- The Dividend Aristocrats are companies of the S&P 500 that have paid steadily increasing dividends for at least 25 years have outperformed the broader market over time, like in 2018.
- This article lists the current Dividend Aristocrat constituents and their recent returns
- By showing the recent performance of the Dividend Aristocrats, some active dividend growth investors may be able to identify relative bargains.
- The top-10 dividend Aristocrats by current dividend yield are also listed.
- The Dividend Aristocrats posted a +1.94% return in December.
- Full-year 2019 performance Dividend Aristocrats 27.97%, versus the S&P 500 index 31.49%.
U.S. equities continued their way up in December, after the 3.63% in November for the S&P 500. In sharp contrast to last year’s negative performance, U.S. equities generated impressive returns in 2019, with the S&P 500® up 31%, its biggest annual gain since 2013. Easing trade tensions, a potential “Phase-One” deal mid-January, and Fed accommodation renewed optimism about the economic outlook, resulted in higher stock prices.
Especially the Tech. sector leading the way up for the S&P 500 for the full year, 10.12%.
Dividend Aristocrats performance December 2019
The table below lists all 57 constituents, sorted by indicated dividend yield and lists returns over trailing last month, 3-, 6-, and 12-month periods.
41 dividend aristocrats posted positive returns in December. V.F. Corporation (VFC) jumped +12.6% and ended the full year up by almost 40%. Also, Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) and W.W. Grainger (GWW) were also amongst the top-performers with 8% and 7%.
Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH) and Franklin Resources Inc. (BEN) had a difficult month and fell more than 5.5%.
2019 Leaders and Laggards
Looking at the full-year 2019 performance, the Dividend Aristocrats index ended up 27.97%. As expected, the S&P 500 index beat the Dividend Aristocrats and ended up 31.49%. So let’s have a look at the best and worst-performing Dividend Aristocrats stocks for the full-year 2019. The tables below list the top-5 Dividend Aristocrats leaders and laggards.
2019 Leaders
2019 Laggards
Dividends and Dividend Yield
Next to dividend growth investing, a high yield dividend could also be an approach. The table below lists the top-10 Dividend Aristocrats sorted descending by the current dividend yield (end of December 2019).
The above-presented performance data of the Dividend Aristocrats could assist active dividend growth investors to find some bargains for the long run. Interested in the latest data and also dividend growth rates, check our dividend aristocrats dashboard.
Other Sources of Dividend Investment Ideas
The Dividend Aristocrats list is not the only way to quickly screen for businesses that regularly pay rising dividends.
- The Dividend Kings List is even more exclusive than the Dividend Aristocrats. It is comprised of less than 20 businesses with 50+ years of consecutive dividend increases.
- The MoneyInvestExpert Defensive Aristocrats is a performance-based top-10 selection of the Dividend Aristocrats to outperform the market on the long-term.
- Portfolio lists like the Berkshire Hathaway Portfolio or Bill Gates’stock portfolio can be a source.
- For the European focused investors there is also the list of European Dividend Aristocrats.
- Dividend Champions are not necessarily members of the S&P 500 index, have increased their dividend for 25 or more consecutive years.
- 100+ years of dividend, the list of stocks that pay over 100 year of dividend can be an list of inspiration.
Next to selecting the right dividend stocks, important principles for successful long-term investing are Disciple, Diversification, Defensive & indeed Dividend. Read more about this in our free e-book.
Also, our monthly newsletter and premium member data will help you to invest smarter.
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