My 3 Favorite Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now

Group 1: Realty Income - Realty Income offers a 5.3% dividend yield and has increased its dividend for 30 consecutive years, making it attractive for conservative investors [4][5] - It is the largest net-lease REIT, owning over 15,600 properties, and has an investment-grade balance sheet, providing advantageous access to capital markets [5] - The company focuses on diversifying its business by property type and geography, operating in both the U.S. and Europe, which supports growth [5][6] Group 2: PepsiCo - PepsiCo is a diversified consumer staples company, being the second largest non-alcoholic beverage company and the largest salty snack company through Frito-Lay [7] - It has a strong history as a Dividend King, with over five decades of annual dividend increases, and currently offers a 4% dividend yield [8] - An activist investor's involvement may prompt management to accelerate business changes, presenting a potential opportunity for investors [9] Group 3: Hershey - Hershey faces challenges due to rising cocoa prices, which have surged due to supply and demand issues, impacting its chocolate business [10][11] - The company is responding by raising prices and cutting costs, but concerns remain about the sustainability of its business model amid high cocoa prices [11] - The Hershey Trust controls the company, allowing for long-term decision-making without short-term pressures, which aligns with the interests of long-term investors [13][14] Group 4: Market Context - Despite the S&P 500 nearing all-time highs, there are still attractive dividend stocks available, requiring more effort to identify [15]