How To Build Wealth With Dividend Stocks

Published on October 20th, 2025 by Bob Ciura

For long-term investors aiming to build sustainable wealth, dividend growth stocks are a compelling option. These high-quality stocks typically offer increasing dividends year after year, providing investors with a raise without requiring any additional effort. The only requirement is to hold onto these stocks as they continue to enhance your income.

Annual dividend increases compound over time, meaning that the longer you hold these investments, the greater your income potential becomes. Among the best options for buy-and-hold strategies are the Dividend Aristocrats, which are companies that have consistently raised their dividends for at least 25 consecutive years.

You can access the complete Dividend Aristocrats list, which includes essential metrics like dividend yields and price-to-earnings ratios, by clicking the link below:

Disclaimer: Sure Dividend is not affiliated with S&P Global in any way. S&P Global owns and maintains The Dividend Aristocrats Index. The information in this article and downloadable spreadsheet is based on Sure Dividend’s own review, summary, and analysis of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) and other sources, and is meant to help individual investors better understand this ETF and the index upon which it is based. None of the information in this article or spreadsheet is official data from S&P Global. Consult S&P Global for official information.

The stocks you choose for your buy-and-hold dividend growth portfolio matter. Fortunately, you don’t need astronomical returns for long-term wealth creation. Consistent, solid returns over extended periods can yield satisfactory results.

This article will explore ten of the best Dividend Aristocrats for long-term wealth creation.

Table of Contents

The table of contents below allows for easy navigation. The stocks are listed by annual expected returns, in ascending order.

Wealth Creation Stock #10: Coca-Cola Co. (KO)

• Annual Expected Returns: 9.7%

Coca-Cola is the world’s largest beverage company, owning or licensing over 500 unique non-alcoholic brands. Since its inception in 1886, it has expanded to more than 200 countries worldwide, boasting 30 billion-dollar brands that each generate at least $1 billion in annual sales.

Source: Investor Presentation

Coca-Cola’s second quarter earnings report revealed adjusted earnings-per-share of 87 cents, slightly above estimates, while revenue rose 0.8% year-over-year to $12.5 billion, falling short of expectations. The company anticipates 5% to 6% growth in organic revenue for the year.

Wealth Creation Stock #9: Illinois Tool Works (ITW)

• Annual Expected Returns: 9.8%

Illinois Tool Works is a diversified manufacturer with seven operating segments, generating $15.9 billion in revenue last year. The company reported second quarter revenue of $4.1 billion, a 1% increase year-over-year.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on ITW

Wealth Creation Stock #8: Brown-Forman Corp. (BF.B)

• Annual Expected Returns: 10.4%

Founded in 1870, Brown-Forman produces a range of alcoholic beverages, including premium brands like Jack Daniel’s and Finlandia Vodka. The company reported revenues of $924 million for its first quarter of fiscal 2026, down 3% year-over-year.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on BF.B

Wealth Creation Stock #7: Lowe’s Cos., Inc. (LOW)

• Annual Expected Returns: 10.8%

Lowe’s is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the U.S. Recently, it announced plans to acquire Foundation Building Materials for $8.8 billion. The company reported second quarter sales of $24.0 billion, up from $23.6 billion a year ago.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on LOW

Wealth Creation Stock #6: T. Rowe Price (TROW)

• Annual Expected Returns: 11.2%

T. Rowe Price is a leading asset manager with nearly $1.6 trillion in assets under management. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 2.4% to $1.27, marking its 39th consecutive year of increases.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on TROW

Wealth Creation Stock #5: Roper Technologies (ROP)

• Annual Expected Returns: 11.2%

Roper Technologies specializes in manufacturing products for various industries, generating around $7.0 billion in annual revenue. The company reported strong Q2 results, with revenues of $1.94 billion, up 13% year-over-year.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on ROP

Wealth Creation Stock #4: W.W. Grainger (GWW)

• Annual Expected Returns: 11.9%

W.W. Grainger is a leading distributor of maintenance, repair, and operations supplies, generating $17.2 billion in sales in 2024. The company reported Q2 revenues of $4.55 billion, up 5.6% year-over-year.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on GWW

Wealth Creation Stock #3: Automatic Data Processing (ADP)

• Annual Expected Returns: 13.4%

ADP is a major player in business services outsourcing, providing payroll and HR technology to over 700,000 clients. The company reported Q4 earnings of $2.26 per share, exceeding estimates.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on ADP

Wealth Creation Stock #2: S&P Global (SPGI)

• Annual Expected Returns: 13.6%

S&P Global provides essential financial services and business information, boasting over $15 billion in revenue. The company has paid dividends continuously since 1937 and has increased its payout for 52 consecutive years.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on SPGI

Wealth Creation Stock #1: Becton Dickinson & Co. (BDX)

• Annual Expected Returns: 17.6%

Becton, Dickinson & Co. is a leader in the medical supply industry, generating approximately $20 billion in annual revenue. The company recently reported a 10.4% increase in revenue for Q3, exceeding expectations.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on BDX

Additional Reading

Explore the following Sure Dividend databases for the most reliable dividend growers in our investment universe: