3 Dividend Stocks with Decades-Long Track Records
The past two decades have seen a bull market, but investors know that adversity is inevitable. To prepare for potential downturns, it's essential to include blue-chip dividend stocks with robust businesses in your portfolio.
These three stocks are Dividend Kings, having increased their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years: Altria Group (MO), Walmart (WMT), and The Coca-Cola Company (KO).
Altria Group's formula has worked for decades. Despite declining smoking rates in the US, the company still grows profits by cutting costs and raising prices. Its dividend payout ratio is manageable at 75% of 2026 earnings estimates.
Walmart remains a retail giant with a bright future due to its massive size and scale, giving it leverage with suppliers and efficiencies to sell goods at low prices that competitors can't match. It has adapted to industry changes by utilizing its store network to compete with Amazon in e-commerce.
Coca-Cola is another iconic brand, known for its global beverage distribution network. Its dividend has been raised for 64 consecutive years, and analysts see the company growing earnings by an average of 7% to 8% annually over the next three to five years.