The Best Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

Core Insights - Dividend stocks can significantly enhance long-term capital appreciation, with 85% of the S&P 500's cumulative total return from 1960 to 2023 attributed to reinvested dividends [1] Group 1: Importance of Quality in Dividend Stocks - Quality may be more important than yield when selecting dividend stocks, as high-yield stocks often come with increased risk [2] - Investors are encouraged to focus on stocks with a strong track record of earnings and dividend growth consistency rather than just high yields [2] Group 2: Recommended Dividend Stocks - Five high-quality dividend growth stocks recommended for long-term holding include Lowe's, NextEra Energy, Realty Income, Philip Morris International, and United Parcel Service [3] Group 3: Lowe's Companies - Lowe's has raised its dividend for 62 consecutive years, with a current forward dividend yield of 2% [4] - The quarterly payout has increased from $0.28 to $1.20 per share since 2015, representing over 15% annualized growth [6] - The current dividend payout ratio is around 38%, indicating potential for continued aggressive dividend increases [7] Group 4: NextEra Energy - NextEra Energy has raised its dividend for nearly 30 years, currently offering a 2.7% dividend yield [9] - The company's quarterly dividend has nearly tripled since 2015, despite a post-pandemic slump in renewable energy stocks [10] - A recent deal with Google to supply electricity for data centers may bolster long-term growth prospects [10] Group 5: Realty Income - Realty Income has achieved 112 consecutive quarterly dividend increases, equating to 28 years of growth [11] - The stock offers a forward dividend yield of 5.5% and pays dividends monthly, appealing to income-focused investors [12] - Since going public in 1994, Realty Income has generated compound annual total returns of 13.5% and annualized dividend growth of 4.2% [13] Group 6: Philip Morris International - Philip Morris is transitioning towards smoke-free products, which may enhance its future prospects [15] - The company has raised its dividend annually since its 2008 spinoff, currently offering a forward dividend yield of 3.8% [17] Group 7: United Parcel Service - UPS has a forward dividend yield of nearly 7%, but this may indicate dividend uncertainty [18] - The company has a long history of dividend increases, suggesting a commitment to maintaining its dividend growth track record [19] - Cost-saving measures through downsizing and automation could lead to $3.5 billion in annual savings, supporting future dividend security [20]