Dividend aristocrat

A dividend aristocrat commonly refers to a company that is a member of the S&P 500 index and has increased its dividend for at least twenty-five consecutive years.^[1][2][3] This core definition is consistent with that of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats. However, there are also different definitions. For example, the S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats Index is composed of companies in the S&P MidCap 400 that have increased dividends for fifteen consecutive years.^[4]

The first dividend aristocrat list was published in 1989, with twenty-six companies listed. The continuous increase in the dividend over twenty-five years is a quality feature, especially for long-term oriented investors.^[2]

In some cases, such as City of London Investment Trust, Caledonia Investments, Bankers Investment Trust and Alliance Trust, the dividend has been increased for 57 years.^[5]

• Dividend yield
• S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats
• S&P Europe 350 Dividend Aristocrats