The Top 20 Highest-Yielding Dividend Aristocrats

Revealed on February 18th, 2022 by Bob Ciura

At Positive Dividend, we regularly steer earnings buyers towards the Dividend Aristocrats. Traders on the lookout for high-quality dividend shares to purchase and maintain for the long-run, can discover many engaging shares on this prestigious record.

The Dividend Aristocrats are a choose group of 66 shares within the S&P 500 Index, with 25+ consecutive years of dividend will increase.

You may obtain an Excel spreadsheet of all 66 Dividend Aristocrats (with metrics that matter akin to dividend yields and price-to-earnings ratios) by clicking the hyperlink under:

We usually rank shares based mostly on their five-year anticipated annual returns, as said within the Positive Evaluation Analysis Database.

However for buyers primarily considering earnings, it’s also helpful to rank the Dividend Aristocrats based on their dividend yields.

This text will rank the 20 highest-yielding Dividend Aristocrats as we speak.

Desk of Contents

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #20: The Coca-Cola Firm (KO)

Coca-Cola is the world’s largest beverage firm, because it owns or licenses greater than 500 distinctive non–alcoholic manufacturers. Because the firm’s founding in 1886, it has unfold to greater than 200 nations worldwide.

The corporate additionally has an distinctive 59-year dividend enhance streak, making it a Dividend King.

Coca-Cola reported fourth quarter and full-year earnings on February 10th, 2022, and outcomes have been nicely forward of estimates on each the highest and backside traces.

Earnings-per-share on an adjusted foundation got here to 45 cents, 4 cents forward of expectations. Income was $9.5 billion, up practically 11% year-over-year, and beating estimates by $570 million.

Natural gross sales in EMEA shot up 17%, whereas North America noticed a really robust 14% acquire. Asia-Pacific noticed a 3% decline in natural gross sales. Hydration, sports activities, espresso, and tea grew 12% for the quarter, and diet, juice, dairy, and plant-based mostly drinks have been up 11%. The core glowing tender drinks phase was up 8%, so energy was bhighway based mostly.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on The Coca-Cola Firm (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #19: PepsiCo (PEP)

PepsiCo is a world meals and beverage firm that generates $82 billion in annual gross sales. The corporate’s merchandise embody Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Frito-Lay chips, Gatorade, Tropicana orange juice and Quaker meals. The corporate has greater than 20 $1 billion manufacturers in its portfolio

On 2/10/2022, PepsiCo introduced that it could enhance its annualized dividend by 7% to $4.60 beginning with the dividend anticipated to be paid in June 2022, making the corporate a Dividend King. The corporate additionally introduced a share repurchase authorization of as much as $10 billion.

PepsiCo reported earnings results for the fourth quarter on 2/10/2022. For the quarter, revenue elevated 12.4% to $25.3 billion, topping expectations by $1 billion. Adjusted EPS of $1.53 in comparison with adjusted EPS of $1.47 within the prior yr. For the yr, income grew 12.9% to $79.5 billion whereas adjusted EPS of $6.26 in comparison with $5.52 in 2020.

Natural gross sales for the fourth quarter and full yr have been 11.9% and 9.5%, respectively. For the quarter, beverages general had an 7% enhance in quantitys whereas meals and snack was up 4%. PepsiCo Drinks North America’s income grew 12% organically, with volumes up 7% as this phase continues to see larger market share penetration. Frito-Lay North America’s income was up 13% with volumes including 4% to growth.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on PepsiCo (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #18: V.F. Corp. (VFC)

V.F. Company is without doubt one of the world’s largest attire, footwear and equipment firms. The corporate’s manufacturers embody The North Face, Vans, Timberland and Dickies. The corporate, which has been in existence since 1899, generated over $11 billion in gross sales within the final 12 months.

In late January, V.F. Corp reported (1/28/22) monetary outcomes for the third quarter of fiscal 2022. Income and natural income grew 22% and 15%, respectively, over the prior yr’s quarter, pushed by the EMEA and North American areas, which skilled a destructive influence from the pandemic within the prior yr’s interval. Adjusted EPS grew 45%, from $0.93 to $1.35, and beat analysts’ consensus by $0.13.

For this fiscal yr, V.F. Corp expects income of about $11.85 billion, barely decrease than the earlier steerage of no less than $12.0 billion however nonetheless reflecting 28% progress, and adjusted EPS to be round $3.20.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on V.F. Corp. (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #17: The Clorox Firm (CLX)

The Clorox Firm is a producer and marketer of shopper {and professional} merchandise, spanning a big selection of classes from charcoal to cleansing provides to salad dressing. Greater than 80% of its income comes from merchandise which might be #1 or #2 of their classes throughout the globe, serving to Clorox produce greater than $7 billion in annual income.

Clorox reported second quarter earnings on February 3rd, 2022, and outcomes have been very weak, and the inventory fell greater than 14% on the discharge. Whole gross sales declined 8% to $1.7 billion, however the quarter adopted a 27% year-over-year enhance in the comparable interval a yr in the past.

Clorox identified gross sales on a two-year foundation have been up 19% because of this. Volumes declined 10%, partially offset by a 2% acquire from favorable value combine. Foreign exchange translation had no influence on sales, so natural gross sales have been down 8%. Gross margin plummeted 1240 foundation factors to 33% of income. This was pushed primarily by larger manufacturing, logistics, and commodity prices. Adjusted EPS fell 67% to 66 cents.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on Clorox (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #16: T. Rowe Worth Group (TROW)

T. Rowe Worth Group is without doubt one of the largest publicly traded asset managers. The corporate gives a broad array of mutual funds, subadvisory providers, and separate account administration for particular person and institutional buyers, retirement plans and monetary intermediaries. T. Rowe Worth had property below administration of $1.69 trillion as of December 31st, 2021.

On February 9th, 2021, T. Rowe Worth declared a $1.08 quarterly dividend, representing a 20.0% enhance and marking the firm’s 35th yr of accelerating its payout.

Within the 2021 fourth quarter, T. Rowe Worth reported net income progress of 13.2% year-over-year to $1.962 billion, representing 0.119% of common AUM or roughly 47 foundation factors on an annualized foundation. Adjusted internet earnings equaled $736.7 million or $3.17 per share in comparison with $680.2 million or $2.89 per share in This autumn 2020.

For the yr, T. Rowe Worth generated $7.672 billion in internet income (or 0.48% of common AUM) up 23.6% in comparison with 2020. Adjusted internet earnings equaled $2.995 billion or $12.75 per share versus $2.277 billion or $9.58 in 2020.

Shares commerce for a P/E of 11.6, under our truthful worth estimate of 14. Along with 3% anticipated EPS progress per yr and the two.8% dividend, T. Rowe Worth inventory may generate whole returns of 9.6% per yr.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on T. Rowe Worth (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #15: Individuals’s United Monetary (PBCT)

Individuals’s United Monetary is a diversified monetary providers firm that gives industrial and retail banking and wealth administration providers through its network of over 400 branches within the Northeast. It has whole property of $64 billion.

On February 22nd, 2021, Individuals’s United Monetary agreed to be acquired by M&T Financial institution (MTB) in an all-stock deal. Because of this, they’ll personal 28% of the mixed firm after the completion of the deal. The 2 banks have minimal geographic overlap, and they’re going to cowl greater than 20% of the U.S. inhabitants.

Individuals’s United Monetary reported (1/20/22) monetary outcomes for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. The internet curiosity margin of the corporate slipped from 2.64% to 2.51% sequentially on account of depressed rates of interest however operating EPS grew 9%, from $0.33 within the third quarter to $0.36, primarily thanks to a reversal in provision for mortgage losses amid improved financial situations. That is additionally the first issue behind the report EPS of $1.48 in 2021.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on PBCT (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #14: Kimberly-Clark (KMB)

Kimberly-Clark is a world shopper merchandise firm that operates in 175 nations and sells disposable shopper items, together with paper towels, diapers, and tissues.

It operates by way of two segments that every home many in style manufacturers: Private Care Section (Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, Rely, Poise) and the Shopper Tissue phase (Kleenex, Scott, Cottonelle, and Viva), producing practically $20 billion in annual income.

Kimberly-Clark reported fourth quarter and full–yr earnings on January 26th, 2022, and results have been higher than anticipated on each the highest and backside traces. EPS got here to $1.30 on an adjusted foundation, which was a nickel higher than anticipated.

Whole income was $4.97 billion, which was up 2.7% from the yr–in the past interval and was $70 million higher than estimates. Natural gross sales progress got here to three%, with the stability coming from the online influence of acquisitions and divestitures.

Full yr adjusted earnings got here to $6.18, which was down sharply from 2020. Nonetheless, 2020 outcomes have been pushed by additionalbizarre demand from the pandemic, which was not sustainable.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on Kimberly-Clark (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #13: Federal Realty Funding Belief (FRT)

Federal Realty was based in 1962. As a Actual Property Funding Belief, Federal Realty’s enterprise mannequin is to personal and lease out actual property properties. It makes use of a good portion of its rental earnings, in addition to exterior financing, to accumulate new properties. This helps create a “snow-ball” impact of rising earnings over time.

Federal Realty primarily owns procuring facilities. Nonetheless, it additionally operates in redevelopment of multi-purpose properties together with retail, residences, and condominiums. The portfolio is extremely diversified when it comes to tenant base. Federal Realty has a high-quality tenant portfolio.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on Federal Realty (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #12: Cardinal Well being (CAH)

Cardinal Well being is without doubt one of the “Massive 3” drug distribution firms together with McKesson (MKC) and AmerisourceBergen (ABC). Cardinal Well being serves over 24,000 United States pharmacies and greater than 85% of the nation’s hospitals. The company has operations in greater than 30 nations with roughly 44,000 workers.

On February 3rd, 2022, Cardinal Well being launched Q2 fiscal 2022 outcomes for the interval ending December 31st, 2021. (Cardinal Well being’s fiscal yr ends June 30th.) For the quarter the corporate reported income of $45.5 billion, a 9% enhance from Q2 2021. On an adjusted foundation the corporate posted earnings of $357 million or $1.27 per share in contrast to $514 million or $1.74 per share within the yr in the past interval.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on Cardinal Well being (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #11: Franklin Assets (BEN)

Franklin Assets is a world asset supervisor with an extended and profitable historical past. The corporate affords funding administration (which makes up the majority of charges the corporate collects)  and associated providers to its prospects, together with gross sales, distribution, and shareholder servicing.

On December 14th, 2021, Franklin Assets introduced a $0.29 quarterly dividend, marking a 3.6% year-over-year enhance and the corporate’s 42nd consecutive year of accelerating its fee.

On February 1st, 2022, Franklin Assets reported Q1 fiscal yr 2022 outcomes for the interval ending December 31st, 2021. (Franklin Assets’ fiscal yr ends September 30th.)

Whole property below administration equaled $1.578 trillion, up $48.0 billion in comparison with final quarter, on account of $24.1 billion in long-time period internet inflows, $10.4 billion of optimistic market change, and different gadgets. For the quarter, working income totaled $2.224 billion.

This represents 0.143% of common AUM or ~57 foundation factors annualized. On an adjusted foundation, internet earnings equaled $553.6 million or $1.08 per share in comparison with $644.6 million or $1.26 per share in Q1 2021.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on Franklin Assets (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #10: AbbVie Inc. (ABBV)

AbbVie Inc. is a pharmaceutical firm spun off by Abbott Laboratories (ABT) in 2013. Its most necessary product is Humira, which is now dealing with biosimilar competitors in Europe, which has had a noticeable influence on the corporate. Humira will lose patent safety within the U.S. in 2023.

Even so, AbbVie stays a large within the healthcare sector, with a big and diversified product portfolio.

Based mostly on anticipated 2021 earnings-per-share of $12.65, AbbVie trades for a price-to-earnings ratio of ~10.4. Our truthful worth estimate for AbbVie is a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 10. We see the inventory as simply barely overvalued proper now.

Nonetheless, we count on annual earnings progress of three.0%, whereas the inventory has a 4.3% dividend yield. AbbVie is among the many higher-yielding DRIP shares. We count on whole annual returns of 6.4% per yr over the following 5 years.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on AbbVie (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #9: 3M Firm (MMM)

3M sells greater than 60,000 merchandise which might be used on daily basis in properties, hospitals, workplace buildings and faculties across the world. It has about 95,000 workers and serves prospects in additional than 200 nations.

3M is now composed of 4 separate divisions. The Security & Industrial division produces tapes, abrasives, adhesives and provide chain administration software program in addition to manufactures private protecting gear and safety merchandise.

The Healthcare phase provides medical and surgical merchandise in addition to drug supply programs. Transportation & Digitals division produces fibers and circuits with a aim of utilizing renewable vitality sources whereas decreasing prices. The Shopper division sells workplace provides, house enchancment merchandise, protecting supplies and stationary provides.

3M reported fourth-quarter and full yr earnings outcomes on 1/25/2022. Revenue inched larger by 0.3% to $8.6 billion, which was $30 million higher than anticipated. Earnings–per–share of $2.31 was down barely from the prior yr, however was $0.29 forward of estimates.

For 2021, income grew 9.9% to $35.4 billion whereas earnings–per–share of $10.12 was an 8% enchancment from the prior yr.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on 3M (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #8: Consolidated Edison (ED)

Consolidated Edison is a holding firm that delivers electrical energy, pure fuel, and steam to its prospects in New York Metropolis and Westchester County. It has annual revenues of practically $13 billion.

Consolidated Edison reported second quarter earnings outcomes on 11/4/2021. Revenue improved 8.4% to $3.6 billion, beating expectations by $153 million. Adjusted internet earnings of $499 million, or $1.41 per share, in contrast to adjusted internet earnings of $495 million, or $1.48 per share, within the earlier yr. Adjusted EPS missed estimates by $0.07.

Larger charge bases for fuel and electrical prospects added $0.06 to the corporate’s New York operations, although this was greater than offset by larger prices associated to healthcare and storm-associated occasions. The pandemic influence on this enterprise decreased earnings by $0.05. Larger revenues in firm’s clear vitality enterprise added $0.13 to outcomes.

The corporate reaffirmed prior steerage of adjusted earnings–per–share in a variety of $4.15 to $4.35 for 2021, which can be a 1.7% enhance on the midpoint from the earlier yr.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on ConEd (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #7: Amcor plc (AMCR)

Amcor is without doubt one of the world’s most distinguished designers and producers of packaging for meals, pharmaceutical, medical, and different shopper merchandise. The corporate is headquartered within the U.Okay.

The corporate reported its first-quarter outcomes for fiscal 2022 on November 2, 2021. Gross sales have been up 10% for the quarter, with the overwhelming majority of progress within the type of value will increase. Internet earnings was additionally up by 10% versus the primary quarter of the earlier fiscal yr.

Administration additionally supplied an outlook for the remainder of fiscal 2022, which requires 7%-11% earnings-per-share progress for the complete yr. Administration additionally expects an adjusted free money move of roughly $1.1 to $1.2 billion earlier than dividends.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on Amcor (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #6: Walgreens-Boots Alliance (WBA)

Walgreens Boots Alliance is the biggest retail pharmacy in each the USA and Europe. By way of its flagship Walgreens enterprise and different business ventures, the firm employs extra than 325,000 individuals and has greater than 13,000 shops.

On January 6th, 2021, Walgreens reported Q1 outcomes for the interval ending November 30th, 2021. Sales from persevering with operations grew 7.8% over the prior yr’s quarter, pushed by COVID-19 vaccinations and testing.

U.S. retail comparable gross sales grew 11%, which is a 20 yr excessive progress charge. Adjusted EPS grew 53%, from $1.10 to $1.68, and exceeded analysts’ consensus by $0.34.

An outline of Walgreens’ most up-to-date quarterly efficiency might be seen within the picture under:

Supply: Investor Presentation

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on Walgreens (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #5: Chevron Company (CVX)

Chevron is the third–largest oil main on this planet. In 2018, 2019 and 2021, Chevron generated 78%, 78% and 84% of its earnings from its upstream phase respectively.

In late January, Chevron reported (1/28/22) monetary outcomes for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. The corporate minimize its production by 5% over the prior yr’s quarter. Nonetheless, it vastly benefited from the restoration from the pandemic and the deep manufacturing cuts of OPEC and Russia.

These forces led the worth of oil to rally to a 7 yr excessive. The typical realized values of oil and fuel of Chevron practically doubled over the prior yr’s quarter and thus the oil main grew its adjusted EPS from $0.16 to $2.56, a virtually 8 yr excessive.

Within the full yr, Chevron posted report free money move of $21.1 billion ($10.98 per share) and achieved a reserve substitute ratio of 112%. Administration expects oil costs to fall again to mid-cycle ranges in some unspecified time in the future however raised the dividend by 6.0%

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on CVX (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #4: Leggett & Platt (LEG)

Leggett & Platt is an engineered merchandise producer. The corporate’s merchandise embody furnishings, bedding parts, retailer fixtures, die castings, and industrial merchandise. Leggett & Platt has 14 enterprise items and greater than 20,000 workers. The corporate qualifies for the Dividend Aristocrats Index because it has 50 years of consecutive dividend will increase.

Leggett & Platt reported its third-quarter earnings outcomes on November 1. The corporate reported revenues of $1.3 billion for the quarter, which represents a 9% enhance in comparison with the prior yr’s quarter. Revenues have been consistent with the consensus estimate. The firm’s income enhance was weaker than the one recorded through the earlier quarter, however that may be defined by the very simple comparability in Q2, whereas Q3 2020 had been higher.

Leggett & Platt generated earnings–per–share of $0.71 through the third quarter, which was barely weaker than the firm’s EPS through the earlier yr’s third quarter.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on Leggett & Platt (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #3: Realty Revenue (O)

Realty Revenue is a retail-focused REIT that owns greater than 6,500 properties. It owns retail properties that aren’t a part of a wider retail growth (akin to a mall), however as an alternative are standalone properties.

Which means the properties are viable for a lot of completely different tenants, together with authorities providers, healthcare providers, and leisure.

The corporate’s lengthy historical past of dividend funds and will increase is because of its high-quality enterprise mannequin and diversified property portfolio.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on Realty Revenue (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #2: ExxonMobil Company (XOM)

Exxon Mobil is a diversified vitality big with a market capitalization above $300 billion. In 2021, the upstream phase generated 62% of the whole earnings of Exxon whereas the downstream and chemical segments generated 8% and 30% of the whole earnings, respectively.

In early February, Exxon reported (2/1/22) monetary outcomes for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. The oil big continued to get better strongly from the pandemic. It grew its manufacturing 2% over the prior yr’s quarter and vastly benefited from the sustained rally of the costs of oil and fuel.

Because of this, Exxon grew its adjusted EPS from $0.03 in the prior yr’s quarter to $2.05, the best in greater than 5 years. Even higher, the worth of oil has rallied to a brand new 8-year excessive this yr due to restricted provide from OPEC and Russia. In distinction to earlier rallies of the oil value, producers have boosted their manufacturing conservatively, fearing that the rally will show brief–lived because of the secular shift of most nations from fossil fuels to scrub vitality sources.

So long as producers stay cautious, the oil value is prone to stay excessive and Exxon will preserve thriving. Nonetheless, whereas we count on oil costs to stay robust within the upcoming quarters, we don’t count on oil costs to stay at such excessive ranges for years.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on Exxon Mobil (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Excessive Yield Dividend Aristocrat #1: Worldwide Enterprise Machines (IBM)

IBM is the highest-yielding Dividend Aristocrat. With a dividend yield above 5%, IBM is a high-dividend inventory.

IBM is a world informationrmation expertise firm that gives built-in enterprise options for software program, {hardware}, and providers. IBM’s focus is working mission crucial programs for giant, multi-nationwide prospects and governments. IBM usually gives end-to-end options.

The corporate now has 4 enterprise segments: Software program, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing. IBM had annual income of ~$57.4B in 2021 (not together with Kyndryl).

IBM reported glorious outcomes for Q4 2021 on January 24th, 2021. Company-wide income elevated 6.5% to $16.7 billion, whereas diluted adjusted earnings per share rose 78% to $3.35.

Income for Software program elevated 8% to $7,273M from $6,719M in comparable quarters on account of 9% progress in Hybrid Platform & Options, and a 14% enhance in Transaction Processing. Income was up 21% for RedHat and 15% for Automation. Consulting revenue increased 13% to $4,746M from $4,196M on account of 20% rise in Enterprise Transformation, 19% progress in Know-how Consulting, and 8% progress in Utility Operations.

For the yr, whole income elevated to $57,350 million from $55,179 million pushed by progress in Software program and Consulting, whereas diluted adjusted earnings per share rose to $7.93 from $6.82 on a year-over-year foundation.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Positive Evaluation report on IBM (preview of web page 1 of three proven under):

Last Ideas

Excessive dividend yields are laborious to search out in as we speak’s investing local weather. The typical dividend yield of the S&P 500 Index has steadily fallen over the previous decade, and is now simply 1.4%.

Traders can discover considerably larger yields, however many excessive high-yield shares have questionable enterprise fundamentals. Traders needs to be cautious of shares with yields above 10%.

Happily, buyers don’t have to sacrifice high quality within the seek for yield. These 20 Dividend Aristocrats have market-beating dividend yields. However additionally they have high-quality enterprise fashions, sturdy aggressive benefits, and long-term progress potential.

You may additionally be trying to spend money on dividend progress shares with excessive chances of constant to boost their dividends annually into the long run.

The next Positive Dividend articles focus on different industries of the economic system that would outperform:

Moreover, the next Positive Dividend databases include essentially the most dependable dividend growers in our funding universe:

• The Dividend Achievers: dividend shares with 10+ years of consecutive dividend will increase.
• The Dividend Kings: thought of to be the last word dividend progress shares, the Dividend Kings record is comprised of shares with 50+ years of consecutive dividend will increase

Should you’re on the lookout for shares with distinctive dividend traits, take into account the next Positive Dividend databases: