Dividend Challengers: Stocks with 5-9 Years of Dividend Growth
Dividend Challengers are companies that have increased their dividends for 5 to 9 consecutive years. While they have shorter track records than Aristocrats or Kings, Challengers often offer higher yields and faster dividend growth rates. These stocks can be excellent additions to a growth-oriented dividend portfolio, especially when combined with strong fundamentals and low payout ratios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Dividend Challenger?
A Dividend Challenger is a company that has increased its dividend for 5 to 9 consecutive years. While they have shorter track records, Challengers often provide higher yields and faster dividend growth as they work to establish long-term dividend credibility.
How many Dividend Challengers are there in 2026?
As of 2026, there are 23 Dividend Challengers — companies with 5 to 9 consecutive years of dividend increases.
What are some examples of Dividend Challengers?
Notable Dividend Challengers include Curtiss Wright Corp (CW) with 9 years, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (KNSL) with 9 years, Leidos Holdings, Inc. (LDOS) with 7 years, Voya Financial, Inc. (VOYA) with 7 years, Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) with 6 years. See the full list above for all qualifying stocks with their current yields and growth metrics.
How do I invest in Dividend Challengers?
You can invest in individual Dividend Challengers through any brokerage account, or gain broad exposure through dividend-focused ETFs like NOBL (ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF). Use our dividend calculator to project income from any combination of these stocks.
What's the difference between Dividend Kings, Aristocrats, Contenders, and Challengers?
The classification is based on consecutive years of dividend increases: Kings (50+ years), Aristocrats (25-49 years, S&P 500 members), Contenders (10-24 years), and Challengers (5-9 years). Higher tiers indicate longer track records of dividend growth but may offer lower current yields.
Are Dividend Challengers safe investments?
Dividend Challengers have demonstrated 5+ years of dividend increases, which suggests strong financial discipline. However, past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Always check payout ratios, earnings coverage, and debt levels before investing. Use our safety ratings on each stock's dividend page for a quick assessment.