Summary of the Dividend Kings and their dividend raise in 2025

 Hey everyone! If you’re looking for the ultimate "set it and forget it" addition to your portfolio, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we are looking at the Dividend Kings—the elite group of companies that have managed to increase their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years.

Think about that for a second: 50 years covers the high inflation of the 70s, the dot-com bubble, the 2008 financial crisis, and a global pandemic. These companies didn't just survive; they gave their shareholders a raise every single year.

I’ve summarized 2025 Dividend Kings list, and there are some fascinating trends regarding yield, safety, and growth that you need to see.

If your primary goal is maximum cash flow right now, two names stand out from the crowd:

• Altria Group Inc (MO): Currently leading the pack with a massive 7.05% dividend yield.

• Universal Corp (UVV): A close second with a 6.14% yield and a solid 55-year growth streak.

While these yields are tempting, always look at the Dividend Payout Ratio. Altria’s sits at 79.39%, which is high but common for their industry.

Yield isn't everything. If you have a longer time horizon, you want Dividend Growth. This is where the 5-Year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) comes in. Some of these "old" companies are growing their payouts like tech stocks:

• Nordson Corp (NDSN): Boasting a staggering 16.02% 5-year CAGR.

• Parker-Hannifin Corp (PH): Not far behind with 15.36% growth.

• Lowe's Companies Inc (LOW): Proving that retail still has teeth with 14.84% growth.

Investing in a company like Nordson means that even if the starting yield is lower (1.31%), your "yield on cost" could explode over the next decade.

A dividend is only as good as the cash backing it up. We use the FCF Payout Ratio to see if a company is paying dividends out of real cash or just accounting earnings.

• The "Safety" Stars: Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) has a very comfortable 20.82% FCF payout ratio, meaning their dividend is incredibly safe. Cincinnati Financial (CINF) is even lower at 19.45%.

• The "Caution" Zone: Hormel Foods (HRL) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) currently have payout ratios over 100%. This often indicates the company is paying out more than it's bringing in, which is something we need to monitor closely for sustainability.

Finally, let's pay some respect to the companies with the longest-running streaks on the board. These are the "Kings of Kings":

• American States Water Co (AWR): 71 years of increases.

• Northwest Natural Holding Co (NWN): 70 years.

• Dover Corp (DOV): 70 years.

In June, 36 companies increased and 3 companies cut its dividends. The list of companies with their increase, growth year, and 5 years dividend CAGR is as follows

In June, 36 companies increased and 3 companies cut its dividends. The list of companies with their increase, growth year, and 5 years dividend CAGR is as follows

Notable companies that increased their dividends in June.

1. Target Corporation (TGT)

• Dividend Increase: Target announced a 1.8% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it from $1.12 to $1.14 per share, effective for the dividend payable on September 10, 2025, to shareholders of record as of August 20, 2025. This marks the 54th consecutive year of dividend growth, solidifying Target’s status as a Dividend King (a company with 50+ years of consecutive dividend increases).
• Context: Target’s first-quarter fiscal 2025 dividend payout totaled $510 million, slightly up from $508 million the previous year, reflecting its commitment to consistent shareholder returns. The company has paid dividends every quarter since October 1967, totaling 232 consecutive payments.
• Financial Health: The modest increase aligns with Target’s strong cash flow and focus on balancing shareholder returns with investments in its retail operations.

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2. Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)

• Dividend Increase: Caterpillar raised its quarterly dividend by 7% in June 2025, from $1.41 to $1.51 per share, payable on August 20, 2025, to shareholders of record as of July 21, 2025. This marks 31 consecutive years of dividend increases, earning Caterpillar Dividend Aristocrat status (25+ years of increases).
• Context: The company also added $20 billion to its stock buyback program, bringing the total to $21.8 billion, signaling confidence in its financial stability. Caterpillar has paid dividends without interruption since 1933. The annual dividend of $6.04 per share yields approximately 1.7%.
• Financial Health: As the largest U.S. machinery stock by market cap, Caterpillar’s consistent dividend growth is supported by strong free cash flow, which it uses primarily for dividends and buybacks.

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3. The Kroger Co. (KR)

• Dividend Increase: Kroger approved a 9% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it from 32 cents to 35 cents per share, resulting in an annual dividend of $1.40 per share. The next quarterly dividend is payable on September 1, 2025, to shareholders of record as of August 15, 2025. This marks the 19th consecutive year of dividend increases since reinstating dividends in 2006.
• Context: Over the past 19 years, Kroger’s dividend has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 13%. The company expects adjusted free cash flow of $2.8 billion to $3 billion for fiscal 2025, supporting its capital allocation strategy focused on sustainable growth and shareholder returns.
• Financial Health: Despite challenges like the blocked Albertsons merger, Kroger’s strong operating performance and cash flow generation underpin its ability to sustain dividend growth.

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4. UnitedHealth Group (UNH)

• Dividend Increase: No specific information is available from the provided sources regarding a recent dividend increase for UnitedHealth Group in 2025. However, UnitedHealth Group is known for consistent dividend growth, having increased its dividend annually for over a decade as a Dividend Aristocrat.
• Context: UnitedHealth Group was mentioned in market updates, but no explicit mention of a 2025 dividend increase was found. Investors should check the company’s investor relations page or recent press releases for the latest dividend announcements.
• Financial Health: As a leading health insurer, UnitedHealth Group generates robust cash flows, supporting its dividend policy, though specific 2025 data is unavailable here.

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5. General Mills Inc. (GIS)

• Dividend Increase: No specific 2025 dividend increase is detailed in the provided sources. However, historical data indicates General Mills has a strong dividend track record, with a quarterly dividend of $0.54 per share noted in 2022, yielding approximately 2.85% at the time.
• Context: General Mills has consistently paid dividends and raised them over time, supported by its stable consumer staples business. The company raised its fiscal 2023 guidance, reflecting solid pricing power and margins, which likely supports ongoing dividend growth.
• Financial Health: General Mills’ ability to raise prices to offset inflation and its acquisition of Blue Buffalo pet food bolster its cash flow, but investors should verify recent dividend announcements for 2025.

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6. Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI)

• Dividend Increase: Darden Restaurants increased its quarterly dividend by 6.9%, from $1.31 to $1.40 per share, announced in 2024 and continuing into 2025.
• Context: Darden, which operates chains like Olive Garden and Ruth’s Chris Steak House, also authorized a $1 billion stock buyback program in June 2025. Fiscal 2025 fourth-quarter results showed 11% year-over-year sales growth (partly due to the 2024 acquisition of Chuy’s Tex-Mex) and a 9% increase in non-GAAP net income to over $400 million. Same-restaurant sales rose nearly 5%.
• Financial Health: Darden’s strong sales growth and profitability support its dividend increase and buyback program, with fiscal 2026 guidance projecting 7-8% total sales growth.

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7. FedEx Corporation (FDX)

• Dividend Increase: No specific information on a 2025 dividend increase is available from the provided sources. FedEx is noted as a tenant in Realty Income’s portfolio, indicating its operational stability, but no recent dividend announcements are cited.
• Context: FedEx has a history of paying dividends, and its inclusion in stable REIT portfolios suggests financial reliability. Investors should check FedEx’s investor relations page for updates on dividend actions in 2025.
• Financial Health: FedEx’s cash flow from logistics operations supports its dividend, but without specific data, no recent increase can be confirmed.

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8. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL)

• Dividend Increase: No specific 2025 dividend increase is mentioned in the provided sources. Delta is one of only two U.S. passenger airlines with a market cap over $5 billion that pays a dividend, but no recent increase is detailed.
• Context: Analysts are bullish on Delta, with a consensus price target implying over 30% upside, but dividend-specific updates are absent. Delta reinstated its dividend in 2023 after suspending it during the pandemic, and it has been paying dividends since.
• Financial Health: Delta’s operational recovery and analyst optimism suggest potential for future dividend increases, but investors should verify recent announcements.

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9. W. P. Carey Inc. (WPC)

• Dividend Increase: No specific 2025 dividend increase is mentioned in the provided sources. W. P. Carey, a real estate investment trust (REIT), is known for consistent dividend payments, often with modest increases due to its REIT structure requiring high payout ratios.
• Context: W. P. Carey’s diversified commercial real estate portfolio generates stable cash flows, supporting its dividend. However, no recent increase is documented in the provided data. Investors should check the company’s investor relations page for 2025 updates.
• Financial Health: As a REIT, W. P. Carey prioritizes dividend payments, and its long-term lease structures provide predictable income, but specific 2025 dividend actions are unavailable here.