Several years ago I bought shares of 3M (MMM -1.73%) even though it was in the middle of a major class-action lawsuit. I believed the industrial giant would survive the legal issues, which it has. But I was surprised at how difficult it was for me to stick it out, given the lack of information from the company on the legal front.I think Johnson & Johnson (JNJ 0.90%) is a great company, but I see visions of 3M when I look at it -- which is why I opted for the high-yield stock of a competitor. Here's why you ...

Group 1: Company Overview - Coca-Cola is a well-run business that operates globally with a revered brand and an industry-leading distribution network [2][4] - The company has a strong business model evidenced by its status as a Dividend King, having increased its dividend annually for over 50 consecutive years [5] - Coca-Cola's organic sales growth of 6% in the first quarter of 2025 contrasts sharply with its largest competitor, PepsiCo, which only achieved 1.2% [6] Group 2: Current Performance - Coca-Cola is currently performing well in a challenging environment for consumer staples, making it attractive for investors seeking industry leaders [6][7] - The company offers an above-market yield of 2.8%, which is appealing compared to the S&P 500 index [7] Group 3: Valuation Concerns - Current valuation metrics for Coca-Cola, including price-to-sales, price-to-earnings, and price-to-book ratios, are above their five-year averages [8] - Despite the attractive dividend yield, it is at the low end of the stock's yield range over the past decade [8] Group 4: Investment Timing - While Coca-Cola is a strong business, the timing for purchasing shares may not be optimal due to current valuations [9][10] - Patient investors may benefit from waiting for a potential drawdown before buying, as the company's strong fundamentals are unlikely to change [10]

Company Overview - Federal Realty is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in owning strip malls and mixed-use properties, which often include apartments and offices alongside retail spaces [2] - The company has a relatively small portfolio of around 100 properties, which is less than its competitors, but these properties are strategically located in affluent areas with high population density [4] Portfolio Strength - Federal Realty's occupancy rates have rebounded after the pandemic, ending Q1 2025 at 93.6% and expected to approach 95% as the year progresses, with occupancy not falling below 89% during the pandemic [5] - The company actively engages in the development and redevelopment of its properties, enhancing their value through renovations and strategic improvements [8][10] Dividend Performance - Federal Realty has increased its dividend annually for 57 consecutive years, earning it the title of Dividend King, which is unique among REITs [7] - The current dividend yield stands at 4.6%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.3% and the average REIT's 4.1%, indicating a strong return for investors [12] Business Model - The company focuses on acquiring well-located properties that require improvements, which can range from minor renovations to complete rebuilds [9][10] - Federal Realty's management emphasizes maintaining and enhancing property quality to attract tenants and customers, ensuring a dynamic and valuable portfolio [11]

PepsiCo (PEP 0.26%) has become a household name. In fact, it's likely you have at least one of the company's products in your home right now.However, investors need to consider more than the ubiquity of a company's product before purchasing the stock. You should analyze a company's prospects before committing to an investment.It's particularly imperative when the shares have dropped by quite a bit. In the case of PepsiCo, the stock has fallen about 23% over the last year through June 3.It's time to take a c ...

Over the past few years, Medtronic (MDT 0.80%) has faced significant challenges, including a pandemic-induced slowdown, relatively slow revenue growth, and economic issues that impacted its financial results. Throughout it all, Medtronic's diabetes care business has consistently been one of its fastest-growing segments.However, the healthcare leader recently announced some news regarding this unit that might surprise some investors. Let's find out more about it and discuss what it means for Medtronic's pros ...

Group 1: Company Performance - The Coca-Cola Company (KO) stock is up 14.5% in 2025, outperforming the sector average, while PepsiCo (PEP) stock is down 13.5% and near 52-week lows [1] - Coca-Cola's dividend yield is 2.87%, with an annual dividend of $2.04 and a 64-year track record of dividend increases [4] - PepsiCo's dividend yield is 4.33%, with an annual dividend of $5.69 and a 54-year track record of dividend increases [8] Group 2: Financial Metrics - Coca-Cola's stock is trading at approximately 28x earnings and 24x forward earnings, both above the average for soft drink stocks at 20.4x [5] - PepsiCo's financial performance shows it paid $5.42 per share in dividends in 2024 while generating only $5.28 per share in free cash flow, indicating reliance on cash reserves [9] - Analysts forecast a consensus price target of $75.08 for Coca-Cola stock as of May 28 [6] Group 3: Market Trends and Challenges - The consumer staples sector is facing challenges due to a weakening economy, with the iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF up about 8% in 2025 but encountering resistance near its 52-week high [3] - Both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are impacted by GLP-1 drugs that lower cravings, with inflation affecting consumer choices [10] - PepsiCo's stock is trading at a discount at 18x earnings, indicating it may be oversold [11]

Core Insights - Some of the best dividend stocks, including Federal Realty Investment Trust, Johnson & Johnson, and PepsiCo, are currently experiencing significant price declines, making them attractive investment opportunities due to higher dividend yields [1][12] Federal Realty Investment Trust - Shares have declined nearly 20% from their 52-week high, resulting in a dividend yield exceeding 4.5%, which is over three times higher than the S&P 500's sub-1.5% yield [2] - The company has a record of increasing dividends for 57 consecutive years, the longest in the REIT industry, qualifying it as a Dividend King [4] - Federal Realty focuses on high-quality retail properties in major metro markets, particularly open-air shopping centers and mixed-use properties, leading to high occupancy and steady rent growth [5] Johnson & Johnson - Shares have dropped more than 8% from their recent peak, raising the dividend yield to nearly 3.5% [6] - The company has increased its dividend payment by 4.8% this year, extending its growth streak to 63 consecutive years [6] - Johnson & Johnson holds a AAA credit rating, with a strong balance sheet and robust free cash flow, generating about $20 billion annually, which comfortably covers its nearly $12 billion dividend outlay [7][8] PepsiCo - The stock has fallen over 27% from its 52-week high, resulting in a dividend yield surpassing 4% [9] - PepsiCo recently increased its dividend payout by 5%, extending its growth streak to 53 consecutive years [9] - The company invests heavily in product development and capacity expansion, expecting 4% to 6% annual organic revenue growth and high single-digit earnings-per-share growth [10][11]

In the span of just 52 weeks, Target (TGT -0.79%) has traded as low as $87.35 per share and as high as $167.40 per share. Unfortunately for investors, Target is hovering around the low end of that range at about $95 per share at the time of this writing. The sell-off in Target stock, paired with decades of dividend raises, has pushed Target's dividend yield up to a hefty 4.7%. Here's why Target is a dividend stock worth doubling up on in May, even though its challenges are far from over. Target just slashed ...

Core Viewpoint - PepsiCo, a Dividend King with a history of consistent dividend growth, is currently facing challenges that have led to a decline in stock price and an increase in dividend yield to all-time highs [2][10]. Group 1: Company Performance - PepsiCo's sales exceeded $91 billion last year, but growth is slowing, with food volumes dropping 1% last year and a 3% year-over-year decline in the first quarter of 2025 [4][7]. - The company has historically leveraged its iconic brands and premium shelf space for pricing power, but inflation has significantly impacted food prices, which rose approximately 25% from 2019 to 2023 [5]. - Analysts' long-term earnings growth estimates for PepsiCo have decreased from about 8% to under 4%, contributing to the stock's decline [8]. Group 2: Financial Health - PepsiCo paid $5.42 per share in dividends last year while generating only $5.28 per share in free cash flow, indicating a potential strain on dividend sustainability [10]. - Despite this, PepsiCo maintains a strong financial position with $8.5 billion in cash and an "A+" credit rating from S&P Global, suggesting that the dividend is likely secure [10]. Group 3: Strategic Outlook - The company is adapting to market changes, including the rise of weight loss drugs, by acquiring emerging brands in health and specialty categories, which may help restart growth [12]. - There is potential for PepsiCo to divest brands that do not align with its strategic direction, indicating a proactive approach to maintaining competitiveness [12][13]. - For income-focused investors, PepsiCo remains an attractive option due to its above-average yield, despite the current challenges [13][14].

Core Viewpoint - Many top growth stocks are underperforming due to concerns over tariffs, despite a temporary deal between the U.S. and China that postponed some tariffs [1][2] Company Overview - Coca-Cola is the largest beverage company globally, with $47 billion in trailing 12-month sales, and has shown significant improvement since CEO James Quincey took over in 2018 [4] - The company has restructured to become leaner and more efficient, owning about 200 global brands, with Coca-Cola and Sprite leading in U.S. brand awareness among soft drinks [4] Market Position and Resilience - Coca-Cola's products are affordable, making them attractive to consumers even during economic downturns, and the company has adapted its packaging to maintain affordability despite inflation and tariffs [6] - The majority of Coca-Cola's beverage production occurs in the markets where they are sold, minimizing exposure to higher import taxes [7] Financial Management - Price increases due to tariffs on certain products are expected to be minimal relative to Coca-Cola's overall cost structure, and the company has strategies in place to mitigate impacts [7] - Coca-Cola has established financial hedging positions to manage foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, given its global operations [7] Dividend Reliability - Coca-Cola is recognized as a Dividend King, having increased its annual dividend for 63 consecutive years, demonstrating resilience through various economic conditions [9] - The current dividend yield is 2.8%, which is lower than usual due to a 14% increase in stock price this year, compared to a flat S&P 500 yielding about 1.3% [10] Long-term Value - Coca-Cola is expected to continue distributing profits to shareholders and raising dividends annually, providing long-term value to a diversified portfolio, even if it is not a top growth stock [11]