The Stock Market Is Down in 2025: 3 Dividend Stocks Investors Can't Get Enough of

Core Insights - The article highlights the performance of dividend-paying stocks during market downturns, emphasizing their stability and ability to outperform the S&P 500 in 2025 [1][2] Group 1: AT&T - AT&T is a major U.S. telecom provider with 72.7 million post-paid phone subscribers and 9.3 million fiber optic broadband customers as of the end of 2024 [3] - The stock has a low beta of 0.42, indicating less volatility during market downturns, and offers a dividend yield of 4.1%, which is sustainable as it represents only half of the company's earnings-per-share estimate for 2025 [4] Group 2: Philip Morris International - Philip Morris is the largest tobacco company globally, selling products in 180 countries, and has a beta of 0.44, making it a reliable investment during economic downturns [5] - The company has consistently paid and raised its dividend since 2008, currently yielding 3.2%, and smoke-free products now account for 40% of total sales, indicating a shift towards long-term growth [6] Group 3: The Coca-Cola Company - Coca-Cola is a well-established blue-chip dividend stock with a diverse portfolio of beverages and a low beta of 0.45, making it a stable investment choice [7][8] - The company has a dividend yield of 2.8% and a payout ratio of 69% of 2025 earnings estimates, with a strong track record of increasing dividends over six decades [9]