Dividend Contenders: Stocks with 10-24 Years of Dividend Growth
Dividend Contenders are companies that have increased their dividends for 10 to 24 consecutive years. These stocks are on the path to becoming Dividend Aristocrats and often offer a compelling combination of higher yields and faster dividend growth than their more established peers. Many contenders represent mid-cap companies or newer dividend growers in sectors like technology and healthcare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Dividend Contender?
A Dividend Contender is a company that has increased its dividend for 10 to 24 consecutive years. These companies are on the path to becoming Dividend Aristocrats and often offer compelling growth prospects alongside their established dividend track records.
How many Dividend Contenders are there in 2026?
As of 2026, there are 24 Dividend Contenders — companies with 10 to 24 consecutive years of dividend increases.
What are some examples of Dividend Contenders?
Notable Dividend Contenders include NIKE, Inc. (NKE) with 24 years, Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (CFR) with 24 years, Waste Management Inc (WM) with 22 years, Evergy, Inc. (EVRG) with 22 years, Mckesson Corp (MCK) with 18 years. See the full list above for all qualifying stocks with their current yields and growth metrics.
How do I invest in Dividend Contenders?
You can invest in individual Dividend Contenders 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 Contenders safe investments?
Dividend Contenders have demonstrated 10+ 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.