Three Dividend Aristocrats for the New Decade

2010 was another great year for the stock market, coming off an outstanding year of recovery in 2009, with the Dow gaining over 1000. As usual, not all stocks participated in the recovery. Surviving Dividend Aristocrats (many were dropped in the last 3 years after raising annual dividends for more than 25 years) have mixed records of performance in the decade even though dividends were increased annually. Below are 3 high yielding Dividend Aristocrats which had modest declines in 2010. I have a personal bias for companies with higher yields, making it easier to earn a specific rate of return and those dividend increases are more meaningful because of higher beginning yields. (1) Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has the most comprehensive base of health care businesses in the world. It operates in 3 segments: Consumer, Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices. Over 70% of revenues come from No. 1 or No. 2 global leadership positions. JNJ has had 26 consecutive years of adjusted earnings increases and 48 consecutive years of dividend increases. Below are sales results for the first 9 months of 2010 (in billions):... Read more