Wall Street's Greatest Dividend Stock Just Made History Again -- and 99.9% of Investors Have Never Heard of This Small-Cap Company

Core Insights - The article highlights the exceptional performance of dividend stocks, particularly focusing on a lesser-known company, York Water, which has maintained a continuous dividend for 209 years, far surpassing other companies in the U.S. [1][12][14] Dividend Stocks Performance - Dividend stocks have consistently outperformed non-dividend payers, with an annualized return of 9.17% compared to 4.27% over a 50-year period from 1973 to 2023, while being less volatile than the S&P 500 [3][4]. Characteristics of Great Dividend Stocks - Great dividend stocks are rare and typically share characteristics such as profitability, resilience during economic downturns, and transparent long-term growth outlooks [10][4]. Dividend Kings - Fewer than 60 companies qualify as Dividend Kings, having increased their annual payouts for at least 50 consecutive years [5]. Notable Examples - Coca-Cola has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years, while Johnson & Johnson has done so for 62 years, showcasing the stability and predictability of cash flows in these companies [6][7]. York Water Company - York Water, a small-cap utility company, has paid dividends continuously since 1816, making it the longest-standing dividend payer in the U.S. [12][14]. - The company operates in a regulated environment, which provides cash flow predictability and stability [17][15]. - York Water has a dividend yield of 2.6% and has increased its payout for 28 consecutive years, with a nearly 500% rise in share price since 2000 [19][20].