5 Dividends That Survived the Great Depression

Depressions, bubbles, crashes be damned — these 5 stocks have paid investors through the worst of times

Oct 29, 2012, 6:30 am EDT | By Jim Woods, Editor-at-Large, The Wealth Shield

Procter & Gamble

Paid Dividends Since: 1891
Current Dividend Yield: 3.2%

It’s the premier consumer goods company in the world, and its iconic brands include Ivory Soap, Crest toothpaste and Head & Shoulders shampoo. The company is, of course, Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG), and its bevy of household brand names allows it to thrive throughout the world, and regardless of economic conditions.

P&G has proved its resilience by paying dividends each year for the past 121 years. Moreover, the company has boosted its dividend payout each year for the past 55 years. At a current dividend yield of 3.2%, I can’t think of one sound reason why you wouldn’t want to own PG in your dividend portfolio.