Consistency is key in investing. You have to be consistent with working strategies and investment goals. On the other side of the trade, you also must look for companies that offer consistent growth, shareholder value, or both. 

Dividend Aristocrats, a select group of companies on the S&P 500 that have paid increasing dividends for at least the last 25 consecutive years (among other qualifications), have shown in no uncertain terms that they are consistent. 

However, we still need to be wary, even if the company has a proven dividend growth history. Ask questions like, “How much dividend growth may I expect?” and, “Can they even afford said growth?” 

Today, I’m here to answer those questions by presenting the top Dividend Aristocrats with both high dividend growth and safe payout ratios. 

How I Came Up With The Following Stocks

Using Barchart’s Stock Screener, I entered the following filters and values: 

• Annual Dividend Yield: Left blank so they appear on the results as a reference. 
• Dividend Payout Ratio: 25% to 60%. The dividend payout ratio represents how much the company spends to pay dividends based on its net income. 25% to 60% is the generally accepted “safe” range. Any higher, and the company might be dipping into credit lines or cash reserves to pay dividends. Plus, they definitely wouldn’t have enough money to reinvest in the business, which is a key requirement for growth. 
• 5-year Dividend Growth Rate: 30% or more. The 5-year dividend growth rate compares what the company paid five years ago to what it pays today. Higher growth rates AND relatively healthy dividend payout ratios indicate that the company effectively balances its operational needs and shareholder returns. They also show that the company is generating strong enough earnings to sustain the growth. 
• Current Analyst Rating: 3.5 (Moderate Buy) to 5 (Strong Buy). I’m only looking for Dividend Aristocrats with buy ratings from Wall Street. 
• Watchlists: Aristocrats. Finally, I’m limiting the search to my Dividend Aristocrats watchlist. I keep several watchlists here, as you can see, and you can also do so by visiting the Barchart Watchlist page. 

With these filters set, I ran the screen and got 18 results. 

I then arranged the list from highest to lowest 5-year dividend growth, then took the top three. Here are the results: 

Lowe's Companies (LOW)

First on the list is Lowe’s Companies, a home improvement retailer serving DIY customers and professional contractors in the US. The company offers many products, including tools, appliances, building materials, and home décor, across thousands of stores and its growing e-commerce platform. Lowe’s nearly two thousand brick-and-mortar stores serve millions of customers weekly. 

Lowe’s pays $1.15 quarterly, bringing its annual dividend rate to $4.60, translating to a 1.98% yield. The company also registered an impressive 113.62% 5-year dividend growth rate while keeping its payout ratio healthy at 37.76%. That leaves more room for growth over the long term for this Dividend Aristocrat and King. 

Nordson Corp (NDSN)

Nordson Corporation engineers and sells precision technology solutions for dispensing, coating, and fluid management systems. The company provides high-performance equipment for adhesive application, sealants, and medical devices to the aerospace, automotive, electronics, and healthcare industries. Nordson operates in over 35 countries through manufacturing and support offices. 

Nordson increased its quarterly dividends to 78 cents in 2025, bringing its forward annual dividend to $3.12, which translates to a 1.51% yield. The company also ranks as a Dividend King with over 60 years of consecutive increases. Over the last five years, its dividends have increased by 97.20%, and it has a low 30.25% payout ratio. 

Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW)

Sherwin-Williams Company is a leading global manufacturer and retailer of paints, coatings, and related products for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Its brands include Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, and Minwax. The company has over 5,000 stores across North America and Latin America, including the Caribbean. 

Sherwin-Williams has increased dividends by 89.40% in the last five years. Its latest annual dividend is $3.16 reflects an admittedly low 0.91% yield. Still, its 25.06% payout ratio indicates plenty of headroom for long-term growth. Additionally, you might be interested to know that during the same five-year period, SHW stock has returned 146.88% to investors. 

Final Thoughts

Dividend Aristocrats can be great additions to moderately aggressive or safe portfolios. I’d even argue that more aggressive investors might want to add them to ensure cash flow, regardless of market performance. Their consistent dividend growth cushions portfolios during downturns, offering a reliable income stream when market volatility strikes. But remember, investing is your game, so you must know the rules. So, always do your due diligence and monitor your portfolio.