With geopolitical tensions influencing energy supply, trade routes, and interest rate expectations, many investors are looking at Dividend Aristocrats less for excitement and more for reliability. These companies, which tend to pair solid dividend scores with financial stability and at least 3% annual dividend growth histories, can offer a way to stay invested while markets react to headlines. This article looks at 3 stocks from that screener that appear positively exposed to the current news backdrop. It is intended to help you weigh where steady income, resilient business models, and policy shifts might currently intersect, and where extra caution could still be warranted.

PPG Industries (PPG)

Overview: PPG Industries is a global coatings and specialty materials company that supplies paints, protective coatings, and related products for everything from homes and cars to aircraft, ships, and industrial equipment, serving customers across North America, EMEA, Latin America, and Asia Pacific.

Operations: PPG generates most of its roughly US$16.1b in segment revenue from Industrial Coatings (US$6.6b), followed by Performance Coatings (US$5.6b) and Global Architectural Coatings (US$3.9b).

Market Cap: US$26.0b

PPG Industries is part of the Dividend Aristocrats group as a coatings specialist that pairs a long dividend growth record with its current fundamentals, including a 2.49% yield and what some investors may view as high quality earnings. Recent results show revenue of US$3,930m and net income of US$382m, with margins that have strengthened alongside cost control efforts and restructuring in regions such as Europe. At the same time, the stock is currently priced below some fair value estimates and carries a P/E below sector averages, which may be of interest to value focused investors. On the other hand, the company has a relatively high debt load, exposure to energy and raw material costs, and sensitivity to industrial and auto production, all of which can be particularly relevant when geopolitical and interest rate risks are elevated.

PPG Industries appears to be a classic Dividend Aristocrat, where a lower P/E and solid margins might be masking a more complicated story. Review the 5 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

NewMarket (NEU)

Overview: NewMarket Corporation is a Richmond based specialty chemicals company that focuses on petroleum additives, supplying the chemicals that help engines, drivetrains, industrial machinery, and fuels run efficiently and meet performance requirements across automotive, industrial, marine, and rail applications worldwide.

Operations: NewMarket generates the bulk of its roughly US$2.7b in revenue from Petroleum Additives (US$2.50b), with smaller contributions from Specialty Materials (US$186.9m) and All Other activities (US$9.2m), and sells across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia Pacific, and other foreign markets.

Market Cap: US$7.0b

NewMarket appears in the Dividend Aristocrats screener as a focused petroleum additives business that pairs a long dividend track record with high profitability metrics and what some investors may view as an attractive valuation. The company trades at a P/E of 17x, compared with much higher industry averages and below some fair value estimates cited by market observers. Earnings have softened recently, with margins easing from 17.2% to 15.2% and growth over the last year declining 14.5%. Management highlights low leverage, cash flows, and ongoing cost control in the context of inflation and trade friction. For investors watching how energy security, regulation, and interest rate expectations develop, the combination of dividends, buybacks, and a concentrated specialty chemicals portfolio may support further analysis of how resilient NewMarket is to additional shocks.

NewMarket’s combination of dividends, buybacks, and a 17x P/E compared with higher industry averages suggests the market might be overlooking something in this specialty chemicals story. Start with the 2 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

RPM International (RPM)

Overview: RPM International is a Medina, Ohio based specialty chemicals company that supplies coatings, sealants, roofing systems, flooring, waterproofing, and repair products used in construction, industrial facilities, and everyday consumer DIY projects worldwide.

Operations: RPM generates most of its roughly US$7.7b in revenue from Construction Products Group (US$2.9b) and the Consumer Segment (US$2.5b), with additional contributions from Performance Coatings Group (US$1.6b) and segment adjustments of about US$0.7b, while the United States accounts for about US$5.4b of sales alongside smaller international regions.

Market Cap: US$13.4b

RPM International stands out in the Dividend Aristocrats group as a specialty chemicals company that couples a 2.11% dividend yield and 52 consecutive years of dividend increases with solid profitability measures, including 21.2% ROE and what are assessed as high quality earnings. Investors watching geopolitical tension, energy costs, and rate uncertainty may find RPM’s positioning in infrastructure repair, energy efficient buildings, and industrial projects interesting, particularly given management’s focus on efficiency programs, pricing power, and exposure to trends such as energy transition and reshoring. At the same time, high debt levels, sensitivity to raw material inflation, and softer consumer DIY demand create notable pressure points. The mix of stability, income, and these trade offs is what makes RPM worth a closer look for this kind of screener-focused portfolio.

RPM International’s 52 year dividend streak, 21.2% ROE, and focus on energy efficient projects may hint at a story the market is not fully pricing. Read the 6 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

The three Dividend Aristocrats covered here are only a starting point, as the full screen of this Dividend Aristocrats idea surfaced 43 more companies that appear to have similarly compelling income profiles and business narratives in the Dividend Aristocrats screener. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific catalysts, financial traits, and dividend histories that matter most so you can focus on the Dividend Aristocrats that best match your highest conviction views.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.