We recently published a list of 10 Best Dividend Kings Stocks to Invest in Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where he Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) stands against other best dividend king stocks to invest in now.

Investing in dividend stocks has been a focal point for investors for several years. The attractive income generated from these stocks motivates many to invest. Among these, dividend growth stocks stand out, as they offer the potential for increasing income over time, which is highly appealing. In the US, numerous companies have consistently raised their dividends for over five decades, earning them the prestigious title of Dividend Kings.

Analysts have long supported dividend stocks due to their historically robust performance. Kirsten Cabacungan, an investment strategist at Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank, has highlighted several reasons to consider investing in these stocks. She pointed out that the income generated by dividend stocks can assist investors in meeting their liquidity needs. In addition, dividend-focused investments have shown a tendency to reduce volatility and mitigate losses during market downturns. Cabacungan particularly emphasizes the value of dividend growth stocks in this context. Here are some comments from the analyst:

“Companies that have consistently increased their dividends tend to be more stable, higher-quality businesses, which historically have weathered downturns and are more likely to have the ability to pay dividends consistently.”

In 2024, dividend stocks lagged behind the broader market, but their future remains promising. Analysts are optimistic about a rebound, as cash flow remains a key priority for investors. Capital Group has advised looking for opportunities in overlooked dividend-paying companies, such as pharmaceutical firms overshadowed by the focus on weight loss treatments, as well as utilities and select banks. In addition, dividend growth stocks with substantial yields continue to attract interest. Companies offering dividends alongside strong balance sheets and appealing yields can deliver steady income, cushion against market downturns, and foster solid investment growth. A report from ProShares noted that the Dividend Aristocrats Index has historically outperformed the broader market with less volatility. For example, a $10,000 investment in May 2005 could have grown to more than $61,000 by March 2023.

Also read: 12 Most Reliable Dividend Stocks To Buy According to Hedge Funds

Investor preferences have led many US companies to increase and sustain their dividends in 2024. Financial experts anticipate continued dividend growth in 2025. Howard Silverblatt, a senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices, predicts an average dividend increase of around 8% for the current year. He expects another record payout in 2025, estimated at approximately $685 billion, compared to the projected $630 billion for 2024. Silverblatt attributes this growth to record earnings, anticipated future earnings, declining interest rates, strong employment, and overall economic growth.

In addition, the broader market’s dividend yield has recently hit a 20-year low, dipping below 1.19%, well below the long-term average of 4.3%. As interest rates rise on risk-free options like Treasuries, companies are increasingly aware of the competition for yield. In response, many are boosting their dividends or starting to offer them for the first time. Notably, several major tech firms began paying dividends in 2024, indicating their intention to position themselves as value investments within the traditionally high-growth tech sector. Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend kings to invest in.

Our Methodology:

For this list, we reviewed the Dividend Kings companies and selected the ten stocks that were most favored by hedge funds in the third quarter of 2024, using data from Insider Monkey’s database. The stocks are ranked by the number of hedge fund investments, starting with the lowest.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here).

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69

Warren Buffett’s favorite, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is an American multinational beverage corporation. The company has been grabbing analysts’ attention due to its strong market position. Recently, Piper Sandler initiated its coverage of the stock with an Overweight rating. The firm highlighted the company for its strong global brands and effective execution, which could drive sustainable growth and increase market share. Piper Sandler’s analysis emphasized Coca-Cola’s substantial brand investments and anticipated pricing strength, particularly in emerging markets, as critical elements contributing to its positive outlook.

As a global organization, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) encounters challenges in multiple regions rather than in just one area. Despite these obstacles, it has consistently managed to navigate regional issues while maintaining an unbroken streak of annual dividend increases, thereby boosting shareholder value. This showcases its remarkable resilience and commitment. Beyond its reputation for offering a dependable product, the company has also crafted outstanding marketing strategies that keep its brand highly visible and top of mind for consumers. The stock has surged by over 3% in the past 12 months.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), one of the best dividend kings, has been growing its payouts for 62 consecutive years. The company’s quarterly dividend comes in at $0.485 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.14%, as of January 13. Its dividend growth streak comes from the company’s cash generation. In the third quarter of 2024, the company reported an operating cash flow of $2.9 billion and its free cash flow amounted to $1.6 billion.

As of the close of Q3 2024, 69 hedge funds in Insider Monkey’s database owned stakes in The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), up from 68 in the previous quarter. These stakes have a consolidated value of roughly $35 billion.

Overall, KO ranks 4th on our list of best dividend king stocks to invest in now. While we acknowledge the potential for KO to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than KO but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. 

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.