10 Best Dividend Aristocrat Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

Dividend Aristocrats are a group of 50 stocks in the S&P 500 Index that have increased their dividend payments for at least 25 consecutive years, a sign of impressive profitability, financial strength, and management's confidence in the business.

1. Ecolab (ECL - Get Report)

Ecolab sells a wide range of sanitizing, cleaning, and water treatment systems that help customers in virtually every end market maintain clean environments, keep their food safe, and optimize their use of energy and water. Altogether, the company serves over 1 million customer locations in more than 170 countries.ECL's stock has a dividend yield of 1.3% and trades at 24.7-times forward earnings estimates. Management believes the company can continue delivering 15% annual earnings growth longer term, which would make this one of the fastest-growing dividend aristocrats.

2. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

Johnson & Johnson is one of the 25 stocks in this conservative portfolio

3. Genuine Parts (GPC - Get Report)

Genuine Parts is one of the largest distributors of automotive and industrial replacement parts and also distributes office products and electrical materials. The company was founded in 1928 and conducts most of its business in the United States (82% of sales) and Canada (10%). In its automotive business, which generates a little over half of total revenue, the company operates under the well-known NAPA brand.

4. PPG Industries (PPG - Get Report)

Founded in 1883, PPG is one of the biggest manufacturers of paints and coatings in the world. Most of the company's products are used in construction, automotive, and industrial markets

5. PepsiCo (PEP)

PepsiCo has some of the most famous consumer food and beverage brands in the world, including Pepsi-Cola, Gatorade, Frito-Lay, Quaker, and Tropicana. The company's largest 22 brands each generate at least $1 billion in annual sales and have established themselves as favorites with consumers. Just over half of PepsiCo's sales are in North America, and the business is roughly split equally between beverages and snacks.

6. Cintas (CTAS - Get Report) 

Cintas is a lesser known dividend aristocrat but is the biggest provider of uniform rental services in the country

7. Colgate (CL - Get Report)

Colgate was founded in the early 19th century and sells some of the most well-known consumer brands in the world, including Colgate, Protex, Palmolive, Speed Stick, and Irish Spring. Approximately 46% of the company's sales were from oral care products last year, with another 21% from personal care items and 20% from home care goods such as household cleaners and liquid fabric conditioners. Importantly, roughly half of Colgate's sales are from emerging markets, which should see per capita consumer spending rise over the coming decades.

8. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)

Stanley Black & Decker is one of the oldest companies around with roots tracing back to 1843. The company sells a wide range of power drills and hand tools, security systems, and other products used in industrial markets.

9. Procter & Gamble (PG) 

Procter & Gamble is one of the safest dividend aristocrats that money can buy. The company sells well-known consumer products under famous brands such as Pampers, Tide, and Head & Shoulders. More than 20 of Procter & Gamble's brands have annual sales of at least one billion dollars and are sold in over 180 countries worldwide. With over $8 billion spent on advertising last year, the company's products are able to maintain strong market share positions and remain at the forefront of consumers' minds when they go to make a purchase.

10. T. Rowe Price (TROW) 

T. Rowe Price is one of the largest asset managers in the world. The company offers a wide range of mutual funds that pursue investment styles including growth, value, sector-focused, tax-efficient, and quantitative approaches. By assets under management, close to 80% of T. Rowe Price's assets are in stock and blended asset portfolios with the remainder invested in fixed income securities and money market portfolios.

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