In Uncertain Times, Walmart Shines With 53 Years of Continuous Dividend Hikes

By Jack Delaney – Apr 19, 2026 at 7:45AM ESTKey PointsInvestors are seeking companies offering stability. Walmart has increased its dividend for 53 consecutive years. It has the revenue sources to keep hiking its dividend payment. Walmart (WMT +2.19%) has hiked its dividend payment for 53 consecutive years. During that time, there have been wars, a financial crisis, and a pandemic. Yet Walmart was able not only to pay out its dividend but also to increase it. Here's how the retail giant can keep increasing those payouts for another 53 years. Image source: Getty Images. Pricing power Given the 270 million customers visiting its stores and online shopping sites each week, companies desperately want their products to land on Walmart's shelves. So Walmart gets to dictate costs to suppliers, allowing the retailer to maintain its reputation for low prices. That also allows Walmart to keep its own costs low and margins high, even if it has to pay tariffs and inflation remains stubborn. With its private-label brands, like Great Value, Walmart also sets low prices. That's another strategy to force suppliers to keep their prices from rising too high, as suppliers with competing products don't want to lose market share within a Walmart store. A cash cow with a sustainable dividend Because of the number of customers it is able to attract, Walmart brings in billions of dollars of net income each year that it can use for shareholder-friendly moves, like buybacks and dividends. ExpandNASDAQ: WMTWalmartToday's Change(2.19%) $2.73Current Price$127.55Key Data PointsMarket Cap$1.0TDay's Range$123.38 - $127.5652wk Range$91.34 - $134.69Volume752KAvg Vol23MGross Margin23.41%Dividend Yield0.75% It doesn't have an eye-catching dividend payout, as it yields about 0.7%, but that's a positive feature because that shows the company is not overextending itself by paying an unsustainable dividend. Throughout the last 53 years, no matter what's been happening, Walmart has been able to increase its dividend payout. Growing revenue streams In addition to its core operations, Walmart is generating revenue through new segments and services. Its global advertising operations are showing promise, having generated $6.4 billion in revenue in its fiscal 2026 (ended Jan. 31). It also offers a Walmart+ membership with perks. Those memberships not only bring in revenue directly but can also lead to higher shopping cart totals, as members feel inclined to shop at Walmart to justify the cost of the membership. Walmart could keep hiking dividends for another 53 years Barring unforeseen events and unless its pricing power, revenue generation, and net income change drastically, Walmart should be able to continue increasing its dividend payout for years to come. At this moment, shares do look expensive, based on a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 42.3. Value investors may want to wait for that ratio to drop a bit before considering an investment, but Walmart can meet high expectations. It offers stability through its pricing power, attracts millions of people online and in person each week, and hauls in billions of dollars in profit by selling essential items. With a reliable dividend payout that is consistently increased, this may be the type of company to consider paying up for in uncertain times. Read NextApr 18, 2026 •By Prosper Junior BakinyInflation Is Surging: 3 Stocks to Buy to Hedge Your Portfolio Against ItApr 16, 2026 •By Kristi WaterworthBest Real Estate Stocks for 2026 and How to InvestApr 15, 2026 •By Jason HallDividend Kings of 2026Apr 13, 2026 •By James BrumleyProtect Your Portfolio From Inflation: Buy These 2 Consumer Staples StocksApr 7, 2026 •By Reuben Gregg BrewerRising Food Prices Could Force the Fed's Hand. Here Is the Chain Reaction Investors Are Not Talking About EnoughApr 7, 2026 •By Lyle DalyThe Largest Consumer Staple Companies by Market Cap in April 2026About the AuthorJack is a seasoned content strategist with over a decade of experience in financial publishing. He's directed technology, emerging opportunities, and alternative asset publications to deliver actionable insights to investors. He has a B.A. in Communication Studies.TMFJackDelaneyStocks MentionedWalmartNASDAQ: WMT$127.50(+2.15%)+$2.68*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.