10 Best Buy And Hold Dividend Stocks

Published on April 27th, 2026 by Bob Ciura

The beauty of buy and hold forever dividend growth investing is that:

It takes very little work to maintain a portfolio.
Your passive income is likely to increase significantly over time.

Very few positive things in life have the above combination.

High quality dividend growth stocks tend to pay rising dividends year-after-year. This means a raise for investors every year.

But investors needs to do almost nothing to get their annual raise. The only ‘work’ required is to hold your dividend growth stocks so long as they continue to grow your income.

Annual dividend increases compound over time. The longer the time horizon, the greater your increased income for buying and holding.

Therefore, we recommend investors buy-and-hold quality dividend stocks such as the Dividend Aristocrats, which are those companies that have raised their dividends for at least 25 consecutive years.

You can download the full list of Dividend Aristocrats by clicking on the link below:

Disclaimer: Sure Dividend is not affiliated with S&P Global in any way. S&P Global owns and maintains The Dividend Aristocrats Index. The information in this article and downloadable spreadsheet is based on Sure Dividend’s own review, summary, and analysis of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) and other sources, and is meant to help individual investors better understand this ETF and the index upon which it is based. None of the information in this article or spreadsheet is official data from S&P Global. Consult S&P Global for official information.

With that said, growth over the next 25 years (and beyond) won’t be exactly the same as the last 10 years.

The securities you select for your buy and hold forever dividend growth portfolio matter.

Therefore, this article will discuss the 10 best Dividend Aristocrats for long-term dividend compounding for the next 25 years and beyond.

Table of Contents

The table of contents below allows for easy navigation.

These 10 Dividend Aristocrats have current yields above the S&P 500 average (1.2% right now) and Dividend Risk Scores of ‘A’ or ‘B’, our highest rankings.

The stocks are listed by expected annual dividend growth rate.

Buy And Hold Dividend Aristocrat #10: Eversource Energy (ES)

Expected Annual Dividend Growth: 6.0%

Eversource Energy is a diversified holding company with subsidiaries that provide regulated electric, gas, and water distribution services in the Northeast U.S.

ES serves more than four million utility customers.

These businesses serve nearly 250,000 customers in 73 towns and cities. The company anticipates that its Aquarion water businesses will be divested sometime in 2026 (if approved by PURA).

On February 12th, ES released its financial results for the fourth quarter. Total operating revenue rose by 13.4% over the year-ago period to $3.37 billion in the quarter.

Base distribution rate increases (in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut) and continued system investments fueled this top-line growth during the quarter.

ES logged $1.12 in non-GAP EPS for the quarter, which was a 10.9% year-over-year growth rate. This exceeded the analyst consensus in the quarter by $0.02.

The company’s non-GAAP net profit margin held steady at 12.5% during the quarter.

ES announced a 4.7% raise to its quarterly dividend per share to $0.7875. That represents its 28th consecutive year of dividend growth.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on ES (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

Buy And Hold Dividend Aristocrat #9: Abbott Laboratories (ABT)

Expected Annual Dividend Growth: 7.0%

Abbott Laboratories, founded in 1888, is one of the largest medical appliances & equipment manufacturers in the world, comprised of four segments: Nutrition, Diagnostics, Established Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices.

Abbott Laboratories provides products in over 160 countries and employs 114,000 people. The company generated $44 billion in sales in 2025.

On December 12th, 2025, Abbott Laboratories raised its quarterly dividend 6.8% to $0.63, extending the company’s dividend growth streak to 54 years.

On January 22nd, 2026, Abbott Laboratories released fourth quarter and full year results for the period ending December 31st, 2025. For the quarter, revenue grew 4.5% to $11.46 billion, but this missed estimates by $340 million.

Adjusted earnings-per-share of $1.50 compared to $1.34 in the prior year and was $0.01 better than expected. For the year, revenue grew 5.7% to $44.3 billion while adjusted earnings-per-share of $5.15 compared to $4.67 in 2024.

For Q4, U.S. sales grew 0.9% while international was higher by 6.7%. Currency exchange was a 1.4% headwind for the period.

Abbott Laboratories provided guidance for 2026 as well, with the company expecting adjusted earnings-per-share in a range of $5.55 to $5.80 for the year. At the midpoint, this would represent growth of 10.3% from 2025.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on ABT (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

Undervalued Dividend Aristocrat #8: PPG Industries (PPG)

Expected Annual Dividend Growth: 7.0%

PPG Industries is the world’s largest paints and coatings company. Its only competitors of similar size are Sherwin-Williams and Dutch paint company Akzo Nobel.

On January 27th, 2026, PPG Industries announced fourth quarter and full year results. For the quarter, revenue grew 4.8% to $3.91 billion, which topped estimates by $140 million.

Adjusted earnings-per-share of $1.51 compared unfavorably to $1.61 in the prior year and was $0.07 less than expected.

For the year, revenue grew 0.6% to $15.9 billion while adjusted earnings-per-share of $7.58 was down from $7.87 in 2024. Organic growth was 3% for the quarter and 2% for the year.

For the quarter, revenue for Global Architectural Coatings, which was formerly part of Performance Coatings, grew 8% to $951 million.

Growth was driven by higher prices and a benefit from foreign currency translation. Volume was unchanged and divestitures reduced results by 3%.

Once again, Latin America and Asia Pacific performed well during the period as organic growth improved by a high single-digit figure.

PPG Industries repurchased ~$100 million worth of shares during Q4 and retired ~$790 million worth of stock during 2025.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on PPG (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

Buy And Hold Dividend Aristocrat #7: Aflac Inc. (AFL)

Expected Annual Dividend Growth: 7.0%

Aflac Inc., founded in 1955, is the world’s largest underwriter of supplemental cancer insurance.

The diversified insurance corporation also provides accident, short-term disability, critical illness, dental, vision, and life insurance.

Roughly 70% of the company’s pretax earnings are from Japan, with 30% coming from the U.S. The company generated $4.0 billion in profit in 2025.

Aflac has increased its dividend for 44 consecutive years.

On February 6th, 2026, Aflac announced fourth quarter and full year results for the period ending December 31st, 2025. For the quarter, revenue decreased 9.3% to $4.9 billion, but this was $510 million above estimates.

For the quarter, net earnings equaled $1.4 billion, or $2.64 per share, compared to net earnings of $1.9 billion, or $3.42 per share.

However, this includes investment gains of $537 million, which are excluded from adjusted earnings. On an adjusted basis, earnings-per-share equaled $1.57 compared to $1.56 in Q4 2024.

For the year, revenue fell 9.3% to $17.2 billion while adjusted earnings-per-share of $7.49 compared to $7.21 in 2024.

The slightly weaker yen/dollar exchange rate did not impact adjusted earnings-per-share. In U.S. dollars, Aflac Japan’s quarterly net earned premiums declined 3.0% to $1.6 billion for the quarter while Aflac U.S. net earned premiums grew 4.0% to $1.5 billion. Adjusted book value of $54.06 compared to $52.87 in the prior year.

Aflac is expected to earn $7.34 per share in 2026.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on AFL (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

Buy And Hold Dividend Aristocrat #6: Illinois Tool Works (ITW)

Expected Annual Dividend Growth: 7.0%

Illinois Tool Works is a diversified multi-industrial manufacturer with seven unique operating segments: Automotive, Food Equipment, Test & Measurement, Welding, Polymers & Fluids, Construction Products and Specialty Products.

Last year the company generated $15.9 billion in revenue. The $72 billion market cap company is geographically diversified, with more than half of its revenue generated outside of the United States.

Illinois Tool Works is a member of the Dividend Aristocrats Index and is a Dividend King.

On February 3rd, 2026, Illinois Tool Works reported fourth quarter 2025 results. For the quarter, revenue came in at $4.1 billion, rising 4% year-over-year.

Sales increased 5.5% in the Automotive OEM segment, the largest out of the company’s seven segments.

Furthermore, its Construction Products segment saw revenue decline 1.5%. Meanwhile, Welding, Food Equipment, Specialty Products, Test & Measurement and Electronics, and Polymers & Fluids had revenue growth of 3.3%, 3.8%, 4.0%, 5.5% and 6.5%, respectively.

Net income equaled $790 million or $2.72 per share compared to $750 million or $2.54 per share in Q4 2024. In the fourth quarter, ITW repurchased $375 million of its shares.

Illinois Tool Works initiated its 2026 guidance, expecting full-year GAAP EPS to be $11.00 to $11.40.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on ITW (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

Buy And Hold Dividend Aristocrat #5: A.O. Smith Corp. (AOS)

Expected Annual Dividend Growth: 7.0%

A.O. Smith is a leading manufacturer of residential and commercial water heaters, boilers and water treatment products. It generates two-thirds of its sales in North America, and most of the rest in China.

A.O. Smith has raised its dividend for over 30 years in a row, making the company a Dividend Aristocrat. The company was founded in 1874 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, WI.

A.O. Smith generated earnings-per-share of $0.90 during the fourth quarter, which was up 6% on a year over year basis.

Flat revenues were turned into very solid earnings growth thanks to higher margins and buybacks. A.O. Smith also issued its guidance for 2026.

The company is forecasting earnings-per-share in a range of $3.85 to $4.15, which reflects that management expects earnings-per-share to be up slightly this year.

At the midpoint of the guidance range, A.O. Smith’s earnings-per-share would be up 4% versus the earnings-per-share A.O. Smith generated last year.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on AOS (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

Buy And Hold Dividend Aristocrat #4: Lowe’s Cos. Inc. (LOW)

Expected Annual Dividend Growth: 8.0%

Lowe’s Companies is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the US (after Home Depot). Lowe’s operates or services more than 1,700 home improvement and hardware stores in the U.S.

On October 9, 2025, Lowe’s completed its acquisition of Foundation Building Materials (FBM), for $8.8 billion.

FBM is a distributor of interior building products for large residential and commercial professionals in new construction and repair and remodel. It generated $6.5 billion in revenue in 2024.

Lowe’s reported fourth quarter 2025 results on February 25th, 2026. Total sales came in at $20.6 billion compared to $18.6 billion in the same quarter a year ago.

Comparable sales increased by 1.3%. Adjusted earnings-per-share of $1.98 were 2.6% higher compared to fourth quarter 2024.

Lowe’s introduced its fiscal 2026 outlook and expects to earn adjusted EPS of $12.25 to $12.75 on total sales of $92 billion to $94 billion.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on LOW (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

Undervalued Dividend Aristocrat #3: Atmos Energy (ATO)

Expected Annual Dividend Growth: 8.0%

Atmos Energy can trace its beginnings all the way back to 1906 when it was formed in Texas.

Since that time, it has grown both organically and through mergers. The company distributes and stores natural gas in eight states, serves over 3 million customers, and should generate almost $5 billion in revenue this year.

Atmos has a 42-year history of raising dividends, putting it in rare company among dividend stocks.

Atmos posted first quarter earnings on February 4th, 2026. Net income was $403 million, while earnings-per-share on a diluted basis was $2.44, which was up 9.4% year-over-year.

The company noted it received about $100 million in rate increases due to Texas House Bills. Capex came to $1 billion for the quarter, 85% of which was due to safety and reliability spending, with the balance going to growth investments.

New customers amounted to 54k in the past 12 months, and management noted new pipeline projects that added 700k Mcf per day of gas supply.

Earnings is expected to come to $8.15 to $8.35 per share for the year.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on ATO (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

Undervalued Dividend Aristocrat #2: Automatic Data Processing (ADP)

Expected Annual Dividend Growth: 9.0%

Automatic Data Processing is one of the largest business services outsourcing companies in the world.

The company provides payroll services, human resources technology, and other business operations to more than 700,000 corporate customers.

ADP posted second quarter earnings on January 28th, 2026, and results were better than expected on both the top and bottom lines.

Adjusted earnings-per-share came to $2.62, which was a nickel ahead of estimates, and was up from $2.49 in Q1, and from $2.35 in the year-ago period. Revenue was up 7.2% year-over-year to $5.36 billion, beating estimates by $20 million.

Expenses came to $4.08 billion, which was higher from $3.98 billion in Q1 and $3.88 billion a year earlier. Adjusted EBIT margin was 26.0% of revenue, up from 25.5% in Q1 and from 25.2% a year ago.

The company guided for revenue growth of 6% for this year, adjusted EBIT margin of ~60 basis points, and adjusted diluted earnings-per-share growth of 9% to 10%.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on ADP (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

Undervalued Dividend Aristocrat #1: Factset Research Systems (FDS)

Expected Annual Dividend Growth: 10.5%

FactSet Research Systems, a financial data and analytics firm founded in 1978, provides integrated financial information and analytical tools to the investment community in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

The company provides insight and information through research, analytics, trading workflow solutions, content and technology solutions, and wealth management.

On December 18th, 2025, FactSet Research Systems announced Q1 2026 results, reporting non-GAAP EPS of $4.51 for the period, beating market consensus by $0.15, and revenue that grew 6.8% to $607.6 million.

FactSet reported a solid start to fiscal 2026, with solid results that were driven by continued demand from institutional buy-side and dealmakers clients.

Organic revenues increased 6.0%, while organic Annual Subscription Value reached $2.39 billion as of November 30th, 2025, representing 5.9% growth from the prior year.

Profitability metrics softened modestly as FactSet continued to invest in technology, content, and talent. GAAP operating margin declined to 31.6%, down roughly 200 basis points year over year, while adjusted operating margin decreased 137 basis points to 36.2%.

Despite margin pressure, cash generation remained strong, with operating cash flow increasing more than 40% and free cash flow up nearly 50% from the prior year.

Reflecting confidence in its financial position and long-term outlook, FactSet’s Board of Directors approved an expansion of the company’s share repurchase authorization from $400 million to $1 billion.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on FDS (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

Additional Reading

The following Sure Dividend databases contain the most reliable dividend growers in our investment universe:

The Dividend Champions: Dividend stocks with 25+ years of dividend increases, including those that may not qualify as Dividend Aristocrats.
The Dividend Kings: considered to be the ultimate dividend growth stocks, the Dividend Kings list is comprised of stocks with 50+ years of consecutive dividend increases.