15 Best Dividend Paying Stocks to Buy Right Now

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

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 76

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is an American beverage company that operates through five reporting segments: EMEA, Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific, and Bottling Investments.

The company has been working to ease pricing concerns by offering beverages in a range of package sizes and price points. That strategy appears to be gaining traction. One example is the rollout of single-serve mini cans in convenience stores, which helped lift mini-can volume across North America.

Growth has also extended beyond the flagship Coca-Cola brand. Sports drink volume increased 3%, while water sales rose 5%. Tea delivered even stronger performance, with volume up 8%. Among its major brands, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar stood out, posting a 13% increase in volume. The weakest category was juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages, where sales slipped 1%.

Overall, Coca-Cola turned in a solid first quarter for 2026. Net revenue climbed 12%, while operating income rose 19%. Management maintained its full-year outlook and continues to expect organic revenue growth of 4% to 5% for 2026. The company has entered the year with strong momentum, reinforcing its reputation as a dependable consumer staples business. Its broad product lineup and range of price points appear to be helping it adapt to shifting consumer preferences while appealing to a wide customer base.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s steady cash flow generated by that business has also supported one of Coca-Cola’s most notable achievements: increasing its dividend for 64 consecutive years.