The Dividend Kings Ranked By Quality Scores (September 2026)

Dividend Kings are companies that have raised their annual dividend payouts for at least 50 consecutive years. These companies have shown remarkable resilience, consistently increasing shareholder returns through major economic recessions, market downturns, and industry disruptions.

No index provider or exchange maintains a list of Dividend Kings, so membership depends on how you count a dividend streak. I explain my approach in the article. 

I rank the 53 Dividend Kings by 9F Quality Scores, my quality scoring system that rates dividend stocks on a 10-point scale across nine weighted factors. Each factor blends qualitative expert assessments from independent sources with quantitative financial metrics.

McDonald's Dividend Increase

On September 17, McDonald's (MCD) increased its dividend by 3.76%, from $1.86 to $1.93 per share. The increase marks McDonald's 50^th consecutive year of dividend growth, lifting it into the ranks of the Dividend Kings.

The dividend is payable on December 15 to shareholders of record on December 1.

MCD's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $14 to $386.

Microsoft Dividend Increase

On September 15, Microsoft (MSFT) increased its dividend by 7.69%, from 91¢ to 98¢ per share.

The dividend is payable on December 10 to shareholders of record on November 19.

MSFT's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $33.60 to $470.40.

Dividend Announcements: September 5-11, 2026

I monitor dividend announcements for more than 1,200 dividend-paying stocks and report on them in a weekly article series published at Seeking Alpha.

This week, 6 stocks in my database announced dividend increases.

Tracking dividend announcements and auditing the safety profiles of the companies announcing them lets me target high-conviction opportunities and avoid potential traps.

Dividend Announcements: August 29 - September 4, 2026

I monitor dividend announcements for more than 1,200 dividend-paying stocks and report on them in a weekly article series published at Seeking Alpha.

This week, 5 stocks in my database announced dividend increases, while one cut its dividend by 36% and one declared a special dividend.

Celebrating the announced increases for stocks I own is satisfying, but a dividend increase carries a broader signal: it tells me a company has the cash flow and confidence to sustain a higher baseline payout. On the flip side, a dividend cut, or even an unexpected token increase, can signal that the company's outlook may be weakening.

Dividend Announcements: August 22-28, 2026

I monitor dividend announcements for more than 1,200 dividend-paying stocks and report on them in a weekly article series published at Seeking Alpha.

This week, 9 stocks in my database announced dividend increases (including three stocks I own).

Tracking dividend announcements and auditing the safety profiles of the companies announcing them lets me target high-conviction opportunities and avoid potential traps.

Lam Research Dividend Increase

On August 27, Lam Research (LRCX) increased its dividend by 26.92%, from 26¢ to 33¢ per share.

The dividend is payable on October 14 to shareholders of record on September 23.

LRCX's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $31.36 to $147.84.

Altria Group Dividend Increase

On August 27, Altria Group (MO) increased its dividend by 4.72%, from $1.06 to $1.11 per share.

The dividend is payable on October 9 to shareholders of record on September 15.

MO's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $24 to $532.80.

10 Dividend Growth Stocks: August 2026

This monthly article series identifies 10 Dividend Growth Stocks for further research and possible investment. 

I usually target dividend growth stocks, defined as stocks with dividend increase streaks of 5 or more years. This month, I added stocks with dividend-increase streaks of 3-4 years.

I screened for stocks with dividend-increase streaks of 3-9 years, a projected dividend growth rate of 12% or higher, and trading at or below fair value. I present the ten top-ranked candidates based on quality scores. 

As always, I recommend doing your own analysis before investing in these stocks.

Intuit Dividend Increase

On August 25, Intuit (INTU) increased its dividend by 15%, from $1.20 to $1.38 per share.

The dividend is payable on October 16 to shareholders of record on October 8.

INTU's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $76.32 to $585.12.

Dividend Announcements: August 15-21, 2026

I monitor dividend announcements for more than 1,200 dividend-paying stocks and report on them in a weekly article series published at Seeking Alpha.

This week, 10 stocks in my database announced dividend increases, and one declared a special dividend.

Tracking dividend announcements and auditing the safety profiles of the companies announcing them let me target high-conviction opportunities and avoid potential traps.

Why Payout Ratio Rules Break Down in Cyclical Dividend Sectors (and What to Check Instead)

By Marco Bozem of MB Capital Strategies Global

Most dividend growth screens use the same first filter: a payout ratio below some threshold—60%, 75%, whatever the model prefers. It works well for the sectors most DGI portfolios are built around: consumer staples, utilities, and healthcare. 

Steady earnings, steady payout, steady ratio.

It breaks down completely once you move into cyclical hard-asset sectors—shipping, mining, and upstream energy. I hold real positions in all three sectors, and the payout ratio has often misled me, so I stopped screening by it. 

Here's why, and what I check instead.

Dividend Announcements: August 8-14, 2026

I monitor dividend announcements for more than 1,200 dividend-paying stocks and report on them in a weekly article series published at Seeking Alpha.

This week, 12 stocks in my database announced dividend increases (including one stock I own), while one cut its dividend by 52%.

Tracking dividend announcements and auditing the safety profiles of the companies announcing them let me target high-conviction opportunities and avoid potential traps.

Badger Meter Dividend Increase

On August 14, Badger Meter (BMI) increased its dividend by 10%, from 40¢ to 44¢ per share.

The dividend is payable on September 11 to shareholders of record on August 28.

BMI's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $27.20 to $299.20.

Dividend Announcements: August 1-7, 2026

I monitor dividend announcements for more than 1,200 dividend-paying stocks and report on them in a weekly article series published on Seeking Alpha. 

This week, 21 stocks in my database announced dividend increases, while one stock announced a dividend cut and one declared a special dividend.

Tracking dividend announcements and auditing the safety profiles of the companies announcing them lets me target high-conviction opportunities and avoid potential traps.

Dividend Announcements: July 25-31, 2026

I monitor dividend announcements for 700+ dividend growth stocks in my database and report on them in a weekly article series published at Seeking Alpha. 

This week, 18 stocks in my database announced dividend increases (including two stocks I own) and two declared a special dividend.

Tracking dividend announcements and auditing the safety profiles of the companies announcing them lets me target high-conviction opportunities and avoid potential traps.

Dividend Announcements: July 18-24, 2026

I monitor dividend announcements for 700+ dividend growth stocks in my database and report on them in a weekly article series published at Seeking Alpha. 

This week, 24 stocks in my database announced dividend increases (including two stocks I own), while one cut its dividend by 42%.

By studying dividend-safety data across all announcers, I can highlight stocks worth adding to your watchlist and the warning signs to monitor.

Cintas Dividend Increase

On July 28, Cintas (CTAS) increased its dividend by 15.56%, from 45¢ to 52¢ per share.

The dividend is payable on September 15 to shareholders of record on August 14.

CTAS's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $46.20 to $343.20.

Comfort Systems USA Dividend Increase

On July 23, Comfort Systems USA (FIX) increased its dividend by 12.50%, from 80¢ to 90¢ per share.

The dividend is payable on August 24 to shareholders of record on August 13.

FIX's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $7.20 to $64.80.

Dividend Announcements: July 11-17, 2026

I monitor dividend announcements for 700+ dividend growth stocks in my database and report on them in a weekly article series published at Seeking Alpha. 

This week, 15 stocks in my database announced dividend increases and one declared a special dividend.

By studying dividend-safety data across all announcers, I can highlight stocks worth adding to your watchlist and the warning signs to monitor.

McKesson Dividend Increase

On July 21, McKesson (MCK) increased its dividend by 14.63%, from 82¢ to 94¢ per share.

The dividend is payable on October 1 to shareholders of record on September 1.

MCK's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $11.04 to $86.48.

Dividend Announcements: July 4-10, 2026

I monitor dividend announcements for 700+ dividend growth stocks in my database and report on them in a weekly article series published at Seeking Alpha. 

This week, 8 stocks in my database announced dividend increases (including one stock I own, FAST).

By studying dividend-safety data across all announcers, I can highlight stocks worth adding to your watchlist and the warning signs to monitor.

Fastenal Dividend Increase

On July 10, Fastenal (FAST) increased its dividend by 8.33%, from 24¢ to 26¢ per share.

The dividend is payable on August 25 to shareholders of record on July 28.

FAST's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $20 to $260.

10 Dividend Growth Stocks: July 2026

This monthly article series identifies 10 Dividend Growth Stocks for further research and possible investment. 

I use different filters every month and select the top-ranked candidates based on quality scores. 

This month, I'm presenting the top 10 dividend growth stocks with a 5-year yield-on-cost of 2.5% or higher and a consensus upside of at least 5%.

As always, I recommend doing your own analysis before investing in these stocks.

Dividend Announcements: June 27 - July 3, 2026

I monitor dividend announcements for 700+ dividend growth stocks in my database and report on them in a weekly article series published at Seeking Alpha. 

This week, only one stock in my database announced a dividend increase: OZK. 

OKZ's increase is modest at 2.1%, but it extends a remarkable record of 64 consecutive quarterly increases, compounding to about 9% annual dividend growth.