The Highest-Yielding Dividend Aristocrats Deliver 5%-6% Yields and Safety

"At 24/7 Wall St., we have closely followed dividend-paying stocks for over 15 years. With a growing audience of savvy Baby Boomers and retirees seeking safe income ideas that deliver more than the 10-year Treasury bond's 4% bi-annual dividend, we have screened hundreds of stocks, looking for recurring, dependable dividend payouts and a degree of safety that allows for a good night's sleep."

"Investors seeking defensive companies that pay substantial dividends are drawn to the Dividend Aristocrats, and with good reason. The 66 companies that made the cut for the 2025 S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats list have increased their dividends (not just maintained them) for 25 consecutive years. But the requirements go even further, with the following attributes also mandatory for membership on the aristocrats list:"

"S&P 500 companies that have paid and raised their dividends for 25 years or longer are the types that growth and income investors want to buy and hold in their stock portfolios for the long term. These stocks are mostly conservative, and should we see a dramatic market correction, they will likely keep their ground much better than volatile technology names."

Dividend-paying stocks are screened for recurring, dependable dividend payouts and safety suitable for income investors seeking reliable income. Dividend Aristocrats are S&P 500 companies that have increased dividends for at least 25 consecutive years. Membership also requires market capitalization of at least $3 billion and average daily trading volume of at least $5 million at each quarterly rebalancing. Sixty-six companies qualified for the 2025 S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats list. The five highest-yielding aristocrats were identified as outstanding ideas for growth and income investors and carry Buy ratings at top Wall Street firms. Aristocrats tend to be conservative and may better withstand dramatic market corrections.

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