In this article, we will take a look at the 5 Best Consistent Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now. For deeper discussion and analysis, have a look at the 15 Best Consistent Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now.
5. McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72
On April 6, BofA analyst Allen Lutz lowered the firm’s price recommendation on McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) to $1,000 from $1,040. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The analyst said the rapid decline in cash-pay GLP-1 prices is shifting prescriptions away from insurance. At the same time, strong growth in cash-pay scripts for Wegovy and Zepbound could weigh on McKesson’s FY27 EBIT guidance in the Prescription Technology Solutions segment, potentially coming in below Street expectations.
Earlier in March, the company said Britt Vitalone, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has decided to retire after a 20-year career with McKesson, including more than eight years as CFO. Kenny Cheung is set to join the company as Executive Vice President and CFO, effective May 29, 2026.
Vitalone will remain involved with McKesson after stepping down as CFO. He will serve as a strategic advisor to help ensure a smooth transition and to support the planned separation of McKesson’s Medical Surgical Solutions business.
McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) operates as a diversified healthcare services company focused on improving patient outcomes. Its US Pharmaceutical segment distributes branded, generic, specialty, biosimilar, and over-the-counter drugs, along with other healthcare-related products across the United States.
4. The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 83
On April 1, Citi lowered its price recommendation on The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) to $385 from $410. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The firm said a spike in oil prices, along with supply disruptions, has affected most key raw materials used in coatings.
Earlier, on March 19, RBC Capital also lowered its price goal on SHW to $376 from $390 and maintained an Outperform rating. The analyst noted that the company’s end markets still appear choppy. If the Iran conflict stretches beyond 8 to 12 weeks, it could weigh on Q2 margins, the analyst said in a research note. RBC also said the company’s capital allocation approach, with a focus on buybacks, remains unchanged.
The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) manufactures, develops, distributes, and sells paint, coatings, and related products. It serves professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers, mainly across North and South America, with additional operations in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
3. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 87
On March 30, Deutsche Bank raised its price recommendation on The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) to $86 from $83. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The firm said it sees “legitimate and widespread pressures building” across much of the consumer packaged goods industry, tied to the conflict in the Middle East. It also noted that these stocks underperformed in March, as investors reacted to cost inflation concerns, the risk of demand trade-down, and unfavorable currency moves, the analyst said.
On April 2, CNBC reported that Coca-Cola launched a new campaign aimed at boosting soda sales at restaurants, where traffic and spending have remained under pressure. For the first time, the ads feature multiple restaurant partners. They show customers placing orders that all end with “And a Coke.” Thirteen chains are part of the campaign.
The effort comes as restaurants deal with fewer visits and lower spending, making high-margin beverages more important for profitability. Coca-Cola has also supported its partners through bundled deals and marketing initiatives to help drive demand. The campaign will run across theaters, TV, digital platforms, and delivery apps. Restaurants did not pay to participate, which reflects Coca-Cola’s role as a business partner.
About half of the company’s revenue comes from away-from-home channels, making this segment important. In North America, sales rose 4% in 2025, though volumes dipped slightly. The company expects modest growth in 2026.
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) operates as a global beverage business. It reports across segments, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific, and Bottling Investments. Its portfolio includes sparkling soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta, along with other beverage categories sold worldwide.
2. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 98
On April 2, Citi analyst Alastair Syme raised Exxon Mobil Corporation’s (NYSE:XOM) price recommendation to $175 from $150. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm pointed to the Middle East conflict as a key factor. It believes the situation could lower the cost of equity for oil and gas stocks, which in turn is pushing price targets higher across the sector. The analyst also said the war could drive “structural re-engagement” from investors back into energy, according to a research note. Citi highlighted TotalEnergies, ConocoPhillips, and BP as its top picks.
On March 30, Reuters reported that Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil, produced its first liquefied natural gas at its Texas facility. It marks an important step toward bringing the large US export project online. The company expects to ship its first cargo in the second quarter. At the same time, global gas supplies have been tightening, as the war in the Middle East has disrupted output in Qatar, one of the world’s largest LNG suppliers.
QatarEnergy owns 70% of the project, while Exxon holds the remaining 30%. The first production unit, Train 1, will add 6 mtpa of LNG capacity. Based on that split, QatarEnergy will receive just over 4 mtpa, and Exxon just under 2 mtpa. Exxon said the milestone reflects steady progress toward full operations, along with its continued focus on safety.
Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) remains one of the largest publicly traded energy companies in the world. It operates across the full chain, from exploration and production to refining and petrochemicals, while continuing to focus on improving efficiency and lowering costs.
1. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 100
On April 6, JPMorgan analyst Chris Schott raised the firm’s price recommendation on Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) to $135 from $125. It reiterated an Overweight rating, heading into the April 30 earnings report. The firm is not looking for major surprises this quarter. The focus, in its view, remains on Merck’s pipeline. It also continues to see a favorable risk and return setup for the stock, especially with key data readouts expected in 2026 and 2027.
On April 2, Merck said KEYTRUDA, used with paclitaxel, with or without bevacizumab, has been approved in the European Union. The treatment is for adults with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma whose tumors express PD-L1 with a Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1 and who have received one or two prior systemic therapies.
The approval also includes KEYTRUDA SC, known as KEYTRUDA QLEXTM (pembrolizumab and berahyaluronidase alfa-pmph) in the US. Merck said this makes the regimen the first and only PD-1 inhibitor-based option for eligible patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer in the EU. The decision allows the treatment to be marketed across all 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. The timing of availability in each country will depend on local reimbursement processes.
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a global healthcare company focused on prescription medicines, including biologics, vaccines, and animal health products. Its Pharmaceutical segment covers human health medicines and vaccines.
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