7 Dividend Growth Stocks You Use and May Not Even Know It
In the world of finance and the stock market, the flashy companies and headlines get all the attention. However, you don’t have to look far to find great companies that stay just outside the spotlight. In fact, a lot of them are all around you and you don’t even know it.
“If investing is entertaining, if you’re having fun, you’re probably not making any money. Good investing is boring.”
The following is a list of 7 US dividend growing companies that you use or come across almost ever day and may be completely unaware.
1. Hormel Foods Corp.
Ticker HRL (NYSE) / 54 Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth
Source: Hormel Foods Investor Presentation
Hormel Foods is one of only 28 companies to make the list of 50+ consecutive years of dividend growth. Although SPAM might not be high up on your must have food list, you have most likely come across several of their products. They are a Global food company operating in more than 80 countries.
2. Becton Dickinson and Company
Ticker BDX (NYSE) / 48 Consecutive years of Dividend Growth
Source: Becton Dickinson Investor Presentation
If you have ever had a needle, syringe, catheter, IV or anesthesia, there is a good chance it would have been administered using a Becton Dickinson product. You would be hard pressed to walk more than 10 feet in any hospital or clinic without coming across one of Becton Dickinson’s many products. In two more years, Becton Dickinson will be crowned a Dividend King, reaching 50 years of dividend growth.
3. Aptargroup Inc.
Ticker ATR (NYSE) / 26 Years of Consecutive Dividend Growth
Source: Aptargroup Investor Presentation
It certainly doesn’t make for an exciting water cooler conversation to tell your coworkers about a company that makes drink caps and soap pumps. Aptargroup produces a portfolio of dispensing, drug delivery, sealing and active packaging. Aptargroup has recently been added to the dividend aristocrat list by exceeding 25 consecutive years of dividend growth.
4. Church & Dwight Inc.
Ticker CHD (NYSE) / 23 Years of Consecutive Dividend Growth
Source: Church & Dwight annual report.
Church & Dwight’s roots go back to the 1800’s with the original Arm & Hammer. By looking at the list above, you most like use or have used more than one of their brands. Although Church & Dwight is not officially on the dividend aristocrat list, with 2 more years of dividend growth they will join an elite group.
5. McCormick & Company Inc.
Ticker MKC (NYSE) / 34 Years of Consecutive Dividend Growth
Source: McCormick Annual Report
If your pantry, spice cabinet or fridge does not contain several McCormicks products you must be living under a rock. Straight off their website it says, “In more than 150 countries, people know our brands at first sight - and taste”. Hard to argue with that. I am willing to bet, you won’t hear the analysts on CNBC getting excited about the upcoming grilling season and the Montreal steak spice Dad’s all over the country will be using. What they should be talking about is the 34 years of consecutive dividend raises.
6. Ecolab Inc.
Ticker ECL (NYSE) / 28 Years of Consecutive Dividend Growth
Source: www.ecolab.com
Do you eat, use water or ever stayed in a hotel? Although Ecolab may not have the product brand recognition many of the other companies have, you most definitely have directly or indirectly come in contact with their services. Ecolab delivers solutions and services to deliver safe food, clean water, abundant energy and healthy environments.
7. Brown Forman Corp.
Ticker BF.B (NYSE) / 36 Years of Consecutive Dividend Growth
Source: Brown Forman Investor Presentation
What better way to cap off this list then with a company that makes whiskey. Next time you mix up a Woodford Reserve old fashioned, you’ll now know where it comes from. For the scotch lover, I suggest The BenRiach 12 single malt. Cheers to 36 years of consecutive dividend increases.
One Final Note
There is no doubt the reach that these companies have in their respective sectors and the power of their brands. To sum up all the excitement, nobody is scrambling to come up with a “FAANG” acronym to categorize these companies. In fact, just to keep the “under the radar” nature of this list going, take a look at where each company’s headquarters are.
Hormel Foods - Austin, Minnesota
Becton Dickinson - Franklin Lake, New Jersey
Aptargroup - Crystal Lake, Illinois
Church & Dwight - Ewing, New Jersey
McCormick - Sparks, Maryland
Ecolab - Saint Paul, Minnesota
Brown Forman - Louisville, Kentucky
Now that is a list of must see destinations!
Disclosure: The information on this site should not be considered advice or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Please see my Disclosure Page for a full disclaimer.