Group 1: Dividend Performance - Coca-Cola has a strong track record of dividend payments, having paid dividends since 1920 and increased its annual dividend for 63 consecutive years [3] - The current quarterly dividend is $0.51, yielding approximately 2.7%, which is more than double the current S&P 500 average [4] - The lower dividend yield is attributed to a significant stock price increase of over 17% at the start of 2025 [6] Group 2: Business Resilience - Coca-Cola is considered a recession-proof business due to its consumer staple products that maintain sales regardless of economic conditions [7][8] - The company has pricing power, allowing it to increase prices without losing customers, which helps maintain revenue stability during economic downturns [9][10] - In the first quarter of the year, Coca-Cola's organic revenue grew by 6% despite only a 2% increase in global unit case volume, showcasing its ability to adjust pricing effectively [10] Group 3: Strategic Portfolio Management - Coca-Cola has streamlined its brand portfolio by cutting it roughly in half in 2020, which has simplified supply chain management and distribution [13][14] - The company focuses on a selective approach to brand acquisitions, adapting to changing consumer preferences such as low-calorie and plant-based products [16] - This strategic focus allows Coca-Cola to achieve higher net income compared to competitors like PepsiCo, despite lower overall revenue [14]

Group 1: Investment Philosophy and Strategy - Investors often seek ways to make their stock portfolios more resilient to recessions, with Warren Buffett's investment philosophy being a focal point [1] - Berkshire Hathaway's strategy includes maintaining approximately $348 billion in liquidity while holding a significant stock portfolio, including Coca-Cola [1][4] Group 2: Coca-Cola Investment Overview - Berkshire Hathaway first invested in Coca-Cola in 1988, with no additional purchases since 1994, raising questions about the stock's current viability for recession-proofing [2][8] - The initial investment of just under $1.3 billion has grown to a position of 400 million shares valued at approximately $28.8 billion [4] - Coca-Cola has increased its dividend for 63 consecutive years, with the current payout at $2.04 per share, leading to an expected $816 million in dividends for Berkshire this year [5][13] Group 3: Market Position and Performance - Coca-Cola's products are considered essential, making the company attractive during recessions, as consumers may opt for its beverages over more expensive alternatives [6] - Despite a strong dividend yield of about 2.75% for new investors, the stock's growth potential is limited, with a P/E ratio of 29, slightly above its five-year average of 27 [8][11] - Coca-Cola's stock rose 15% over the last year and 61% over the previous five years, but faced a correction in 2022, indicating potential vulnerability in a recession [10][12] Group 4: Investment Outlook - Current market conditions suggest that Coca-Cola may not be the best choice for investors looking to recession-proof their portfolios, as Berkshire Hathaway has indicated a hold rather than a buy [12][13] - The high P/E ratio combined with single-digit profit growth forecasts raises concerns about the stock's resilience in a downturn [11][14]

Group 1 - Netflix recently achieved a new all-time high in stock price, contrasting with a general decline of about 20% in the tech sector, suggesting market confidence in its recession resilience [1][3] - The service is perceived as essential and unlikely to be cut during economic downturns, with many consumers returning for new content despite price hikes [2][3] - Netflix's subscription model offers significant value, providing access to thousands of titles for less than the cost of a family dinner, enhancing its appeal during times of financial strain [3] Group 2 - Netflix's current market capitalization is approximately $481 billion, with a goal set by co-CEO Ted Sarandos to reach $1 trillion by 2030, implying a potential doubling of stock value [4] - The stock trades at a high valuation of 52.5 times earnings and 43 times forward earnings, which may pose challenges to achieving the ambitious valuation goal [5][9] - Compared to peers like Nvidia, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms, Netflix's forward P/E ratio is significantly higher, indicating that substantial growth is already factored into its stock price [8]

Core Viewpoint - Altria remains an attractive investment for income investors due to its long history of dividend increases and its current high dividend yield of 7% [1][14] Company Strategy - Altria has faced challenges over the past decade due to declining smoking rates and strategic missteps, including a $12 billion investment in Juul and a failed investment in Cronos Group [5] - The company has shifted focus to smoke-free products, selling the rights to market Iqos back to Philip Morris International and investing in Njoy, which has received FDA marketing authorization for its pod-based e-vapor product [6][8] - Altria's next-gen portfolio includes on!, an oral nicotine pouch, and a new heated tobacco product called Ploom, developed in partnership with JT Group [7] Market Performance - Njoy's consumables saw a 15.3% increase to 12.8 million units, and device shipments rose 22.2% to 1.1 million, with retail market share nearly doubling to 6.4% [8] - Despite Njoy's growth, cigarettes still account for the majority of Altria's revenue, with volume sales declining from 76.4 million in 2023 to 68.6 million in 2024, while smokeable products represented 88% of revenue in 2024 [9] Future Goals - Altria aims for a mid-single digits adjusted earnings per share (EPS) compound annual growth rate (CAGR) off $4.84 in 2022, with adjusted EPS rising 3.4% to $5.12 in 2024, resulting in a 2.9% CAGR over the last two years [10] - The company plans to increase its dividend by mid-single digits annually, following a 4.1% increase in 2024, and targets a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 2, currently at 2.1 [11] - Altria expects to maintain an adjusted operating margin of at least 60% through 2028, although it has struggled to meet growth targets and has adjusted its expectations for Njoy's cash flow contributions [12] Investment Outlook - Altria's stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 12, with a 7% dividend yield, indicating potential for success even if not all 2028 goals are met [13] - In the current economic climate, Altria is positioned to potentially outperform the S&P 500, benefiting from its status in the consumer staples sector and the consistent demand for its products [14] - Overall, despite declining cigarette consumption, Altria is expected to be in a better position three years from now [15]