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morningstar’s investment insight The podcast recently highlighted four S&P 500 stocks that have already announced dividend increases of 10% or more, effectively securing their spots on next year’s Dividend Growers screen, which requires companies to increase dividends by at least 10% annually.
The host’s outline was simple: “Dividends are paid from earnings. So companies that are able to grow their dividends at a high going rate are quality companies with growing earnings.” Defensive investors also like this category because dividend producers strike a balance between high-yield dividend income and income growth driven by earnings reinvestment provided by low-yield companies.
Here are four dividend growers that have already announced a 10% dividend increase for next year:
NextEra Energy
NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE | NEE price prediction) is the largest US utility by market cap at ~$202.4 billion, operating Florida Power & Light and a renewable development arm with ~33 GW of backlog. Management guides annual dividend growth of approximately 10% through 2026, with the Q1 2026 quarterly payout rising from $0.5665 to $0.6232. Shares have increased by 50.7% over the last year. Q1 adjusted EPS increased 10% year over year to $1.09.
snap-on
snap-on (NYSE:SNA), the Kenosha-based professional equipment maker raised its quarterly dividend to $2.44 from $2.14, clearing the 10% bar. Q1 2026 revenue of $1.207 billion beat consensus by 2.48%, and the board authorized repurchases of $500 million. CEO Nick Pinchuk cited “strong sales growth with customers in key industries” despite tariffs and FX turmoil.
MSCI
MSCI (NYSE: MSCI) raised its quarterly dividend from $1.80 to $2.05, an increase of 13.9%. The index provider reported Q1 2026 revenue of $850.8 million, up 14.1% year-on-year, ETF AUM linked to the MSCI index surged to $2.4 trillion and operating margin expanded to 53.7%.
motorola solutions
motorola solutions (NYSE:MSI) raised its quarterly dividend to $1.21 from $1.09, ending a streak of double-digit increases. The mission-critical communications leader closed 2025 with a record $15.7 billion backlog and guided for revenue of ~$12.7 billion in 2026 with non-GAAP EPS of $16.70 to $16.85.
Two exit stories worth watching
zoetis (NYSE:ZTS) just announced a 6% dividend increase, increasing its quarterly payout from $0.50 to $0.53. Unless the animal-health company announces a second increase this year, which is unlikely based on historical patterns, it will likely fall off the screens.
NextEra complements this cycle, but management’s 6% annual dividend growth guidance from year-end 2026 to 2028 signals a possible exit next year. Investors monitoring dividend growth as a quality proxy should keep an eye on that step-down, as the screen rewards stability above the 10% line.