The S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index, which tracks these stocks, has outperformed the S&P 500 index by an average of 3.2 percentage points a year over the last decade on a total return basis, according to S&P.
Besides its amazing performance, there's something else that stands out about the Dividend Aristocrats index. It is heavily weighted toward consumer-staples stocks. In fact, 26% of the Dividend Aristocrats index is allocated to consumer-staples stocks. Click here to see a list of all 50 Dividend Aristocrats.
Consumer staples has an advantage over most other industries: longevity. Some industries change quickly. Google (now Alphabet) didn't even exist 20 years ago. Facebook didn't exist 15 years ago. The technology industry changes rapidly. This is bad news for established businesses, which have to constantly reinvent themselves to keep pace.
Consumer-staples stocks tend to be extremely stable. Here are four that have rewarded shareholders with increased dividends for at least 25 years.
The following table includes 12 Dividend Aristocrats that are in consumer goods (apparel, beverages, cleaning, food and personal care) businesses.
These are the results...
Coca-Cola -- Yield: 3.33%
Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) employs 123,200 people, generates revenue of $44,294.00 million and has a net income of $7,366.00 million. The current market capitalization stands at $179.35 billion.Coca-Cola’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $12,075.00 million. The EBITDA margin is 27.26% (the operating margin is 19.70% and the net profit margin 16.63%).
Financials: The total debt represents 49.02% of Coca-Cola assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 172.64%. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 26.31% was realized by Coca-Cola.
Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $1.65. Last fiscal year, Coca-Cola paid $1.32 in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 25.44, the P/S ratio is 4.09 and the P/B ratio is finally 7.12. The dividend yield amounts to 3.33%.
Stock Charts:
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| Long-Term Stock Price Chart of Coca-Cola (KO) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Payment History of Coca-Cola (KO) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Yield History of Coca-Cola (KO) |
Kimberly Clark -- Yield: 3.24%
Kimberly Clark (NYSE:KMB) employs 43,000 people, generates revenue of $18,591.00 million and has a net income of $917.00 million. The current market capitalization stands at $40.57 billion.Kimberly Clark’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $2,401.00 million. The EBITDA margin is 12.91% (the operating margin is 8.68% and the net profit margin 4.93%).
Financials: The total debt represents 52.82% of Kimberly Clark assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to not calculable%. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 365.04% was realized by Kimberly Clark.
Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $5.50. Last fiscal year, Kimberly Clark paid $3.52 in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 20.69, the P/S ratio is 2.19 and the P/B ratio is finally not calculable. The dividend yield amounts to 3.24%.
Stock Charts:
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| Long-Term Stock Price Chart of Kimberly Clark (KMB) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Payment History of Kimberly Clark (KMB) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Yield History of Kimberly Clark (KMB) |
VF Corp -- Yield: 3.12%
VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) employs 64,000 people, generates revenue of $12,376.74 million and has a net income of $1,231.59 million. The current market capitalization stands at $22.14 billion.VF Corp’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $2,072.45 million. The EBITDA margin is 16.74% (the operating margin is 13.42% and the net profit margin 9.95%).
Financials: The total debt represents 19.24% of VF Corp assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 34.44%. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 22.36% was realized by VF Corp.
Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $2.88. Last fiscal year, VF Corp paid $1.33 in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 18.57, the P/S ratio is 1.81 and the P/B ratio is finally 4.27. The dividend yield amounts to 3.12%.
Stock Charts:
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| Long-Term Stock Price Chart of VF Corp (VFC) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Payment History of VF Corp (VFC) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Yield History of VF Corp (VFC) |
Procter & Gamble -- Yield: 3.09%
Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) employs 105,000 people, generates revenue of $65,299.00 million and has a net income of $10,027.00 million. The current market capitalization stands at $231.63 billion.Procter & Gamble’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $17,439.00 million. The EBITDA margin is 26.71% (the operating margin is 20.58% and the net profit margin 15.36%).
Financials: The total debt represents 24.07% of Procter & Gamble assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 53.36%. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 16.45% was realized by Procter & Gamble.
Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $3.53. Last fiscal year, Procter & Gamble paid $2.66 in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 24.51, the P/S ratio is 3.55 and the P/B ratio is finally 4.11. The dividend yield amounts to 3.09%.
Stock Charts:
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| Long-Term Stock Price Chart of Procter & Gamble (PG) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Payment History of Procter & Gamble (PG) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Yield History of Procter & Gamble (PG) |
Leggett & Platt -- Yield: 3.02%
Leggett & Platt (NYSE:LEG) employs 21,000 people, generates revenue of $3,917.20 million and has a net income of $328.00 million. The current market capitalization stands at $5.90 billion.Leggett & Platt’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $602.90 million. The EBITDA margin is 15.39% (the operating margin is 12.42% and the net profit margin 8.37%).
Financials: The total debt represents 31.88% of Leggett & Platt assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 87.04%. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 29.02% was realized by Leggett & Platt.
Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $2.60. Last fiscal year, Leggett & Platt paid $1.26 in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 17.32, the P/S ratio is 1.54 and the P/B ratio is finally 5.63. The dividend yield amounts to 3.02%.
Stock Charts:
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| Long-Term Stock Price Chart of Leggett & Platt (LEG) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Payment History of Leggett & Platt (LEG) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Yield History of Leggett & Platt (LEG) |
PepsiCo -- Yield: 2.82%
PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP) employs 263,000 people, generates revenue of $63,056.00 million and has a net income of $5,501.00 million. The current market capitalization stands at $152.74 billion.PepsiCo’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $12,344.00 million. The EBITDA margin is 19.58% (the operating margin is 13.25% and the net profit margin 8.72%).
Financials: The total debt represents 47.78% of PepsiCo assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 279.16%. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 36.74% was realized by PepsiCo.
Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $4.56. Last fiscal year, PepsiCo paid $2.76 in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 23.34, the P/S ratio is 2.43 and the P/B ratio is finally 12.80. The dividend yield amounts to 2.82%.
Stock Charts:
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| Long-Term Stock Price Chart of PepsiCo (PEP) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Payment History of PepsiCo (PEP) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Yield History of PepsiCo (PEP) |
Clorox -- Yield: 2.68%
Clorox (NYSE:CLX) employs 8,000 people, generates revenue of $5,761.00 million and has a net income of $648.00 million. The current market capitalization stands at $14.88 billion.Clorox’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $1,226.00 million. The EBITDA margin is 21.28% (the operating margin is 17.06% and the net profit margin 11.25%).
Financials: The total debt represents 51.35% of Clorox assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 781.14%. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 312.29% was realized by Clorox.
Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $4.92. Last fiscal year, Clorox paid $3.11 in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 23.32, the P/S ratio is 2.69 and the P/B ratio is finally 52.04. The dividend yield amounts to 2.68%.
Stock Charts:
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| Long-Term Stock Price Chart of Clorox (CLX) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Payment History of Clorox (CLX) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Yield History of Clorox (CLX) |
Colgate-Palmolive -- Yield: 2.19%
Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) employs 37,900 people, generates revenue of $16,034.00 million and has a net income of $1,548.00 million. The current market capitalization stands at $62.54 billion.Colgate-Palmolive’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $4,429.00 million. The EBITDA margin is 27.62% (the operating margin is 17.39% and the net profit margin 9.65%).
Financials: The total debt represents 54.86% of Colgate-Palmolive assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to not calculable%. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 327.19% was realized by Colgate-Palmolive.
Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $1.53. Last fiscal year, Colgate-Palmolive paid $1.50 in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 46.17, the P/S ratio is 3.95 and the P/B ratio is finally not calculable. The dividend yield amounts to 2.19%.
Stock Charts:
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| Long-Term Stock Price Chart of Colgate-Palmolive (CL) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Payment History of Colgate-Palmolive (CL) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Yield History of Colgate-Palmolive (CL) |
McCormick & Company -- Yield: 1.81%
McCormick & Company (NYSE:MKC) employs 10,000 people, generates revenue of $4,296.30 million and has a net income of $364.90 million. The current market capitalization stands at $11.99 billion.McCormick & Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $736.20 million. The EBITDA margin is 17.14% (the operating margin is 12.76% and the net profit margin 8.49%).
Financials: The total debt represents 30.96% of McCormick & Company assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 83.56%. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 23.20% was realized by McCormick & Company.
Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $3.61. Last fiscal year, McCormick & Company paid $1.60 in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 26.22, the P/S ratio is 2.79 and the P/B ratio is finally 7.23. The dividend yield amounts to 1.81%.
Stock Charts:
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| Long-Term Stock Price Chart of McCormick & Company (MKC) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Payment History of McCormick & Company (MKC) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Yield History of McCormick & Company (MKC) |
Hormel Foods Company -- Yield: 1.54%
Hormel Foods Company (NYSE:HRL) employs 20,800 people, generates revenue of $9,263.86 million and has a net income of $687.26 million. The current market capitalization stands at $19.03 billion.Hormel Foods Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $1,198.40 million. The EBITDA margin is 12.94% (the operating margin is 11.52% and the net profit margin 7.42%).
Financials: The total debt represents 7.08% of Hormel Foods Company assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 10.88%. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 18.05% was realized by Hormel Foods Company.
Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $1.54. Last fiscal year, Hormel Foods Company paid $0.50 in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 23.87, the P/S ratio is 2.16 and the P/B ratio is finally 4.99. The dividend yield amounts to 1.54%.
Stock Charts:
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| Long-Term Stock Price Chart of Hormel Foods Company (HRL) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Payment History of Hormel Foods Company (HRL) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Yield History of Hormel Foods Company (HRL) |
Brown-Forman -- Yield: 1.49%
Brown-Forman (NYSE:BF.B) employs 4,600 people, generates revenue of $3,089.00 million and has a net income of $1,067.00 million. The current market capitalization stands at $18.64 billion.Brown-Forman’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $1,099.00 million. The EBITDA margin is 35.58% (the operating margin is 49.63% and the net profit margin 34.54%).
Financials: The total debt represents 35.88% of Brown-Forman assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 96.09%. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 61.55% was realized by Brown-Forman.
Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $2.62. Last fiscal year, Brown-Forman paid $0.66 in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 17.57, the P/S ratio is 5.96 and the P/B ratio is finally 11.59. The dividend yield amounts to 1.49%.
Stock Charts:
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| Long-Term Stock Price Chart of Brown-Forman (BF.B) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Payment History of Brown-Forman (BF.B) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Yield History of Brown-Forman (BF.B) |
Ecolab -- Yield: 1.25%
Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) employs 47,000 people, generates revenue of $13,545.10 million and has a net income of $1,017.20 million. The current market capitalization stands at $32.28 billion.Ecolab’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $2,916.70 million. The EBITDA margin is 21.53% (the operating margin is 11.53% and the net profit margin 7.51%).
Financials: The total debt represents 34.68% of Ecolab assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 93.57%. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 14.09% was realized by Ecolab.
Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $3.60. Last fiscal year, Ecolab paid $1.34 in the form of dividends to shareholders.
Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 30.76, the P/S ratio is 2.41 and the P/B ratio is finally 4.80. The dividend yield amounts to 1.25%.
Stock Charts:
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| Long-Term Stock Price Chart of Ecolab (ECL) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Payment History of Ecolab (ECL) |
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| Long-Term Dividend Yield History of Ecolab (ECL) |
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| 12 Dividend Aristocrats Consumer Goods Portfolio Generated Yearly 11.10% Return (click to enlarge) |
