Home » Dividend Lists » The Safest Dividend Stocks
Finding a safe dividend stock is sort of a conundrum … The stock market by definition is not safe. It’s the riskiest investment vehicle which implies that finding a safe dividend investment is a challenging feat to start with.
Along the same line, even if the dividend is considered safe by any metrics but the stock goes down or stays flat, the investor is also disappointed. So it’s not just about a safe dividend in the end.
A safe dividend stock is a company that can safely cover the dividend regardless of the economic environment we are in. The safest dividend stocks would also provide dividend growth along with a tollbooth-like business which means cash is continuously flowing.
The lists below match the most stringent of all requirements:
10 years of consecutive dividend growth
10% annual dividend growth
Tollbooth-like business for guaranteed ongoing cash-flow
Note that there can always be a situation where the dividend could be impacted. There is no such thing as guaranteed dividend with the stock market.
Another note is that energy pipeline are currently safe but probably the most at risk from the safe lists below.
Safest Canadian Dividend Stocks
Safe Canadian Dividend Stock
The stringent requirements for the safest dividend stocks are making the picking thin so I have put together a safe dividend stock list lowering the requirement.
Safest US Dividend Stocks
NASDAQ:MSFT
MSFT
Microsoft
Technology
Software – Infrastructure
0.68
215.81
1,633.18
37.44
37.44
5.76
0.0104
0.3889
4
2.24
0.1084
9
7
Subscription
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
1.04
NYSE:V
V
Visa
Financial Services
Credit Services
0.59
206.64
439.70
39.29
39.29
5.26
0.0058
0.2281
4
1.20
0.2187
10
5
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
0.58
NYSE:UNH
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
Healthcare
Healthcare Plans
0.71
327.84
311.56
18.44
18.44
17.78
0.0153
0.2812
4
5.00
0.2187
10
6
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
NO
NO
NO
USA
1
1.53
NYSE:HD
HD
Home Depot Inc.
Consumer Cyclical
Home Improvement Retail
0.74
285.92
307.78
26.19
26.19
10.92
0.0210
0.5495
4
6.00
0.2198
10
6
Consumable – Discretionary
YES
NO
NO
NO
USA
1
2.10
NASDAQ:CMCSA
CMCSA
Comcast Corporation
Communication Services
Entertainment
0.68
44.85
204.88
17.98
17.98
2.49
0.0205
0.3695
4
0.92
0.1535
10
6
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
NO
NO
NO
USA
1
2.05
NYSE:NKE
NKE
NIKE, Inc.
Consumer Cyclical
Footwear & Accessories
0.58
130.98
164.35
78.13
78.13
1.68
0.0075
0.5833
4
0.98
0.0997
10
5
Consumable – Discretionary
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
0.75
NASDAQ:COST
COST
Costco
Consumer Defensive
Discount Stores
0.60
369.46
163.02
40.98
40.98
9.02
0.0076
0.3104
4
2.80
0.1247
10
5
Subscription
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
0.76
NYSE:NEE
NEE
NextEra Energy, Inc.
Utilities
Utilities – Regulated Electric
0.59
302.91
148.32
41.83
41.83
7.24
0.0185
0.7735
4
5.60
0.1207
9
5
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
1.85
NYSE:MDT
MDT
Medtronics
Healthcare
Medical Devices
0.69
108.68
146.09
33.28
33.28
3.27
0.0213
0.7095
4
2.32
0.1171
9
6
Durable
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
2.13
NYSE:ACN
ACN
Accenture plc
Technology
Information Technology Services
0.66
228.69
145.49
28.97
28.97
7.89
0.0154
0.4461
4
3.52
0.0966
8
6
Subscription
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
1.54
NASDAQ:QCOM
QCOM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
Technology
Semiconductors
0.53
124.87
140.89
52.79
52.79
2.37
0.0208
1.0970
4
2.60
0.0916
8
4
Durable
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.08
NYSE:UNP
UNP
Union Pacific Corp.
Industrials
Railroads
0.61
205.78
139.69
25.57
25.57
8.05
0.0189
0.4820
4
3.88
0.1602
8
6
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
1.89
NASDAQ:TXN
TXN
Texas Instrument
Technology
Semiconductors
0.62
150.91
138.23
28.30
28.30
5.33
0.0270
0.7655
4
4.08
0.2366
7
6
Durable
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.70
NYSE:LOW
LOW
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Consumer Cyclical
Home Improvement Retail
0.70
173.23
130.92
23.01
23.01
7.53
0.0139
0.3187
4
2.40
0.1838
9
7
Consumable – Discretionary
YES
YES
YES
YES
USA
1
1.39
NYSE:IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corp.
Technology
Information Technology Services
0.71
127.79
113.81
14.50
14.50
8.81
0.0510
0.7401
4
6.52
0.1045
7
8
Subscription
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
5.10
NYSE:LMT
LMT
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Industrials
Aerospace & Defense
0.78
385.93
107.88
16.91
16.91
22.82
0.0269
0.4557
4
10.40
0.1265
10
7
Durable
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.69
NYSE:MMM
MMM
3M
Industrials
Specialty Industrial Machinery
0.64
169.30
97.52
19.19
19.19
8.82
0.0347
0.6667
4
5.88
0.1254
8
7
Consumable – Discretionary
YES
YES
YES
YES
USA
1
3.47
NYSE:BLK
BLK
BlackRock
Financial Services
Asset Management
0.63
611.57
93.25
21.53
21.53
28.40
0.0237
0.5113
4
14.52
0.1370
9
6
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
NO
NO
NO
USA
1
2.37
NYSE:SYK
SYK
Stryker Corporation
Healthcare
Medical Devices
0.57
222.93
83.73
52.96
52.96
4.21
0.0103
0.5463
4
2.30
0.1203
9
5
Durable
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
1.03
NYSE:TGT
TGT
Target
Consumer Defensive
Discount Stores
0.64
163.71
81.96
23.63
23.63
6.93
0.0166
0.3925
4
2.72
0.0804
8
7
Consumable – Discretionary
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
1.66
NYSE:FDX
FDX
FedEx Corporation
Industrials
Integrated Freight & Logistics
0.62
271.55
71.31
40.04
40.04
6.78
0.0096
0.3835
4
2.60
0.2040
10
6
Consumable – Discretionary
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
0.96
NYSE:ITW
ITW
Illinois Tool Works
Industrials
Specialty Industrial Machinery
0.58
205.71
65.04
30.25
30.25
6.80
0.0222
0.6706
4
4.56
0.1503
7
6
Intermediate
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
2.22
NYSE:SHW
SHW
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Basic Materials
Specialty Chemicals
0.63
698.40
63.59
37.21
37.21
18.77
0.0077
0.2856
4
5.36
0.1116
10
5
Intermediate
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
0.77
NASDAQ:CSX
CSX
CSX
Industrials
Railroads
0.61
78.48
60.04
21.10
21.10
3.72
0.0133
0.2796
4
1.04
0.1011
8
6
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
1.33
NYSE:ECL
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
Basic Materials
Specialty Chemicals
0.49
203.16
57.98
0.00
0.00
-3.02
0.0093
1.0000
4
1.88
0.1014
9
4
Intermediate
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
0.93
NYSE:MCO
MCO
Moody’s Corporation
Financial Services
Financial Data & Stock Exchanges
0.64
294.73
55.32
32.27
32.27
9.13
0.0076
0.2453
4
2.24
0.1132
10
6
Subscription
YES
NO
NO
NO
USA
1
0.76
NYSE:NOC
NOC
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Industrials
Aerospace & Defense
0.77
315.28
52.56
22.16
22.16
14.22
0.0184
0.4079
4
5.80
0.1365
10
6
Durable
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
1.84
NASDAQ:ADI
ADI
Analog Devices, Inc.
Technology
Semiconductors
0.62
123.33
45.58
41.28
41.28
2.99
0.0201
0.8294
4
2.48
0.0970
9
6
Durable
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.01
NYSE:ROP
ROP
Roper Technologies, Inc.
Industrials
Specialty Industrial Machinery
0.65
414.39
43.39
27.10
27.10
15.29
0.0049
0.1341
4
2.05
0.1602
10
6
Intermediate
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
0.49
NYSE:DLR
DLR
Digital Realty Trust Inc.
Real Estate
REIT – Office
0.56
158.34
42.59
55.75
55.75
2.84
0.0283
1.5775
4
4.48
0.0824
8
5
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.83
NYSE:GD
GD
General Dynamics Corporation
Industrials
Aerospace & Defense
0.73
143.66
41.22
12.76
12.76
11.26
0.0306
0.3908
4
4.40
0.1366
9
6
Durable
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
3.06
NASDAQ:CTAS
CTAS
Cintas Corp
Industrials
Specialty Business Services
0.59
339.53
35.84
39.69
39.69
8.55
0.0075
0.2982
1
2.55
0.1662
10
5
Consumable – Discretionary
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
0.75
NYSE:CMI
CMI
Cummins Inc.
Industrials
Specialty Industrial Machinery
0.73
223.32
32.98
19.90
19.90
11.22
0.0235
0.4674
4
5.24
0.0935
9
6
Intermediate
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.35
NASDAQ:TROW
TROW
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Financial Services
Asset Management
0.69
142.21
32.28
16.86
16.86
8.43
0.0253
0.4270
4
3.60
0.1408
10
6
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
2.53
NASDAQ:WBA
WBA
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Healthcare
Pharmaceutical Retailers
0.72
36.34
31.49
44.56
44.56
0.82
0.0515
2.2805
4
1.87
0.1192
9
6
Consumable – Necessities
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
5.15
NYSE:WEC
WEC
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Utilities
Utilities – Regulated Electric
0.71
99.44
31.37
26.86
26.86
3.70
0.0254
0.6838
4
2.53
0.0857
9
6
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.54
NYSE:TRV
TRV
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
Financial Services
Insurance – Property & Casualty
0.67
115.83
29.33
16.53
16.53
7.01
0.0294
0.4850
4
3.40
0.1016
8
6
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.94
NYSE:PH
PH
Parker-Hannifin Corporation
Industrials
Specialty Industrial Machinery
0.66
218.11
28.09
23.47
23.47
9.29
0.0161
0.3789
4
3.52
0.0945
9
6
Intermediate
YES
NO
NO
YES
USA
1
1.61
NYSE:PRU
PRU
Prudential Financial
Financial Services
Insurance – Life
0.62
67.88
26.81
0.00
0.00
-0.62
0.0648
1.0000
4
4.40
0.1911
9
7
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
NO
NO
NO
USA
1
6.48
NASDAQ:FAST
FAST
Fastenal Company
Industrials
Industrial Distribution
0.71
46.63
26.75
32.15
32.15
1.45
0.0214
0.6897
4
1.00
0.1386
10
6
Durable
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.14
NYSE:KR
KR
Kroger Co
Consumer Defensive
Grocery Stores
0.73
34.45
26.68
10.53
10.53
3.27
0.0209
0.2202
4
0.72
0.1336
9
6
Consumable – Necessities
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.09
NYSE:HRL
HRL
Hormel Foods Corporation
Consumer Defensive
Packaged Foods
0.62
48.96
26.42
28.74
28.74
1.70
0.0190
0.5471
4
0.93
0.1504
8
6
Consumable – Discretionary
YES
YES
YES
YES
USA
1
1.90
NYSE:CHD
CHD
Church & Dwight Co. Inc.
Consumer Defensive
Household & Personal Products
0.63
92.76
22.94
32.34
32.34
2.87
0.0103
0.3345
4
0.96
0.0901
9
6
Consumable – Necessities
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
1.03
NYSE:GWW
GWW
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
Industrials
Industrial Distribution
0.60
385.42
20.65
33.41
33.41
11.54
0.0159
0.5303
4
6.12
0.0714
8
6
Intermediate
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
1.59
NYSE:AMP
AMP
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
Financial Services
Asset Management
0.71
170.34
20.49
8.91
8.91
19.13
0.0244
0.2175
4
4.16
0.1172
8
7
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.44
NYSE:ABC
ABC
AmerisourceBergen Corporation
Healthcare
Medical Distribution
0.73
96.86
19.77
12.80
12.80
7.57
0.0173
0.2219
4
1.68
0.0730
9
7
Intermediate
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
1.73
NYSE:IP
IP
International Paper Company
Consumer Cyclical
Packaging & Containers
0.60
42.67
16.77
26.61
26.61
1.60
0.0480
1.2813
4
2.05
0.0888
7
6
Intermediate
YES
NO
NO
NO
USA
1
4.80
NASDAQ:EXPD
EXPD
Expeditors International of Washington Inc.
Industrials
Integrated Freight & Logistics
0.61
92.46
15.50
26.30
26.30
3.52
0.0112
0.2955
2
1.04
0.0885
8
6
Consumable – Discretionary
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
1.12
NYSE:TIF
TIF
Tiffany & Co.
Consumer Cyclical
Luxury Goods
0.62
118.41
14.37
58.50
58.50
2.02
0.0196
1.1485
4
2.32
0.1108
9
4
Consumable – Discretionary
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
1.96
NYSE:CAH
CAH
Cardinal Health Inc
Healthcare
Medical Distribution
0.59
48.03
14.09
0.00
0.00
-12.61
0.0405
1.0000
4
1.94
0.0991
9
5
Intermediate
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
4.05
NYSE:OKE
OKE
ONEOK Inc.
Energy
Oil & Gas Midstream
0.67
29.05
12.90
19.52
19.52
1.49
0.1287
2.5101
4
3.74
0.2406
9
5
Intermediate
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
12.87
NYSE:IFF
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Basic Materials
Specialty Chemicals
0.77
119.41
12.77
32.10
32.10
3.72
0.0258
0.8280
4
3.08
0.0982
9
6
Intermediate
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.58
NASDAQ:HAS
HAS
Hasbro Inc.
Consumer Cyclical
Leisure
0.64
89.16
12.22
30.46
30.46
2.93
0.0305
0.9283
4
2.72
0.1304
7
6
Consumable – Discretionary
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
3.05
NASDAQ:NDSN
NDSN
Nordson Corporation
Industrials
Specialty Industrial Machinery
0.60
201.19
11.68
35.17
35.17
5.72
0.0078
0.2727
4
1.56
0.1382
9
5
Intermediate
YES
YES
NO
YES
USA
1
0.78
NASDAQ:PFG
PFG
Principal Financial Group Inc.
Financial Services
Insurance – Diversified
0.78
42.47
11.66
9.34
9.34
4.55
0.0527
0.4923
4
2.24
0.1591
9
7
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
NO
NO
NO
USA
1
5.27
NYSE:BEN
BEN
Franklin Resources, Inc.
Financial Services
Asset Management
0.68
22.59
11.19
11.02
11.02
2.05
0.0478
0.5268
4
1.08
0.1782
7
7
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
4.78
NYSE:ALB
ALB
Albemarle Corporation
Basic Materials
Specialty Chemicals
0.69
96.03
10.21
23.31
23.31
4.12
0.0160
0.3738
4
1.54
0.0757
8
7
Intermediate
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
1.60
NYSE:AOS
AOS
AO Smith Corp.
Industrials
Specialty Industrial Machinery
0.61
57.19
7.74
31.44
31.44
1.82
0.0168
0.5275
4
0.96
0.2319
9
5
Durable
YES
YES
YES
NO
USA
1
1.68
NYSE:AIZ
AIZ
Assurant Inc.
Financial Services
Insurance – Specialty
0.67
125.57
7.49
20.52
20.52
6.12
0.0201
0.4118
4
2.52
0.0819
9
6
Tollbooth – Unregulated
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
2.01
NYSE:PRGO
PRGO
Perrigo Company plc
Healthcare
Drug Manufacturers – Specialty & Generic
0.81
45.86
6.26
26.21
26.21
1.75
0.0196
0.5143
4
0.90
0.1420
9
7
Consumable – Necessities
YES
YES
NO
NO
USA
1
1.96
DISCLOSURE: Please note that I may have a position in one or many of the holdings listed. For a complete list of my holdings, please see my Dividend Portfolio.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that this blog post represents my opinion and not an advice/recommendation. I am not a financial adviser, I am not qualified to give financial advice. Before you buy any stocks/funds consult with a qualified financial planner. Make your investment decisions at your own risk – see my full disclaimer for more details.