Dividend Aristocrats And Other Top Stocks Paying Dividends
I have 18 stocks that pay dividends in March, June, September, and December. First, let’s take a look at today’s dividend stock list. Then, I will offer some insights into each company. Finally, I have some tips and resources for dividend investors before wrapping up.
Stocks That Pay Dividends in March, June, September, and December
| Company | Symbol | S&P 500 Sector |
| 1. American Electric Power | AEP | Utilities |
| 2. Becton Dickinson | BDX | Health Care |
| 3. Cummins | CMI | Industrials |
| 4. Dominion | D | Utilities |
| 5. Duke Energy | DUK | Utilities |
| 6. Emerson Electric | EMR | Industrials |
| 7. ExxonMobil | XOM | Energy |
| 8. Int’l Business Machines | IBM | Technology |
| 9. Johnson & Johnson | JNJ | Health Care |
| 10. McDonald’s | MCD | Consumer Discretionary |
| 11. Microsoft | MSFT | Technology |
| 12. NextEra Energy | NEE | Utilities |
| 13. RTX Corporation | RTX | Industrials |
| 14. Realty Income | O | Real Estate |
| 15. Southern Company | SO | Utilities |
| 16. Target | TGT | Consumer Staples |
| 17. Walgreens Boots | WBA | Consumer Staples |
| 18. Wisconsin Energy | WEC | Utilities |
Next, here are some highlights about these companies paying dividends in March, June, September, and December.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
1. American Electric Power (AEP)
If slow and steady wins the race, then AEP will win many gold medals.
AEP is a regulated utility company primarily servicing customers with electricity. Their services are offered in Ohio in the Midwestern U.S. and Texas in the South.
The company has paid quarterly dividends dating back to 1910. Management has increased the dividend rate annually since 2010.
With a modest dividend payout ratio, more dividend increases should come in future years.
2. Becton Dickinson (BDX)
Becton Dickinson, also known as BD, operates in the healthcare sector. The company makes and sells:
- Medical supplies
- Medical devices
- Laboratory equipment
- Diagnostic products
BD typically carries a lower dividend yield but offers better-than-average dividend growth.
However, recent dividend increases have been slightly lower than I would prefer because of the cost of financing acquisitions. Fortunately, I see dividend growth accelerating in the coming years.
Finally, BD has increased its dividend annually since 1972, qualifying the stock as a Dividend King.
3. Cummins (CMI)
Cummins operates in the heavy equipment and automotive industry. They design, manufacture, and sell engines powered by diesel and alternative forms of energy.
Industrial companies like Cummins are tricky for us dividend investors. They are exposed to the ups and downs of the economy more than stocks that produce electricity, food, or consumer staples.
However, Cummins is known for solid financial decision-making. For example, management typically keeps the dividend payout ratio below 50%. The modest ratio supports dividend safety and future annual dividend increases that began in 2006.
4. Dominion (D)
Dominion produces, stores, and transports electricity and natural gas. The company’s service territory is in the central and southeastern United States.
The stock was once known for fast dividend growth. However, the dividend increases became unsustainable due to an excessive dividend payout ratio, resulting in a dividend reduction.
I’m always hesitant to own stocks with a history of dividend cuts. On the other hand, the company has an attractive dividend yield and looks better positioned to reestablish sustainable dividend growth moving forward.
5. Duke Energy (DUK)
Next, I have Duke Energy, another quarterly dividend payer. Duke provides electricity and natural gas in Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.
The company has paid annual dividends to shareholders since 1927. More recently, management has increased the dividend rate per share every year since 2005.
Duke is one of the higher-yielding stocks on today’s list. However, dividend growth is relatively slow. Specifically, investors can expect low single-digit percentage dividend increases annually.
6. Emerson Electric (EMR)
Emerson is an industrial stock that pays dividends. The company provides automation solutions to help businesses operate more efficiently.
Emerson qualifies as a Dividend King since the company’s dividend increases date back to 1957. Kings have increased their dividends annually for at least 50 years.
It’s hard to disregard a company with such a long and strong dividend history. On the other hand, EMR stock typically has a low dividend yield. Furthermore, in recent years, dividend growth has been relatively slow.
7. ExxonMobil (XOM)
Next, we have the oil and energy company ExxonMobil, a Dividend Aristocrat stock that pays March dividends, June dividends, September dividends, and December dividends.
XOM is part of an industry that has gone through so many ups and downs over the past several decades. Most recently, alternative forms of energy have increased in popularity, supported by the trend toward electric vehicles.
That said, oil will still be a big part of the world’s long-term energy consumption. Thus, ExxonMobil’s substantial dividend yield is hard to ignore.
8. International Business Machines (IBM)
Since IMB’s spin-off of its managed infrastructure services business, Kyndryl, the company has become smaller and nimble.
IBM has struggled to grow revenues, competing in the rapidly changing technology industry. Hopefully, the slimmed-down and more tightly focused company will resume the growth it enjoyed in the past.
Finally, IBM is a relatively recent addition to the list of Dividend Aristocrats. The stock may attract investors seeking a higher-than-average dividend yield but lower annual dividend increases.
9. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Johnson & Johnson is another company, like IBM, with a strategy of “addition by subtraction.”
JNJ has focused its resources on higher-risk and higher-reward projects in its pharmaceutical and medical device businesses. To do so, management has spun its slow-growth consumer products segment into a stand-alone company called Kenvue.
Despite the restructuring, I expect JNJ’s dividend to continue yearly growth. After all, the company is a Dividend King, with annual dividend increases dating back to 1963.
Okay. We are halfway done with today’s March, June, September, and December stock dividends.
Before you continue, please save this image to Pinterest so you can return. Also, so other dividend investors can find this post.
10. McDonald’s (MCD)
Founded in 1940, it’s hard to argue with McDonald’s global brand power. The fast-food giant seems to keep chugging along, leveraging its franchising model for robust profits and cash flow.
McDonald’s is another one of today’s Dividend Aristocrat stocks. The company has paid and increased its dividend annually since 1976.
11. Microsoft (MSFT)
Some people gave Microsoft up for dead back in the early 2000s.
However, the stock has been anything but dead money for the last 15 years. The stock price seems to keep powering its way to new all-time highs.
Most importantly, MSFT joined the ranks of dividend stocks in 2003 and has raised its dividend annually ever since.
The stock has one of the lowest dividend yields of all the stocks we discuss today. However, Microsoft provides investors with excellent dividend growth.
Related reading: You can dig deeper here on Microsoft stock and the MSFT dividend.
12. NextEra Energy (NEE)
Speaking of outstanding dividend growth, next, I have NextEra Energy. NEE is the largest electric utility servicing Florida and the world’s largest producer of renewable energy.
NextEra is not your typical stodgy utility stock. The company’s success allows management to maintain a lower-than-typical dividend payout ratio for a utility company and provides outstanding dividend growth annually.
Finally, NextEra has been doling out annual dividend increases since 1996. As a result, NEE is another recently minted Dividend Aristocrat.
13. RTX Corp. (RTX)
RTX is a force in the aerospace and defense business. The company operates 4 main business segments that include:
- Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines & auxiliary power units
- Collins Aerospace & defense products
- Intelligence, space & airborne systems
- Integrated defense & missile systems
The company has delivered annual dividend increases since 2005, providing a solid dividend-growth track record.
14. Realty Income (O)
Today’s list of stocks paying dividends in March, June, September, and December wouldn’t be complete without real estate investment trust (REIT), Realty Income.
Unlike the other stocks on today’s list, Realty Income pays dividends monthly, resulting in its nickname, “The Monthly Dividend Company.”
Their real estate business targets blue-chip retail rental properties in prime, high-visibility locations.
15. Southern Company (SO)
Next, Southern runs electric operating companies and natural gas distribution businesses. The company’s service territories are in the Southeastern and Mid-South United States.
Southern started increasing its dividends in 2002 and has increased them every year since then.
Like most utility stocks on today’s list, Southern stock provides investors with a higher dividend yield but slower annual dividend-income growth. This tradeoff is typical of most utility stocks.
16. Target (TGT)
Target has evolved into an omnichannel retailer like its successful rival, Walmart.
Thus, the company services its retail customers in various ways, including:
- Grocery delivery
- Drive-up order pick up
- In-store order pick-up
- In-store shopping
- Shopping from their app
- Ship from store
Target has paid dividends since it became a public company in 1967. Furthermore, management has increased the dividend annually since 1972. That track record makes Target a Dividend King.
17. Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA)
Walgreens is the neighborhood pharmacy. They also attempt to become more by promoting their U.S. locations as local health destinations with full-service doctor offices.
The repositioning is a big job as the company seeks to diversify away from its traditional pharmacy and retail store operations.
Fortunately, Walgreens is no slouch when it comes to paying dividends. The company started paying dividends in 1934 and has increased the dividend rate yearly since 1976, making Walgreens a Dividend Aristocrat!
18. Wisconsin Energy Group (WEC)
Lastly, I have Wisconsin Energy, another utility stock for you. WEC provides electricity and natural gas to its customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota.
The company has paid quarterly dividends since 1942 and increased those dividends every year since 2004. Thus, WEC rounds out today’s list of high-quality dividend growth stocks.
Next, I have some additional dividend investing tips and resources. So, hang with me for a couple more minutes.
Stock Dividends In March, June, September, And December – Tips And Resources
Other Resources For Maximizing Your Dividend Income
The most successful dividend investors seek more knowledge and effective tools. Thus, here are two of my favorite dividend-investing resources for your consideration.
I recommend the Financial Freedom Dividend Investing Course for beginning investors and anyone wanting to take their investing knowledge to another level.
Next, get stock recommendations and monitor your dividend portfolio using the Simply Investing Report and Analysis Platform. This top-notch investment resource will help you save time, earn more, and reduce risk by investing in attractive dividend stocks and maintaining your dividend portfolio.
Dividend Payment Patterns
Remember your dividend dates to earn steady monthly dividends to pay your bills or supplement your income. To do so, make sure some of your dividend stock investments pay out during each month of the year.
The most typical stock dividend payment patterns are:
- Monthly dividend payments
- January, April, July, and October dividend payments
- February, May, August, and November dividend payments
- March, June, September, and December dividend payments
Ex-Dividend Dates
Next, to earn a stock’s next cash dividend, remember to check online and invest before the stock’s ex-dividend date.
However, I never recommend buying a stock based only on when it pays dividends. Metrics like dividend yield, dividend growth, company cash flow, and dividend payout ratio are important, too, when constructing your dividend portfolio.
More Reading About Stocks That Pay Dividends
Finally, check out our dividend investing article archives, which include over 100 posts about dividend investing.
Here is a small sample of some of the types of articles you will find:
- How to build a Starter Dividend portfolio
- How Many Dividend Stocks Should I Own?
- Stock with dividends in Jan-April-July-Oct
That’s all for today. Good luck with your investments.
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.
Disclosure: I own all stocks in today’s article except for ExxonMobil.