Continuing with Young Research’s dividend dependability rankings, the group of stocks listed below score best out of the 30 stocks in the Dow in terms of dividend dependability. Many of the most dependable dividend payers in the Dow have below average yields, but above average dividend growth prospects.
I have again listed the stocks in alphabetical order and provided the indicated dividend yield, projections for dividend growth in 2018, and commentary on why the stock scored where it did in terms of dividend dependability.
| wdt_ID | Company | Indicated Yield | CY 2018 Proj. Div. Growth | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WAL-MART STORES INC | 2.08 | 1.97 | A solid balance sheet, low earnings variability, and strong dividend coverage put WalMart in the top group for dividend dependability |
| 2 | VISA INC-CLASS A SHARES | 0.69 | 17.39 | Visa's strong earnings growth prospects, high dividend coverage, and low earnings variability make it one of the Dow's most dependable dividend payers. |
| 3 | UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC | 1.35 | 17.57 | Strong growth and dividend coverage as well as low earnings variability put UNH in the top group. |
| 4 | PROCTER & GAMBLE CO/THE | 3.00 | 1.87 | A solid balance sheet, moderate growth, a good qualitative score, and a strong record of dividend growth keep P&G in the Dow's top group despite below average dividend coverage. |
| 5 | NIKE INC -CL B | 1.30 | 11.11 | Above average dividend coverage, a strong balance sheet, and moderate earnings growth pushed Nike into the top group. |
| 6 | MICROSOFT CORP | 1.97 | 7.55 | Strong earnings growth, solid dividend coverage, and a AAA balance sheet drive Microsoft's dividend score. |
| 7 | JOHNSON & JOHNSON | 2.38 | 4.82 | A solid balance sheet, a strong record of dividend growth, and low earnings variability make JNJ one of the Dow's most dependable dividend payers. |
| 8 | HOME DEPOT INC | 1.89 | 6.74 | Strong earnings growth, good dividend coverage, an above average earnings variability score, and a good balance sheet pushed HD into the top group. |
| 9 | BOEING CO/THE | 2.32 | 20.42 | Exceptional earnings growth, good dividend coverage, and a solid balance sheet helped Boeing. |
| 10 | 3M CO | 1.99 | 5.53 | Solid earnings growth, moderate dividend coverage, low earnings variability, and a strong balance sheet put 3M in the top group for dividend dependability. |