Another company joined the elite list of dividend kings over the past week, bringing the list to fourteen companies. So far this year we have had Coca Cola (NYSE:KO) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) join the ranks of dividend kings. This is an elite list of companies which have managed to raise distributions for at least 50 years in a row.

Lowe’s (NYSE:LOW) together with its subsidiaries, operates as a home improvement retailer. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 14.30% to 16 cents per share. Lowe’s Companies has raised dividends for 50 years in a row, placing it next to Coca Cola and Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) on the dividend king list. Yield: 2.40% (analysis)

Other consistent dividend payers, boosting distributions over the past week included:

Universal Health Realty Income Trust (NYSE:UHT) operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States. The company invests in health care and human service related facilities. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 0.80% to 61.50 cents per share. This dividend achiever has raised dividends for 24 years in a row. Yield: 6.20% (analysis)

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) operates as a diversified energy company in the United States. The company invests in health care and human service related facilities. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 2.80% to 36.50 cents per share.This dividend achiever  has raised dividends for 23 years in a row. Yield: 3.30%

FedEx  (NYSE:FDX) provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. It operates in four segments: FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Services. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 7.70% to 14 cents per share. FedEx Corporation has raised dividends for 11 years in a row. Yield: 0.70%

Flowers Foods (NYSE:FLO) produces and markets bakery products in the United States. It operates in two segments, Direct-Store-Delivery (DSD) and Warehouse Delivery. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 6.70% to 16 cents per share. Flowers Foods has raised dividends for 11 years in a row. Yield: 2.80%

Full Disclosure: Long LOW, UHT, PG, JNJ, KO