7 Dividend Kings That Offer Certainty Amid Market Chaos

The first Dividend King we’re looking at is Nucor Corp. (NYSE: NUE), a steel company that’s headquartered in North Carolina.

In 2025, the where is more important than the what. Investors may not know the ins and outs of steelmaking, but the trade environment is evolving so that companies with an existing manufacturing footprint in the United States are likely to have an advantage. 

And in the steel industry, that means Nucor. One problem with steel stocks is that all of the domestic stocks tend to get lumped together. That can make investors feel one stock is as good as any other. But Nucor is one of the most profitable of the U.S. steel companies, and it hasn’t been getting the credit it deserves.  

That may be changing. With global trade dynamics shifting, investors are starting to place more weight on earnings strength and operational resilience. That means NUE stock could be ready to break out, and Wall Street is taking notice—analysts currently give the stock a Moderate Buy rating. And let's not forget the company’s dividend, which it has increased for 52 consecutive years.  

When investors consider Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) as an investment, history is a great guide.

Investors who bought WMT stock 15 years ago have been rewarded with a total return (stock price gains plus dividends) of 580%. That’s an average return of nearly 40% every year—which easily outpaces the S&P 500 over the same period. 

Walmart is one of the few brick-and-mortar retailers that can compete effectively with Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) in the e-commerce space. This creates an omnichannel experience that keeps Walmart not only maintaining but accelerating growth in revenue and earnings. And in a world where pricing power will be paramount, few retailers have the clout of Walmart.  

In addition to the company’s 53 years of consecutive dividend increases, Walmart has added shareholder value in many ways. In early 2024, that meant splitting its stock in an effort to make the company’s stock more accessible for employees.  

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is one of Berkshire Hathaway’s (NSYE: BRK.B) largest positions—and investors rarely see Warren Buffett make a public appearance without a can of Coke. But what are the reasons Buffett decided to become the largest KO shareholder? 

For starters, the company has a reliable dividend that has been increasing for 64 years, which is an astonishing achievement. And it has done that without sacrificing growth. In fact, the total return of Coca-Cola in the last 15 years is over 310%. That may not quite outpace the S&P 500, but it’s still a better-than-average return.  

Buffet is also likely a fan of the company’s asset-light model. Rather than owning bottling operations, Coca-Cola sells its syrup to bottlers, allowing it to keep capital expenditures low while maintaining wide profit margins.

As America has become more health-conscious, Coke’s portfolio has expanded beyond its iconic soft drinks to include smart water and sports drinks. The company also has a minority stake in Monster Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ: MNST), one of the best-performing stocks since 2014.  

Quality dividend stocks should prove the axiom that time in the market is more important than timing the market. And few companies embody that better than Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG). Over the past five years, PG has delivered a total return of around 60%—a solid performance that reflects the steady, long-term value it brings to shareholders.

That growth is slower than in the prior five years, but that’s okay. With dividend stocks, capital preservation is the key. And with a dividend that has increased for 69 consecutive years and a current yield of 2.45%, PG stock is built for the long haul. 

Procter & Gamble is the parent company of iconic brands like Tide, Pampers, Gilette, Head & Shoulders, Crest, and Olay. At any given moment, you or someone you know has one or more of these products in their home. And despite growing competition including low-priced house brands, P&G maintains the pricing power that keeps its products top of mind for its loyal customer base.  

If you think 60+ years of dividend increases is impressive, Genuine Parts Co. (NYSE: GPC) has a streak of 70 consecutive years.

That’s significant for more than just longevity. It dates back to the 1950s when the golden age of American cars started. And as a distributor of automotive parts, among other things, Genuine Parts has been part of the fabric between the American consumer and their cars. 

And now, in 2025, auto parts are expected to be in high demand as inflation and a trade war will make consumers eager to keep their existing cars well-maintained, putting GPC in a strong position.

With Genuine Parts, investors are getting more than just an outstanding dividend stock. In the last 15 years, GPC stock has delivered a total return of over 306%. In 2024 alone, the company generated $1.3 billion in operating cash flow and $684 million in free cash flow. Considering the company paid $555 million in dividends, it doesn’t appear that the company’s streak is in danger anytime soon.  

The Lowe’s Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is one part of a duopoly in the home improvement market with The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD).

In fact, many investors believe Home Depot may be the better choice. But while Home Depot has an impressive streak of 17 consecutive years with dividend increases, it’s not a king. That title belongs to Lowe’s, with 53 years of increases. 

Lowe’s has made a successful pivot in recent years to attract the contractor channel while, at the same time, not losing sight of its DIY base. Though the company is subject to the fortunes of the housing sector—which can fluctuate with factors like interest rates, inflation, and tariffs—time is the key advantage for long-term investors.

Over the last 15 years, which includes the blowback from the 2008 Financial Crisis and pandemic-era volatility, LOW stock has delivered a total return of 1,038%. 

By now, investors may agree that Dividend Kings could be a nice addition to their portfolio. But how do they choose just one or two? With the Roundhill S&P Dividend Monarchs ETF (BATS: KNGS), investors get exposure to all of the stocks in this presentation and more.  

As the name suggests, this exchange-traded fund (ETF) is designed to deliver long-term capital growth by investing in every current Dividend King. Its top 10 holdings make up approximately 37.49% of the fund’s total weight, providing a strong foundation of well-established, dividend-growing companies.

However, it's worth noting that this is a fairly new fund, having only launched in December 2020. As of April 2025, it manages just $7.5 million in assets, which makes it a small fund by industry standards.

The ETF carries an expense ratio of 0.97%, which is on the higher side compared to more established dividend-focused ETFs. It distributes dividends quarterly, offering investors a steady income stream while providing diversified access to some of the most consistent dividend payers in the market.

You should have an elevator pitch for every stock you own. That means you should be able to explain why you own the stock in 30 seconds or less—and, to be able to do that, you need to truly understand a company's business.  

The common thread with Dividend Kings is that these are mature companies with business models that most investors understand. It’s a perfect match for Peter Lynch’s timeless advice: focus on the companies, not the stocks.

That's not to say these companies have anything to apologize for when it comes to adding shareholder value. While they may not outperform the hottest technology stocks during a bull market, these companies will be delivering profitable returns for investors when they need it the most. 

MarketBeat provides an updated list of Dividend Kings that is sortable by sector, market capitalization, and analyst ratings. It's another example why MarketBeat is a one-stop resource that can help investors find stocks to buy or to build a watchlist.