A Lifetime of Passive Income Is Hiding in Plain Sight With This ETF and These 2 No-Brainer Dividend Kings
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 04 2024
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Should l Buy AWR?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Stock Market Performance: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite have both risen over 20% in 2024, but new investors may find it challenging to enter the market without overpaying; however, there are still valuable dividend-paying stocks like PepsiCo and American States Water available.
Investment Opportunities: PepsiCo is highlighted for its reliable dividends despite recent underperformance, while American States Water boasts a long history of dividend increases and stable earnings growth, making them attractive options for passive income. Additionally, the Global X SuperDividend ETF offers diversification in high-yield equities with a current yield of 6.1%.
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Analyst Views on AWR
About AWR
American States Water Company is a holding company. The Company’s segments include water, electric and contracted services. Within the segments, The Company has three principal business units: water and electric service utility operations conducted through its regulated utilities, Golden State Water Company (GSWC) and Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc. (BVES), respectively, and contracted services conducted through American States Utility Services, Inc. (ASUS) and its subsidiaries. GSWC is a public water utility engaged in the purchase, production, distribution and sale of water in 10 counties in the state of California. BVES is a public electric utility that distributes electricity in several San Bernardino County Mountain communities in California. ASUS operates, maintains and performs construction activities (including renewal and replacement capital work) on water and/or wastewater systems at various United States military bases.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Stable Dividend Growth Investment Opportunities
- American States Water Overview: American States Water (AWR) has paid dividends since 1931 and has raised them annually for 70 years, making it a Dividend King with a current yield of 2.7%, reflecting its strong financial health.
- T. Rowe Price Growth Potential: T. Rowe Price (TROW) manages $1.78 trillion in assets, offering a dividend yield of 5.3%, and has reduced its payout ratio from 71.6% to 55%, enhancing its appeal as a steady growth stock.
- PepsiCo's Risk and Reward: PepsiCo (PEP) paid $7.92 billion in dividends in 2025, with a payout ratio of 105%, yet its revenue grew by 5.6% in Q4, indicating future growth potential despite cash flow pressures from acquisitions.
- Diversifying Dividend Portfolio: By combining the stability of American States Water, the high yield of T. Rowe Price, and the growth potential of PepsiCo, investors can create a diversified dividend portfolio to mitigate risk and enhance returns.
See More
American States Water Company Declares Quarterly Dividend
- Consecutive Dividend Record: On February 10, 2026, American States Water Company approved a quarterly dividend of $0.5040 per share, marking the 359th consecutive dividend payment, which underscores the company's stable financial performance and commitment to shareholders.
- Long-Term Growth Potential: The company has paid dividends every year since 1931, increasing them for 71 consecutive years, highlighting its unique position and strong profitability within the New York Stock Exchange.
- Dividend Growth Rate: Over the past five years, the company has achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% in its quarterly dividends, with a 10-year CAGR of 8.3%, indicating a consistent pursuit of a long-term growth target exceeding 7% in its dividend policy.
- Dividend Payment Schedule: This dividend will be payable on March 5, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 23, 2026, further enhancing investor confidence in the company's future earnings.
See More
Three Top Dividend Stocks on Wall Street
- Dividend Growth Leader: Realty Income has declared dividends for 667 consecutive months since its 1994 IPO and has increased its payout for 113 consecutive quarters, showcasing its robust cash flow and stable business model, which enhances investor confidence.
- Long-Term Stable Returns: American States Water has raised its annual dividend for 71 consecutive years, targeting a compound annual growth rate of over 7% for future dividends, with its monopoly position in the water and electricity sector ensuring stable demand and predictable earnings.
- Historic Dividend Payer: York Water has paid dividends for 209 consecutive years, making it one of the longest-standing dividend-paying companies in the U.S., with its stable cash flow and undervaluation attracting long-term investors' interest.
- Market Potential: York Water plans to apply for a significant rate increase from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, which could boost its full-year revenue by 32%, further solidifying its market position in the water utility sector.
See More
Automatic Data Processing Expects $21.8 Billion Revenue, Continues 51-Year Dividend Growth
- Stable Revenue Source: Automatic Data Processing anticipates a revenue of $21.8 billion for the fiscal year, reflecting a 5.8% increase, which underscores its strong market position in payroll processing and tax reporting, enabling consistent dividends for shareholders.
- Dividend Growth Strength: The company has raised its per-share dividend for 51 consecutive years, with a forward-looking dividend yield of 2.6%, indicating its stable profitability and enhancing investor confidence in its long-term investment value.
- Walmart's Market Dominance: Walmart's stock price has surged 156% over the past three years, and while its current dividend yield is only 0.8%, its significant influence in the U.S. retail market and ongoing stock buyback programs create additional value for shareholders.
- Growth Potential in Water Sector: American States Water has increased its dividend for 70 consecutive years, with an average annual growth of over 8% in the past decade, and with rising water scarcity and electricity demand, its market performance is expected to continue outperforming the broader market.
See More
Three Dividend Kings: ADP, Walmart, and American States Water
- Dividend Growth Potential: Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is projected to generate $21.8 billion in revenue this fiscal year, a 5.8% increase, and its 51 consecutive years of dividend growth make it a stable investment choice for long-term yield seekers.
- Retail Giant Advantage: Walmart (WMT) has seen its stock price rise 156% over the past three years, and while its current dividend yield is only 0.79%, its strong market presence in the U.S. and ongoing stock buyback programs provide additional value for investors.
- Utility Sector Resilience: American States Water (AWR) has raised its dividend for 70 consecutive years, with an average annual increase of over 8% in the past decade, benefiting from increased pricing power due to water scarcity and rising electricity demands, indicating strong future growth potential.
- Portfolio Diversification: These three Dividend Kings not only offer stable cash flow but also demonstrate strong market positions in their respective industries, making them suitable for investors looking to enhance wealth through dividend investments.
See More
York Water Marks Over 200 Years of Consecutive Dividends, Attracting Investor Attention
- Stable Dividend History: York Water has paid dividends for over 620 consecutive times since the early 1800s, establishing itself as a reliable dividend stock that attracts significant investor interest.
- Revenue Source Structure: In 2024, approximately 64% of York Water's revenue comes from residential customers, with 29% from commercial and industrial clients, demonstrating its stability and diversified revenue streams in the market.
- Regulatory Business Assurance: As a regulated utility, York Water ensures steady cash flows by filing rate increase requests with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, which enhances investor confidence through its ability to maintain dividend payments.
- Competitor Analysis: While York Water boasts an impressive dividend history, American States Water stands out with a record of 71 consecutive years of dividend increases, making it a more compelling option for investors seeking reliable income streams.
See More
Stable Dividend Growth Investment Opportunities
- American States Water Overview: American States Water (AWR) has paid dividends since 1931 and has raised them annually for 70 years, making it a Dividend King with a current yield of 2.7%, reflecting its strong financial health.
- T. Rowe Price Growth Potential: T. Rowe Price (TROW) manages $1.78 trillion in assets, offering a dividend yield of 5.3%, and has reduced its payout ratio from 71.6% to 55%, enhancing its appeal as a steady growth stock.
- PepsiCo's Risk and Reward: PepsiCo (PEP) paid $7.92 billion in dividends in 2025, with a payout ratio of 105%, yet its revenue grew by 5.6% in Q4, indicating future growth potential despite cash flow pressures from acquisitions.
- Diversifying Dividend Portfolio: By combining the stability of American States Water, the high yield of T. Rowe Price, and the growth potential of PepsiCo, investors can create a diversified dividend portfolio to mitigate risk and enhance returns.
See More
American States Water Company Declares Quarterly Dividend
- Consecutive Dividend Record: On February 10, 2026, American States Water Company approved a quarterly dividend of $0.5040 per share, marking the 359th consecutive dividend payment, which underscores the company's stable financial performance and commitment to shareholders.
- Long-Term Growth Potential: The company has paid dividends every year since 1931, increasing them for 71 consecutive years, highlighting its unique position and strong profitability within the New York Stock Exchange.
- Dividend Growth Rate: Over the past five years, the company has achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% in its quarterly dividends, with a 10-year CAGR of 8.3%, indicating a consistent pursuit of a long-term growth target exceeding 7% in its dividend policy.
- Dividend Payment Schedule: This dividend will be payable on March 5, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 23, 2026, further enhancing investor confidence in the company's future earnings.
See More
Three Top Dividend Stocks on Wall Street
- Dividend Growth Leader: Realty Income has declared dividends for 667 consecutive months since its 1994 IPO and has increased its payout for 113 consecutive quarters, showcasing its robust cash flow and stable business model, which enhances investor confidence.
- Long-Term Stable Returns: American States Water has raised its annual dividend for 71 consecutive years, targeting a compound annual growth rate of over 7% for future dividends, with its monopoly position in the water and electricity sector ensuring stable demand and predictable earnings.
- Historic Dividend Payer: York Water has paid dividends for 209 consecutive years, making it one of the longest-standing dividend-paying companies in the U.S., with its stable cash flow and undervaluation attracting long-term investors' interest.
- Market Potential: York Water plans to apply for a significant rate increase from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, which could boost its full-year revenue by 32%, further solidifying its market position in the water utility sector.
See More
Automatic Data Processing Expects $21.8 Billion Revenue, Continues 51-Year Dividend Growth
- Stable Revenue Source: Automatic Data Processing anticipates a revenue of $21.8 billion for the fiscal year, reflecting a 5.8% increase, which underscores its strong market position in payroll processing and tax reporting, enabling consistent dividends for shareholders.
- Dividend Growth Strength: The company has raised its per-share dividend for 51 consecutive years, with a forward-looking dividend yield of 2.6%, indicating its stable profitability and enhancing investor confidence in its long-term investment value.
- Walmart's Market Dominance: Walmart's stock price has surged 156% over the past three years, and while its current dividend yield is only 0.8%, its significant influence in the U.S. retail market and ongoing stock buyback programs create additional value for shareholders.
- Growth Potential in Water Sector: American States Water has increased its dividend for 70 consecutive years, with an average annual growth of over 8% in the past decade, and with rising water scarcity and electricity demand, its market performance is expected to continue outperforming the broader market.
See More
Three Dividend Kings: ADP, Walmart, and American States Water
- Dividend Growth Potential: Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is projected to generate $21.8 billion in revenue this fiscal year, a 5.8% increase, and its 51 consecutive years of dividend growth make it a stable investment choice for long-term yield seekers.
- Retail Giant Advantage: Walmart (WMT) has seen its stock price rise 156% over the past three years, and while its current dividend yield is only 0.79%, its strong market presence in the U.S. and ongoing stock buyback programs provide additional value for investors.
- Utility Sector Resilience: American States Water (AWR) has raised its dividend for 70 consecutive years, with an average annual increase of over 8% in the past decade, benefiting from increased pricing power due to water scarcity and rising electricity demands, indicating strong future growth potential.
- Portfolio Diversification: These three Dividend Kings not only offer stable cash flow but also demonstrate strong market positions in their respective industries, making them suitable for investors looking to enhance wealth through dividend investments.
See More
York Water Marks Over 200 Years of Consecutive Dividends, Attracting Investor Attention
- Stable Dividend History: York Water has paid dividends for over 620 consecutive times since the early 1800s, establishing itself as a reliable dividend stock that attracts significant investor interest.
- Revenue Source Structure: In 2024, approximately 64% of York Water's revenue comes from residential customers, with 29% from commercial and industrial clients, demonstrating its stability and diversified revenue streams in the market.
- Regulatory Business Assurance: As a regulated utility, York Water ensures steady cash flows by filing rate increase requests with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, which enhances investor confidence through its ability to maintain dividend payments.
- Competitor Analysis: While York Water boasts an impressive dividend history, American States Water stands out with a record of 71 consecutive years of dividend increases, making it a more compelling option for investors seeking reliable income streams.
See More
