☕️ Sunday Coffee: Century-Old Dividend Titans
How These Companies Survived and Thrived for Over 100 Years
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What does it take to run a business that not only survives but thrives for over a century? Let’s be honest: most companies crumble under the pressure of market shifts, economic recessions, or even just poor management.
Now, imagine not only staying afloat through world wars, the Great Depression, and the dot-com bubble, but also paying dividends every single year during all of that chaos.
Meet the Dividend Titans—companies that have mastered the art of resilience.
Century-Old Dividend Titans: How These Companies Survived and Thrived for Over 100 Years
Intro
These firms aren’t just survivors; they’re legends. And while the world has changed dramatically since some of these companies first started writing dividend checks, their ability to adapt, innovate, and thrive has been a constant.
Let’s take a deep dive into what makes them so unique and uncover the secrets behind their longevity.
What’s a Dividend Titan, Anyway?
To earn the “Dividend Titan” badge, a company has to do more than just look good on paper. It has to:
Pay dividends consistently for over 100 years.
Survive the toughest economic periods (think: two world wars, countless recessions, and the 2008 financial crisis).
Keep evolving while staying true to its core business.
There’s no “fake it till you make it” in this club. These companies have proven their mettle by cutting checks for shareholders through thick and thin.
Why Do Most Companies Fail to Join This Club?
Most businesses don’t make it past their 10th birthday, let alone their 100th. The reasons? Economic cycles, poor management, and the inability to adapt.
Plus, let’s face it, some companies just don’t sell products or services that can weather every storm. A trendy tech startup might soar during a bull market but could crash the moment consumer tastes change.
But the Dividend Titans? They’ve figured out the secret sauce: sell essentials, adapt to the times, and prioritize financial discipline.
How Long is "Forever"? Let’s Meet the Titans
Let’s start with some names that have been paying dividends so long, they’ve outlasted empires. These aren’t just companies; they’re institutions.
#13 Coca-Cola (KO): The World’s Favorite Drink
Sector: Consumer Staples
Year Founded: 1886
Dividends Paid Since: 1920
MaxDividends Financial Score: 87 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: ⚪️ Fairy Valued
It’s hard to find a corner of the world where Coca-Cola hasn’t made its mark. With products sold in over 200 countries, Coke is more than just soda. Its portfolio includes energy drinks, water, tea, and even coffee (thanks to their Costa Coffee acquisition).
What’s kept Coca-Cola thriving for over a century? Brand power and global reach. Even in economic downturns, people still grab a Coke. With $43 billion in 2023 revenue and a 60-year streak of increasing dividends, this titan is a cornerstone for dividend investors.
Century of Business Legacy
Back in 1985, Coca-Cola pulled what might be the biggest "oops" in marketing history. They decided to mess with perfection and rolled out "New Coke," a revamped recipe that was supposed to be better. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
Fans lost their minds, boycotts erupted, and angry letters flooded Coca-Cola HQ. Just 79 days later, the company waved the white flag and brought back the original formula, branding it "Coca-Cola Classic." Lesson learned: don’t mess with a good thing!
#12 Chubb (CB): The Insurance All-Star
Sector: Finance
Year Founded: 1882
Dividends Paid Since: 1902
MaxDividends Financial Score: 93 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: 🟢 Undervalued
Insurance may not be sexy, but it’s incredibly dependable. Chubb, headquartered in Switzerland, insures everything from homes and cars to businesses and fine art.
Why has Chubb survived for over 121 years? Insurance is a recession-proof industry. Even during downturns, people hold onto their coverage, making Chubb’s cash flow remarkably stable. In 2023, Chubb reported $12.5 billion in net premiums written, a testament to its strong and steady growth.
Century of Business Legacy
In 1882, Thomas Caldecot Chubb and his son Percy embarked on an ambitious venture by establishing Chubb & Son in New York City. They persuaded 100 prominent merchants to each invest $1,000, amassing a substantial $100,000—a remarkable sum for that era.
This capital enabled them to offer marine insurance, providing coverage for ships and cargoes at a time when maritime trade was fraught with risks. Their innovative approach and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for Chubb's evolution into a global insurance leader.
#11 Church & Dwight (CHD): Baking Soda’s Best Friend
Sector: Consumer Staples
Year Founded: 1846
Dividends Paid Since: 1901
MaxDividends Financial Score: 94 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: 🟢 Undervalued
Known for its Arm & Hammer brand, Church & Dwight has turned baking soda into an empire. From toothpaste to cat litter, their products are staples in households worldwide.
Their secret? Diversity and necessity. Even in tough times, people still buy cleaning products, personal care items, and laundry detergent. In 2023, Church & Dwight brought in $5.6 billion in revenue, keeping their 122-year dividend streak alive and kicking.
Century of Business Legacy
Back in 1972, Church & Dwight, the folks behind Arm & Hammer, launched a game-changing ad campaign suggesting that placing a box of their baking soda in your fridge could zap odors.
This simple idea caught on like wildfire, and within a year, over half of American households had a box chilling in their refrigerators. This clever move not only boosted sales but also cemented Arm & Hammer's spot as a household staple.
#10 PPG Industries (PPG): Coating the Future
Sector: Industrial
Year Founded: 1883
Dividends Paid Since: 1899
MaxDividends Financial Score: 98 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: 🟢 Undervalued
From skyscrapers to cars, PPG’s paints and coatings are everywhere. Their innovations, like eco-friendly coatings, have kept them ahead of the curve.
In 2023, PPG generated $17.7 billion in revenue, proving that demand for high-quality coatings never fades. Their 124-year dividend streak reflects their ability to stay relevant in a changing world.
Century of Business Legacy
Back in 1984, PPG Industries made a bold statement by unveiling PPG Place in downtown Pittsburgh. This isn’t just any building—it’s a gothic-style skyscraper wrapped in over a million square feet of glass, all crafted by PPG itself.
The building’s 231 shimmering spires literally sparkle in the sunlight, turning Pittsburgh’s skyline into something straight out of a sci-fi movie. Fun twist? The glass used in the building wasn’t just about looks—it’s energy-efficient and a symbol of PPG’s creative genius. A true reflection of their ability to turn science into art!
#9 General Mills (GIS): Breakfast of Champions
Sector: Consumer Staples
Year Founded: 1856
Dividends Paid Since: 1898
MaxDividends Financial Score: 89 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: 🟢 Undervalued
From Cheerios to Häagen-Dazs, General Mills has been a kitchen staple for over a century. What sets them apart is their ability to adapt, adding organic and gluten-free products to their lineup.
In 2023, they reported $20 billion in net sales, solidifying their place as one of the most reliable food companies in the world. With 125 years of dividend payments, General Mills is a rock-solid investment in any era.
Century of Business Legacy
Back in the 1960s, General Mills wasn't just about cereals and snacks—they had a toy division that brought us some iconic favorites. Ever played with a Nerf ball? Yep, that was them.
They also gave us the Easy-Bake Oven, letting kids bake mini treats with a light bulb. And let's not forget the Care Bears, those cuddly characters that became a '80s sensation.
So, next time you're enjoying your breakfast, remember: the company behind your cereal also had a hand in some of your favorite childhood toys!
#8 Colgate-Palmolive (CL): Smile-Worthy Dividends
Sector: Consumer Staples
Year Founded: 1806
Dividends Paid Since: 1895
MaxDividends Financial Score: 98 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: 🟢 Undervalued
Colgate isn’t just toothpaste—it’s pet food, deodorant, and household cleaning products. Their global reach spans over 200 countries, with 40% of their revenue coming from emerging markets.
Their ability to adapt and expand has kept their 128-year dividend streak intact. In 2023, Colgate reported $17.96 billion in revenue, making them a dividend aristocrat in every sense.
Century of Business Legacy
Back in 1898, Colgate-Palmolive introduced a soap that didn’t just clean—it captivated. Made with a unique mix of palm and olive oils, the cleverly named "Palmolive" stood out in a world of harsh, chemical-laden soaps. But here’s the twist: their marketing team spun an unforgettable tale.
They claimed the formula was inspired by ancient beauty secrets—rumor had it Cleopatra herself would’ve approved! The soap’s luxurious lather, soothing fragrance, and exotic allure made it an instant hit.
By the early 1900s, Palmolive wasn’t just popular—it was the world’s best-selling soap, proving that even back then, a great story could sell anything.
#7 Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): Building for the Future
Sector: Industrial
Year Founded: 1843
Dividends Paid Since: 1895
MaxDividends Financial Score: 73 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: 🟢 Undervalued
Whether you’re fixing a sink or building a deck, Stanley Black & Decker tools are staples for professionals and DIYers alike.
In 2023, SWK generated $16.9 billion in revenue, thanks to their diversified portfolio of power tools and industrial fasteners. Their 128-year dividend streak is a testament to their staying power in the industrial sector.
Century of Business Legacy
Here’s one for the history books—literally out of this world. In the early 1960s, NASA had a problem: how do you use power tools in space, where gravity is nonexistent, and cords are, well, out of the question?
Enter Black & Decker, the tool geniuses of their time. The company was tasked with inventing a cordless drill that could function in zero gravity. And they nailed it!
By 1963, their groundbreaking invention was aboard the Gemini space missions, helping astronauts work on spacecraft in the harshest conditions imaginable. Fun fact? The same tech inspired the modern cordless tools you use today. Yep, your power drill owes its roots to space exploration.
#6 Procter & Gamble (PG): The King of Essentials
Sector: Consumer Staples
Year Founded: 1837
Dividends Paid Since: 1890
MaxDividends Financial Score: 91 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: 🟢 Undervalued
Tide, Pampers, Gillette, Crest—Procter & Gamble’s brands are everywhere. With a portfolio spanning beauty, grooming, healthcare, and household products, P&G is the ultimate consumer goods titan.
In 2023, they reported $80.2 billion in revenue, cementing their place as a dividend king with a 133-year streak.
Century of Business Legacy
In the 1930s, Procter & Gamble didn’t just sell soap—they invented a whole new way to advertise it. To capture the attention of housewives, they funded a radio drama called "Ma Perkins," a tale of a widow running a lumberyard. The twist? It was entirely sponsored by Oxydol, their laundry detergent.
The show became so wildly popular that other companies started copying the idea, and the term "soap opera" was born. Yep, every over-the-top plot twist and love triangle in TV dramas today can be traced back to P&G’s clever marketing gamble!
#5 Johnson Controls (JCI): The Innovator in Building Systems
Sector: Industrial
Year Founded: 1885
Dividends Paid Since: 1887
MaxDividends Financial Score: 71 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: ⚪️ Fairy Valued
From HVAC systems to fire safety, Johnson Controls keeps buildings safe and energy-efficient. Their focus on smart technologies has kept them ahead of the curve.
In 2023, they reported $25 billion in revenue, and their 136-year dividend streak continues to make them a standout in the industrial sector.
Century of Business Legacy
Back in 1883, a frustrated professor named Warren S. Johnson was tired of constantly adjusting the heat in his classrooms. So, he built something revolutionary: the world’s first electric thermostat, dubbed the "electric tele-thermoscope."
This little gadget not only solved his heating woes but also sparked an entirely new industry. Fast forward two years, Johnson founded a company to bring his invention to the masses. That company?
Johnson Controls. So, every time you adjust the temperature in a building, you’re using tech that started in one annoyed teacher’s chilly classroom!
#4 Consolidated Edison (ED): Powering NYC for Over a Century
Sector: Utilities
Year Founded: 1824
Dividends Paid Since: 1885
MaxDividends Financial Score: 88 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: ⚪️ Fairy Valued
ConEd has been keeping the lights on in New York City for 138 years. As a utility, they benefit from consistent demand, no matter the economic climate.
In 2023, ConEd brought in $13.7 billion in revenue, proving that utilities are the backbone of reliable dividend payers.
Century of Business Legacy
In 1882, Consolidated Edison’s roots were planted when Thomas Edison launched the Pearl Street Station in Manhattan—the world’s first central power station. Here’s the crazy part: this wasn’t just a tech milestone, it was a full-on experiment with live customers!
Edison’s team ran over 80,000 feet of underground wires, lighting up 1,284 lamps across 59 customers’ homes and offices. The kicker?
One of the first buildings to glow with electric light was none other than the New York Times’ headquarters. Talk about making headlines—literally and figuratively!
#3 Eli Lilly (LLY): Leading in Healthcare Innovation
Sector: Healthcare
Year Founded: 1876
Dividends Paid Since: 1885
MaxDividends Financial Score: 97 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: 🟠 Overvalued
Eli Lilly has been at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation, specializing in oncology and diabetes treatments.
In 2023, they generated $28.5 billion in revenue, keeping their 138-year dividend streak strong and making them a staple for healthcare investors.
Century of Business Legacy
In 1923, Eli Lilly pulled off a medical miracle that saved millions of lives. At the time, diabetes was basically a death sentence—patients would waste away, powerless to stop it. But then, Canadian scientists Banting and Best discovered insulin. The problem?
They had no idea how to make enough of it to help more than a handful of people. Enter Eli Lilly. The company figured out how to mass-produce insulin using—you won’t believe this—ground-up cow pancreases. Yep, they went full mad scientist, and it worked.
Within months, insulin hit the market, turning diabetes into a manageable condition. It wasn’t just a breakthrough; it was a lifeline, and it cemented Eli Lilly’s place in history as a game-changer in medicine.
#2 Exxon Mobil (XOM): Fueling the World Since 1882
Sector: Energy
Year Founded: 1870
Dividends Paid Since: 1882
MaxDividends Financial Score: 89 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: ⚪️ Fairy valued
As one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world, Exxon Mobil is synonymous with energy.
In 2023, they reported $402 billion in revenue, making their 141-year dividend streak one of the most impressive in the industry.
Century of Business Legacy
Here’s a wild twist of fate: in 1911, John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil empire was shattered by the U.S. government’s antitrust laws, breaking it into 34 smaller companies.
Fast forward nearly 90 years to 1999, and two of those "broken pieces," Exxon and Mobil, decided to reunite in an $80 billion mega-merger. What makes it crazy? This deal wasn’t just big—it essentially reassembled the crown jewels of Standard Oil.
And it worked: ExxonMobil became the largest publicly traded oil company in the world, proving that sometimes, even history gets a sequel.
#1 York Water (YORW): 👑 The Oldest Dividend Payer
Sector: Utilities
Year Founded: 1816
Dividends Paid Since: 1816
MaxDividends Financial Score: 91 / 99 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Current Market Value: ⚪️ Fairy valued
York Water has been delivering clean water for over 205 years, making them the oldest dividend payer in America. Water is essential, and York’s consistent performance proves that simplicity and necessity are the ultimate business models.
Century of Business Legacy
Back in 1816, the town of York, Pennsylvania, had a fiery problem—literally. Fires kept sweeping through the borough, and with no reliable water supply, it was chaos. A group of determined locals decided enough was enough.
They founded York Water, the nation’s first private water company, to bring water straight to homes and fire hydrants. The catch? They had to build a wooden pipeline—yes, wooden pipes!—to deliver the water.
It worked, and York Water didn’t just help the town grow; it set the stage for what would become a cornerstone of modern infrastructure.
Over 200 years later, it’s still quenching thirsts and dousing flames. Talk about staying power!
By the way
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What Makes These Titans Different?
After analyzing the Dividend Titans, three common threads stand out:
Essentials Over Trends
All of these companies sell products or services people can’t live without—water, electricity, food, or insurance. Essentials create steady demand, no matter the economic climate.Global Diversification
Many of these companies operate worldwide, spreading their risk across multiple markets. If one region’s economy falters, another picks up the slack.Relentless Adaptation
From Coca-Cola diversifying into coffee to General Mills leaning into organic foods, these companies don’t sit still. They evolve with consumer needs while staying true to their core.
Why Should You Care?
Dividend Titans aren’t just historical relics—they’re lessons in resilience. For investors, they represent the gold standard of stability and growth. If you’re building a portfolio with a long-term focus, these companies offer a roadmap for finding businesses that can weather any storm.
Final Thoughts: Learning from the Legends
The Dividend Titans aren’t just paying shareholders—they’re teaching us about the power of consistency, adaptability, and staying essential. In a world where markets fluctuate and trends come and go, these companies remind us that long-term success is about more than chasing the latest fad. It’s about building a business that lasts.
So next time someone says dividends are “boring,” just point them to York Water’s 205-year streak. If that’s boring, sign me up.
Dividend income is steady. No guessing, no market timing—just that sweet, reliable cash flow.
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