Investors looking for the best stocks for the long run should consider dividend growth stocks.

More specifically, we believe stocks that can raise their dividends each year, regardless of the broader economic climate, are the best dividend stocks to buy and hold.

These 3 dividend stocks represent some of the best stocks for the long run.

Abbott Laboratories (ABT)

Abbott Laboratories, founded in 1888, is one of the largest medical appliances & equipment manufacturers in the world, comprised of four segments: Nutrition, Diagnostics, Established Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices.

Abbott Laboratories provides products in over 160 countries and employs 114,000 people. The company generated $42 billion in sales in 2024.

On April 16th, 2025, Abbott Laboratories reported first quarter results for the period ending March 31st, 2025. For the quarter, the company produced $10.4 billion in sales (60% outside of the U.S.), which represented growth of 4% compared to the first quarter of 2024, but this was $60 million less than expected.

Adjusted earnings-per-share of $1.09 compared to $0.98 in the prior year and was $0.02 ahead of estimates.

U.S. sales grew 8.4% while international was higher by 1.2%. Currency exchange was a 2.8% headwind for the period. Company-wide organic sales improved 6.9%. However, excluding Covid-19 testing products, organic growth was 8.3% for the period.

Nutrition grew 6.8% organically during the quarter as the company continues to see a recovery in market share of its infant formula business following a stoppage of production in 2022. U.S. sales were higher by 8.8% as a result.

ABT has increased its dividend for 53 years.

Illinois Tool Works (ITW)

Illinois Tool Works is a diversified multi-industrial manufacturer with seven unique operating segments: Automotive, Food Equipment, Test & Measurement, Welding, Polymers & Fluids, Construction Products and Specialty Products.

Last year the company generated $15.9 billion in revenue. The company is geographically diversified, with more than half of its revenue generated outside of the United States.

On April 30th, 2025, Illinois Tool Works reported first quarter 2025 results for the period ending March 31st, 2025. For the quarter, revenue came in at $3.8 billion, shrinking 3.4% year-over-year. Sales declined 3.7% in the Automotive OEM segment, the largest out of the company’s seven segments.

In fact, every single one of ITW’s segments experienced revenue declines year-over-year. Food Equipment, Test & Measurement and Electronics, Welding, Polymers & Fluids, Construction Products and Specialty Products all saw revenue decline -0.7%, -6.3%, -0.9%, -0.8%, -9.2%, and -1.0% respectively.

Net income equaled $700 million or $2.38 per share compared to $819 million or $2.73 per share in Q1 2024. In the first quarter, ITW repurchased $375 million of its shares. Illinois Tool Works reaffirmed its 2025 guidance, still expecting full-year GAAP EPS to be $10.15 to $10.55.

ITW has increased its dividend for 61 years.

S&P Global Inc. (SPGI)

S&P Global is a worldwide provider of financial services and business information and revenue of over $13 billion.

Through its various segments, it provides credit ratings, benchmarks and indices, analytics, and other data to commodity market participants, capital markets, and automotive markets.

S&P Global has paid dividends continuously since 1937 and has increased its payout for 51 consecutive years.

S&P posted first quarter earnings on April 29th, 2025, and results were better than expected on both the top and bottom lines. Adjusted earnings-per-share came to $4.37, which was 16 cents ahead of estimates. Revenue was up 8.3% year-over-year to $3.78 billion, beating estimates by $70 million.

Ratings revenue was up 8% year-over-year, as transactions revenue rose 7% and non-transactions revenue rose 10%. Structured finance and bank loans were key contributors to growth.

Market Intelligence was up 5% year-on-year as data analytics and insights products were up 7%. Commodity Insights revenue was up 9%, supported by strong demand for energy transition and sustainability products. Indices revenue was up 15%, as asset-linked fees rose 18%.

Mobility revenue was up 9%, supported by CARFAX and Automotive Mastermind offerings, partially offset by currency-related headwinds.

SPGI has increased its dividend for 52 consecutive years.