economy
February 26, 2026
These steady income-paying stocks could be on their way to becoming dividend aristocrats, Wolfe says
In a time of market upheaval, investors appreciate a stock paying a consistent dividend. The research firm has identified several with solid track records.
TL;DR
- Investors are seeking relative safety in consistent dividend payers due to anxiety around artificial intelligence's impact on business models.
- The ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF has advanced over 9% year to date, contrasting with the S&P 500's less than 1% gain.
- Wolfe Research identifies 'emerging dividend aristocrats' (companies raising dividends for at least 15 years) as a preferred defensive investment strategy.
- Verizon Communications, up 20% in 2026, offers a 5.8% dividend yield and is seen as a stable investment by some analysts.
- Costco Wholesale, with a 0.5% dividend yield, has also raised payouts for two decades and is expected to benefit from a stimulated consumer environment.
- BlackRock, Hershey Co., and Waste Management are also named as emerging dividend aristocrats by Wolfe Research.
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