The 3 Best Dividend Aristocrats to Buy for 2026

Core Viewpoint - Walmart, Coca-Cola, and Nucor are highlighted as strong Dividend Aristocrats with long histories of dividend growth and positive analyst sentiment, suggesting potential for continued shareholder value through 2026 [5][19]. Walmart (WMT) - WMT stock has increased by 23% over the past 52 weeks and 1.5% year-to-date, reflecting investor confidence in its steady earnings and cash flow [2]. - In the fiscal third quarter of 2026, Walmart reported revenue of $179.5 billion, a 5.8% year-over-year increase, and adjusted EPS of $0.58, surpassing expectations [6]. - Walmart's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is approximately 43 times, above the sector average, but it maintains a strong dividend history with 52 consecutive years of increases [1]. - The company has partnered with OpenAI to enhance online shopping through AI, which may improve conversion rates from browsing to purchases [7]. - Analysts maintain a consensus "Strong Buy" rating for WMT, with an average price target of $123.40, indicating about 9% potential upside [8]. Coca-Cola (KO) - KO stock has risen 12% over the past 52 weeks, although it has decreased by 1% year-to-date [10]. - Coca-Cola has increased its dividend for 63 consecutive years, with a recent payment of $0.51 per share and a yield of 3.01%, above the Consumer Staples average [12]. - In Q3 2025, Coca-Cola's net revenues grew by 5% to $12.5 billion, with adjusted EPS increasing by 5% to $0.82 [13]. - Analysts rate KO as a consensus "Strong Buy," with an average price target of $80.83, suggesting about 16% potential upside [14]. Nucor (NUE) - NUE stock has surged 42% over the past 52 weeks and is up 3% year-to-date, indicating positive investor sentiment towards the industrial sector [15]. - Nucor's forward P/E ratio is around 14.5 times, which is below the broader sector average, and it has a history of 53 consecutive years of dividend increases [16]. - In Q3 2025, Nucor reported net sales of $8.52 billion and net earnings of $607 million, or $2.63 per diluted share [17]. - Analysts have a consensus "Strong Buy" rating for NUE, with an average price target of $178.83, implying about 7% potential upside [18].