Companies that have increased their dividend payouts for at least 25 consecutive years are called Dividend Aristocrats. Generally, this kind of dividend growth suggests the company has robust financials, generates predictable cash flows over market cycles, and maintains a sustainable payout ratio.
But one Dividend Aristocrat that's burning cash - and has trailed the broader markets by a wide margin - is Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA). Valued at $17.66 billion by market cap, WBA is a U.S.-based healthcare, pharmacy, and retail company. Walgreens has raised its dividend for 47 years, establishing not only its Dividend Aristocrat credentials, but approaching Dividend King status.
