the corporate operates in a worthwhile area of interest that helps discourage giant would-be opponents.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on Parker-Hannifin (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Finest Performing Dividend King #1: Fortis Inc. (FTS)
- 10-year annualized complete returns: 47.6%
Fortis is Canada’s largest investor-owned utility enterprise with operations in Canada, america, and the Caribbean. It’s cross-listed in Toronto and New York.
Fortis trades with a present after-tax yield of three.0% (about 3.5% earlier than the 15% withholding tax utilized by the Canadian authorities).
Fortis is just about 100% regulated with ~82% regulated electrical and ~17% regulated fuel. As properly, ~64% of its belongings are within the U.S., ~33% in Canada, and ~3% within the Caribbean.
About 93% of its belongings are for transmission and distribution of electrical energy or fuel, which offer important providers, resulting in resilient earnings via the financial cycle.
Fortis reported Q3 2025 outcomes on 11/04/25. For the quarter, its reported adjusted web earnings of CAD$441 million, up 5.0% versus Q3 2024, whereas adjusted web earnings-per-share (EPS) got here in at C$0.87, up 2.4%.
The utility raised its quarterly dividend by 4.1% to C$0.64 per share, equating to an annualized payout of C$2.56 per share. It has a brand new capital funding plan of $28.8 billion for 2026 to 2030.
The year-to-date outcomes present an even bigger image. Adjusted web earnings rose 9.4% to CAD$1.3 billion, whereas adjusted web EPS rose 7.3% to C$2.63. Capital spending 12 months thus far was C$4.2 billion, whereas the overall capital funding for the 12 months is now anticipated to be C$5.6 billion.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on FTS (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):
Extra Studying
The next Certain Dividend databases include essentially the most dependable dividend growers in our funding universe:
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