The S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats are large cap, well known S&P 500 companies that have consistently increased dividends every year for at least 25 consecutive years. Many of the companies have above average dividend yields, price appreciation and dividend growth.

Currently, 59 companies from 10 sectors qualify as Dividend Aristocrats. Here are the top 10 Aristocrats by total real annualized return from 1997 to 2007.

• Nucor (NUE ) - 23.46%
• Questar (STR) - 20.37%
• C.R. Bard (BCR) - 20.37%
• Johnson Controls (JCI) - 17.44%
• AFLAC (AFL) - 16.57%
• Integrys Energy Group (TEG) - 14.20%
• Exxon Mobil (XOM) - 13.85%
• Becton, Dickinson (BDX) - 12.77%
• Lowe’s (LOW) - 12.65%
• Consolidated Edison (ED) - 11.38%

See Dividend Aristocrats - A Few Truly Great Stocks for more information about these and other Dividend Aristocrats.