10 Best Stocks to Buy With 50+ Years of Dividend Increases

Published July 16, 2021 at 10:42 am EDT Updated September 7, 2026 at 1:30 pm EDT

In this article, we will be looking at the 10 best stocks to buy with 50+ years of dividend increases.

Investing in dividend stocks with strong fundamentals offers two benefits: stock price appreciation and regular payouts. Dividend-paying stocks also provide a strong cushion of safety during times of crisis. For example, over the last 12 months alone, iShares Select Dividend ETF (NASDAQ:DVY), an exchange-traded fund that offers exposure to a number of high-yield stocks, has gained more than 40%, outperforming the S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:SPY) by more than 4.0 percentage points.

In a Guinness Atkinson report on why investors should opt for dividend stocks, the claim above was further supported by mention of a Greenrock Research study which revealed that since the late 1950s, a hypothetical portfolio geared towards dividend stocks outperformed the “overall benchmark S&P 500” by about 2.2% each year. And while the study also mentioned that dividend stocks don’t always outperform the stock market every year, it also stated that between 1958 and 2017, they did outperform the larger market in about 53% of the 60 years studied.

Apart from merely focusing on the outperformance of dividend stocks as compared to other stocks, the GA report also offered other incentives for investing in dividends. Two major reasons provided by the report are still highly relevant today: first, dividends grow, providing not only a stable passive income stream, but also one that often continues to gain value as the years pass, and second, dividend growth that historically surpassed the rate of inflation. On the first point, the report mentions that in the aggregate, dividend investors can expect a dividend growth rate of about 5%, as historically, the rate of growth of the S&P 500’s own dividend has been about 5.81% since 1958.

As for the second point, Guinness Atkinson cited data stating that between 1958 to 2017, the S&P 500’s dividend rose higher than inflation 62% of the times between the 60 years recorded. As such, dividend stocks have proven to be traditional outperformers and fast growers, making stocks with stable dividend yields like The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL), Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B), and Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) become even more attractive investment options.

And while building a portfolio of dividend stocks can give you a solid chance of outperforming the market, another metric that can help you beat the SPY is the hedge fund sentiment. Insider Monkey’s research was able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that outperformed the S&P 500 ETF by more than 124 percentage points since March 2017. Between March 2017 and February 26th 2021 our monthly newsletter’s stock picks returned 197.2%, vs. 72.4% for the SPY. Our stock picks outperformed the market by more than 124 percentage points (see the details here). We were also able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that significantly underperformed the market. We have been tracking and sharing the list of these stocks since February 2017 and they lost 13% through November 16th. That’s why we believe hedge fund sentiment is an extremely useful indicator that investors should pay attention to. You can subscribe to our free newsletter on our homepage to receive our stories in your inbox.

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Without further ado, let’s look at the 10 best stocks to buy with 50+ years of dividend increases. The stocks added to our list were selected on the basis of hedge fund popularity, analysts’ ratings, fundamentals, and growth potential based on core business strengths.

We also ensured each stock had increased its dividend for at least 50 years in a row as an indicator that the stock has a stable dividend.

Best Stocks to Buy With Over 50 Years of Dividend Increases

10. Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE:NWN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 10
Number of Years of Consistent Dividend Growth: 65
Dividend Yield: 3.7%

Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) provides regulated natural gas distribution services to residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation customers in the US through its subsidiary, Northwest Natural Gas Company. It ranks 10th on our list of the best stocks to buy with 50+ years of dividend increases.

This May, Wells Fargo raised its price target on Northwest Natural Holding Company to $58, with an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The company also stated that it expects its 2021 EPS to be between $2.40 to $2.60, versus the consensus estimate of $2.51.

In the first quarter of 2021, Northwest Natural Holding Company had an EPS of $1.94, beating estimates by $0.12. The company’s revenue was $315.95 million, up 10.80% year over year and surpassing the previous quarter’s $260.27 million revenue. Northwest Natural Holding Company has also gained 17.03% in the past 6 months and 13.8% year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 10 hedge funds out of the 866 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Northwest Natural Holding Company worth roughly $28.3 million. This is compared to 10 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of about $25.4 million.

Like The Procter & Gamble Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Brown-Forman Corporation, Altria Group, Inc., and Colgate-Palmolive Company, Northwest Natural Holding Company is a good dividend stock to invest in.

9. American States Water Company (NYSE:AWR)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 14
Number of Years of Consistent Dividend Growth: 66
Dividend Yield: 1.8%

American States Water Company (NYSE: AWR) is a provider of water and electric services to residential, commercial, industrial, and other customers in the US. The company ranks 9th on our list of the best stocks to buy with 50+ years of dividend increases.

In May, Wells Fargo raised its price target on American States Water Company shares from $81 to $87, keeping an Overweight rating on the shares. Analyst Jonathan Reeder went ahead with the price target increase in light of the company’s quarterly results.

In the first quarter of 2021, American States Water Company had an EPS of $0.52, beating estimates by $0.07. The company’s revenue was $117.06 million, up 7.32% year over year and beating estimates by $16.15 million. American States Water Company has gained 2.32% in the past 6 months and 5.37% year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 14 hedge funds out of the 866 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in American States Water Company worth roughly $38.9 million. This is compared to 18 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of about $46.1 million.

Like The Procter & Gamble Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Brown-Forman Corporation, Altria Group, Inc., and Colgate-Palmolive Company, American States Water Company is a good dividend stock to invest in.

8. Cincinnati Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:CINF)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 22
Number of Years of Consistent Dividend Growth: 60
Dividend Yield: 2.1%

Cincinnati Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: CINF) is a property and casualty insurance company operating in the financials sector. The company provides property-casualty insurance products in the US and ranks 8th on our list of the best stocks to buy with 50+ years of dividend increases.

This July, Piper Sandler upgraded Cincinnati Financial Corporation from Underweight to Neutral, while also raising its price target from $100 to $116. Analyst Paul Newsome has also commented that concerns regarding business interruption insurance litigation are beginning to fade away where Cincinnati Financial Corporation is concerned.

In the first quarter of 2021, Cincinnati Financial Corporation had an EPS of $1.37, beating estimates by $0.27. The company’s revenue was $2.23 billion, beating estimates by $547.92 million as well. Cincinnati Financial Corporation has gained 26.98% in the past 6 months and 40.49% year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 22 hedge funds out of the 866 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Cincinnati Financial Corporation worth roughly $886 million. This is compared to 20 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of about $842 million.

Like The Procter & Gamble Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Brown-Forman Corporation, Altria Group, Inc., and Colgate-Palmolive Company, Cincinnati Financial Corporation is a good dividend stock to invest in.

7. Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26
Number of Years of Consistent Dividend Growth: 65
Dividend Yield: 2.5%

Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) is a distributor of automotive replacement parts, and industrial parts and materials for imported vehicles, hybrid or electric vehicles, trucks, SUVs, buses, motorcycles, and other vehicles. It ranks 7th on our list of the best stocks to buy with 50+ years of dividend increases.

This May, Goldman Sachs upgraded Genuine Parts Company from Sell to Neutral while also raising its price target from $113 to $125. Analyst Kane McShane commented that auto parts retailers like Genuine Parts Company are set to profit from the economic recovery in light of the pandemic being fought by growing immunizations.

In the first quarter of 2021, Genuine Parts Company had an EPS of $1.50, beating estimates by $0.36. The company’s revenue was $4.46 billion, also beating estimates by $161.17 million. Genuine Parts Company has gained 21.64% in the past 6 months and 29.68%.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 26 hedge funds out of the 866 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Genuine Parts Company worth roughly $357 million. This is compared to 25 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of about $194 million.

Like The Procter & Gamble Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Brown-Forman Corporation, Altria Group, Inc., and Colgate-Palmolive Company, Genuine Parts Company is a good dividend stock to invest in.

6. Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ:NDSN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26
Number of Years of Consistent Dividend Growth: 57
Dividend Yield: 0.7%

Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ: NDSN) manufactures products and systems for the dispensation, application, and control of adhesives, coatings, polymers, sealants, biomaterials, and other fluids. The company operates globally and ranks 6th on our list of the best stocks to buy with 50+ years of dividend increases.

This July, DA Davidson raised its price target on Nordson Corporation from $250 to $255, keeping a Buy rating on the company’s shares. Analyst Matt Summerville commented that the increase in price target came about after his meeting with Nordson Corporation’s (NASDAQ: NDSN) CFO, which implied that the company’s underlying end demand is robust and widespread.

In the fiscal second quarter of 2021, Nordson Corporation had an EPS of $2.12, beating estimates by $0.48. The company’s revenue was $589.54 million, up 11.34% year over year and beating estimates by $41.77 million. Nordson Corporation has also gained 8.89% in the past 6 months and 11.92% year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 26 hedge funds out of the 866 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Nordson Corporation worth roughly $179 million. This is compared to 21 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of about $70.7 million.

Like The Procter & Gamble Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Brown-Forman Corporation, Altria Group, Inc., and Colgate-Palmolive Company, Nordson Corporation is a good dividend stock to invest in.

5. Dover Corporation (NYSE:DOV)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26
Number of Years of Consistent Dividend Growth: 65
Dividend Yield: 1.3%

Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV) provides equipment and components, consumable suppliers, software and digital solutions, and other products and services across the globe. It ranks 5th on our list of the best stocks to buy with 50+ years of dividend increases.

This July Deutsche Bank raised its price target on Dover Corporation from $150 to $167, keeping a Hold rating on the shares. Analyst Nicole Deblase has commented that another earnings beat is expected from industrial names this quarter.

In the first quarter of 2021, Dover Corporation had an EPS of $1.81, beating estimates by $0.34. The company’s revenue was $1.87 billion, up 12.80% year over year and beating estimates by $135.10 million. Dover Corporation has also gained 21.64% in the past 6 months and 25.19% year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 26 hedge funds out of the 866 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Dover Corporation worth roughly $639 million. This is compared to 32 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of about $738 million.

4. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (NYSE:SWK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33
Number of Years of Consistent Dividend Growth: 53
Dividend Yield: 1.3%

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. operates in the tools and storage, industrial, and security businesses across the world and ranks 4th on our list of the best stocks to buy with 50+ years of dividend increases.

This June, Gabelli analyst Justin Bergner upgraded Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. from a Hold to Buy, in light of his own confidence in e-commerce driven growth that the company might go through, among other factors.

In the first quarter of 2021, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. had an EPS of $3.13, beating estimates by $0.56. The company’s revenue was $4.20 billion, up 34.20% year over year and beating estimates by $226.54 million. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. has also gained 19.57% in the past 6 months and 22.27% year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 33 hedge funds out of the 866 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. worth roughly $993 million. This is compared to 38 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of about $846 million.

3. Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 45
Number of Years of Consistent Dividend Growth: 64
Dividend Yield: 2.1%

Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE: EMR) is a US-based multinational corporation working to provide products and engineering services for industrial, commercial, and consumer markets. The company ranks 3rd on our list of the best stocks to buy with 50+ years of dividend increases.

This July, Deutsche Bank raised its price target on Emerson Electric Co. from $103 to $111. Barclays also raised its price target on the company’s shares this April to $84, with an Equal Weight rating on the stock.

In the fiscal second quarter of 2021, Emerson Electric Co. had an EPS of $0.97, beating estimates by $0.07. The company’s revenue was $4.43 billion, up 6.46% year over year and beating estimates by $74.53 million. Emerson Electric Co. has also gained 17.35% in the past 6 months and 25.37% year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 45 hedge funds out of the 866 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Emerson Electric Co. worth roughly $796 million. This is compared to 46 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of about $1.04 billion.

2. Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 48
Number of Years of Consistent Dividend Growth: 58
Dividend Yield: 2.2%

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a US-based multinational consumer products company with headquarters in Manhattan. The company provides household, healthcare, personal care, and other products under a variety of brands like Colgate and Head & Shoulders, and it ranks 2nd on our list of the best stocks to buy with 50+ years of dividend increases.

This June Credit Suisse upgraded Colgate-Palmolive Company shares to Outperform, with a $95 price target. Earlier in May, Deutsche Bank had also raised its price target on the company’s shares to $85 as well.

In the first quarter of 2021, Colgate-Palmolive Company had an EPS of $0.80, beating estimates by $0.01. The company’s revenue was $4.34 billion, up 6.03% year over year and it beat estimates by $80.51 million as well. Colgate-Palmolive Company has gained 0.85% in the past 6 months.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 48 hedge funds out of the 866 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Colgate-Palmolive Company worth roughly $2.30 billion. This is compared to 46 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of about $1.51 billion.

First Eagle Investment Management, mentioned Colgate-Palmolive Company in its first-quarter 2021 investor letter. Here‘s what they said:

“The leading detractors in the quarter (included) Colgate-Palmolive Company. After a strong 2020 fueled in part by lockdown-driven demand, consumer staples stocks generally cooled during the first quarter as investors shifted attention to the more economically sensitive areas of the market likely to benefit from re-openings and improved discretionary spending. The effects of this rotation could be seen in the share price underperformance of names like Colgate-Palmolive.”

1. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 61
Number of Years of Consistent Dividend Growth: 59
Dividend Yield: 1.6%

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is an American retailer providing home improvement products through its retail stores in the US and Canada. The company ranks 1st on our list of the best stock to buy with 50+ years of dividend increases.

This May, Morgan Stanley raised its price targets on Lowe’s Companies, Inc. shares to $230 with an Overweight rating. Analyst Simeon Gutman commented that the company is performing well above its strong market case, leading to him raising estimates in light of the company’s quarterly report as well.

In the fiscal first quarter of 2022, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. had an EPS of $3.21, beating estimates by $0.62. The company’s revenue was $24.42 billion, up 24.13% year over year and beating estimates by $667.62 million. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. has gained 14.02% in the past 6 months and 21.14% year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 61 hedge funds out of the 866 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Lowe’s Companies, Inc. worth roughly $5.17 billion. This is compared to 71 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of about $5.19 billion.

Pershing Square, an investment management firm, mentioned Lowe’s Companies, Inc. in its fourth-quarter 2020 investor letter. Here‘s what the fund said:

“Lowe’s is a high-quality business with significant long-term earnings growth potential. We initiated our investment in the company in April 2018 largely because we believed that the hiring of a new high-caliber management team could dramatically improve the business and close the performance gap to its closest competitor, Home Depot. Marvin Ellison became CEO in July 2018, and immediately began working on a multi-year transformation plan to bolster Lowe’s retail fundamentals, reduce structural costs, expand distribution capabilities, and modernize systems and the company’s online capabilities.

In 2020, Lowe’s experienced unprecedented demand driven by consumers nesting at home, higher home asset utilization and a reallocation of discretionary spend. Lowe’s earlier decision to modernize the company’s online offering allowed it to meet consumers’ surging demand. Further, its commitment to improve the company’s retail fundamentals allowed Lowe’s to showcase its enhanced merchandising, greater in-stock-levels, and excellent customer service. In the fourth quarter, the company completed 95% of its store layout resets which include a more intuitive shopping experience complete with a more Pro-centric layout (by “Pro” we refer to the professional tradesmen that perform repair and maintenance, remodeling and construction services). The company is also rolling out a new Pro CRM tool, which should improve Lowe’s Pro market share…” (Click here to view the full text)

You can also take a peek at 10 Extreme Dividend Stocks with Huge Upside and 30 Dividend Kings of 2021 (Part I).

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