Procter & Gamble Extends 70-Year Dividend Streak with 3% Raise
Procter & Gamble (PG) has raised its dividend by 3% in 2026, extending its streak of consecutive annual increases to 70 years. This marks a significant milestone for the company, which has paid a dividend without interruption since its incorporation in 1890.
The company's latest quarterly payout of $1.0885 per share works out to roughly $4.35 on an annualized basis. In fiscal 2026 results, P&G generated $19.6 billion in operating cash flow and reported adjusted free-cash-flow productivity of 100%. More than $15 billion was returned to shareholders during the year.
The company's brand portfolio provides a defensive buffer that income investors often seek. Household names such as Tide, Pampers, Gillette, Crest, Dawn, Charmin, Vicks, and Bounty are tied to daily routines rather than discretionary splurges. Consumers may trade down or tighten budgets during economic downturns, but they rarely stop washing clothes, brushing teeth, or buying diapers.
P&G's status as a Dividend King, a designation reserved for companies that have increased payouts for at least 50 straight years, places it in an elite group. Management has already outlined plans to pay roughly $10 billion in dividends in fiscal 2026 alone, on top of ongoing buybacks.