Companies that have raised dividends for shareholders for 50 years or more are the kinds of investments passive income investors need to own. Dependability is crucial for individuals seeking to increase their annual income through dividend stock investments. The Dividend Kings are the 57 companies that have raised their dividends for at least 50 years, a testament to their dependability and reliability. Those are two “must-have” qualities for investors who rely on passive income to boost their overall income. Unlike the Dividend Aristocrats, Dividend Kings do not have to be members of the S&P 500.
We decided to screen our 24/7 Wall St. dividend stocks database, looking for companies likely to be enshrined as Dividend Kings based on past dividend payments and increases over the years. Four top companies that most investors are familiar with are poised to join this list this year, and all look like outstanding buys for growth and income investors looking for dependable dividend streams and solid growth potential. All four are covered by the top Wall Street firms we track.
Why we recommend the Dividend Kings
Companies that have paid and raised dividends for 50 years or more are the kinds of stocks growth and income investors want to buy and hold in stock portfolios forever. These stocks are mostly conservative, and should a dramatic market correction occur, they will likely hold their ground much better than volatile technology names.
Carlisle Companies
Industrials and construction materials giant Carlisle Companies (NYSE: CSL | CSL Price Prediction) is an industrial name nearing the threshold, with analysts flagging it as a strong candidate for inclusion in 2026. The company is a manufacturer and supplier of building envelope products and solutions that enable energy efficiency in buildings, and it pays a 1.24% dividend.
Its segments include Carlisle Construction Materials (CCM) and Carlisle Weatherproofing Technologies (CWT). The former produces a complete line of energy-efficient single-ply roofing products, warranted roof systems, and accessories for the commercial building industry, including:
- Ethylene propylene diene monomer
- Thermoplastic polyolefin and polyvinyl chloride membrane
- Polyisocyanurate insulation
- Engineered metal roofing and wall panel systems for commercial and residential buildings
The CWT segment produces building envelope solutions that drive energy efficiency and sustainability in commercial and residential applications. Its products include waterproofing and moisture protection products, protective roofing underlayments, fully integrated liquid- and sheet-applied air/vapor barriers, and others.
Raymond James has an Outperform rating with a $425 target price.
Clorox
With products that never go out of style, a 26% discount, a 0.74 price-to-fair-value ratio, and a massive 5.39% dividend, Clorox (NYSE: CLX) is the perfect buy for conservative investors. The company is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products. Despite some earnings turbulence in recent years, Clorox has maintained its dividend streak and is expected to cross the 50-year mark in 2026.
The company operates through four segments:
- Health and Wellness
- Household
- Lifestyle
- International
The Health and Wellness segment consists of cleaning, disinfecting, and professional products marketed and sold under these brands:
- Clorox
- Clorox2
- Pine-Sol
- Scentiva
- Tilex
- Liquid-Plumr
- Formula 409
Its Household segment consists of bags and wraps, cat litter, and grilling products marketed and sold under the Glad, Fresh Step, Scoop Away, and Kingsford brands in the United States. The Lifestyle segment consists of food, water-filtration, and natural personal care products marketed and sold under the Hidden Valley, Brita, and Burt’s Bees brands.
International products consist of those sold outside the United States. Its products in this segment include laundry additives, home care products, bags and wraps, cat litter, water filtration products, and others.
Jefferies has a Buy rating with a $139 price target.
McDonald’s
This American multinational fast-food chain is a solid pick when the economy goes south or north. McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) is among the safest large-cap restaurant ideas, and it pays a solid 2.63% dividend. The payout is approaching the 50-year mark, and the company is widely seen as a likely entrant, given its consistent dividend growth and durable business model.
McDonald’s operates and franchises its restaurants globally. Approximately 95% of McDonald’s roughly 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees. The restaurants offer:
- Hamburgers and cheeseburgers
- Chicken sandwiches and nuggets
- Fries
- Salads
- Shakes
- Frozen desserts
- Sundaes
- Soft serve cones
- Bakery items
- Soft drinks
- Coffee
- Muffins
- Sausages
- Biscuit and bagel sandwiches
- Oatmeal
- Hash browns
- Breakfast burritos
- Hotcakes
BTIG has a Buy rating with a $370 target price for the shares.
Sysco
Not to be confused with the tech giant, this food distributor pays a solid 2.96% dividend and is an ideal blue chip for conservative investors. Sysco (NYSE: SYY) is a global distributor of food and related products primarily to the foodservice or food-away-from-home industry. This company has 49 years of consecutive annual dividend increases and would be eligible for inclusion among the Dividend Kings in 2026. It is one of the most-watched candidates this year.
Sysco distributes a variety of products, including frozen, canned, and dry foods, fresh meats and seafood, and more. Its U.S. Foodservice Operations segment primarily includes its U.S. broad-line operations, which distribute a line of food products, including custom-cut meat, seafood, produce, specialty Italian, specialty imports, and a variety of non-food products.
The International Foodservice Operations segment includes operations outside the United States that distribute a line of food products and a variety of non-food products. Meanwhile, the SYGMA segment is engaged in customized distribution operations serving quick-service chain restaurant customer locations, and the Other segment primarily includes its hotel supply operations, Guest Worldwide.
UBS has a Buy rating with a $90 target price.
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