Dividend Aristocrats 2026—Top Stocks That Can Boost Your Passive Income Potential

Some aristocrats actually like sharing the wealth. In fact, dividend aristocrats share more and more every year.

A dividend aristocrat is an S&P 500 company that has increased its dividend annually for at least 25 years, demonstrating a commitment to returning cash to investors. That’s just one reason they’ve attracted a devoted following. They also offer investors a reliable income stream, some protection against inflation, and some capital appreciation thrown in for good measure.

Below we look at five dividend aristocrats worth considering as an investment.

The Benefits of Dividend Aristocrats

Some investors prefer the thrill of owning the latest high-flying stock. But what dividend aristocrats lack in flash, they make up for in many other ways:

• Steady income: Particularly attractive for retirees or anyone seeking passive income.
• Inflation fighting: Growing dividends year after year take a bite out of inflation.
• Resilience: They tend to be mature companies in well-established industries—consumer staples, banking, and healthcare, for example—so they’re steadier during market downturns.
• Outperformance: On a risk-adjusted basis, dividend aristocrats outperform the S&P 500 Index over the long term.
• Compounding: Investors can reinvest their dividends, leading to compound growth.
• Less market-dependent: While dividend aristocrats tend to track the broader market, beefy dividends mean investors don’t need significant price gains to enjoy healthy returns.

Below is the entire list of dividend aristocrats in the S&P 500 index in 2025, along with their years of consecutive dividend increases and most recent dividend yield (the dividend amount divided by the stock price).

These companies have price-to-earnings ratios under 25 and low debt:

Target Corp.

Target (TGT) is a major presence in retailing, with almost 2,000 stores in the U.S. Despite facing fierce competition and CEO transition in 2026, Target’s focus on private-label brands and store renovations has fueled consistent growth over time, helping the company establish itself as a reliable source of revenue and growing dividends.

Dover Corp.

Dover Corp. (DOV) is an industrial conglomerate with operations spanning equipment and components, consumable supplies, and software and digital products. Its diversity is one reason it’s raised its dividend each year for the past 35 years.

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

Cincinnati Financial Corp. (CINF) provides property, casualty, and life insurance. It has raised its dividend for 26 consecutive years and offers a yield of 2.32%.

Genuine Parts Co.

Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) is a major global provider of auto and industrial parts. The company sells parts in the U.S. and Canada under the NAPA brand name, including through its more than 1,700 retail NAPA stores. It also sells auto parts in Europe under a range of brand names, as well as auto and industrial parts in Asia and Australia. Genuine Parts has raised its dividend for 35 consecutive years.

The Bottom Line

Investing in dividend aristocrats is a way many use to generate a steady income and enjoy at least some share-price gains. These companies may not offer explosive growth, but their steady cash flow and resilience during market downturns often make them an excellent choice for long-term investors.