10 Best Stocks to Invest in During a Recession

5. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 87

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is one of the 10 best stocks to invest in during a recession.

On February 19, 2026, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) announced the election of Todd Beiger as a new vice president, effective March 31, and the Board’s approval for the 64^th consecutive increase in annual dividend. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 4% from 51 cents to 53 cents per share, leading to an annual dividend increase of $2.12 per share, up from $2.04 in 2025. Shareholders of record as of March 13, 2026, will be eligible for the quarterly dividend payable on April 1, 2026.

In a more recent development, on March 3, 2026, two top executives at The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) disclosed that they had cashed out a significant portion of their ownership in the company. The company’s Executive Vice President, Beatriz Perez, sold 21,326 shares of the company’s stock. The sale generated approximately $1,727,406 for the EVP. Separately, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s President and Chief Financial Officer, John Murphy, offloaded 130,633 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction valued at $10,517,405.

Founded in 1886, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is a global beverage company with a portfolio of 200+ brands, with headquarters in Georgia.