February has been a strong month for Dividend Kings, with several companies once again showing they are serious about paying shareholders through higher dividends. Walmart (WMT) remains a top-rated pick for 2026, continuing to stand out among dividend-paying stocks. The backdrop is supportive as well, with the retail sector holding up and consumer spending driving 4.4% economic growth in the third quarter — the fastest pace in two years despite ongoing inflation worries.
On Feb. 18, Walmart's board approved an annual dividend of $0.99 per share for fiscal 2027, a 5% increase from the prior year's $0.94, marking the company's 53rd consecutive year of dividend increases. That keeps Walmart firmly in Dividend King territory, a title reserved for companies with at least 50-straight years of payout growth. The decision followed a solid update, as Walmart reported Q4 fiscal 2026 revenue of $190.7 billion, up 5.6% year-over-year (YOY), with global e-commerce revenue growing 24%.
