"Prudent investors, instead, seek stocks with proven resilience across cycles, offering stability through dividends that cushion price drops. Dividend Aristocrats - companies raising payouts for 25 or more consecutive years - stand out, signaling management's confidence in future cash flows. This track record isn't a buy signal alone but a foundation for deeper research, filtering out flash-in-the-pan performers. These stocks often balance growth with income, appealing to those prioritizing long-term wealth over short-term sizzle."
"Five-year total returns, including dividends, reach 52%, driven by steady income rather than price spikes. An intraday high of $74.38 per share in April cooled afterwards amid market rotations. KO's dividend record, however, is stellar, with 63 years of consecutive increases . The current quarterly payout of $0.51 yields 3%, backed by $9 billion in expected 2025 free cash flow. This reliability shone through crises like the pandemic, affirming KO's cash-generating prowess."
Rising markets can mask overvaluation and weak fundamentals as broad gains make impulsive picks appear successful. Prudent investors favor companies with demonstrated resilience across cycles and dependable dividends to cushion price declines. Dividend Aristocrats—companies that have increased payouts for 25 or more consecutive years—signal management confidence in future cash flows and serve as a filter for deeper research. Many of these firms balance growth with income, suiting long-term wealth objectives. Coca-Cola's shares rose modestly in 2025 but lagged the S&P 500. Coca-Cola boasts 63 years of dividend increases, a 3% yield, and substantial free cash flow, while facing shifting consumer tastes and emerging-market currency risks.
Read at 24/7 Wall St.
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