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 (NYSE:JNJ) is one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to buy now.
On June 17, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) 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 (NYSE:JNJ) 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 (NYSE:ATO) 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 (NYSE: ATO) 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 (NYSE:ATO) 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. (NYSE:PPG) 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. (NYSE:PPG) 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 (NYSE:APD) 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. (NYSE:APD) 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 (NYSE:XOM), 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 (NYSE:XOM) 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.
While we acknowledge the potential of XOM to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than XOM and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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