2 Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

Multinational consumer goods manufacturer Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) has increased its dividend annually for 70 consecutive years. Stryker (NYSE: SYK) has raised its dividend for more than three decades while building one of the world's leading medical technology businesses.

Both companies sell products that people continue to need regardless of economic conditions. And both have demonstrated an ability to generate cash, invest in growth, and reward shareholders. So if you're looking to build a portfolio of stocks you can hold for decades, these two should be on your "must-have" list.

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1. Procter & Gamble: 70 years of dividend increases

Procter & Gamble owns some of the world's most recognizable consumer brands, including Tide, Pampers, Gillette, Crest, and Bounty. These are products consumers purchase regularly, even during recessions. That consistent demand has helped P&G build a business capable of generating billions of dollars in annual cash flow.

In fiscal 2026, the company generated approximately $87 billion in net sales, up 3% from the previous year. Net earnings reached $16.1 billion, while operating cash flow totaled $19.6 billion. P&G also returned more than $15 billion to shareholders, including $10.2 billion in dividends and $5 billion in stock repurchases.

The company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $1.0885 per share. That's equivalent to approximately $4.35 annually.

Of course, P&G isn't exactly a high-growth business. Organic sales increased just 1% in fiscal 2026, while core earnings per share also grew 1%. But the company's global distribution network, established brands, and ability to raise prices offer competitive advantages that are difficult to replicate. If you're focused on long-term stability, P&G offers a combination of dependable cash flow and a dividend that has continued growing through recessions, inflation, and multiple economic cycles.

2. Stryker: an aging population supports long-term growth

Stryker manufactures medical equipment used in hospitals and operating rooms, including hospital beds, artificial hips and knees, surgical instruments, and robotic-assisted surgery systems. It also has its Mako robotic platform, which helps surgeons perform joint replacement procedures, and orthopedic implants that are used in procedures that can significantly improve patients' mobility.

Demand for these products should benefit from an aging population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to reach approximately 82 million by 2050, up from roughly 58 million in 2022.

Stryker is already benefiting from growing demand for its medical technologies. In Q2 2026, the company generated $6.6 billion in revenue, up 9.4% from the previous year. Organic sales increased 9%, while adjusted earnings per share jumped 17.9% to $3.69. Management also raised the lower end of its full-year outlook, projecting organic sales growth of 8.3% to 9.3% and adjusted earnings per share of $14.95 to $15.10. Stryker continues to reward shareholders with a quarterly dividend of $0.88 per share, equivalent to $3.52 annually.

Its dividend yield is relatively modest, but Stryker's earnings growth gives it opportunities to continue increasing payments over time. To be sure, medical device recalls, acquisition costs, and hospital spending pressures remain risks. Still, the company's established products and growing surgical technology business provide a compelling long-term outlook.

Bottom line: P&G offers stability and dependable income, while Stryker provides exposure to a growing healthcare market. Together, they offer two different ways to build wealth through decades of dividend growth.

Jeff Siegel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.