Century-Old Dividend Stocks Offering Reliable Returns
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 29 2026
0mins
Source: Fool
- Coca-Cola's Dividend Strength: Coca-Cola has consistently paid dividends since 1920, currently yielding 2.6%, significantly above the S&P 500's 1.1%, demonstrating financial resilience amid economic volatility, and has raised its dividend for 64 consecutive years, qualifying as a Dividend King.
- ExxonMobil's Stable Returns: ExxonMobil has paid dividends since 1882, with a current yield of 2.7%; while its dividend growth history is shorter than Coca-Cola's, it has increased payouts for 43 years, reflecting strong profitability in the oil and gas sector, with last year's earnings reaching $28.8 billion.
- York Water's Reliability: York Water has not missed a dividend payment since 1816, offering a yield of 3.1%, and reported over $20 million in profit on $77 million in revenue last year, showcasing its stability and profitability in the water services industry.
- Attractiveness of Dividend Stocks: These companies not only provide high-yield dividends but also serve as ideal choices for risk-averse investors due to their long payment histories and stable financial performance, especially in the context of increasing economic uncertainty.
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Analyst Views on KO
Wall Street analysts forecast KO stock price to fall
14 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 80.460
Low
71.00
Averages
79.33
High
85.00
Current: 80.460
Low
71.00
Averages
79.33
High
85.00
About KO
The Coca-Cola Company is a beverage company. The Company's segments include Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA); Latin America; North America; Asia Pacific, and Bottling Investments. It sells multiple brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Its portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Its water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Fuze Tea, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Its juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and Santa Clara. It operates in two lines of business: concentrate operations and finished product operations. Its concentrate operations sell beverage concentrates, syrups, including fountain syrups, and certain finished beverages to authorized bottling operations. Its finished product operations sell sparkling soft drinks and a variety of other finished beverages.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
JPMorgan Identifies Buying Opportunity in Low Volatility Stocks
- Attractive Low Volatility Stocks: JPMorgan highlights that low volatility stocks have underperformed in recent months, particularly during the Middle East conflict, with U.S. low vol stocks down 6% while bond yields rose by 55 basis points, indicating an inverse correlation that presents a potential buying opportunity for investors now.
- Coca-Cola's Resilience: Coca-Cola offers a 2.6% dividend yield and, despite minimal price movement over the past three months, reported first-quarter earnings that exceeded expectations and raised its full-year EPS growth forecast to 8%-9%, demonstrating the company's resilience amid uncertainty.
- Rollins' Market Outlook: Rollins provides a 1.37% dividend yield and, despite an 11% decline in share price over the last three months, has received strong praise from analysts for its unique market strategy and service culture, suggesting continued industry-leading execution.
- Procter & Gamble's Challenges and Opportunities: Procter & Gamble, with a 3.01% dividend yield, has seen its stock fall about 13% in the last three months, yet its quarterly results surpassed expectations, and analysts maintain an overweight rating with a projected 15% upside, reflecting confidence in its future performance.
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- Coca-Cola's Stability: Coca-Cola (KO) raised its quarterly dividend from $0.51 to $0.53 this year, marking 64 consecutive years of increases, which underscores its status as a 'Dividend King'; the current yield stands at 2.6%, significantly above the S&P 500's 1.1%.
- PepsiCo's Growth: PepsiCo (PEP) announced a 4% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.48 this month, having raised dividends for 54 consecutive years, with a current yield of 4%, nearly four times that of the S&P 500, reflecting its strong profitability and market competitiveness.
- Procter & Gamble's Long-Term Commitment: Procter & Gamble (PG) has paid dividends since 1890 and has raised them for 70 straight years, with the latest quarterly payout increased by 3% to $1.0885, yielding 3.1%, supported by over $11 billion in free cash flow that easily covers $7.6 billion in dividends.
- Realty Income's Appeal: Realty Income (O), a REIT, pays monthly dividends and recently raised its payout from $0.27 to $0.2705, yielding 5.2%, well above the FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index's 3.7%, demonstrating its strong cash flow and distribution capacity.
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- Coca-Cola Dividend Increase: Coca-Cola raised its quarterly dividend from $0.51 to $0.53 this year, marking 64 consecutive years of increases, which underscores its strong profitability and commitment to shareholders, with a current yield of 2.6%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.1%.
- PepsiCo's Stable Returns: PepsiCo announced a 4% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.48 this month, having raised dividends for 54 consecutive years, with a current yield of 4%, nearly four times that of the S&P 500, reflecting its robust market position and profitability.
- Procter & Gamble's Dividend History: Procter & Gamble has paid dividends since 1890 and has raised them for 70 straight years, with the latest quarterly payout increased by 3% to $1.0885 per share, yielding 3.1%, supported by strong free cash flow that ensures dividend sustainability.
- Attractiveness of Realty Income: Realty Income has increased its dividend 134 times since going public in 1994, recently raising the monthly payout from $0.27 to $0.2705 per share, yielding 5.2%, appealing to income-seeking investors due to its stable cash flow and high dividend policy.
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- Coca-Cola's Brand Power: Coca-Cola, ranked as the sixth most valuable brand by Forbes in 2020, leverages its strong brand influence and pricing power to maintain a significant presence in retail markets, ensuring stable dividend returns with a 63-year streak of payout increases and a current yield of 2.6%.
- Diversified Beverage Portfolio: Beyond sodas, Coca-Cola has expanded into sports drinks and ready-to-drink alcohol, launching brands like BODYARMOUR and Vitaminwater to adapt to changing consumer tastes, thereby enhancing its market competitiveness and revenue streams.
- Nucor's Sales Surge: Nucor Steel reported a remarkable increase in net sales to $9.4 billion in Q1 2026, up from $7.8 billion a year earlier, with net earnings soaring from $156 million in 2025 to $743 million, reflecting strong demand in construction and infrastructure sectors.
- Future Growth Potential: Nucor's ongoing growth in the data center sector serves as a catalyst for its divisions, and despite a dividend yield of less than 1%, its stock price has surged 113% over the past year, indicating potential returns for investors willing to take on higher risks.
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Buffett's Legacy Investment in Coca-Cola
- Holding Stability: Berkshire Hathaway has maintained its 400 million shares of Coca-Cola since August 1994, reflecting the company's trust and long-term investment strategy in the beverage giant.
- Dividend Growth: Coca-Cola's quarterly dividend has increased from $0.20 per share at the time of Berkshire's last purchase to $0.53 today, resulting in $212 million in quarterly revenue for Berkshire, highlighting Coca-Cola's value as a stable income source.
- Investment Preference: The lack of additional shares purchased by Berkshire over nearly 32 years primarily stems from differing capital allocation preferences, illustrating the strategic differences between large corporations and average investors.
- Dividend King Status: Coca-Cola has raised its annual dividend for 64 consecutive years, earning the title of Dividend King, and while its stock price may not grow as rapidly as some growth stocks, its reliable dividends attract investors seeking stable returns.
See More
Recommended Resilient Stocks Amid Market Turbulence
- Costco's Stability: Costco (COST) currently has a dividend yield of 0.6% and a high P/E ratio of 53, yet its consistent dividend increases over 22 years and a 400-bagger growth since its IPO indicate strong capital appreciation potential, making it attractive amid economic uncertainty.
- Realty Income's Advantage: Realty Income (O), one of the largest REITs in the U.S., offers a 5.2% dividend yield and employs a triple net lease structure that ensures tenants cover property taxes and maintenance, showcasing stable cash flow and high occupancy rates during economic fluctuations.
- Coca-Cola's Resilience: Coca-Cola (KO) boasts a 2.6% dividend yield and a record of 64 consecutive years of dividend increases, demonstrating its resilience in downturns, while maintaining a net margin of 27.8%, indicating efficiency in its operations despite low-margin logistics.
- Portfolio Diversification: In the current global economic climate, considering investments in Costco, Realty Income, and Coca-Cola can provide not only stable dividends but also strong survival capabilities during market turbulence, making them suitable for investors seeking safe investments.
See More
JPMorgan Identifies Buying Opportunity in Low Volatility Stocks
- Attractive Low Volatility Stocks: JPMorgan highlights that low volatility stocks have underperformed in recent months, particularly during the Middle East conflict, with U.S. low vol stocks down 6% while bond yields rose by 55 basis points, indicating an inverse correlation that presents a potential buying opportunity for investors now.
- Coca-Cola's Resilience: Coca-Cola offers a 2.6% dividend yield and, despite minimal price movement over the past three months, reported first-quarter earnings that exceeded expectations and raised its full-year EPS growth forecast to 8%-9%, demonstrating the company's resilience amid uncertainty.
- Rollins' Market Outlook: Rollins provides a 1.37% dividend yield and, despite an 11% decline in share price over the last three months, has received strong praise from analysts for its unique market strategy and service culture, suggesting continued industry-leading execution.
- Procter & Gamble's Challenges and Opportunities: Procter & Gamble, with a 3.01% dividend yield, has seen its stock fall about 13% in the last three months, yet its quarterly results surpassed expectations, and analysts maintain an overweight rating with a projected 15% upside, reflecting confidence in its future performance.
See More
Four High-Yield Dividend Stocks Recommended
- Coca-Cola's Stability: Coca-Cola (KO) raised its quarterly dividend from $0.51 to $0.53 this year, marking 64 consecutive years of increases, which underscores its status as a 'Dividend King'; the current yield stands at 2.6%, significantly above the S&P 500's 1.1%.
- PepsiCo's Growth: PepsiCo (PEP) announced a 4% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.48 this month, having raised dividends for 54 consecutive years, with a current yield of 4%, nearly four times that of the S&P 500, reflecting its strong profitability and market competitiveness.
- Procter & Gamble's Long-Term Commitment: Procter & Gamble (PG) has paid dividends since 1890 and has raised them for 70 straight years, with the latest quarterly payout increased by 3% to $1.0885, yielding 3.1%, supported by over $11 billion in free cash flow that easily covers $7.6 billion in dividends.
- Realty Income's Appeal: Realty Income (O), a REIT, pays monthly dividends and recently raised its payout from $0.27 to $0.2705, yielding 5.2%, well above the FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index's 3.7%, demonstrating its strong cash flow and distribution capacity.
See More
Four Dividend Stocks to Aid Investors
- Coca-Cola Dividend Increase: Coca-Cola raised its quarterly dividend from $0.51 to $0.53 this year, marking 64 consecutive years of increases, which underscores its strong profitability and commitment to shareholders, with a current yield of 2.6%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.1%.
- PepsiCo's Stable Returns: PepsiCo announced a 4% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.48 this month, having raised dividends for 54 consecutive years, with a current yield of 4%, nearly four times that of the S&P 500, reflecting its robust market position and profitability.
- Procter & Gamble's Dividend History: Procter & Gamble has paid dividends since 1890 and has raised them for 70 straight years, with the latest quarterly payout increased by 3% to $1.0885 per share, yielding 3.1%, supported by strong free cash flow that ensures dividend sustainability.
- Attractiveness of Realty Income: Realty Income has increased its dividend 134 times since going public in 1994, recently raising the monthly payout from $0.27 to $0.2705 per share, yielding 5.2%, appealing to income-seeking investors due to its stable cash flow and high dividend policy.
See More
Two Dividend Kings Recommended by Buffett
- Coca-Cola's Brand Power: Coca-Cola, ranked as the sixth most valuable brand by Forbes in 2020, leverages its strong brand influence and pricing power to maintain a significant presence in retail markets, ensuring stable dividend returns with a 63-year streak of payout increases and a current yield of 2.6%.
- Diversified Beverage Portfolio: Beyond sodas, Coca-Cola has expanded into sports drinks and ready-to-drink alcohol, launching brands like BODYARMOUR and Vitaminwater to adapt to changing consumer tastes, thereby enhancing its market competitiveness and revenue streams.
- Nucor's Sales Surge: Nucor Steel reported a remarkable increase in net sales to $9.4 billion in Q1 2026, up from $7.8 billion a year earlier, with net earnings soaring from $156 million in 2025 to $743 million, reflecting strong demand in construction and infrastructure sectors.
- Future Growth Potential: Nucor's ongoing growth in the data center sector serves as a catalyst for its divisions, and despite a dividend yield of less than 1%, its stock price has surged 113% over the past year, indicating potential returns for investors willing to take on higher risks.
See More
Buffett's Legacy Investment in Coca-Cola
- Holding Stability: Berkshire Hathaway has maintained its 400 million shares of Coca-Cola since August 1994, reflecting the company's trust and long-term investment strategy in the beverage giant.
- Dividend Growth: Coca-Cola's quarterly dividend has increased from $0.20 per share at the time of Berkshire's last purchase to $0.53 today, resulting in $212 million in quarterly revenue for Berkshire, highlighting Coca-Cola's value as a stable income source.
- Investment Preference: The lack of additional shares purchased by Berkshire over nearly 32 years primarily stems from differing capital allocation preferences, illustrating the strategic differences between large corporations and average investors.
- Dividend King Status: Coca-Cola has raised its annual dividend for 64 consecutive years, earning the title of Dividend King, and while its stock price may not grow as rapidly as some growth stocks, its reliable dividends attract investors seeking stable returns.
See More
Recommended Resilient Stocks Amid Market Turbulence
- Costco's Stability: Costco (COST) currently has a dividend yield of 0.6% and a high P/E ratio of 53, yet its consistent dividend increases over 22 years and a 400-bagger growth since its IPO indicate strong capital appreciation potential, making it attractive amid economic uncertainty.
- Realty Income's Advantage: Realty Income (O), one of the largest REITs in the U.S., offers a 5.2% dividend yield and employs a triple net lease structure that ensures tenants cover property taxes and maintenance, showcasing stable cash flow and high occupancy rates during economic fluctuations.
- Coca-Cola's Resilience: Coca-Cola (KO) boasts a 2.6% dividend yield and a record of 64 consecutive years of dividend increases, demonstrating its resilience in downturns, while maintaining a net margin of 27.8%, indicating efficiency in its operations despite low-margin logistics.
- Portfolio Diversification: In the current global economic climate, considering investments in Costco, Realty Income, and Coca-Cola can provide not only stable dividends but also strong survival capabilities during market turbulence, making them suitable for investors seeking safe investments.
See More
