ABBV and BDX shares surged 47% and 26% over the past year, fueled by consistent dividend increases and strong free cash flow.
AbbVie and Becton Dickinson led a group of Dividend Aristocrats with gains of 47% and 26% over the past year, outperforming broader markets as steady dividend growth attracted investor attention. BDX closed at $176.86 after a 9.1% weekly rally, supported by a $1.05 quarterly dividend and $1.73 billion in year-to-date free cash flow, up 44.6% year over year.
Both companies maintained multi-decade streaks of dividend increases, with Procter & Gamble and Brown-Forman extending their runs to 70 and 82 consecutive years, respectively. BDX’s forward P/E stands at 13, with a 2.4% yield, while free cash flow coverage remains robust ahead of fiscal 2026 guidance.
New picks ALB, MDT, and SWK offer exposure to cyclical, defensive, and industrial sectors, each reporting improved free cash flow coverage heading into fiscal 2027.