12 High-Yield Dividend Aristocrats to Buy for Reliable Income

Dividend Aristocrats are an exceptional bunch of S&P 500 companies that don't just offer high yield - they also have increased shareholders' payouts every year for (at least) the last 25 years.

Members of this prestigious group are deemed more stable than others because they've shown they've been able to continually boost distributions even amid recessions, stock market swoons, and global economic shocks.

high yield dividend aristocratsMaking the list is indeed an accomplishment. Staying on it consistently is an even greater (and rare) feat. Some 54 companies currently sit on the list. Industries run the gamut from fast food to financials to oil.

We've narrowed the list to a more manageable dozen names across several sectors. These high-yield Dividend Aristocrats offer a reliable stream of growing dividends, as well as solid potential for company growth.

12 High-Yield Stocks with Long Payout History

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) has been paying and raising dividends every year since 1984. The telecommunications giant's current quarterly payout is $0.46 per share for a hefty 5.25% yield. The blue-chip behemoth pays its dividends in February, May, August, and November.

Cincinnati Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: CINF) has been increasing dividends annually since 1961, and a hike is likely again this year. When the property and casualty insurance company declared a $0.44 per share regular cash dividend in April, it said the payout sets "the stage for a 54th year of increasing annual cash dividends." Shares yield 3.6%. Dividends are paid in January, April, July, and October.

The Coca Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) has paid a quarterly dividend since 1920 and has increased them in each of the last 50 years. A favorite and top holding of legendary investor Warren Buffett, KO's quarterly payout is $0.31 per share for a 3% yield. Dividends are disbursed in April, July, October, and December.

Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE: EMR) has been hiking dividends annually since 1957, or 57 years. The diversified technology and engineering company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.43 a share for a 2.56% yield. Dividends are paid in March, June, September, and December.

Money Morning Members - keep reading. If you aren't yet a Money Morning Member, sign up to get the rest of this high-yield stocks list - and you'll get our free guide: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Trading and Investing

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) has been growing its dividend every year since 1983, or 31 years. The latest hike came in April when the world's largest publicly traded oil company goosed its quarterly dividend 10%, or $0.03, to $0.69 per share for a 2.8% yield. Dividends are distributed in February, May, August, and November.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has been hiking its dividend annually for the last 51 years. The global healthcare giant juiced its quarterly payout 6.1% in April to $0.70 a share for a 2.72% yield. Dividends are disbursed in March, June, September, and December.

Kimberly Clark Corp. (NYSE: KMB) approved a 3.7% ($0.03) quarterly dividend increase in February to $0.84 per share for a 3.06% yield. The 2014 hike marked the personal care products company's 42nd consecutive dividend enrichment and the 80th straight year the company has paid dividends. Payouts are sent in January, April, July, and October.

McCormick & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MKC) has been growing its dividend every year for the last 27 years. The spice and condiment maker's current quarterly payout is $0.37 per share for a 2.03% yield. Dividends are paid in January, April, July, and October.

McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD) announced last month it plans to increase shareholder payouts by 10% to 20% over the next three years. The burgers and fries behemoth has been fattening dividends every year since its first distribution in 1976. The fast food king's current quarterly dividend is $0.81 per share for a 3.16% yield. Dividends are distributed in March, June, September, and December.

Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) raised its quarterly dividend 7% in April to $0.60 a share for a 3.22% yield. The branded consumer products company has been paying dividends for 124 consecutive years, since its incorporation in 1890. The latest increase marks P&G's 58th consecutive year of dividend enrichments. Dividends are paid in February, May, August, and November.

T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (Nasdaq: TROW) has been sweetening dividends every year since 1987. The Baltimore, Md., publicly owned asset management holding company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.44 per share in March, June, September, and December. Shares yield 2.14%.

Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG) has been hiking its dividend every year for the last 38 years. The drugstore chain's present quarterly distribution is $0.31 per share for a 1.72% yield. Dividends for this high-yield stock are sent in March, June, September, and December.

Billionaire investor George Soros has famously said "good investing is boring." But the profit opportunity from this Soros play is far from "boring" - in fact, it could double your investment...

Don't forget to download your free Member report: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Trading and Investing