14 Best Dividend Aristocrats to Invest in Heading into 2026

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

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 78

Upside Potential as of December 22: 13.23%

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is among the best dividend aristocrat stocks to invest in.

On December 19, BofA analyst Peter Galbo raised the price target on The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) to $85 from $80 and kept a Buy rating. Looking ahead to 2026, the firm said consumption growth remains the biggest open question for consumer staples. Valuations are still spread unevenly across the group; however, “there feels little to get them off the sidelines in ’26 until fundamentals signal a greater turning of the tide,” the analyst wrote in a year-ahead note.

Much of the appeal right now sits with The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s core business. Its performance has been steady as organic sales rose 6% in the third quarter of 2025, improving from 5% growth in the second quarter.

The company is also preparing for a leadership transition. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) named Henrique Braun as its next CEO, signaling confidence in a long-time executive with deep experience in Latin America and China. The move reflects a focus on expanding into newer markets, reaching value-conscious consumers, and building healthier offerings as preferences evolve. James Quincey will leave the role in March, with Braun set to take over on March 31, 2026.

Leadership changes at a company of this scale tend to be measured. Braun has been with The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) since 1996 and knows the business well, which points to continuity rather than disruption. The stock also offers a degree of stability. That matters if broader markets struggle to sustain momentum into 2026.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is a global beverage leader that manufactures, markets, and sells a wide range of drinks around the world.