These Dividend Aristocrats Have Raised Their Dividends for 25+ Years

Core Insights - The article discusses several companies known as "Dividend Aristocrats," which have consistently raised their dividends for over 25 years, highlighting their financial stability and attractiveness for income-seeking investors. Group 1: Company Highlights - NextEra Energy (NEE) has increased its adjusted earnings from $7.063 billion in 2024 to $7.683 billion in 2025 and has a 30-year history of dividend hikes, offering a 2.66% annual dividend yield [1]. - Linde (LIN) reported a 3% year-over-year sales increase to $34 billion and a 6% growth in adjusted earnings to $16.46 per share in 2025, maintaining a 34-year record of dividend growth with a forward annual dividend yield of 1.26% [1]. - FactSet Research Systems (FDS) achieved a 3.2% year-over-year increase in adjusted diluted earnings to $4.51 per share in Q1 FY2026 and has a 27-year history of consecutive dividend increases, providing a dividend yield of 2.03% [1]. - United Bankshares (UBSI) reported record earnings of $464.6 million for 2025, up from $373 million in 2024, and has a 37-year history of uninterrupted dividend growth, offering a 3.63% annual yield [1][2]. Group 2: Investment Considerations - Investing in Dividend Aristocrats is seen as a strategy for building a reliable dividend portfolio, as these companies have demonstrated a strong commitment to returning cash to shareholders over decades [1]. - The article emphasizes the importance of selecting financially stable companies with a proven track record of dividend increases, which can provide reassurance to investors [1].