Dividend investors are paid to be patient, but right now, that patience is being tested. Reliable blue-chip dividend payers in industries such as consumer products and fast food have lagged while tech stocks continue to propel the S&P 500. But dividend stocks have a role when it comes to creating income regardless of market price performance.
In particular, companies with long histories of paying and boosting dividends, throughout every type of market and economic cycle, may be worth considering for investors seeking income. (ticker: PG) 2.9% 21 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 2.1% 30 Coca-Cola Co. (PEP) 4.4% 17 *Trailing-12-month price-to-earnings ratio, as of June 30.
(PG) This consumer products maker has a 70-year history of increasing its dividend. Its 12-month trailing yield is 2.9% on a quarterly dividend of $1.09. Earnings grew 4% in 2025, to $6.83 per share on sales of $84.3 billion, essentially flat year over year.
This is one of those stocks that investors hold because of its reliability; brands like Pampers, Tide, Crest and Gillette typically hold up even in poor economic conditions, as people are going to continue doing laundry, cleaning their houses and taking care of personal grooming. “Procter & Gamble has been benefiting from a durable brand portfolio and disciplined execution,” wrote analysts from Zacks Equity Research in a June 29 report. There are potential downsides, however.
Zacks notes that Procter & Gamble shares recently underperformed industry rivals such as Colgate-Palmolive Co. (KMB), due to factors such as the company’s own spending in an inflationary environment. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) With a forward dividend yield of 2.1% and solid growth estimates for the next two years, Johnson & Johnson is a staple for many income investors.
“JNJ is a core holding I added to client dividend portfolios about three years ago, and it has been one of the more rewarding decisions in that sleeve, with the stock appreciating more than 50% over that st…
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