Amid the market sell-off, attention is focusing on progressive-dividend stocks that maintain or increase their dividends. This article reviews the performance of stocks included in the Nikkei Progressive High Dividend Stock Index and the status of specific stocks. They are presented as stocks offering potential dividend growth from a long-term investment perspective.
Since October 2026, the Nikkei 225 has faced mounting concerns including higher crude oil prices, rising long-term interest rates, financial uncertainty among AI-related companies and the impact of the US midterm elections. On 6 November, it fell ¥3,643.13 from the previous day to ¥57,434.77, dropping below the key ¥60,000 level and to a seven-month low.
Against this backdrop, companies pursuing progressive dividends alongside stronger shareholder returns are seen as attractive investments. Progressive dividends are generally based on a policy of maintaining or increasing dividends without reducing them. In 2023, Nikkei called on companies to manage with an awareness of their cost of capital and share prices, prompting many companies to strengthen shareholder returns and increasing the number adopting progressive dividends.
The Nikkei Progressive High Dividend Stock Index selects the top 30 stocks with high forecast dividend yields that have maintained progressive dividends for at least 10 consecutive years. Constituents are reviewed once a year, and some stocks are removed for reasons including dividend cuts or failure to meet market-capitalisation requirements.
The stocks introduced this time include Mitsubishi HC Capital, Sekisui House, Dai-ichi Life Group, Takeda Pharmaceutical and UBE. Each company has indicated dividend policies or growth rates implying long-term dividend increases. These stocks are attracting attention as potential buying opportunities for investors seeking long-term income gains.