3 Best Dividend Aristocrat Stocks to Buy Now, 04/02/2026

Dividend aristocrats are S&P 500 companies that have raised their shareholder payouts every year for at least 25 years.

The article uses the TipRanks Dividend Aristocrat tool to identify three such names, even as the conflict in the Middle East has kept investors worried about the financial markets. The stocks are:

• Becton Dickinson (BDX)
• Procter & Gamble (PG)
• PepsiCo (PEP)

Which Dividend Aristocrat Stocks Are the Best to Buy?

According to Wall Street analysts, the three stocks listed below are worth buying. Each stock currently has a dividend payout ratio of at least 100%, meaning that each company recently distributed at least the entirety of its net earnings to shareholders as dividends. Furthermore, each company currently has a Buy rating based on consensus from top analysts or broader Wall Street agreement, with significant upside potential.

Be sure to click on any ticker to thoroughly research the stock before you decide whether to add it to your portfolio. Here are today’s top dividend aristocrat stock picks from TipRanks.

1. Becton Dickinson (BDX) — Becton Dickinson is an American company that develops and markets medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions. The New Jersey-based company currently has a dividend payout ratio of 485.64%. BDX paid $1.05 per share in its last dividend issuance, with a dividend yield of 2.23%. Its shares currently carry a Moderate Buy consensus rating from 11 analysts, with an average price target of $190.18 that implies over 22% upside.
2. Procter & Gamble (PG)— Procter & Gamble is a long-running American consumer packaged goods giant known for various product lines, including beauty, grooming, healthcare, and home care. The Ohio-based company currently has a dividend payout ratio of 121.88%. PG paid $1.06 per share in its last dividend issuance, with a dividend yield of 2.93%. Its shares currently carry a Moderate Buy consensus rating from 20 analysts, with an average price target of $165.18 that suggests more than 15% upside.
3. PepsiCo (PEP) — PepsiCo is a non-alcoholic beverage giant formed in 1965 through the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company and Frito-Lay. The company sells various beverages as well as convenient foods such as snacks. The New York-based firm currently has a dividend payout ratio of 139.65%. It paid $1.42 per share in its last dividend issuance, with a dividend yield of 3.68%. PEP stock currently holds a Moderate Buy consensus rating from 15 Wall Street analysts. This comes with an average price target of $174.07, which implies roughly 12% upside.

What Are Dividend Aristocrats?

As defined earlier, dividend aristocrats are S&P 500 stocks distinguished by a track record of raising their dividends every year for a minimum of 25 consecutive years. Some analysts also argue that newly spun-off companies with parents that meet this standard should qualify for inclusion based on the parent’s dividend history.

Interested in More Dividend Aristocrat Stocks?

To find more stocks like these, take a look at TipRanks’ Dividend Aristocrats tool.

The page provides an exhaustive list of all dividend aristocrats, including their most recent dividend yields, previous dividend amounts, payout ratios, and other details.