In this article, we will take a look at the Top 5 Dividend Kings to Buy for Safe Dividend Growth. For deeper discussion and analysis, read Top 11 Dividend Kings to Buy for Safe Dividend Growth.
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5. Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE)
5-Year Average Dividend Growth Rate: 6.57%
On June 22, Morgan Stanley raised the firm’s price recommendation on Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) to $258 from $227. It reiterated an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm increased its steel price forecasts to reflect the extended supply-driven rally. At the same time, Morgan Stanley believes the expected higher steel prices are already reflected in the stocks across the group. Analyst Carlos De Alba added that Commercial Metals is the firm’s only Overweight-rated steel stock in North America. The firm believes market concerns about new rebar supply are already overly reflected in the stock.
On June 18, Wells Fargo lowered its price goal on Nucor to $283 from $292. It maintained an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm noted that the company’s second-quarter EPS guidance of $4.50-$4.60 was above the consensus estimate of $4.21 but below Wells Fargo’s estimate of $4.91, even with a $130 million one-time refund. Wells Fargo said it believes intersegment eliminations affected the quarter.
Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) is a manufacturer of steel and steel products, with operating facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company also produces and sources ferrous and non-ferrous materials, mainly for use in its steel manufacturing business.
4. H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE:FUL)
5-Year Average Dividend Growth Rate: 7.72%
On June 17, UBS raised the firm’s price recommendation on H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE:FUL) to $71 from $63. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm said it expects a beat and raise quarter, though the potential Advanced Medical Solutions deal remains an overhang.
On May 27, JPMorgan upgraded FUL to Neutral from Underweight. It kept an unchanged price target of $58. The firm said the company’s near-term share price performance could depend on whether H.B. Fuller moves ahead with the Advanced Medical Solutions transaction or begins a full review of strategic alternatives. JPMorgan cited valuation as the reason for the upgrade.
H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE:FUL) is a pure-play adhesives company. It operates as a formulator, manufacturer, and marketer of adhesives, sealants, and other specialty chemical products.
3. ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE:ABM)
5-Year Average Dividend Growth Rate: 8.16%
On June 8, Baird raised the firm’s price recommendation on ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE:ABM) to $48 from $45. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the shares. Analyst Andrew Wittmann updated his model following the company’s strong quarterly results.
During ABM’s second-quarter 2026 earnings call, President, CEO, and Director Scott Salmirs said the company delivered a strong quarter. He highlighted organic revenue growth of 6.1% and noted that first-half new sales bookings reached $1.2 billion, setting a new record for ABM.
Salmirs also pointed to sequential margin improvement and a significant increase in free cash flow during the first half compared with the previous year. He said the company expects volumes to increase meaningfully in ATS and M&D, which should support stronger earnings and margin growth in the second half of the year.
Executive Vice President and CFO David Orr reported that revenue grew 8.4% year-over-year to a second-quarter record of $2.3 billion. He added that adjusted EBITDA increased by $5.8 million from the prior year to $131.7 million, while segment operating margin improved by 20 basis points sequentially to 7.3%.
ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE:ABM) provides integrated facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions. The company’s segments include Business & Industry (B&I), Manufacturing & Distribution (M&D), Education, Aviation, and Technical Solutions.
2. W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW)
5-Year Average Dividend Growth Rate: 8.34%
On June 16, DA Davidson initiated coverage of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) with a Neutral rating and a $1,250 price target. The firm said the company is expected to continue delivering above-market growth, supported by its endless assortment “flywheel.” DA Davidson noted that it sees a balanced risk/reward at current share levels, adding that Grainger’s gross margins face structural downward pressure.
On May 27, Morgan Stanley analyst Christopher Snyder raised the firm’s price target on Grainger to $1,300 from $1,190 and maintained an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm updated its estimates to reflect first-quarter results and rolled forward its forecasts.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) is a broadline distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products for businesses and institutions. The company’s segments include High-Touch Solutions North America (High-Touch Solutions N.A.) and Endless Assortment.
1. Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ:NDSN)
5-Year Average Dividend Growth Rate: 16.02%
On May 29, Oppenheimer raised its price recommendation on Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ:NDSN) to $335 from $325. It reiterated an Outperform rating on the stock. The firm pointed to a strong increase in backlog, which rose 18% year over year in the second quarter and 38% year to date. Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS) was the primary driver of that backlog growth.
A few days earlier, on May 27, DA Davidson raised its price goal on Nordson to $345 from $335. It kept a Buy rating following the company’s second-quarter earnings beat and higher guidance. The firm also increased its fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 earnings-per-share estimates by $0.20 to $11.55 and $12.40, respectively. According to the analyst, the revisions reflect stronger-than-expected growth in the Advanced Technology Solutions segment, supported by solid dispensing demand from semiconductor applications and accelerating test and inspection (T&I) orders. DA Davidson added that demand from the automotive market also appears to be improving. As a result, Nordson is seeing more synchronized organic growth across its three operating segments.
Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ:NDSN) is a precision technology company that engineers, manufactures, and markets specialized products and systems. Its technologies are used for precision dispensing, applying, and controlling adhesives, coatings, polymers, sealants, biomaterials, and other fluids.
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