A reader has prompted me to update this post for 2021 (originally posted in 2016). Click here to jump directly to my 2021 picks.
Investing in Dividend Kings (aka Dividend Aristocrats) may not be for everyone, but I am a fan. I like the idea of receiving tax efficient payments from long-established companies with a track record of annually increasing their payments to shareholders.
I also like the idea of getting paid to wait. When the market crashes like it did during the covid-19 pandemic, almost all of my Canadian dividend growth stocks kept paying their dividend. My dividend portfolio value dropped briefly, but my cash was growing nonetheless. This is the true power of dividend growth investing – keeping you in the right long-term investment mindset. As we head into 2021, my dividend aristocrat-heavy portfolio is actually up substantially from this time last year.
Top Canadian Dividend Pick for 2021: Enbridge (It’s not a sexy environmental infrastructure pick, but this diversified energy giant has proven its commitment to sustainable dividends, and is substantially undervalued as we head into the year.)
The list below, and my entire dividend portfolio, are heavily based upon the advice i get from Dividend Stocks Rock. DSR is not only a great newsletter service, but also offers a fantastic, holistic program to maximize the performance of your portfolio. With their expert tailor-made advice, i was able to improve yields across the board. If you are curious as to what you can get out of it, read my DSR review or click the button below:
Dividend Aristocrats and Dividend Kings improve your portfolio performance
In fact, many studies (such as Vanguard) have proven that dividend growers are likely to outperform the market and do it with less volatility. Dividend growers such as the best Canadian dividend aristocrats will continue to increase their dividend in 2021.
Canadian companies with a long history of dividend growth will generally show a strong business model and robust financials. They have gone through many recessions and never stopped increasing dividend payments. In times of confusion and fear, you can go back and look at how companies went through the past crisis and kept their dividend streak alive.
I use the dividend strategy for my leveraged portfolio, a significant portion of my RRSP, and our corporate portfolio. We currently collect a little over $50,000/year in dividends and if you are interested, you can follow my dividend updates here. You can also view the best Canadian dividend stock picks for this year here.
In the past, I’ve written a number of articles on dividend growth stocks, I’ve never properly categorized them. Here are the most common dividend terms as they relate to the U.S. stock market:
- A Dividend Achiever is a company that has increased its dividend at least 10 years in a row;
- A Dividend Contender is a traded company that has raised dividends for 10 to 24 consecutive years.
- A Dividend Champion is a company that has increased its dividend at least 25 years in a row (regardless if it is part of the S&P 500 or not);
- A Dividend Aristocrat is a company that is part of the S&P 500 and that has increased its dividend at least 25 years in a row;
- A Dividend King is a company that has increased its dividend at least 50 years in a row. The true cream of the crop.
Dividend Aristocrats and Dividend Kings in Canada
Here in Canada, we have a relatively small market and an even smaller list of quality dividend stocks. In a previous article about the top Canadian dividend growth stocks, you will see a number of dividend achievers (10 years + ), a handful of dividend aristocrats (25 years +), but no dividend kings in Canada (although FTS (46) and CU (47) are getting close).
As of February 2021
Company | Symbol | Years | 5 year avg Growth Rate | Payout Ratio | Current Yield |
Canadian Utilities | CU | 48 | 9.58% | 113.71% | 5.36% |
Fortis Inc. | FTS | 46 | 7.38% | 64.68% | 3.72% |
Toromount Industries Ltd | TIH | 30 | 12.47% | 37.07% | 1.32% |
Canadian Western Bank | CWB | 28 | 6.72% | 44.05% | 3.75% |
Atco Ltd | ACO.X | 26 | 13.49% | 73.23% | 4.51% |
Thomson Reuters | TRI | 26 | 3.54% | 38.63% | 1.97% |
Empire Company Ltd | EMP.A | 25 | 5.92% | 20.49% | 1.41% |
Imperial Oil | IMO | 25 | 10.33% | -148.46% | 3.82% |
Metro Inc | MRU | 25 | 15.27% | 27.72% | 1.12% |
Canadian National Railway | CNR | 24 | 16.09% | 47.10% | 1.64% |
Enbridge Inc | ENB | 24 | 15.1% | 291.05% | 7.70% |
Saputo Inc | SAP | 20 | 5.97% | 31.69% | 1.88% |
TC Energy Corp | TRP | 19 | 6.70% | 26.92% | 5.43% |
Canadian National Resources LTD | CNQ | 19 | 10.76% | -322.32% | 5.43% |
CCL Industries Inc | CCL.B | 18 | 25.32% | 25.95% | 1.21% |
Transcontinental Inc. | TCL.A | 18 | 6.84% | 40.22% | 4.65% |
Finning International Inc | FTT | 18 | 3.54% | 63.81% | 3.02% |
Ritchie Bros Auctioneers | RBA | 17 | 11.08% | 51.28% | 1.24% |
TELUS Corp | SU | 16 | 8.18% | 69.73% | 4.58% |
Cogeco Communications Inc. | CCA | 16 | 13.25% | 23.56% | 2.35% |
Telus Corporation | T | 15 | 8.7% | 81.37% | 4.63% |
Canadian Dividend Aristocrat Definition
While I used the terms dividend achievers and dividend aristocrats for the Canadian stock market in the previous section, I must highlight that the official definition of the Canadian dividend aristocrat differs from the one established in the U.S.
In order to be considered as a S&P Canadian Dividend Aristocrat, the company must have increased its dividend payout every year for five years – Therefore, we are looking at stocks that have a good potential for raising its dividend but still pretty far away from 25 consecutive years.
Dividend Kings List
In a few years, we will be able to have a shortlist of Canadian dividend kings (including Fortis and Canadian Utilities). In the meantime, where do we find these elusive dividend kings? You’ll have to look at the biggest market in the world – the US! In the US, there are 30 dividend kings that have increased their dividend at least 50 years in a row.
Here is a table supplied by Dividend Stocks Rock:
Ticker | Name | Dividend Yield | Market Cap ($M) |
JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 2.96% | $339,608 |
PG | Procter & Gamble Co. | 2.48% | $303,819 |
KO | The Coca-Cola Co. | 2.87% | $235,652 |
MMM | 3M Co. | 3.55% | $90,635 |
LOW | Lowe’s Cos., Inc. | 1.96% | $83,948 |
CL | Colgate-Palmolive Co. | 2.32% | $63,492 |
TGT | Target Corp. | 2.47% | $54,406 |
EMR | Emerson Electric Co. | 3.29% | $35,571 |
HRL | Hormel Foods Corp. | 1.97% | $22,582 |
PH | Parker-Hannifin Corp. | 2.12% | $20,458 |
SWK | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | 2.08% | $19,774 |
CINF | Cincinnati Financial Corp. | 1.99% | $18,147 |
DOV | Dover Corp. | 2.09% | $13,203 |
GPC | Genuine Parts Co. | 3.38% | $12,943 |
FRT | Federal Realty Investment Trust | 3.25% | $9,679 |
NDSN | Nordson Corp. | 1.12% | $7,657 |
CBSH | Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (Missouri) | 1.82% | $6,087 |
LANC | Lancaster Colony Corp. | 1.78% | $3,934 |
AWR | American States Water Co. | 1.32% | $3,366 |
California Water Service Group | CWT | 1.40% | $2,686 |
ABM | ABM Industries, Inc. | 1.93% | $2,427 |
TR | Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. | 0.95% | $2,400 |
ABM | ABM Industries, Inc. | 1.93% | $2,427 |
TR | Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. | 0.95% | $2,400 |
NWN | Northwest Natural Holding Co. | 2.66% | $2,148 |
SCL | Stepan Co. | 1.05% | $2,140 |
SJW | SJW Group | 1.76% | $1,897 |
FMCB | Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (California) | 1.81% | $600 |
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Here is the same table sorted by yield:
Ticker | Name | Dividend Yield | Market Cap ($M) |
MMM | 3M Co. | 3.55% | $90,635 |
GPC | Genuine Parts Co. | 3.38% | $12,943 |
EMR | Emerson Electric Co. | 3.29% | $35,571 |
FRT | Federal Realty Investment Trust | 3.25% | $9,679 |
JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 2.96% | $339,608 |
KO | The Coca-Cola Co. | 2.87% | $235,652 |
NWN | Northwest Natural Holding Co. | 2.66% | $2,148 |
PG | Procter & Gamble Co. | 2.48% | $303,819 |
TGT | Target Corp. | 2.47% | $54,406 |
CL | Colgate-Palmolive Co. | 2.32% | $63,492 |
PH | Parker-Hannifin Corp. | 2.12% | $20,458 |
DOV | Dover Corp. | 2.09% | $13,203 |
SWK | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | 2.08% | $19,774 |
CINF | Cincinnati Financial Corp. | 1.99% | $18,147 |
HRL | Hormel Foods Corp. | 1.97% | $22,582 |
LOW | Lowe’s Cos., Inc. | 1.96% | $83,948 |
ABM | ABM Industries, Inc. | 1.93% | $2,427 |
CBSH | Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (Missouri) | 1.82% | $6,087 |
FMCB | Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (California) | 1.81% | $600 |
LANC | Lancaster Colony Corp. | 1.78% | $3,934 |
SJW | SJW Group | 1.76% | $1,897 |
CWT | California Water Service Group | 1.40% | $2,686 |
AWR | American States Water Co. | 1.32% | $3,366 |
NDSN | Nordson Corp. | 1.12% | $7,657 |
SCL | Stepan Co. | 1.05% | $2,140 |
TR | Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. | 0.95% | $2,400 |
As you can see from the list, some of these names are very recognizable with global brand awareness and long term competitive advantage. Names such as Procter & Gamble, Coke, Johnson & Johnson, 3M, Colgate, and Lowe’s.
You will also notice that most of them show a low dividend yield. From this list, only Altria (MO) shows a yield over 5% (~8.78%). The dividend king average yield is 2.74% with an average dividend growth of 6.50%. This shows you that one must pay for the quality. Finally, most dividend growers will not only reward shareholders with dividend increases, but also with steady capital appreciation.
As a disclaimer, I hold the following dividend kings within my RRSP: Procter & Gamble; 3M; Emerson Electric; Coca-Cola; Target; and, Johnson & Johnson. Also, this post is not meant to provide recommendations for your portfolio, but a starting point for your research.
If you are interested in dividend investing, here is More Dividend Stock Investing Info:
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In a few years, we will be able to have a shortlist of Canadian dividend kings (including Fortis and Canadian Utilities). In the meantime, where do we find these elusive dividend kings?
I have a question – as a rookie investor wannabe:
• HOW does one reliably MEASURE the true ROI, (for use at retirement)? What is the meaning of the varying terminology?
• ONE eg.: saw a company with 2% “yield”, 82% gain. What does that mean, in REAL terms?
How does one decide?
Per $100K invested? What is the useful/usable monthly return, at retirement?
Also,
What is the taxation rate at that time, (how is it calculated), when cashed out?
How can one preserve the principal, and still live off the investment?
What is the minimum investment required to capture RELIABLE annual dividend income of $35K + CPI?
When looking at the CDN list, I see immediately the top stock CU. The earnings don’t cover the dividend.. That would be a concern going forward and one should research this a little deeper.
Same goes with the other stocks that don’t cover their dividends with earnings.
I will need to dig a little deeper into CU. Make sure to look at the dividend as a percentage of cash flow as well, as earnings don’t always show the whole picture.
This is an interesting list for dividend increases and tells you a lot about the quality of the companies. I invest in dividend paying companies but put more emphasis on how long they have been paying and total return. For an example during the last recession in 2008 the CDN banks didn’t increase but also didn’t cut their dividends. The best thing I did was hold on to all my investments and ride it out and the results have been very good. (see my blog at dividend-café.com)
Agreed, even during market bear markets, best to hold onto those quality companies and even better, add to them if you have the cash.
Tootsie Rolls! Who would have thought! Thanks for sharing this list :)
Altria $MO recently might be considered a Dividend King though it might not technically qualify.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/altria-investment-royalty-50th-straight-233100137.html
Hello, How do you invest in US Dividend stocks in your canadian investment accounts? When you purchase the US stock, are the canadian funds converted into USD?
Hi Jenn,
Yes, for my RRSP, I typically convert Cad to USD. Here are some tips on how to save money when doing this conversion:
https://milliondollarjourney.com/converting-cad-to-usd-using-horizons-dlrdlr-u-with-cibc-investors-edge-tricky.htm
Great article! I do like the idea of investing in companies with histories of increasing dividends. This is why I have invested in MCD, AFL, WMT. McDonald’s has increased its dividend every year since 1976!
However, I think sometimes people get too enamored with dividend yield/increases, and fail to consider TOTAL RETURN. That is what really matters, and that is why I’ve shifted most of my additional investments over the years into low-cost index investing (VTI is my favourite). I think index investing is the easiest path to maximizing total return over the long run. Do you agree?
Cheers,
Mr Fundamental
I am on the same page, indexing is much easier, and will give you strong results over the long term. The only except is for early retirees, it’s hard to pass up the temptation of the tax advantages of dividend stocks in a non-registered account.
The US definitely has bigger companies with stronger history of providing returns to investors.
Be careful with the Dividend Aristocrats definition as Canada has one defined by Standard & Poor and it’s adjusted to the Canadian market and requires 5 year of dividend increases with some other rules. The iShare Canadian Dividend Aristocrats follows that rule
Don’t get me wrong, I prefer a 10 year minimum so Dividend Achievers is where I start.
you fail to mentioned anything about DRIPPing the dividend payments. Both broker DRIPS (no partial DRIP or shares) to company DRIP (partial shares allowed but you might have to pay about $50 to do this)
Certainly dividend increases is important, very important, but one should not get obsessed with insisting on an increase each and every year. I’m retired and 100% invested in DG stocks. But I found there are three keys:
1. They must pay a dividend, have paid one for many, many years
2. They must grow the dividend, say 7 of last 10 or 11 of last 15
3. The price one pays can greatly increase yield and is often obtained when markets drop and a company does not increase their dividend (as with Cdn banks during 2009/2011).
4. Hold, hold, hold and add to ones position.