3 Dividend Champions That Could Double Their Dividends From Here

Three Dividend Aristocrats—S&P Global, Aflac and Chubb—are singled out for dividend upside due to durable cash flows, conservative payout ratios and steady earnings growth: S&P Global (51 consecutive hikes) has a 22% payout ratio and analysts forecast ~11% EPS CAGR, implying a potential dividend doubling in about 6–7 years. Aflac (43 years) trades with a ~33% payout ratio, has reduced shares by ~38% over the past decade through buybacks and is projected to grow EPS ~5% annually, which could double its dividend in roughly 14–15 years. Chubb (31 years), now a material Berkshire Hathaway holding (> $9.2bn), carries a very low 16% payout ratio and ~4% EPS growth expectations, suggesting an ~18‑year doubling horizon but leaving management significant room to accelerate raises if desired.

Analysis

The article highlights three Dividend Aristocrats—S&P Global (SPGI), Aflac (AFL) and Chubb (CB)—and quantifies why each can materially increase shareholder payouts. S&P Global, a Dividend King with 51 consecutive annual hikes, carries a 22% dividend payout ratio on 2025 estimates and analysts project ~11% EPS CAGR over the next 3–5 years, implying dividend doubling in roughly 6–7 years as global borrowing sustains demand for its data and ratings services.

Aflac has raised dividends for 43 consecutive years, a modest payout near 33% of 2025 earnings and has reduced shares outstanding by ~38% over the past decade; analysts forecast ~5% annual EPS growth, consistent with a dividend doubling horizon of about 14–15 years while buybacks support per-share returns. Chubb, with 31 consecutive raises and a very conservative 16% payout ratio, is forecast to grow EPS ~4% annually, implying ~18 years to double the dividend, though Berkshire Hathaway’s >$9.2bn stake and the low payout leave management scope to accelerate increases. Market sentiment on these names is moderately positive (overall sentiment 0.45; SPGI 0.8), while reported market-impact signal is modest, indicating these are steady, lower-volatility dividend growth opportunities rather than catalysts for near-term price disruption.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Consider overweighting S&P Global for higher dividend-growth leverage given a 22% payout and projected ~11% EPS CAGR, while monitoring credit-market activity that drives its revenue streams
• Position in Aflac for a mix of dividend growth and buyback-driven share appreciation given a 33% payout and 38% share reduction over the past decade, but monitor underwriting results and loss experience closely
• Adopt a core-hold or gradual-add approach to Chubb for conservative payout flexibility and Buffett-backed ownership, recognizing slower ~4% EPS growth and a longer ~18-year dividend-doubling horizon unless management accelerates raises
• Maintain portfolio diversification across these names and track changes to the 2025 payout ratios and analyst EPS revisions as the primary signals that would alter the dividend-growth outlook