Income investors typically focus on stocks with high dividend yields. However, investors with a longer time horizon should also consider dividend growth stocks, as these may provide more income over the long run.

This is especially true when it comes to quality dividend growth stocks. These 3 dividend growth stocks have raised their dividends for over 25 years, and should be able to continue raising their dividends for many years.

Roper Technologies (ROP)

Roper Technologies (ROP) is a specialized industrial company that manufactures products such as medical and scientific imaging equipment, pumps, and material analysis equipment. Roper Technologies also develops software solutions for the healthcare, transportation, food, energy, and water industries. 

The company was founded in 1981, generates around $7.0 billion in annual revenues, and is based in Sarasota, Florida. 

On January 30th, 2025, Roper posted its Q4 and full-year results for the period ending December 31st, 2024. Quarterly revenues and adjusted EPS were $1.88 billion and $4.81, indicating up 16% and 10% year-over-year, respectively. The company’s momentum during the quarter remained strong, with organic growth coming in at 7% and acquisitions-driven growth coming in at 9%. 

Organic growth was once again driven by broad-based strength across its portfolio of niche leading businesses. For the year, adjusted EPS grew by almost 10% to $18.31. Backed by Roper's growth momentum, balance sheet strength, and a large pipeline of quality acquisition opportunities, management believes Roper is well positioned for continued double-digit cash flow growth. 

Further, Roper introduced its adjusted EPS guidance for FY2025, expecting it to land between $19.75 and $20.00. We have utilized the midpoint of this range in our estimate, which implies a year-over-year increase of 9.0%.

Roper has proven consistent growth in its profitability over the years. Over the past ten years, the company has grown its adjusted EPS by an annualized rate of 11.9%. Roper Technologies is poised for sustained growth, powered by high margin software acquisitions like Vertafore (insurance solutions) and Strata Decision Technology (healthcare analytics).

Roper’s shift toward these asset-light, recurring revenue platforms has sharpened its portfolio and freed up capital for further M&A. Recent divestitures—like the sale of TransCore—also show its focus on concentrating on premium software and analytics segments, which should support organic growth, margin expansion, and solid free cash flow over the medium term.

ROP has increased its dividend for 32 consecutive years.

Emerson Electric (EMR)

Emerson Electric was founded in Missouri in 1890. Since that time, it has evolved from a regional manufacturer of electric motors and fans, into a diversified global leader in technology and engineering. Its global customer base and diverse product and service offerings afford it more than $18 billion in annual revenue. 

The company’s very impressive 68-year dividend increase streak lands it on the prestigious Dividend Kings list.

Emerson posted first quarter earnings on February 5th, 2025, and results were mixed. Adjusted earnings-per-share came to $1.38, which was a dime ahead of estimates. Revenue was up 1.5% year-over-year to $4.18 billion, but missed estimates by $40 million. 

Underlying sales rose 2%, and adjusted segment EBITDA margin was 28% of revenue, a 340-basis point improvement from the year-ago period. Gross profit reached a record level of 53.5% of revenue, supported by operational efficiencies, cost controls, and acquisition synergies. 

Free cash flow was $694 million, up 89% year-over-year, with working capital improvements being the primary driver. Emerson’s backlog rose to $7.3 billion, excluding forex translation impacts. 

Emerson is also buying the remaining shares of Aspen Technology it doesn’t already own for about $7.2 billion. After Emerson buys the remaining shares, Aspen will become an operating unit of Emerson as part of its strategy to build more software expertise. It should close in the first half of this year. 

Emerson’s payout ratio is well under half of earnings, and we believe it will continue to drift lower over time as Emerson focuses on acquisitions instead of boosting the payout by large amounts.

Colgate-Palmolive (CL)

Colgate-Palmolive has been in existence for more than 200 years, having been founded in 1806. It operates in many consumer staples markets, including Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, and more recently, Pet Nutrition. These segments afford the company just over $20 billion in annual revenue. 

Colgate-Palmolive posted fourth quarter and full-year earnings on January 31st, 2025. The company managed to beat estimates on earnings-per-share by two cents at 91 cents. Revenue was fractionally lower year-on-year to $4.94 billion, and missed estimates by $50 million. Organic sales were up 4.3%, including a 0.5% negative impact from lower private label pet food volume. 

Positive pricing and volume added to organic growth, helping to offset the private label impact. Gross margin expanded 70 basis points despite forex headwinds. Product mix is helping margins, particularly from Hill’s and Oral Care, both of which sport high margins. The company achieved record free cash flow and operating cash flow for the full-year, and reached $20 billion in full-year sales for the first time.

Management reaffirmed organic sales growth of 3% to 5% for 2025, with both pricing and volume contributing roughly equally. Management also expects slight market share gains. Further, the company expects strong cash flow to be used for debt reduction, share repurchases, and investment in growth areas.

CL has increased its dividend for 63 years.