Here are the 2021 changes to the Dividend Aristocrats Index made by S&P Global based on the annual rebalancing results.
This means that the number of constituents will remain at 65.
Looking back at 2020, here is what happened to the Dividend Aristocrats Index.
Early 2020, Amcor (AMCR), Atmos Energy (ATO), Realty Income (O), Essex Property Trust (ESS), Ross Stores (ROST), Albemarle (ALB), and Expeditors International (EXPD) were added to the Dividend Aristocrats Index which brought the total number of Dividend Aristocrats to 64 (from 57).
On March 31st, 2020, United Technologies merged with Raytheon to Raytheon Technologies, changed its ticker to RTX, and spun off Carrier Global (CARR) and Otis Worldwide (OTIS) to bring the total Dividend Aristocrat to 66.
Ross Stores (ROST), added in January announced it is suspending its dividend on May 21st, 2020, and has been removed from The Dividend Aristocrats Index prior to the market open on July 1st, bringing the total members down to 65.
As of February 2021, IBM (IBM), Nextra Energy (NEE), and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) will be the new members. Here is their total return since 1/1/2020.
In April 2020, IBM declared a $1.63/share quarterly dividend, a 0.6% increase from the prior dividend of $1.62. The new dividend represents an increase of $0.01 per common share. This was the 25th consecutive year that IBM has increased its quarterly cash dividend. IBM has paid quarterly dividends since 1916 without interruption. The current dividend yield is 5.43%.
NextEra Energy (NEE) generates, transmits, and distributes electric power in North America. The company has already increased its dividend for 25 consecutive years since February 2020, when it declared a $1.40/share quarterly dividend, a 12% increase from a prior dividend of $1.25. The current dividend yield is 1.73%.
West Pharmaceutical (WST) declared a $0.17/share quarterly dividend, a 6.3% increase from a prior dividend of $0.16 end of November. The current dividend yield is 0.22%. The payout ratio is low given the 14.98% and the 5-year dividend growth rate is nice (7.63%).
See all Dividend aristocrats changes since 2009.
