When it comes to building long-term wealth, I’ve always been drawn to companies that reward patience with growing their dividend year after year. That’s why I love companies on the Dividend Kings list. They are stocks that have raised their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years. And these are companies that have navigated themselves through recessions, periods of inflation, and other geopolitical issues, yet continue to deliver consistent payouts.
Among the elite group of Dividend Kings, a few stand out not just for their history but for their strong fundamentals and potential for future growth.
As we reach the halfway point of the year, you may be wondering which Dividend Kings have performed well since the start of 2025. Technical indicators, such as Barchart Opinion and Opinion Direction, and Wall Street’s analyst consensus ratings of “Moderate” and “Strong Buy,” help us decide whether the stock is at or past its peak.
With that out of the way, here are three of my favorite Dividend Kings that I believe are still worth buying today.
Emerson Electric Company (EMR)
Emerson Electric Company is an American multinational specializing in automation solutions for industrial, commercial, and residential markets. The company is known for its automation solutions, specifically for its Copeland Brand.
Emerson is a Dividend King, having increased its dividends for 68 consecutive years. It pays a forward annual dividend of $2.11, translating to an approximate yield of 1.52%. EMR stock is also up 11.94% YTD.
Barchart Opinion reports a strengthening direction for the stock, indicating a potential bullish run over the short (20-day) and medium (50-day) terms. Overall, the company has an 88% buy rating, representing a significant improvement from last month’s 40% buy rating, and highlights why investors are buyingEMR stock right now. Meanwhile, a consensus among 24 analysts rate the stock a moderate buy.
Walmart Inc (WMT)
Walmart is a one-stop shop that primarily dominates retail here in the United States and Canada. Today, they operate as hypermarkets, department stores, and grocery stores and cater to our basic needs. It is no surprise that the company is on my list of favorite Dividend Kings as it offers a sense of stability while continuing to grow.
Walmart has increased its dividends for 52 consecutive years, and today, they pay a forward annual dividend of $0.94, translating to a yield of 0.97% WMT’s stock price is up 7.46% YTD, with the distinct possibility of additional gains in the second half of 2025, if Wall Street’s strong buy rating and $120 high target is any indication.
On the technical side, Barchart Opinion rates WMT stock a 72% buy overall, with moving averages indicating potential weakness over the short and medium terms. Still, I'm a long-term investor, and with that in mind, WMT stock still holds a “Strong Buy” rating from analysts. That said, in the short term, WMT investors must expect the possibility of choppy price movements - and take advantage of them as a buying opportunity.
S&P Global Inc. (SPGI)
S&P Global Inc. is a leading independent provider of information and analytics, popular for showing transparent and objective ratings, benchmarks, and data. The company operates across four main divisions: S&P Global Ratings, S&P Global Market Intelligence, S&P Global Platts, and S&P Dow Jones Indices.
S&P Global Inc. is a Dividend King that has increased its dividends for over 50 years. Today, it pays a forward annual dividend of $3.84, yielding around 0.73%. Not the highest, but definitely one of the most stable investments with great potential. SPGI stock rose 5.69% YTD, roughly in line with the S&P 500’s 5.85% performance over the same period.
SPGI’s Barchart Opinion score has also vastly improved, now sitting at an 88% buy - up from 40% buy over the last month, although the technical indicators forecast some resistance over the long term.
Final Thoughts
Dividend Kings are known for their stability, but many do not recognize that you can still get in while they're cheap and capitalize on a bullish run. If you're looking for a stock that pays consistent dividends, like me, these three Dividend Kings could be a great addition to your portfolio.
