If markets remain rocky, either because of the Trump administration’s trade war or soft economic data, the aristocrats could continue to outperform. “Our favorite defensive dividend strategy, dividend aristocrats, is a good place for investors to ‘hide’ in the event of an economic slowdown or recessionary environment,” he wrote. The easiest way for investors to bet on long-time dividend payers is through an exchange-traded fund like the often known by its stock ticker, NOBL.