Dividend Macro Overview: June 25

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Dividend Macro Overview: June 25

Today's Table of Contents

• Dividend Eagles: 3 Top-Performing Dividend Stocks of June

• Dividend Eagles Top Stocks Updated List

• The Most Notable Dividend Increases

• The Most Solid Dividend Hikes

• Dividend Macro Highlights: Global Dividend Trends

• My Personal Stock Watchlist for June 2025

Dividend Eagles: 3 Top-Performing Dividend Stocks of May

The "Dividend Eagles List" comprises approximately 100 of the most reliable dividend-paying companies in the U.S. market, each boasting over 15 consecutive years of increasing dividends.

These companies have been meticulously selected based on stringent criteria established by the MaxDividends team.

🥉 +9.13% ADM Archer Daniels Midland

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is one of the largest and most established players in global agriculture. The company sources, processes, and transports crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat—turning them into everything from food ingredients to animal feed and biofuels. ADM plays a critical role in the global food supply chain, with operations across more than 170 countries. It’s essentially the middleman between farmers and end consumers, helping move raw agricultural goods from farms to factories to store shelves.

What makes ADM interesting from a dividend investor’s perspective is its consistency and scale. It’s a Dividend Aristocrat with over 25 consecutive years of dividend increases. The business is built on steady demand, strong global logistics, and a push into higher-margin areas like nutrition and specialty ingredients. While it’s not a flashy tech stock, ADM offers a solid yield, dependable payouts, and a durable business model that fits well in a long-term dividend portfolio.

🥈 +9.17% NUE Nucor Corp

Nucor Corporation is the largest steel producer in the U.S. and one of the most efficient and sustainable in the world. The company runs dozens of mini-mills that recycle scrap metal into new steel, making Nucor North America’s biggest recycler. Its main products include steel bars, beams, sheets, and rebar, which are used in everything from construction to automotive and manufacturing.

What makes Nucor stand out is its lean, decentralized structure and its use of electric-arc furnaces, which are more flexible and eco-friendly than traditional steelmaking. It’s a cyclical business, but Nucor has a strong balance sheet, consistent profitability, and a long track record of rewarding shareholders through dividends and buybacks.

🥇 +12.03% KLAC KLA Corp

KLA Corporation is a key player in the semiconductor industry, specializing in advanced inspection and metrology equipment. Their tools help chipmakers detect defects and improve yield during the manufacturing process—critical for producing high-performance semiconductors used in AI, smartphones, automotive, and more.

The company benefits from long-term demand in chip production and has a strong competitive edge thanks to its technology leadership. KLA has also built a solid reputation with consistent profitability, steady dividend growth, and aggressive share buybacks—making it a reliable pick for dividend investors who want exposure to the tech sector without sacrificing quality or stability.

Dividend One-Pager of the Month

A Proven Dividend Eagle 🦅

50+ consecutive years of dividend increases

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) stands as one of the most reliable dividend stocks in the market, boasting 64 consecutive years of dividend increases—a rare achievement that earns it the prestigious title of a Dividend King.

The company has paid dividends without interruption since 1944 and has raised its payout every year since 1961, demonstrating unwavering commitment to shareholders even during economic downturns, litigation challenges, and industry disruptions.

As of 2025, JNJ offers a dividend yield of ~3.2%, well above the S&P 500 average, with a payout ratio of around 50%—indicating a sustainable balance between rewarding investors and reinvesting in growth.

Its pharmaceutical and medical technology segments generate steady cash flow, ensuring dividend reliability. Notably, J&J’s AAA credit rating (higher than the U.S. government) further underscores its financial strength to maintain and grow dividends.

For long-term investors, JNJ represents a "buy-and-hold forever" dividend stock, combining a rich history of shareholder returns with the resilience to thrive in evolving healthcare markets.

The Most Notable Dividend Increases

Lowe’s (LOW) - Dividend Increase: +4.30%

50+ consistent years. Proven Dividend Eagle.

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE: LOW) is the go-to home improvement giant for both weekend DIY warriors and full-time contractors, running over 1,700 stores across the U.S. and Mexico. Whether you’re tiling a bathroom or building a deck, odds are the materials came from a Lowe’s run.

For Q1 FY2025, the company brought in $20.93 billion in revenue, down 1.04% year-over-year. Net income hit $1.6 billion, with EPS at $2.92, down from $3.06 last year. Comparable sales dropped 1.7%, largely blamed on rough spring weather slowing traffic.

Lowe’s pays an annual dividend of $4.80, yielding 2.15% — and they just hiked the quarterly payout by 4.3%, bumping it from $1.15 to $1.20/share. That makes 53 straight years of dividend increases, with a 3-year growth rate of 14.89% and a payout ratio of 39.77%.

Donaldson Company (DCI) - Dividend Increase: +11.10%

30+ consecutive years. Proven Dividend Eagle 🦅

Donaldson Company (NYSE: DCI) is the top dog in global filtration gear—think heavy-duty filters for mobile equipment, industrial systems, and life sciences. They’ve built a reputation for durable tech that keeps engines and factories running cleanly.

For Q3 FY 2025 (ended June 3, 2025), Donaldson posted $940.1 million in revenue, a 1.3% year-over-year increase, and adjusted EPS of $0.99, topping estimates of $0.95. Clean margins and sales growth in key segments like Industrial and Mobile drove the beat.

The company pays an annual dividend of $1.20, yielding 1.69%. It has raised payouts for 38 straight years, reflects 5-year dividend growth of ~29%, and carries a payout ratio around 40%, leaving room for reinvestment.

Target Corp (TGT) - Dividend Increase: +1.80%

50+ consecutive years. Proven Dividend Eagle.

Target (NYSE: TGT) is the top dog in U.S. big-box retail—over 1,900 stores plus a lean digital engine featuring same-day delivery and marketplace sales. They’ve kept that “cheap chic” vibe humming, even when consumer budgets get tight.

For Q1 2025 (ended May 3, 2025), Target reported $23.8 billion in net sales, down 2.8% year-over-year, while GAAP EPS was $2.27, up from $2.03 last year, boosted by a one-time $593 million litigation gain. Adjusted EPS came in at $1.30, missing the $1.64 Street consensus, and they trimmed full-year forecast to $8–$10 GAAP EPS with a low-single-digit sales drop expected.

They dish out an annual dividend of $4.56 ($1.14 quarterly), yielding a chunky 4.68%. Target’s dividend game is strong—they’ve raised payouts for 54 consecutive years, with 5-year dividend growth of +71%, and a payout ratio of ~55.1%, a layout that supports cash return even in lean times.

The Most Solid Recent Dividend Hikes

• Aon plc (AON) +10.37%

• Costco Wholesale (COST) +12.07%

• CSW Industrials (CSWI) +12.50%

• Parker-Hannifin (PH) +10.43%

• Comfort Systems (FIX) +12.50%

• W.W. Graigner (GWW) +10.24%

• Watsco (WSO) +11.11%

• GFL Environmental (GFL) +10.00%

🦅 Dividend Eagles List: June’25

An updated compilation of top-performing dividend stocks with 15+ years of consecutive dividend increases, known as Dividend Eagles, selected based on stringent criteria.

The Dividend Eagles Top Stocks List is a curated selection of over 100 of the most reliable dividend-paying companies in the U.S. market.

Each company on this list boasts a remarkable track record of increasing dividends for at least 15 consecutive years, reflecting their financial stability and commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Created by the MaxDividends Team. Available only on MaxDividends. Exclusive.

Key Benefits of the Dividend Eagles Top Stocks List

Consistent Dividend Growth

Companies featured have a proven history of not only paying dividends but also increasing them annually for over 15 years. This consistency can provide investors with a growing income stream, which is particularly valuable for those seeking passive income or planning for retirement.

Financial Stability

The stringent criteria ensure that only financially robust companies are included. These firms have demonstrated resilience across various market cycles, making them potentially safer investments during economic downturns.

Comprehensive Research

The list is meticulously compiled by the MaxDividends team, leveraging in-depth analysis and strict selection criteria. This saves investors time and effort in identifying high-quality dividend stocks, providing a reliable resource for building a dividend-focused portfolio.

Enhanced Portfolio Performance

Investing in companies with a strong dividend growth history can lead to superior long-term returns. Reinvested dividends and the power of compounding can significantly boost portfolio value over time.

Access to Exclusive Insights

Subscribers to the Dividend Eagles Top Stocks List gain access to regular updates, detailed company analyses, and insights into dividend trends, helping them make informed investment decisions.

These companies have been meticulously selected based on stringent criteria established by the MaxDividends team.

Created by the MaxDividends Team. Available only on MaxDividends. Exclusive.

By incorporating the Dividend Eagles Top Stocks List into your investment strategy, you align yourself with a disciplined approach focused on quality, stability, and growth.

Dividend Macro Highlights: Global Dividend Trends

The macro report is updated quarterly

The global cumulative dividend payout for Q4 2024 continued the upward trend seen in Q4 2020.

This indicates that most dividend-paying companies have weathered the impact of the 2020 crisis and successfully adapted their businesses to the new reality. As a result, they’ve been able to keep increasing their dividend payouts.

Companies paid out $371.7 billion in dividends in the fourth quarter of 2024. In comparison, companies collectively paid out $339.9 billion in Q4 2023 (Figure 1).

Regional Dividend Leaders

The top performers in dividend growth for the fourth quarter were Japan, Europe ex UK, and North America, with increases of 23.2%, 15.9%, and 8.6%, respectively.

No regions showed negative growth in dividend payments, but the weakest performance came from Asia Pacific ex Japan, with dividend growth of just 0.8%.

U.S. Dividend Landscape (S&P 500)

The S&P 500 dividend yield has been cut in half over the past decade. It now stands at 1.36%, which means stock prices relative to dividends are higher than usual. As a result, the dividend yield is at record lows

Inflation's Impact on Dividends

Inflation has been rising faster than dividend growth, causing a correction in the S&P 500 dividend chart. Since mid-2022, inflation has been gradually decreasing, allowing the S&P 500 dividend chart to show a slight uptick.

However, since Q3 2024, inflation has started to rise again, leading to a renewed correction in the S&P 500 dividend chart.

S&P 500 Historical Dividend Trends

Historical dividends from stocks that are part of the S&P 500 Index are shown in Figure 5.

The data is adjusted for inflation. With the current inflation rate (Figure 4), there is a gradual acceleration in the growth of dividends on the S&P 500 Index.

The previous peak was in May 2020, when the dividend was 73.09. Currently, this figure stands at 75.32.

S&P 500 Dividend Growth

The S&P 500 dividend growth is shown in Figure 6. Over the past 32 years, the chart has been negative only three times, and all of those periods were linked to crises. Over the past month, dividend growth has outpaced inflation, reaching 6.44%.

However, over the past 12 months, these indicators have generally followed the same trend.

For your convenience, we have prepared a PDF version of the Dividend Macro Overview. You can download and review it at any time.

My Personal Stock Watchlist for June 2025

A complete list of my top stocks currently on my radar.

I’m fully committed to strong dividend stocks, striking the perfect balance between capital growth and a rising stream of dividend income. My ultimate goal? To build a solid and ever-growing passive income for a life funded by dividends.

I share my insights, strategy, stock picks, and investment ideas on the MaxDividends blog.

Right now, I’m tracking over 50 companies, regularly updating my shortlist and main watchlist every month.

No access yet? Check your status & upgrade to Premium to join the movement. Exclusive insights await inside!

A complete list of my favorite stocks I’m currently tracking—only the best make it in.

MaxDividends Recent Events

A company that has steadily increased dividends for decades likely has a sustainable business model and competitive advantage.

At MaxDividends, we focus on maximizing yields to make the most of dividends, helping you grow a reliable and expanding passive income.

My Comments

Last week brought some solid market gains and a wave of exciting dividend hike announcements. But that’s not all...

We just finished updating our Financial Scorings, and today you’re getting a brand-new list of high-quality companies—perfect for long-term capital growth with dividend growth as the cherry on top.

And here's the kicker: a bunch of these businesses aren't just strong—they’re undervalued. Seriously. Solid fundamentals, growing payouts, and room to run.

My passive income keeps increasing. In my investments, I follow the MaxDividends strategy. You can read more about it here:

👉 MaxDividends Strategy

My strategy is based on the MaxDividends concept and is incredibly passive. Most of the time, I do nothing—just watch my dividend income grow.

I track all my results in the MaxDividends App—it provides a clear, structured view of every portfolio.

My Strategic Thoughts & Plans for 2025

Main

For the past 20 years, I’ve aggressively invested my time and resources into building businesses, which have been my main source of capital. In recent years, my stock investments have further grown that capital.

This year, I’m turning 40. As a father of three, I want to stay involved in business and investing, but on my own terms. My goal is to take on a more strategic role, free up more time for myself and my family, and pursue interests I’ve put off for years. Investing allows me to do just that.

In 2025, I’m transitioning to fully living off dividends. My primary capital and main portfolio—filled with strong growth companies and high-dividend stocks—will fund this shift.

Q2 2025

Starting in Q2 2025, alongside my regular $12,000 experiment purchases, I’ll demonstrate how I live off dividends using the growing passive income from my main stock portfolio.

Currently, my portfolio is worth approximately $1,330,000. Since last year, I’ve stopped investing in pure growth stocks in this portfolio and shifted toward dividend growth and high-yield dividend stocks.

By the end of 2024, my plan was to further transition toward dividend income—and I executed that plan earlier in January’25.

While the market allows, I took advantage of growth stock opportunities and reduced my allocation to them, further increasing my share of high and growing dividend stocks. Given my long-term plans, this move fully aligns with my overall goal of living off dividends.

Right now, 90% of my core portfolio consists of high-yielding, dividend-growing stocks. My average monthly dividend income is now approaching $7,000. For now, I’ll continue reinvesting these dividends to accelerate the growth of both my dividends and passive income.

💡 My strategy is based on the MaxDividends Investing Concept and Dividend Eagles, and it’s incredibly low-maintenance. Most of the time, I just sit back and watch my passive income grow.

I’ll share with you simple, proven, and effective methods for selecting built-to-last companies—led by generations of exceptional leaders—that pay consistently growing dividends. These companies provide ever-expanding passive income, allowing you to focus on what you love and spend time with the people who matter most.

✅ This is a time-tested, results-driven approach that leads to predictable success.
By focusing on strong, reliable companies that pay above-average dividends and steadily increase payouts over time, we set the foundation for consistent dividend growth and financial freedom.

👉 My Recent Friday Purchases Overview

My Plans for This Week

This week, just like clockwork, I’ll be adding to a few of my top dividend positions. Lately, I’ve been leaning more into names with fast-growing dividends—but my goal hasn’t changed one bit. I’m only buying companies with a rock-solid MaxRatio and strong long-term potential to keep sending me reliable, growing dividends every quarter.

There are a few names I’ve got my eye on right now. Some I’ve held for years, some I’ve been waiting to add to until the timing felt right. Well… this week might be it.

Happy dividends for all the holders!

For your convenience, we have prepared a PDF version of the Dividend Macro Overview. You can download and review it at any time. 🙌

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