In this article, we will discuss the 10 Best Dividend Aristocrat Stocks To Buy Now.
Global equity markets are on edge amid uncertainty in the Middle East, compounded by economic growth concerns. Similarly, the prospects of the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates before the end of the year are becoming clearer by the day, sending jitters through the market. The hike would coincide with an inflation uptick, which could have negative implications for equity markets.
Nevertheless, conditions still favor investments in U.S. equity markets, according to Tom Hainlin, U.S. Bank Asset Management Group’s national investment strategist.
“If you look at who’s got the most wherewithal and transparency and earnings, it’s still the U.S. for right now, given the fact that we’re not concluding that [Middle East] conflict, given the fact that [oil] flows aren’t fully back to normal yet and given the fact that the U.S. still has its own energy supplies,” Hainlin said.
Amid the concerns, dividend-paying stocks with strong yields and upside potential could offer a way out of the debacle. According to Wall Street analysts, the focus should be on stocks that pay regular dividends and have significant capital appreciation to boost total returns.
Focusing on Aristocrat dividend stocks is a sure way to secure steady income that can bolster a portfolio and, in the process, generate some passive income on the side, given the attractive yields on offer.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now for shrugging off inflation trends, uncertainty on central bank decisions, and mixed growth signals across countries.
Our Methodology:
To compile a list of the 10 Best Dividend Aristocrat Stocks To Buy Now, we first listed all companies that have a history of increasing dividends for over 25 consecutive years. From these stocks, we selected 10 dividend aristocrats with the highest number of hedge fund investors in Q1 2026 and a dividend yield of more than 2% as of June 22, 2026. Finally, we ranked the stocks in ascending order based on their dividend yield.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research shows we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Insider Monkey’s quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 599.2% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 372 percentage points (see more details here).
Best Dividend Aristocrat Stocks To Buy Now
10. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)
Dividend Yield: 2.35%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 113
Johnson & Johnson is one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now.
On June 17, Johnson & Johnson chief executive officer announced that the company doesn’t intend to enter the obesity drug market. Instead, all the focus is on cancer and neuroscience, seen as viable areas for long-term growth. In addition, the company is focused on becoming the top cancer company by 2030 as it currently leads in the treatment of multiple Myeloma.
Last year, Johnson & Johnson spent $3.05 billion to acquire Halda Therapeutics as it sought to gain access to a key oral therapy for prostate cancer. In addition, the company has identified dementia as a major healthcare challenge that it intends to tackle amid heightened investments in neurodegenerative diseases.
Johnson & Johnson has also ramped up investments and focused on artificial intelligence, a technology it believes will help speed up drug discovery.
Johnson & Johnson is a global healthcare company that develops pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health products. They focus on medical innovation to fight complex diseases while also producing everyday health and personal care goods used by millions worldwide.
9. Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)
Dividend Yield: 2.38%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33
Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now.
On June 18, Atmos Energy Corporation announced a $700 million public offering of 4.750% Senior Notes due 2032. The underwriting agreement was signed with J.P. Morgan Securities, Mizuho Securities USA, and Wells Fargo Securities as representatives of the underwriters.
According to the company’s SEC filing, the offering was registered under the Securities Act of 1933 via Form S‑3 and a prospectus supplement dated June 18. Legal opinions related to the registration were filed as exhibits. Atmos expects net proceeds of approximately $693.9 million after underwriting discounts and expenses.
The notes will be issued under an indenture dated March 26, 2009, with U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, serving as trustee. Terms will be finalized in an officers’ certificate dated June 18, 2026. The securities will be represented by two global notes, with forms filed as exhibits to the SEC report. Atmos said proceeds will support corporate purposes, including infrastructure investment. The offering underscores its ongoing strategy to balance growth with prudent capital management.
On May 29, Mizuho lowered its price target for Atmos Energy Corporation to $184 from $192, while maintaining a Neutral rating. The adjustment reflects weaker valuation multiples across the utility sector, prompting a more cautious outlook on the stock.
Atmos Energy Corporation is one of the largest natural gas-only distributors in the United States. The company operates regulated natural gas distribution, transmission, and storage networks, primarily serving over 3.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
8. PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG)
Dividend Yield: 2.40%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 30
PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG) is one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now.
On June 15, BMO Capital analyst John McNulty reiterated an Outperform rating on PPG Industries Inc. and raised the price target to $140 from $135. The stock is currently trading at $118.92. According to the analyst, the company is positioned for growth following its deep dive into the aerospace segment. The analyst expects the company to pursue opportunities in the Commercial business and military aerospace and to benefit from trends across multiple segments.
PPG Industries remains focused on providing a broad range of high-quality, highly specialized products and services for the aerospace sector. It also plans to deliver technology-advantaged solutions that transform how customers use and apply its products in their operations. It will also invest in innovation and capacity expansion to capture demand from the aerospace industry.
PPG Industries, Inc. is a global manufacturer of paints, coatings, and specialty materials. The company serves a wide variety of industries, ranging from construction and automotive to aerospace and consumer electronics.
7. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD)
Dividend Yield: 2.58%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 56
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) is one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now, known for its strong track record of dividend growth.
On June 4, Air Products affirmed the completion of a $70 million expansion of its Missouri Manufacturing and Logistics Center in Maryland Heights. The new facility is to produce advanced membrane separators for bio-LNG and nitrogen separation.
The expansion, the company’s largest-ever investment, was driven by growing demand for biogas and hydrogen recovery products. The expansion was also driven by growing customer demand for nitrogen for the aerospace industry and for cleaner fuels.
The expansion aligns with the company’s goal of enabling a cleaner and more productive world. In addition, it has resulted in more than 70 new hires supporting the local economy.
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. is a global industrial gases company that supplies essential gases, equipment, and application technologies to a wide variety of industries. They serve sectors such as refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food and beverage.
6. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)
Dividend Yield: 2.99%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 94
Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now.
On June 24, US President Donald Trump announced that Exxon Mobil Corporation, Chevron, and other oil companies are under investigation for allegedly contributing to a surge in gas prices in the US. The remarks follow the drop in global oil prices after the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, on the easing of tensions in the Middle East.
“We are doing a big investigation on it,” Trump said, addressing potential price gouging by oil companies at the gas pump.
Trump has criticized the oil companies for maintaining high gasoline prices despite a significant release of oil reserves. According to the US president, the companies are not reducing prices in line with global market trends.
Consequently, Trump has instructed the Department of Justice to examine whether ExxonMobil, Chevron, and other oil companies have a case to answer on failing to lower gasoline prices in line with falling crude prices.
Exxon Mobil Corporation is one of the world’s largest publicly traded energy and chemical corporations. They operate across the energy supply chain—from exploring for and producing oil and gas to manufacturing everyday chemicals, traditional fuels, and lower-emissions energy technologies.
5. AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV)
Dividend Yield: 3.20%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 87
AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) is one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now.
On June 19, AbbVie Inc. delivered topline Phase 3 data on a fixed-duration venetoclax-based combination at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2026 Congress. The results from the Phase 3 CLL14 trial affirm venetoclax’s enduring safety and efficacy in untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
The trial results also affirm venetoclax plus obinutuzumab’s ability to improve progression-free survival (PFS) compared to chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab. Consequently, it affirms the candidate drug’s potential in patients living with difficult-to-cure blood cancers.
The positive clinical trial results come on the heels of AbbVie reiterating its commitment to shareholder value by declaring a $ 1.73-per-share quarterly dividend. The dividend is to be paid on August 14, 2026, to shareholders of record as of July 15, 2026.
AbbVie Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers innovative medicines and therapies to treat complex, critical health issues worldwide. Spun off from Abbott in 2013, the company treats millions of people globally across five main areas of medicine.
4. Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT)
Dividend Yield: 3.63%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 60
Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) is one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now.
On June 5, Cardiovascular intelligence software company Retia Medical expanded its commercial relationship with Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) to include the distribution of Argos Cardiac Output Monitor. Medtronic is to help Retia expand into new markets and bring its hemodynamic monitoring technology to clinicians managing high-risk surgical and critically ill patients.
The integration of Medtronic’s Acute Care & Monitoring Technologies, such as INVOS and accurate hemodynamic monitoring, will help clinicians personalize care in high-risk surgical and critically ill patients. The Argos Cardiac Output Monitor will also expand the company’s portfolio while providing meaningful cardiovascular insights.
Medtronic and Retia have set their sights on the European market, as it is one of the most important critical care markets, having built a strong clinical foundation in the US.
Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) is a global healthcare technology leader that engineers and manufactures medical devices and therapies to treat over 70 health conditions. Their technologies range from pacemakers and insulin pumps to surgical robotics, improving lives for millions worldwide.
3. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)
Dividend Yield: 4.07%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 103
Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now.
On June 23 at the J.P. Morgan Natural Resources Conference, Jeff Gustavson, President of Chevron Corporation, New Energies, reiterated a heightened focus on low-carbon technologies, including carbon capture, renewable fuels, lithium, and hydrogen.
The push is part of a drive that seeks to meet global energy demand while also delivering shareholder value. While Chevron is the largest natural gas producer in the US, Gustavson expects the company to capitalize on the soaring power demand by leveraging its LNG business. The executive also reiterated that partnerships with the likes of GE Vernova and Caterpillar on equipment, and now Microsoft on data centers, position the company to generate significant value while meeting growing energy demands.
The company’s subsidiary, Energy Forge One LLC, is poised to build a 2.67 GW natural gas-powered facility co-located with Microsoft’s data center campus as part of the Kilby project.
Chevron Corporation is a multinational energy corporation that explores, produces, and transports crude oil and natural gas, and refines them into everyday products like gasoline and plastics. Alongside traditional fossil fuels, the company operates gas stations and invests in lower-carbon technologies like hydrogen, solar, and bioenergy.
2. PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP)
Dividend Yield: 4.17%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) is one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now.
On June 11, PepsiCo announced its participation in RegenLend, a pilot program designed to help farmers adopt soil conservation practices by easing the financial burden of equipment costs. Developed in partnership with Compeer Financial, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (SWOF), the initiative enables farmers to lease strip‑till equipment while PepsiCo covers two annual lease payments, directly reducing upfront expenses.
Strip‑till technology improves soil health, enhances water retention, and reduces erosion, while also lowering fuel and labor costs. However, the high initial investment has been a barrier for many farmers. By sharing costs, PepsiCo is helping accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices that strengthen the resilience of the agricultural supply chain.
PepsiCo’s sustainable agriculture lead, Caitlin Colegrove, emphasized that the company is committed to collaborating across the value chain to support farmers facing rising costs and climate challenges. The program reflects PepsiCo’s broader sustainability strategy, aligning supply chain incentives with long‑term environmental and economic benefits.
PepsiCo, Inc. is a global leader in convenient foods and beverages, operating in over 200 countries and territories. The company manufactures, markets, and distributes a wide range of iconic products, including beverages, snacks, and ready-to-drink meals.
1. Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL)
Dividend Yield: 4.84%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 35
Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL) is one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now.
On May 28, Hormel Foods Corporation delivered strong second-quarter results characterized by profitable growth and improved performance. The company achieved a sixth consecutive quarter of organic top-line growth and double-digit adjusted earnings growth.
Net sales in the year were up 3% to $2.97 billion, with diluted earnings per share of $0.29 and adjusted earnings per share of $0.40. Hormel Foods Corporation expects full-year net sales to range between $12.2 billion and $12.5 billion, with organic net sales growing by between 1% and 4%. The company has also reaffirmed adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.43 to $1.51, reflecting growth of 4% to 10%.
During the quarter, the company completed the divestiture of its whole-bird turkey business. The transaction affirmed the company’s strategic shift towards expanding its value-added protein portfolio and reducing exposure to more volatile businesses.
Hormel Foods Corporation is a multinational branded food company that manufactures and markets a wide variety of meat and grocery products worldwide. Their portfolio spans retail, foodservice, and international markets, supplying everything from canned meals and deli meats to peanut butter.
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