3 Sweet Dividend Stocks to Buy for a Satisfying Passive Income Stream

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. sugar consumption is high, leading to significant profits for companies producing sugary products, making sugar stocks attractive for passive income generation [1][7] Group 1: Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola has a strong dividend history, marking its 62nd consecutive annual dividend increase with a 5.4% raise, maintaining its status as a Dividend King [2][3] - The company paid $8 billion in dividends last year, totaling $84.7 billion since January 2010, with a current dividend yield of approximately 2.7%, more than double the S&P 500's yield [2] - Coca-Cola aims for 4% to 6% annual revenue growth and 7% to 9% earnings-per-share growth, supported by robust free cash flow of $9.2 billion expected in 2024 [3] Group 2: Hershey - Hershey has a solid dividend track record, increasing its payout for 15 consecutive years, including a 15% raise this year, with a current yield of 2.8% [4] - The company generated over $5 billion in sales in the first half of the year, with nearly $1 billion in income, driven by popular brands like Reese's and KitKat [4] - Hershey targets 2% to 4% annual net sales growth and 6% to 8% adjusted earnings-per-share growth, planning to align dividend increases with earnings growth [4] Group 3: Mondelez - Mondelez has increased dividends for 12 years, with an 11% raise in June and consistent double-digit growth in dividend-per-share over the last five years, currently yielding around 2.6% [5] - The company caters to a large snacking market, with 88% of consumers snacking daily, and owns popular brands like Oreo and Cadbury [5] - Mondelez aims for 3% to 5% annual revenue growth, targeting high single-digit earnings-per-share growth and over $3 billion in annual free cash flow for acquisitions and dividends [6]