Dividend aristocrat (Dividendenaristokrat)
A company that has raised its dividend every year for at least 25 years.
In short
As of 8 October 2026A dividend aristocrat is an S&P 500 company that has raised its dividend for at least 25 consecutive years. Companies with 50 years of increases, such as Coca-Cola, are often called dividend kings. A long streak shows stable profits through many crises, but it is no guarantee: any company can cut its dividend.
Dividend aristocrats are S&P 500 companies that have increased their dividend for at least 25 years in a row. S&P runs a dedicated index for them. Companies with 50 years are often called dividend kings.
A long streak shows that a business has delivered stable profits through many crises. It is no guarantee for the future: a company can cut its dividend at any time. Check the payout ratio too; if it is very high, there is little cushion. More in the chapter on dividends.
Example: Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson have raised their dividends for more than 60 years, which even makes them dividend kings.
Related terms
As of 8 October 2026 · Educational content, not investment or tax advice.