Printed on Might eleventh, 2026 by Bob Ciura
Shares, in combination, are extremely protected investments given sufficient time.
Supply: Schroders
The above picture refers back to the general inventory market, fairly than particular person shares. Particular person shares have wider efficiency fluctuations, each within the brief and long run.
Investing in high quality shares – significantly true dividend progress shares, that are a transparent indicator of high quality – provides danger discount based mostly on the character of the funding.
One of many large benefits of dividend progress investing is that it reduces danger and funding errors by focusing solely on shares that pay rising dividends.
The longer an organization’s dividend streak, the extra it demonstrates its skill to generate precise money and return it to shareholders.
Due to this fact, we created a listing of Dividend Kings, a bunch of shares with 50+ years of dividend will increase.
You may see the total downloadable spreadsheet of all 58 Dividend Kings (together with necessary monetary metrics similar to dividend yields, payout ratios, and price-to-earnings ratios) by clicking on the hyperlink under:
Dividend progress shares characterize confirmed companies.
Investing in shares has a confirmed historical past of long-term success. By specializing in high quality companies that return cash to shareholders, you possibly can cut back errors and profit from compounding dividend earnings over time.
This text will focus on 10 Dividend Kings with confirmed companies which have a really excessive probability of elevating their dividends for a few years to return.
All 10 Dividend Kings have our highest Dividend Danger Rating of ‘A’, and payout ratios under 70%.
Desk of Contents
These 10 low-risk Dividend Kings are ranked by their present dividend yields, from lowest to highest.
The desk of contents under permits for simple navigation:
Low Danger Dividend King #10: California Water Service (CWT)
California Water Service is the third largest publicly-owned water utility in the USA.
The corporate has six subsidiaries that present water to about two million individuals, primarily in California, with some extra operations in Washington, New Mexico, and Hawaii.
California Water Service was based in 1926 and has elevated its dividend for greater than 50 consecutive years, which makes the corporate a Dividend King.
California Water Service reported its fourth quarter earnings outcomes on February twenty fifth. The corporate reported that its working revenues totaled $220 million through the quarter, down 1% year-over-year.
The income decline was brought on by a decrease water consumption among the many firm’s prospects, partially offset by greater charges.
California Water Service generated earnings-per-share of $0.19 through the fourth quarter, which was weaker than what was anticipated by the analyst group.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on CWT (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Low Danger Dividend King #9: Automated Information Processing (ADP)
Automated Information Processing is likely one of the largest enterprise providers outsourcing corporations on the earth.
The corporate supplies payroll providers, human sources expertise, and different enterprise operations to greater than 700,000 company prospects.
ADP posted second quarter earnings on January twenty eighth, 2026, and outcomes had been higher than anticipated on each the highest and backside traces.
Adjusted earnings-per-share got here to $2.62, which was a nickel forward of estimates, and was up from $2.49 in Q1, and from $2.35 within the year-ago interval. Income was up 7.2% year-over-year to $5.36 billion, beating estimates by $20 million.
Bills got here to $4.08 billion, which was greater from $3.98 billion in Q1 and $3.88 billion a yr earlier. Adjusted EBIT margin was 26.0% of income, up from 25.5% in Q1 and from 25.2% a yr in the past.
The corporate guided for income progress of 6% for this yr, adjusted EBIT margin of ~60 foundation factors, and adjusted diluted earnings-per-share progress of 9% to 10%.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on ADP (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Low Danger Dividend King #8: AbbVie Inc. (ABBV)
AbbVie is a biotechnology firm targeted on growing and commercializing medication for immunology, oncology and virology. It was spun off by Abbott Laboratories in 2013.
Since then, AbbVie has develop into one of many largest gamers within the biotechnology business.
AbbVie reported its fourth quarter earnings outcomes on February 4. The corporate generated income of $16.6 billion through the quarter, up 10% year-over-year.
Income was positively impacted by compelling progress from a few of its main medication, together with Skyrizi and Rinvoq, whereas Humira gross sales declined by 26% attributable to competitors from biosimilars and market share losses.
AbbVie earned $2.71 per share through the fourth quarter, which was 25% greater than the corporate’s earnings-per-share through the earlier yr’s quarter.
AbbVie’s earnings-per-share beat the consensus analyst estimate by $0.06, as analysts anticipated a smaller revenue enhance.
The revenue enhance was pushed by greater revenues and a few margin growth. AbbVie’s steering for 2026’s adjusted earnings-per-share is $14.37 – $14.57.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on ABBV (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Low Danger Dividend King #7: The Marzetti Firm (MZTI)
The Marzetti Firm has been making meals merchandise since 1969. Marzetti makes numerous meal equipment like croutons and bread merchandise in frozen and non-frozen classes.
Marzetti additionally has the most effective dividend enhance streaks in your entire market, with greater than six many years of consecutive will increase.
Marzetti posted second quarter earnings on February third, 2026, and outcomes had been worse than anticipated on each the highest and backside traces. The corporate noticed earnings-per-share come to $2.15, which missed estimates by eight cents.
Income was up 1.7% year-over-year to $518 million, lacking expectations by $2.37 million. The corporate additionally famous $8.2 million of income was attributed to a brief provide settlement that’s anticipated to conclude on March thirty first.
Gross revenue was $137.3 million, whereas gross margin was up 80 foundation factors on an adjusted foundation. SG&A prices had been up by $3.3 million, primarily pushed by greater advertising spending and the expanded launch of Texas Roadhouse rolls.
Capex for the quarter was $17.7 million, whereas the corporate paid a $28 million dividend and repurchased $20 million in inventory. Marzetti nonetheless has no debt and $201 million in money readily available.
Administration is shopping for Bachan’s, the maker of Japanese-American barbeque sauces – for $400 million. They famous the acquisition is predicted to be accretive instantly.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on MZTI (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Low Danger Dividend King #6: Goal Corp. (TGT))
Goal was based in 1902 and has operations solely within the U.S. market.
Its enterprise consists of about 1,850 large field shops, which provide normal merchandise and meals, in addition to serving as distribution factors for the corporate’s burgeoning e-commerce enterprise.
Goal ought to produce greater than $105 billion in complete income this yr. The corporate additionally sports activities a particularly spectacular dividend enhance streak of 57 years.
Goal posted fourth quarter and full-year earnings on March third, 2026, and outcomes had been higher than anticipated. The corporate noticed income fall 1.5% year-over-year to $30.45 billion for the quarter, which met expectations.
Nevertheless, earnings got here to $2.44 per share on an adjusted foundation, which beat estimates by an enormous 28 cents. The administration workforce famous promoting income was greater, in addition to good leads to magnificence and meals & beverage.
Gross sales had been weaker in most of its main classes, nonetheless, ensuing within the 1.5% drop. Comparable gross sales had been down 2.5%, barely worse than anticipated, as transactions fell 2.9% and common ticket rose 0.4%.
The corporate expects gross sales to develop at about 2% for this yr, reflecting a small enhance in comparable gross sales, new shops, and non-merchandise gross sales contributing to progress.
Earnings are anticipated between $7.50 and $8.50 per share on an adjusted foundation. Power in earnings may come from greater gross sales and working margins anticipated to be 20 foundation factors above fiscal 2026.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on TGT (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Low Danger Dividend King #5: Black Hills Corp. (BKH)
Black Hills Company is an electrical utility that gives electrical energy and pure fuel to prospects in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
The corporate has 1.35 million utility prospects in eight states. Its pure fuel belongings embody 49,200 miles of pure fuel traces. Individually, it has ~9,200 miles of electrical traces and 1.4 gigawatts of electrical technology capability.
Black Hills Company reported its fourth quarter earnings leads to February. The corporate generated income of $635 million through the quarter, which was 6% greater than the earlier yr’s fourth quarter.
Black Hills Company generated earnings-per-share of $1.41 through the fourth quarter, which was according to the consensus analyst estimate. Earnings-per-share had been up $0.04 versus the earlier yr’s quarter.
This autumn and Q1 are seasonally stronger quarters attributable to greater pure fuel demand for heating, which was once more showcased by the above-average profitability throughout the newest quarter. Black Hills Company forecasts earnings-per-share of $4.25 to $4.45 for the present fiscal yr.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on BKH (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Low Danger Dividend King #4: PepsiCo Inc. (PEP)
PepsiCo is a world meals and beverage firm that generates virtually $94 billion in annual gross sales. The corporate’s merchandise embody Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Frito-Lay chips, Gatorade, Tropicana orange juice and Quaker meals.
The corporate has greater than 20 $1 billion manufacturers in its portfolio.
On February third, 2026, PepsiCo introduced that it could enhance its annualized dividend by 4.0% to $5.92 beginning with the cost for June 2026, extending the corporate’s dividend progress streak to 54 consecutive years.
That very same day, PepsiCo launched fourth quarter and full yr outcomes for the interval ending December thirty first, 2025. For the quarter, income grew 5.6% to $29.3 billion, which beat estimates by $370 million.
Adjusted earnings-per-share of $2.26 in contrast favorably to $1.96 the prior yr, which was $0.02 greater than anticipated.
For the yr, income grew 2.3% to $93.9 billion whereas adjusted earnings-per-share of $8.14 was down from $8.16 in 2024. Natural gross sales grew 2.1% for the quarter and 1.7% for the yr.
For the quarter, meals quantity fell 2% whereas drinks grew 1%. PepsiCo Drinks North America’s natural income improved 2% for the interval at the same time as quantity decreased by 4%.
Income for PepsiCo Meals North America as decrease by 1%, largely attributable to divestitures. Meals quantity declined 1%.
The Worldwide Drinks section grew 2% attributable to 3% quantity progress. Revenues in Europe/Center East/Africa had been up 5%. Meals quantity declined 5%, however this was offset by a 1% acquire in drinks.
Foreign money was a 7% headwind for this area. Latin America Meals elevated 5% and Asia Pacific Meals grew 4%.
PepsiCo supplied steering for 2026 as nicely, with the corporate anticipating natural gross sales in a variety of two% to 4%. The corporate expects earnings-per-share progress in a variety of 4% to six%.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on PEP (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Low Danger Dividend King #3: Northwest Pure Holding (NWN)
Northwest Pure Holding Firm is a diversified utility holding firm that operates by way of three enterprise segments: NWN Fuel Utility, SiEnergy, and NWN Water.
Its core fuel utility serves 810,000 metered connections and round 2 million individuals in Oregon and southwest Washington, with roughly 88% of shoppers situated within the former and the remaining 12% situated within the latter.
Extra lately, NWN has expanded its footprint into the high-growth Texas market by way of the acquisition of SiEnergy. This serves roughly 90,000 metered connections and 225,000 individuals within the Houston, Dallas-Fort Value, and Austin space.
Lastly, NWN Water reaches 200,000 individuals throughout 80,000 connections in six states (Texas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington).
Boasting a 70-year dividend progress streak, NWN is likely one of the most established Dividend Kings.
On February twenty seventh, 2026, the corporate launched its earnings report for the fourth quarter ended December thirty first, 2025. NWN’s complete working income grew by 6.3% over the year-ago interval to $394.2 million within the quarter.
Key contributors to this topline progress through the quarter included new charges in Oregon for NWN Fuel Utility, the SiEnergy Fuel Utility acquisition in January 2025/Pines final June, and new charges for NWN Water Utility’s Arizona utilities/water acquisitions.
NWN’s adjusted EPS decreased by 1.4% year-over-year to $1.39 for the quarter.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on NWN (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Low Danger Dividend King #2: Real Components Co. (GPC)
Real Components Firm was based in 1928 and since that point, it has grown right into a sprawling conglomerate that sells automotive and industrial components, electrical supplies, and normal enterprise merchandise.
Its world span reaches all through North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe and is comprised of greater than 3,000 places. It has about 63,000 staff with about $24 billion in annual income.
Real Components has raised its dividend for an unbelievable 69 consecutive years.
Real Components posted fourth quarter and full-year earnings on February seventeenth, 2026, and outcomes had been weak on each the highest and backside traces.
Adjusted earnings-per-share got here to $1.55, which was nicely off of estimates that had been 27 cents greater. Income was up 4.1% year-over-year to $6 billion, however missed estimates by $60 million.
Gross sales efficiency was attributed to a 1.7% enhance in comparable gross sales, a 1.5% profit from acquisitions, and a foreign exchange translation acquire of 0.9%.
Gross revenue was up 70 foundation factors on an adjusted foundation to 37.6% of gross sales. Earnings was down from $1.61 per share a yr earlier.
The corporate guided for complete gross sales progress of three% to five.5%, and adjusted earnings-per-share of $7.50 to $8.00.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on GPC (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Low Danger Dividend King #1: Sonoco Merchandise (SON)
Sonoco Merchandise supplies packaging, industrial merchandise and provide chain providers. The markets that use the corporate’s merchandise embody these within the home equipment, electronics, beverage, development and meals industries.
The corporate generates $7.5 billion in annual gross sales. Sonoco Merchandise is now composed of two main segments, Shopper Packaging, and Industrial Packaging, with all different companies listed as “All Different”.
On February sixteenth, 2026, Sonoco Merchandise reported fourth quarter and full yr outcomes. For the quarter, income grew 30.1% to $1.77 billion, which beat estimates by $10 million.
Adjusted earnings-per-share of $1.05 in comparison with $1.00 within the prior yr and was $0.05 higher than anticipated.
For the yr, income elevated 41.7% to $7.5 billion whereas adjusted earnings-per-share of $5.71 in comparison with $4.89 in 2024.
For the quarter, Shopper Packaging revenues had been up 62.1% to $1.14 billion, principally attributable to contributions from Eviosys. Outcomes had been as soon as once more aided by value will increase that had been carried out to offset inflation and tariff stress.
Gross sales for Industrial Paper Packing had been down barely to $568 million attributable to weaker quantity following two plant divestitures in China final yr. All Different declined 34.9% to $57 million as a result of divestiture of ThermoSafe in November.
Sonoco Merchandise supplied an outlook for 2026 as nicely, with the corporate anticipating adjusted earnings-per-share in a variety of $5.80 to $6.20 for the yr.
Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on SON (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):
Further Sources
Positive Dividend maintains a number of different databases of high-quality dividend progress shares:
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