14 Best Dividend Aristocrats to Invest in Heading into 2026

10. Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42

Upside Potential as of December 22: 27.6%

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB) is one of the best dividend aristocrat stocks to invest in.

On December 17, Citi lowered its price target on Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB) to $95 from $100 and kept a Sell rating on the stock. The change came as part of the firm’s 2026 outlook for the beverages, household, and personal care space. Citi is moving away from its earlier bullish view on non-alcoholic beverages in 2025. The focus is shifting toward household and personal care companies. The firm sees conditions improving as inventory destocking runs its course and year-over-year consumption comparisons ease. This is the kind of setup analysts often look for when a cycle begins to stabilize.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB), known for brands like Huggies, Kleenex, and Scott, is preparing to add a new group of brands to its portfolio. The company is in the process of acquiring Kenvue. Management expects the transaction to generate $2.1 billion in cost synergies. Over time, the deal is expected to be accretive for shareholders.

The company is also expanding its manufacturing footprint. Vietnam is becoming a key hub for Southeast Asia. Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB) has already purchased 1.2 hectares of land next to its existing factory, about an hour from Ho Chi Minh City. The expansion is expected to lift production by roughly 40%. This move supports a broader export strategy. About half of the company’s output in Vietnam is shipped to 18 different markets. Increasing scale there helps support that flow. Growth efforts extend beyond physical assets.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB) is also testing new ways to compete in a more digital environment. That includes deeper engagement with parenting communities and a continued push into e-commerce.