Three Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
0mins
Should l Buy KO?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Coca-Cola's Stability: As a Dividend King, Coca-Cola has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years, and while its current yield is 2.6%, its strong market performance and ownership of 32 billion-dollar brands provide significant resilience during economic fluctuations.
- Realty Income's Resilience: Realty Income boasts 15,500 properties globally with a high occupancy rate of 98.9%, demonstrating stability under real estate market pressure, while its 5% dividend yield and diversification strategy ensure long-term growth potential.
- Walmart's Growth Potential: As the largest physical retailer, Walmart's stock has surged 183% over the past five years, outperforming Amazon and the S&P 500, with e-commerce growth of 24% year-over-year and a rapidly expanding membership program driving future growth.
- Reliability of Dividend Kings: Walmart has raised its dividend for 53 years, and despite a low yield of 0.8% currently, its stable performance and strong market position make it a reliable source of passive income for investors.
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Analyst Views on KO
Wall Street analysts forecast KO stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 77.630
Low
71.00
Averages
79.33
High
85.00
Current: 77.630
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.
Coca-Cola Reports Strong 2025 Earnings Growth
- Organic Revenue Growth: Coca-Cola achieved a 5% year-over-year organic revenue growth in both Q4 and the full year of 2025, demonstrating resilience amid pressures from lower-income consumers, which bolsters investor confidence in future growth prospects.
- Optimistic Cash Flow Forecast: Management anticipates a 7% year-over-year increase in free cash flow for 2026, reaching approximately $12.2 billion, providing a solid foundation for ongoing dividend payments and future investments, thereby reinforcing its market position.
- Operational Efficiency Improvement: Despite a 32% year-over-year decline in Q4 operating income, the comparable currency-neutral operating income surged by 13%, particularly in North America where the operating margin hit 30% for the first time, showcasing effective cost management strategies.
- Stable Dividend Yield: Coca-Cola's current dividend yield stands at 2.7%, and with a conservative payout ratio of 67%, the company presents a strong balance between stable returns and ongoing growth, appealing to investors seeking defensive investment options.
See More
Buffett Retires, Abel Takes Over Berkshire Hathaway
- Succession Plan: Buffett retired in 2025, with successor Abel indicating in a shareholder letter that he won't make significant changes to Berkshire's corporate structure or its $311 billion stock portfolio, suggesting a stable investment strategy that retains key stakes in companies like Apple and Coca-Cola.
- Chubb Insurance Growth: Berkshire's 8.8% stake in Swiss insurer Chubb, valued at approximately $10.9 billion, saw net premiums increase by 6.3% to $53 billion last year, with the CEO anticipating sustained double-digit earnings growth, highlighting strong investment potential.
- Alphabet's Outlook: Alphabet's stock has risen over 82% in the past year, with Berkshire holding a 0.3% stake worth nearly $5.5 billion; despite AI disruption concerns, continued strong earnings growth could lead to further stock price increases.
- Kraft Heinz Strategy: Berkshire's opposition to Kraft Heinz's split plan has led to its suspension, allowing Berkshire to maintain its 27.5% stake; despite current losses, a $600 million investment in marketing and R&D could drive a rebound in stock price and profitability.
See More
Coca-Cola and Others Attract Investor Interest
- Coca-Cola's Stability: As a 'Dividend King', Coca-Cola has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years, and while its current yield is 2.6%, its strong market performance and ownership of 32 billion-dollar brands ensure resilience during economic fluctuations, continuously creating value for shareholders.
- Realty Income's Diversification: Realty Income, with 15,500 properties globally and a high occupancy rate of 98.9%, demonstrates resilience under market pressure, recently branching into new industries like gaming and industrials, which enhances its long-term growth potential.
- Walmart's E-commerce Growth: As the largest physical retailer, Walmart's stock has surged 183% over the past five years, with e-commerce sales increasing by 24% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, showcasing its strong competitive position in the retail market.
- Investment Value of Dividend Stocks: Dividend stocks like Coca-Cola, Realty Income, and Walmart are seen as cornerstones of a diversified portfolio, providing stable passive income, especially during market turbulence, attracting significant investor interest.
See More
Analysis of Investment Value in Dividend Stocks
- Coca-Cola's Stability: As a Dividend King, Coca-Cola has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years, currently yielding 2.6%, demonstrating its resilience and ability to grow even amidst market volatility.
- Realty Income's Resilience: Realty Income, with 15,500 properties globally and a high occupancy rate of 98.9%, showcases its stability under real estate market pressures, offering a reliable passive income with a 5% dividend yield.
- Walmart's Growth Potential: As the largest physical retailer, Walmart's stock has surged 183% over the past five years, with e-commerce growing 24% year-over-year, indicating strong performance and future growth prospects in the retail sector.
- Diversification Strategy: Realty Income is diversifying into new industries like gaming and industrials, enhancing its long-term growth opportunities, while Coca-Cola continues to drive sales growth through strategic acquisitions of new brands, showcasing strong market adaptability.
See More
Three Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever
- Coca-Cola's Stability: As a Dividend King, Coca-Cola has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years, and while its current yield is 2.6%, its strong market performance and ownership of 32 billion-dollar brands provide significant resilience during economic fluctuations.
- Realty Income's Resilience: Realty Income boasts 15,500 properties globally with a high occupancy rate of 98.9%, demonstrating stability under real estate market pressure, while its 5% dividend yield and diversification strategy ensure long-term growth potential.
- Walmart's Growth Potential: As the largest physical retailer, Walmart's stock has surged 183% over the past five years, outperforming Amazon and the S&P 500, with e-commerce growth of 24% year-over-year and a rapidly expanding membership program driving future growth.
- Reliability of Dividend Kings: Walmart has raised its dividend for 53 years, and despite a low yield of 0.8% currently, its stable performance and strong market position make it a reliable source of passive income for investors.
See More
Dividend ETFs Outperform Market; Strategies for Investors to Utilize Extra Income
- Strong Performance of Dividend ETFs: Amid increasing market volatility, both the ProShares S & P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) and the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) have risen approximately 4% in 2026, highlighting the importance of stable dividend payments during uncertain times.
- Reinvestment Strategy: Coca-Cola's stock has appreciated nearly 265% over the past 20 years, but reinvesting dividends yields a total return of nearly 570%, indicating that dividend reinvestment can significantly enhance long-term returns, particularly for younger investors and those with longer horizons.
- Liquidity Management: In today's turbulent market, a growing number of investors are using dividends as a source of liquidity to avoid selling assets at unfavorable times, with retirees often accumulating dividends to fund living expenses, thereby enhancing financial security.
- Portfolio Diversification: Investors can redeploy dividend payments to rebalance their portfolios, particularly by investing in underperforming sectors such as international equities or fixed income, ensuring alignment with long-term strategic goals while avoiding triggering taxable sales.
See More
Coca-Cola Reports Strong 2025 Earnings Growth
- Organic Revenue Growth: Coca-Cola achieved a 5% year-over-year organic revenue growth in both Q4 and the full year of 2025, demonstrating resilience amid pressures from lower-income consumers, which bolsters investor confidence in future growth prospects.
- Optimistic Cash Flow Forecast: Management anticipates a 7% year-over-year increase in free cash flow for 2026, reaching approximately $12.2 billion, providing a solid foundation for ongoing dividend payments and future investments, thereby reinforcing its market position.
- Operational Efficiency Improvement: Despite a 32% year-over-year decline in Q4 operating income, the comparable currency-neutral operating income surged by 13%, particularly in North America where the operating margin hit 30% for the first time, showcasing effective cost management strategies.
- Stable Dividend Yield: Coca-Cola's current dividend yield stands at 2.7%, and with a conservative payout ratio of 67%, the company presents a strong balance between stable returns and ongoing growth, appealing to investors seeking defensive investment options.
See More
Buffett Retires, Abel Takes Over Berkshire Hathaway
- Succession Plan: Buffett retired in 2025, with successor Abel indicating in a shareholder letter that he won't make significant changes to Berkshire's corporate structure or its $311 billion stock portfolio, suggesting a stable investment strategy that retains key stakes in companies like Apple and Coca-Cola.
- Chubb Insurance Growth: Berkshire's 8.8% stake in Swiss insurer Chubb, valued at approximately $10.9 billion, saw net premiums increase by 6.3% to $53 billion last year, with the CEO anticipating sustained double-digit earnings growth, highlighting strong investment potential.
- Alphabet's Outlook: Alphabet's stock has risen over 82% in the past year, with Berkshire holding a 0.3% stake worth nearly $5.5 billion; despite AI disruption concerns, continued strong earnings growth could lead to further stock price increases.
- Kraft Heinz Strategy: Berkshire's opposition to Kraft Heinz's split plan has led to its suspension, allowing Berkshire to maintain its 27.5% stake; despite current losses, a $600 million investment in marketing and R&D could drive a rebound in stock price and profitability.
See More
Coca-Cola and Others Attract Investor Interest
- Coca-Cola's Stability: As a 'Dividend King', Coca-Cola has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years, and while its current yield is 2.6%, its strong market performance and ownership of 32 billion-dollar brands ensure resilience during economic fluctuations, continuously creating value for shareholders.
- Realty Income's Diversification: Realty Income, with 15,500 properties globally and a high occupancy rate of 98.9%, demonstrates resilience under market pressure, recently branching into new industries like gaming and industrials, which enhances its long-term growth potential.
- Walmart's E-commerce Growth: As the largest physical retailer, Walmart's stock has surged 183% over the past five years, with e-commerce sales increasing by 24% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, showcasing its strong competitive position in the retail market.
- Investment Value of Dividend Stocks: Dividend stocks like Coca-Cola, Realty Income, and Walmart are seen as cornerstones of a diversified portfolio, providing stable passive income, especially during market turbulence, attracting significant investor interest.
See More
Analysis of Investment Value in Dividend Stocks
- Coca-Cola's Stability: As a Dividend King, Coca-Cola has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years, currently yielding 2.6%, demonstrating its resilience and ability to grow even amidst market volatility.
- Realty Income's Resilience: Realty Income, with 15,500 properties globally and a high occupancy rate of 98.9%, showcases its stability under real estate market pressures, offering a reliable passive income with a 5% dividend yield.
- Walmart's Growth Potential: As the largest physical retailer, Walmart's stock has surged 183% over the past five years, with e-commerce growing 24% year-over-year, indicating strong performance and future growth prospects in the retail sector.
- Diversification Strategy: Realty Income is diversifying into new industries like gaming and industrials, enhancing its long-term growth opportunities, while Coca-Cola continues to drive sales growth through strategic acquisitions of new brands, showcasing strong market adaptability.
See More
Three Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever
- Coca-Cola's Stability: As a Dividend King, Coca-Cola has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years, and while its current yield is 2.6%, its strong market performance and ownership of 32 billion-dollar brands provide significant resilience during economic fluctuations.
- Realty Income's Resilience: Realty Income boasts 15,500 properties globally with a high occupancy rate of 98.9%, demonstrating stability under real estate market pressure, while its 5% dividend yield and diversification strategy ensure long-term growth potential.
- Walmart's Growth Potential: As the largest physical retailer, Walmart's stock has surged 183% over the past five years, outperforming Amazon and the S&P 500, with e-commerce growth of 24% year-over-year and a rapidly expanding membership program driving future growth.
- Reliability of Dividend Kings: Walmart has raised its dividend for 53 years, and despite a low yield of 0.8% currently, its stable performance and strong market position make it a reliable source of passive income for investors.
See More
Dividend ETFs Outperform Market; Strategies for Investors to Utilize Extra Income
- Strong Performance of Dividend ETFs: Amid increasing market volatility, both the ProShares S & P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) and the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) have risen approximately 4% in 2026, highlighting the importance of stable dividend payments during uncertain times.
- Reinvestment Strategy: Coca-Cola's stock has appreciated nearly 265% over the past 20 years, but reinvesting dividends yields a total return of nearly 570%, indicating that dividend reinvestment can significantly enhance long-term returns, particularly for younger investors and those with longer horizons.
- Liquidity Management: In today's turbulent market, a growing number of investors are using dividends as a source of liquidity to avoid selling assets at unfavorable times, with retirees often accumulating dividends to fund living expenses, thereby enhancing financial security.
- Portfolio Diversification: Investors can redeploy dividend payments to rebalance their portfolios, particularly by investing in underperforming sectors such as international equities or fixed income, ensuring alignment with long-term strategic goals while avoiding triggering taxable sales.
See More
