The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores. The company sells its products under the Coca-Cola, Diet Coke/Coca-Cola Light, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, caffeine free Diet Coke, Cherry Coke, Fanta Orange, Fanta Zero Orange, Fanta Zero Sugar, Fanta Apple, Sprite, Sprite Zero Sugar, Simply Orange, Simply Apple, Simply Grapefruit, Fresca, Schweppes, Thums Up, Aquarius, Ayataka, BODYARMOR, Ciel, Costa, Dasani, dogadan, FUZE TEA, Georgia, glacéau smartwater, glacéau vitaminwater, Gold Peak, Ice Dew, I LOHAS, Powerade, Topo Chico, AdeS, Del Valle, fairlife, innocent, Minute Maid, and Minute Maid Pulpy brands. It operates through a network of independent bottling partners, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers, as well as through bottling and distribution operators. The company was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Coca-Cola Company (The)

Below is Validea's guru fundamental report for COCA-COLA CO (KO). Of the 22 guru strategies we follow, KO rates highest using our Growth Investor model based on the published strategy of Martin Zweig. This strategy looks for growth stocks with persistent accelerating earnings and sales growth, reasonable valuations and low debt.
COCA-COLA CO (KO) is a large-cap growth stock in the Beverages (Non-Alcoholic) industry. The rating using this strategy is 69% based on the firm’s underlying fundamentals and the stock’s valuation. A score of 80% or above typically indicates that the strategy has some interest in the stock and a score above 90% typically indicates strong interest.
The following table summarizes whether the stock meets each of this strategy's tests. Not all criteria in the below table receive equal weighting or are independent, but the table provides a brief overview of the strong and weak points of the security in the context of the strategy's criteria.
Detailed Analysis of COCA-COLA CO
More Information on Martin Zweig
About Martin Zweig: During the 15 years that it was monitored, Zweig's stock recommendation newsletter returned an average of 15.9 percent per year, during which time it was ranked number one based on risk-adjusted returns by Hulbert Financial Digest. Zweig has managed both mutual and hedge funds during his career, and he's put the fortune he's compiled to some interesting uses. He has owned what Forbes reported was the most expensive apartment in New York, a $70 million penthouse that sits atop Manhattan's Pierre Hotel, and he is a collector of all sorts of pop culture and historical memorabilia -- among his purchases are the gun used by Clint Eastwood in "Dirty Harry", a stock certificate signed by Commodore Vanderbilt, and even two old-fashioned gas pumps similar to those he'd seen at a nearby gas station while growing up in Cleveland, according to published reports.
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About Validea: Validea is aninvestment researchservice that follows the published strategies of investment legends. Validea offers both stock analysis and model portfolios based on gurus who have outperformed the market over the long-term, including Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, Peter Lynch and Martin Zweig. For more information about Validea, click here
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Martin Zweig Detailed Fundamental Analysis - KO

Below is Validea's guru fundamental report for COCA-COLA CO (KO). Of the 22 guru strategies we follow, KO rates highest using our Growth Investor model based on the published strategy of Martin Zweig. This strategy looks for growth stocks with persistent accelerating earnings and sales growth, reasonable valuations and low debt.
COCA-COLA CO (KO) is a large-cap growth stock in the Beverages (Non-Alcoholic) industry. The rating using this strategy is 69% based on the firm’s underlying fundamentals and the stock’s valuation. A score of 80% or above typically indicates that the strategy has some interest in the stock and a score above 90% typically indicates strong interest.
The following table summarizes whether the stock meets each of this strategy's tests. Not all criteria in the below table receive equal weighting or are independent, but the table provides a brief overview of the strong and weak points of the security in the context of the strategy's criteria.
Detailed Analysis of COCA-COLA CO
More Information on Martin Zweig
About Martin Zweig: During the 15 years that it was monitored, Zweig's stock recommendation newsletter returned an average of 15.9 percent per year, during which time it was ranked number one based on risk-adjusted returns by Hulbert Financial Digest. Zweig has managed both mutual and hedge funds during his career, and he's put the fortune he's compiled to some interesting uses. He has owned what Forbes reported was the most expensive apartment in New York, a $70 million penthouse that sits atop Manhattan's Pierre Hotel, and he is a collector of all sorts of pop culture and historical memorabilia -- among his purchases are the gun used by Clint Eastwood in "Dirty Harry", a stock certificate signed by Commodore Vanderbilt, and even two old-fashioned gas pumps similar to those he'd seen at a nearby gas station while growing up in Cleveland, according to published reports.
Additional Research Links
About Validea: Validea is aninvestment researchservice that follows the published strategies of investment legends. Validea offers both stock analysis and model portfolios based on gurus who have outperformed the market over the long-term, including Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, Peter Lynch and Martin Zweig. For more information about Validea, click here
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Guru Fundamental Report for KO - Martin Zweig

Key Points
These companies have strong businesses with plenty of room to keep growing.
They all well-known names with highly recognizable, strong brands.
These are low-risk stocks suitable for long-term investing.
If you want to invest in a safe, dividend growth stock you can feel comfortable owning for the long haul, it's important to consider more than just ratios telling you whether the payout is safe and if there's room for dividend increases. It's also important to consider factors such as the strength of the company's brand and its long-term growth prospects.
It can be incredibly difficult to project how a business might do 10-plus years down the road. But you can reduce the overall risk of investing in a dividend growth stock by selecting one that has an incredible business model, and which has plenty of runway to grow bigger and become more valuable in the future.
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Three dividend growth stocks that fit these criteria and can be excellent income-generating investments for years include Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), Walmart (NYSE: WMT), and McDonald's (NYSE: MCD).
1. Coca-Cola
In February, Coca-Cola announced that it would be increasing its dividend for a 63rd consecutive year. The stock is a Dividend King, which is a collection of dividend growth stocks with streaks spanning at least 50 years. Even in that exclusive club, Coca-Cola has set itself apart with one of the longest streaks.
Coca-Cola's iconic brand puts it in a tremendously strong position for the long haul, as consumers often seek out its products. And even as demand has been shifting to healthier options over the years, Coca-Cola has adapted. Its popular Coke Zero products are a great example of that. Plus, Coca-Cola has diversified through acquisitions, with the business now encompassing over 200 brands.
At 2.9%, it already offers a great dividend yield today. With strong profit margins of around 26% of revenue, the business continuing to grow steadily in recent years, and a lot of resources at its disposal to help grow its operations in the future, Coca-Cola is a no-brainer income stock to hang on to for the long haul.
2. Walmart
Retail giant Walmart is another example of an unstoppable dividend stock to own. This year, it raised its dividend by an impressive rate of 13%. And the increase marked the 52nd straight year when it has raised its payout.
Walmart is a growth beast with loads of potential to become larger and more profitable in the future. It has been expanding online, and its acquisition of TV-maker Vizio last year can accelerate its ad business. And what astounds me is that Walmart, as big as it is, operates stores and clubs in just 19 countries. Internationally, there's a ton of growth potential for the business to tap into in the long run.
For a behemoth such as Walmart, which has generated $685 billion in sales over the past four quarters, it looks unstoppable, especially as it expands into new opportunities and possibly more markets. Although its yield is modest at less than 1%, with continued increases, this can prove to be an excellent dividend-generating investment to hang on to for years to come.
3. McDonald's
Another iconic brand that consumers will be familiar with is McDonald's. The company's golden arches are usually cleverly positioned high enough so that travelers can easily spot them from far away. It has a vast global presence, with around 38,000 restaurants spanning well over 100 countries and territories. The fast food chain tweaks its menu to adapt to local cultures, and that flexibility allows the business to succeed and cater to a wide range of customers.
And with many value options, eating at a McDonald's can often be a relatively cheap option for consumers to consider, whether they're traveling or just want a quick meal. The versatility of its operations is what makes it likely that McDonald's will continue to be a top fast food chain for years to come.
The company's 32% profit margins over the past year are impressive and highlight why McDonald's can be an excellent investment to hang on to. Even if it needs to reduce prices to lure in more customers, it can afford to do so while still maintaining a high level of profitability.
At 2.3%, the stock offers investors a decent yield, and McDonald's has been increasing its payout for 48 consecutive years.
Should you invest $1,000 in Coca-Cola right now?
Before you buy stock in Coca-Cola, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Coca-Cola wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $654,781!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,076,588!*
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*Stock Advisor returns as of August 18, 2025
David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 Dividend Growth Stocks With Unstoppable Businesses to Buy and Hold Forever

Key Points
Chevron has a long history of rewarding shareholders, and it's unlikely to stop anytime soon.
Coca-Cola’s dividend is as reliable as it gets.
An ETF with an unusual strategy has an excellent track record of monthly distributions to investors.
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) are hovering around all-time highs and are up 106.6% and 68%, respectively, from the start of 2023 through Aug. 15. But investors who feel the broader indexes are running hot don't have to overhaul their portfolios based on emotion.
Companies that pay dividends are a great way to book a return without needing the market to go up or having to sell stock. Here's why Chevron (NYSE: CVX), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), and the exchange-traded fund (ETF) Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF (NASDAQ: QYLD) are great buys in August.
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A dividend all-star that could fortify your passive income stream
Scott Levine (Chevron): From rising inflation to concerns about how President Donald Trump's tariff policy will affect the economy, many are concerned that a market downturn is imminent. Whether a pullback in the stock market will occur is unclear, but the idea of buttressing your portfolio with a reliable dividend stock is a great strategy. Oil giant Chevron is an ideal candidate for the job, currently providing a 4.4% forward dividend yield.
With the price of the oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate dropping almost 16% over the past year, some investors may be skeptical of energy stocks right now, but that conclusion would be short-sighted. Chevron is generating strong results from its Tengizchevroil (TCO) project, which has ramped up to full production in Kazakhstan, and management expects the project to produce free cash flow of approximately $5 billion in 2025 and $6 billion in 2026.
And it's not only TCO that's benefiting the company. In the second quarter of 2025, Chevron completed its acquisition of Hess -- an acquisition that management believes will provide ample free cash flow and production growth extending into the 2030s. By the end of 2025, it expects to recognize $1 billion in annual run-rate cost synergies.
For nearly four decades, Chevron has provided annual dividend hikes. That's no small feat, and experienced investors know that there have certainly been some market downturns during that time. This demonstrates the resilience of Chevron's operations, as it balances returning capital to shareholders with growing the company during times of economic challenges.
While Chevron has consistently raised its dividend, management has a keen eye on the company's financial health. Over the past five years, it has averaged a 69.4% payout ratio.
If you're looking to prepare for a possible market downturn, Chevron stock is an excellent choice right now.
So much more than a soda giant
Daniel Foelber (Coca-Cola): Like Chevron, Coca-Cola is an ultrareliable high-yield dividend stock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI). The Dow is a great place for investors looking for industry-leading companies. But being a Dow component isn't even Coke's highest accolade when it comes to reliability.
Coca-Cola's 63-year streak of raising its dividend earns it a spot on the list of Dividend Kings, companies that have paid and raised their dividends for at least 50 years. Its dividend track record, high current yield of 2.9%, and position in the fairly recession-resistant consumer staples sector make Coke arguably one of the most reliable dividend stocks on the market.
Despite the company's global exposure and diverse product lineup, the stock has produced a total return (dividends included) of 132.5% over the last decade -- heavily underperforming the monster 268% total return of the S&P 500 (largely thanks to megacap "Ten Titans" growth stocks). However, Coca-Cola's investment thesis has arguably gotten stronger in recent years.
The company's greatest competitive advantages are its highly efficient supply chain and its marketing. Coke's network of bottling and distribution partners makes it a relatively capital-light business for a beverage maker. But it still relies heavily on selling soda under its flagship brand, and soda is under pressure from changing consumer preferences, such as a shift toward wellness.
Coca-Cola's greatest opportunity is to diversify its beverage lineup by leveraging its competitive advantages and growing its market share in nonalcoholic categories outside of soda -- such as energy drinks, tea, coffee, sparkling water, and even dairy and dairy alternatives. That's precisely what Coke has been doing.
In its annual 10-K report, released in February, the company said that "Trademark Coca-Cola" accounted for 42% of U.S. unit case volume and 48% of non-U.S. unit case volume. What's more, 39% of U.S. unit case volume was outside of sparkling soft drinks -- illustrating shifts in consumer preferences.
Coke has done a masterful job growing brands like Topo Chico and Fairlife -- which it acquired for what were, in hindsight, bargain-bin valuations. These brands offer footholds it can use to further evolve into a total beverage company, rather than a majority soft drink company.
Add it all up, and there are plenty of reasons why Coca-Cola remains a dividend stock that you can be confident buying and holding for years to come.
An ETF with a 13.8% distribution
Lee Samaha (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF): If you're looking for an investment that will give you a reliable source of monthly income, even in a market downturn, then consider this ETF. Its trailing-12-month distribution yield is a whopping 13.8%. For a demonstration of its track record of distributions, consider that it paid $2.19 in 2022 (a year when the Nasdaq 100 declined by about 33%), compared to the recent price of the ETF of $16.92.
The ETF's strategy is to buy stocks in the Nasdaq 100 index and then cover them by writing (selling) a rolling series of one-month out-of-the-money covered call options. A call option is simply the right to buy the index at a specified price, known as the strike price. In this "out of the money" case, the strike price is above the current index price. Bulls usually buy call options, and they are usually written (sold) by bears.
However, in this case, the ETF is selling the call options to pick a premium that it can distribute to investors. This balanced approach means the ETF is highly likely to underperform when the Nasdaq 100 soars (because it has to pay out on the options, but its Nasdaq equities will do well), but the downside is limited because the ETF continues to pick up premiums when the Nasdaq 100 falls.
The result is a lower-volatility strategy that will generate reliable monthly income, and that might suit the circumstances of many passive income-seeking investors.
Should you invest $1,000 in Chevron right now?
Before you buy stock in Chevron, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Chevron wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $654,781!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,076,588!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 1,055% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 183% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.
*Stock Advisor returns as of August 18, 2025
Daniel Foelber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chevron. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Worried About a Stock Market Sell-Off in August? Consider These 2 Reliable Dividend Stocks and 1 ETF

Key Points
S&P 500 ETFs are outstanding long-term investments for both building wealth and surviving volatility.
The sooner you get started investing, the less you'll need to contribute each month to see substantial earnings.
With the right strategy, you could earn well over $1 million with this ETF.
Investing in the stock market is one of the most effective ways to build wealth, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can often be a safer and simpler alternative to investing in individual stocks.
An ETF is a basket of securities grouped together into a single fund. Rather than researching dozens of individual stocks to build a well-diversified portfolio, you can invest in just one share of an ETF to gain exposure to hundreds or even thousands of stocks across multiple sectors of the market.
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When it comes to where, exactly, you should invest, everyone will have different needs. However, an S&P 500 ETF is a reliable option for those seeking a way to build life-changing wealth with minimal effort.
Why invest in an S&P 500 ETF?
As the name implies, an S&P 500 ETF tracks the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) itself. From tech behemoths such as Apple and Nvidia to century-old brands such as Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble, the companies within the S&P 500 are among the largest and strongest in the United States.
Because the S&P 500 includes only large stocks with a long track record of success, an S&P 500 ETF is more likely to survive periods of economic instability. While this fund may take a hit in the short term during a bear market or recession, the S&P 500 has managed to recover from every single downturn it's ever faced throughout history -- and chances are good it will continue that streak.
In fact, with a long-term outlook, research shows that you're all but guaranteed to make money with this investment. Analysts at Crestmont Research examined the S&P 500's long-term performance, and they found that every single 20-year period in the index's history has ended in positive total returns.
In other words, if you'd invested in an S&P 500-tracking fund at any point and held it for 20 years, you'd have made money. Over the past 20 years, the S&P 500 has generated returns of more than 425%. If you'd invested $10,000 exactly 20 years ago and made no additional contributions, you'd have more than $52,000 by today.
While all S&P 500 ETFs are similar in that they track the same index, there are some differences between funds. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) is a particularly good choice because of Vanguard's long-standing track record of success, as well as the fund's low fees.
This ETF has an expense ratio of just 0.03%, meaning you'll pay $3 per year in fees for every $10,000 in your account. For comparison, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, a very similar fund, has an expense ratio of 0.0945%. While that may not seem like a significant difference, it could add up to thousands of dollars in fees over time.
How to build a $1 million portfolio
Although the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is a relatively safe investment, it can still supercharge your savings with next to no effort on your part.
Index funds and ETFs are passive investments, meaning you never need to choose the stocks within the fund. They also perform best when given as much time as possible to grow, so it's ideal to start investing early to give your investment at least a couple of decades to build.
By getting started sooner, not only can you accumulate more over time, but you also won't need to invest nearly as much each month to see substantial results.
For example, say you have $300 per month to invest. Let's also say you're earning a 10% average annual rate of return on your investment, which is in line with the S&P 500's historic average. At that rate, here's approximately how much you could accumulate depending on how many years you have to invest.
Number of Years
Total Portfolio Value
20
$206,000
25
$354,000
30
$592,000
35
$976,000
40
$1,593,000
Time and consistency are your most valuable assets when investing in the stock market. The earlier in life you can get started, the easier it will be to generate wealth that will last a lifetime.
The Vanguard S&P 500 is an excellent investment option for those seeking a lower-risk approach to building long-term wealth. By getting started now and staying in the market for the long haul, this investment could set you up for life with minimal effort.
Where to invest $1,000 right now
When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor’s total average return is 1,055%* — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 183% for the S&P 500.
They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now, available when you join Stock Advisor.
*Stock Advisor returns as of August 18, 2025
Katie Brockman has positions in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Nvidia, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Prediction: Buying the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF Today Could Set You Up for Life

KO Factor-Based Stock Analysis - Martin Zweig

Key Points
Coca-Cola's momentum has slowed in recent months, likely due in part to underwhelming results.
The company still has a business built to last, thanks to a strong moat and constant innovations.
Coca-Cola has an impressive track record of consecutive years of dividend increases.
Beverage specialist Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) started the year strong, but it has flatlined -- at best -- since May. Since July, the stock has declined by 3%, while the S&P 500 has increased by 4% over the same period. It's never a good idea to sell a stock based on a few months of underperformance, and in this case it would be an especially bad idea. All things considered, Coca-Cola is a terrific pick, particularly for those seeking solid dividend stocks. Here is why the iconic beverage maker is a worthwhile long-term investment.
Coca-Cola's resilient underlying business
Coca-Cola's shares likely rose earlier this year because it was perceived as a safe option amid the threat of tariffs. The company is a well-established leader in the consumer staples sector, an industry known for its resilience during economic downturns. Furthermore, although Coca-Cola has a presence in nearly every country, it tends to manufacture products locally for each region, helping it avoid heavy import duties.
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That said, Coca-Cola's financial results haven't been particularly strong this year. In the second quarter, the company's net revenue increased by just 1% year over year to $12.5 billion. Coca-Cola's non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) net earnings per share grew by 4% year over year to $0.87. Still, Coca-Cola continues to exhibit qualities that make it an excellent long-term investment. One of them is innovation. Coca-Cola has consistently updated its product lineup to cater to shifting consumer preferences.
The company's CEO, James Quincey, explained the importance of this during Coca-Cola's second-quarter earnings conference call: "I think the industry, given its size, its attractiveness and its growth potential, we're always looking for opportunities to innovate and see whether there's an intersection of new ideas and where consumer preferences are evolving toward, remembering that actually most innovations don't work in the long-run."
The company launched Sprite + Tea during the second quarter, a new product that gained popularity on social media. Coca-Cola plans to introduce a cane sugar-flavored Coke product this fall. The company has created Coke products with added dietary fiber in Japan and plans to continue exploring fiber-enhanced options.
Coca-Cola's lineup is constantly evolving. The company boasts products across almost every major beverage category. Coca-Cola also has the means to acquire up-and-coming brands and bring them into its ecosystem. Another great thing is that, thanks to its incredibly strong brand, a few highly popular products can have a significant impact on the company's results. Coca-Cola's name recognition also guarantees it a spot on grocery store shelves, something that isn't easy for newcomers in this highly competitive market.
Coca-Cola may not blow the market out of the water every single quarter, but it generates consistent revenue and profits, routinely launches new products to expand its reach, has a moat thanks to its brand name, and can navigate challenging market conditions. That makes the stock highly attractive to long-term investors.
A rare dividend track record
Coca-Cola hasn't just been successful for a while. The company has also been paying -- and growing -- its dividend for a long time. Coca-Cola has achieved a streak of 63 consecutive years of dividend payout increases, earning it the title of Dividend King. This period encompasses numerous recessions, several wars, presidential administrations, regulatory changes, and significant shifts in consumer preferences. Coca-Cola's ability to continue rewarding shareholders with payout hikes through all this speaks volumes about the business.
The company's forward yield tops 2.9%, higher than the S&P 500's average of 1.3%. Is Coca-Cola's dividend sustainable? The company's payout ratio of 70.6% looks high. But in my view, it's nothing to worry about. A lot would have to go wrong for Coca-Cola to interrupt its long track record of dividend increases and have to start from scratch to maybe join the ranks of Dividend Kings again in another 50 years. Even during the pandemic, when foot traffic in stores decreased and the company's revenue and earnings fell significantly, Coca-Cola continued to grow its payouts.
The dividend is safe. The stock is an excellent choice for long-term, dividend-oriented investors to include in their portfolios.
Should you invest $1,000 in Coca-Cola right now?
Before you buy stock in Coca-Cola, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Coca-Cola wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $671,466!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,115,633!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 1,077% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.
*Stock Advisor returns as of August 18, 2025
Prosper Junior Bakiny has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

1 Magnificent S&P 500 Dividend Stock Down 4% to Buy and Hold Forever

Key Points
UnitedHealth Group's reduced profit forecast for 2025 is disappointing, but the health insurance business is in a good position to bounce back.
Coca-Cola's dividend payout has risen for 63 consecutive years.
Amgen sells over a dozen drugs that are growing sales at a double-digit annual percentage.
Income-seeking investors who value their time know the best dividend stocks don't need a lot of babysitting. Some go on decades-long payout-raising streaks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) is one of the best places to find reliable dividend payers. Stocks aren't added to this exclusive list unless they have already demonstrated an ability to produce profits in good economic times and bad ones, too.
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The average dividend payer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average offers a measly 1.6% yield at recent prices. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), and Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) stand out with above-average yields. Here's why they could be great additions to a long-term dividend investor's portfolio.
1. UnitedHealth Group
Shares of UnitedHealth Group collapsed in May, after the company simultaneously suspended its 2025 outlook and announced an abrupt CEO exit. To top it off, the company felt it was necessary to issue responses to several Wall Street Journal articles and a Department of Justice investigation regarding its Medicare business.
The stock is down, but its dividend payout is way up. The company raised it by 76.8% over the past five years. At its beaten-down price, the stock offers a 2.7% yield.
Health insurance businesses operate on thin margins. It turns out that UnitedHealth mispriced premiums going into 2025. Healthcare providers are charging more than the company anticipated, plus the amount of care new members have been using is also higher than expected.
Smart investors such as Warren Buffett know that UnitedHealth Group is mostly a middleman that can pass increased costs on to health plan sponsors. It may have mispriced premiums going into 2025, but this isn't a mistake its recently refreshed management team is likely to make again in the decade ahead.
2. Coca-Cola
Unlike UnitedHealth, Coca-Cola stock is up near its all-time high. The soda giant's dividend hasn't risen as sharply as the health insurer's, but it's still up by 24.4% over the past five years.
Being the only company that can sell many of the world's most popular beverage brands is a strong advantage that leads to consistent profits. In February, the company announced a dividend raise for the 63rd year in a row.
Shares of Coca-Cola offer a 2.9% yield at recent prices, and another decade of significant dividend raises isn't an unreasonable expectation. Second-quarter unit case volume fell by 1%, but the strength of its brands allowed organic revenue to rise by 5% year over year.
Sales of sugary sodas have been losing ground to sports drinks, but the company has this base covered. Its BodyArmor brand boasts a double-digit share of the U.S. market, and its older Powerade brand is even more popular. Adding some shares of this stock to a diverse portfolio is an almost certain way to boost your passive income stream over time.
3. Amgen
Shares of biotechnology pioneer Amgen have been trading about 12% below the all-time high they set last year.
Amgen began paying a dividend in 2011 and has been able to increase it every year since. The drugmaker raised its payout by 48.8% over the past five years. At recent prices, it offers a 3.2% yield.
Two of Amgen's top revenue streams, Enbrel and Prolia, are drying up thanks to biosimilar competition. Fortunately, the losses are easily offset by a slew of more recently launched products.
Amgen recently reported year-over-year sales increases at a double-digit percentage for 15 products in the second quarter. New competition for Enbrel and Prolia limited second-quarter sales growth to 9% year over year.
Enbrel and Prolia losses will most likely reach a bottom long before Amgen's new growth drivers run out of fuel. With a strong lineup of new products, this company could report strong sales growth in the decade ahead.
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Cory Renauer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amgen. The Motley Fool recommends UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 Dow Jones Dividend Stocks With Above-Average Yields You Can Buy Now and Hold for at Least a Decade

The NASDAQ 100 After Hours Indicator is down -1.71 to 23,383.06. The total After hours volume is currently 259,932,235 shares traded.
The following are the most active stocks for the after hours session:
CSX Corporation (CSX) is -0.04 at $36.48, with 11,794,785 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 3 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Dec 2025. The consensus EPS forecast is $0.44. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for CSX is in the "buy range".
Intel Corporation (INTC) is -0.2 at $25.11, with 5,012,564 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 6 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Sep 2025. The consensus EPS forecast is $-0.12. INTC's current last sale is 114.14% of the target price of $22.
Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) is +0.05 at $84.98, with 4,121,304 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 3 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Dec 2025. The consensus EPS forecast is $2.19. MRK's current last sale is 84.98% of the target price of $100.
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is +0.07 at $175.71, with 3,488,467 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for NVDA is in the "buy range".
ICICI Bank Limited (IBN) is unchanged at $32.88, with 3,050,213 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for IBN is in the "buy range".
Coca-Cola Company (The) (KO) is -0.08 at $70.05, with 2,822,050 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 6 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Jun 2026. The consensus EPS forecast is $0.93. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for KO is in the "buy range".
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (FUN) is unchanged at $25.98, with 2,768,957 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for FUN is in the "buy range".
Pepsico, Inc. (PEP) is -0.15 at $152.01, with 2,241,489 shares traded. PEP's current last sale is 98.71% of the target price of $154.
Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. (CX) is +0.02 at $8.67, with 2,117,595 shares traded. CX's current last sale is 107.04% of the target price of $8.1.
Walmart Inc. (WMT) is +0.16 at $101.45, with 2,081,731 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 3 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Jul 2025. The consensus EPS forecast is $0.73. WMT is scheduled to provide an earnings report on 8/21/2025, for the fiscal quarter ending Jul2025. The consensus earnings per share forecast is 0.73 per share, which represents a 67 percent increase over the EPS one Year Ago
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc (HTZ) is -0.0295 at $5.17, with 1,791,526 shares traded. As reported in the last short interest update the days to cover for HTZ is 8.389105; this calculation is based on the average trading volume of the stock.
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is -0.05 at $569.23, with 1,713,739 shares traded. This represents a 41.46% increase from its 52 Week Low.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.