Dividend Aristocrats includes high-dividend stocks that offer a regular stream of income to investors in the form of dividend payments. High-dividend stocks are often issued by stable, established companies with strong cash flows and earnings. They are defensive investments because they tend to be less volatile than other types of stocks. During periods of market volatility or economic uncertainty, these stocks may hold up better than growth stocks, which can help protect investors during market downturns. Refer to the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index for more details.