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The Dividend Aristocrats are among the best stocks for long-term income investors. Dividend Aristocrats have excellent business models that have produced annual dividend increases, even during recessions.

The following 3 dividend stocks have increased their payouts for over 25 consecutive years, placing them on the exclusive Dividend Aristocrats list.

They also have high expected total returns over the next five years, due to a combination of dividend yield, future earnings growth, and an expanding valuation multiple.

Nordson Corporation (NDSN)

Nordson has operations in over 35 countries and engineers, manufactures, and markets products used for dispensing adhesives, coatings, sealants, biomaterials, plastics, and other materials, with applications ranging from diapers and straws to cell phones and aerospace. The company generated $2.7 billion in sales last fiscal year.

On August 20th, 2025, Nordson reported third quarter results for the period ending July 31, 2025. For the quarter, the company reported sales of $742 million, 12% higher compared to $662 million in Q3 2024, driven by an 8% positive acquisition impact, 2% organic sales increase, and 2% favorable forex translation.

The Industrial Precision, Advanced Technology, and Medical and Fluid Solutions segments saw sales increase by 1% 17%, and 32%, respectively.

The company generated adjusted earnings per share of $2.73, a 13% increase compared to the same prior year period. The backlog declined 5% sequentially due to strong shipments. Nordson’s results to date are still in line with its initial FY 2025 outlook, which expected sales of $2.75 billion to $2.87 billion and adjusted EPS of $9.70 to $10.50.

Nordson’s main competitive advantage is its enormous installed base of customers around the world. The company provides niche, but critical, pieces involved in a variety of manufacturing processes. As such, it is difficult for competitors to compete away the company’s position. Of course, this does not mean that Nordson is immune from recessions. During the last crisis, earnings fell -32% for the year, before rebounding strongly.

NDSN has increased its dividend for 62 consecutive years.

Hormel Corporation (HRL)

Hormel Foods is a diversified food producer with about $12.5 billion in annual revenue. Hormel has kept its core competency as a processor of meat products for well over a hundred years but has also grown into other business lines through acquisitions. The company sells its products in 80 countries worldwide, and its brands include Skippy, SPAM, Applegate, Justin’s, and more than 30 others.

Hormel posted third quarter earnings on August 28th, 2025. Adjusted earnings-per-share came to 35 cents, which was six cents light of estimates. Revenue was up 4.5% year-over-year to $3.03 billion, beating estimates by $50 million. Organic net sales were up 6% year-over-year on volume gains of 4%, with price and mix comprising the other 2%.

The company also noted its cost savings program is working and helping save about $125 million annually. Gross profit was flat year-on-year, with inflationary headwinds offset by top line gains. The company noted 400 basis points of raw material cost inflation, a massive headwind to margins.

Cash flow from operations were $157 million, while capex was $72 million, and dividends paid were $159 million. Guidance for Q4 was for net sales of ~$3.2 billion, about $50 million light of consensus. Earnings are expected at ~39 cents.

Hormel has increased its dividend for 59 consecutive years. Hormel’s payout ratio is 80% of earnings, and we expect it could drift lower over time as earnings outpace dividend growth. Management is certainly committed to the dividend, but it wants to acquire growth as well, which uses cash.

Hormel’s main competitive advantage is its ~40 products that are either #1 or #2 in their category. Hormel has brands that are proven, and that leadership position is difficult for competitors to supplant. In addition, Hormel has a global network of distributors that few food companies can rival. Hormel’s earnings-per-share actually grew during the Great Recession, a testament to the company’s defensive nature.

Brown & Brown (BRO)

Brown & Brown Inc. is a leading insurance brokerage firm that provides risk management solutions to both individuals and businesses, with a focus on property & casualty insurance. Brown & Brown has a notably high level of insider ownership.

Brown & Brown posted third quarter earnings on October 27th, 2025, and results were better than expected. Adjusted earnings-per-share came to $1.05, which was 12 cents ahead of estimates. Revenue soared 35% year-over-year thanks to acquisitions, beating estimates by $70 million at $1.61 billion.

Commissions and fees rose 34% year-over-year, while organic revenue (which excludes acquisitions) rose 3.5%. Income before taxes was $311 million, which was off 2% year-over-year, with margin declining from 26.7% of revenue to 19.4%.

For the nine months, revenue was up 19% year-over-year to $4.3 billion, with commissions and fees up 18%. Organic revenue growth was 4.6%. Income before taxes was $1 billion, up 2%, on margin that fell from 28.4% to 24.4% of revenue. EBITDAC was $1.6 billion on EBITDAC margin that rose from 35.9% to 37.1% of revenue.

We have slightly boosted our estimate of earnings-per-share for this year to $4.20. The company also boosted its dividend for the 32nd consecutive year, raising it by 10% to a new payout of 66 cents per share annually.

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