Thirsty for Dividend Income? 2 Beverage Companies That Qualify as Dividend Kings

Core Insights - Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are the only two beverage companies recognized as Dividend Kings, having raised their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years [2][4] - Over the past 30 years, Coca-Cola's stock increased by 324%, while PepsiCo's stock rose by 551%, with total returns including reinvested dividends at 796% for Coca-Cola and 1,220% for PepsiCo [1] Dividend Sustainability - Coca-Cola has a forward yield of 2.95% and has raised its payout for 63 years, while PepsiCo has a forward yield of 3.91% with 52 years of annual increases [4] - Coca-Cola's trailing payout ratio is 71%, indicating a sustainable dividend, whereas PepsiCo's payout ratio is nearly 100%, suggesting less room for future increases [13] Sales Growth Comparison - Coca-Cola's organic sales grew by 16% in 2022, 12% in 2023, and is expected to grow by 5% to 6% in 2025, with an 8% rise in comparable EPS [9][11] - PepsiCo's organic sales increased by 14% in 2022, 10% in 2023, but only 2% in 2024, with expectations of low single-digit growth in 2025 due to various challenges [10][11] Revenue and EPS Projections - Analysts project Coca-Cola's revenue and EPS to grow at a CAGR of 5% and 11% from 2024 to 2027, respectively [12] - PepsiCo's revenue and EPS are expected to grow at a slower CAGR of 3% and 8%, respectively, during the same period [12] Investment Valuation - Coca-Cola is valued at 22 times next year's earnings, while PepsiCo is valued at a lower forward multiple of 18, indicating a potentially better entry point for investors [12] - Despite PepsiCo's historical performance, Coca-Cola is viewed as a better investment currently due to its capital-light model and stronger growth rates [14] Business Model Differences - Both companies focus on producing concentrates and syrups, relying on bottling partners for distribution, which helps maintain stable cash flows [6] - PepsiCo's involvement in packaged foods exposes it to more inflationary pressures compared to Coca-Cola, which does not engage in this sector [7]