Core Insights - Investors can construct a portfolio that allows for monthly dividend payouts by strategically selecting stocks that pay dividends in different months [1][11] - A combination of Coca-Cola (KO), Caterpillar (CAT), and McDonald's (MCD) provides the necessary blend for this monthly income strategy [2][12] Coca-Cola (KO) - Coca-Cola's shares increased following better-than-expected results, with analysts revising EPS expectations upward, except for a minor downward revision for the next quarterly release [3] - The adjusted EPS grew by 5% to $0.77, and the company gained market share in the nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverage sector [4] - Coca-Cola is part of the Dividend Aristocrats group, indicating strong dividend reliability [4] Caterpillar (CAT) - Caterpillar is recognized as the world's largest construction equipment manufacturer and is also a member of the Dividend Aristocrats group [5] - The current dividend yield is 1.4%, with a notable five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 7.9% [5] McDonald's (MCD) - McDonald's has seen modest increases in EPS expectations from analysts, indicating positive near-term share performance [9] - The current dividend yield for McDonald's is 2.5%, with a payout ratio of 61% of earnings and a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 8.4% [10]

Core Insights - PepsiCo is launching an exclusive collaboration with streetwear brand Samii Ryan, featuring a capsule collection that combines Y2K nostalgia and rodeo-core fashion with the flavor of PEPSI® Wild Cherry, available online starting July 11, 2025 [1][3] Company Overview - PepsiCo products are consumed over one billion times daily across more than 200 countries, showcasing the company's extensive reach and commitment to innovation in the beverage industry [6] Collaboration Details - The Pepsi® x Samii Ryan collection includes vintage-inspired denim jackets, graphic tees, cozy sweats, and accessories, all featuring cherry red hues and retro PEPSI iconography, emphasizing a playful blend of fashion and flavor [2] - The collaboration was facilitated by Joester Loria Group for PepsiCo and Blitz Licensing for Samii Ryan, indicating a strategic partnership to enhance brand visibility [4] Brand Identity - Samii Ryan, the founder of the eponymous brand, emphasizes that the collaboration reflects joy, energy, and self-expression, aligning with the brand's focus on nostalgic and feel-good fashion inspired by femininity and pop culture [5]

Group 1: Beverage Market Trends - The bottled beverage market is entering a peak season due to high temperatures, with Nongfu Spring's 1.5L "Oriental Leaf" tea gaining significant consumer attention [2] - In 2024, the beverage sector is projected to see a 7.8% year-on-year increase in total sales across all channels, with offline sales growing by 7.4% and online sales by 11.6% [2] - Health-oriented drinks, particularly ready-to-drink tea and functional beverages, are leading the growth with increases of 16.6% and 12.1% respectively, while carbonated drinks have seen a decline of 0.8% [2] Group 2: Sugar-Free Tea Market Dynamics - The sugar-free tea segment, once a market leader, is experiencing a slowdown in growth, with only a few brands like Nongfu Spring and Guozi Shule maintaining stable sales increases [3] - The market share of sugar-free tea has seen significant growth from 16% in January 2022 to 32% by December 2023, indicating a strong upward trend [7] - However, by 2025, the growth momentum for sugar-free tea has weakened, with negative year-on-year growth observed in March 2025 [10] Group 3: Electrolyte Drinks Emergence - The electrolyte drink market is witnessing a new wave of growth, with a 18% increase in new product launches from 2023 to 2024, and an annual growth rate of 11% for sports drinks [9] - The market for functional beverages in China reached 147.1 billion yuan in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.08% [9] - Electrolyte drinks are increasingly popular, especially among the growing sports population in China, which exceeds 500 million [10] Group 4: Sugar Tea Market Resurgence - The sugar tea market is experiencing a resurgence, with brands like Master Kong, Uni-President, and Nongfu Spring leading in market share and sales growth [15] - The market for sugar tea remains robust, with significant sales increases noted among brands like Yuanqi Forest and Wahaha, indicating a shift in consumer preferences [16] - Despite the rise of sugar-free tea, sugar tea still holds a dominant position, accounting for nearly 70% of the ready-to-drink tea market as of March 2025 [19] Group 5: Market Outlook and Consumer Behavior - The beverage market is at a turning point, with established consumer bases for both sugar and sugar-free tea, leading to competition for market share in overlapping consumer segments [20] - Efficiency in operations and pricing strategies will be crucial for brands to maintain their market positions amid increasing competition and market saturation [20] - The evolving consumer preferences suggest that a balanced approach between sugar and sugar-free options may be necessary for brands to thrive in the current market landscape [20]

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets began July with strong performance, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reaching all-time highs, while the Dow lagged behind [2] - Year-to-date performance for major indexes shows the Dow up 4.9%, S&P 500 up 6.7%, and Nasdaq Composite up 6.9% [3] Visa Inc. - Visa's market position is supported by volume-driven growth, acquisitions, and technological leadership in digital payments [7] - The company benefits from increased digital transactions and cross-border volumes, with significant profit growth driven by ongoing investments in technology [8] - Visa has an expected revenue growth rate of 10.2% and earnings growth rate of 12.9% for the current year [11] The Walt Disney Co. - Disney reported steady second-quarter fiscal 2025 results with year-over-year increases in revenues and earnings [12] - The company expects double-digit operating income growth in fiscal 2025, with ESPN showing significant viewership growth [13] - Disney has transformed its streaming business into a profitable growth engine, achieving $336 million in DTC operating income in the second quarter [14] - Expected revenue growth rate for Disney is 4.1% and earnings growth rate is 16.3% for the current year [15] Microsoft Corp. - Microsoft is leveraging AI momentum and Copilot adoption, with strong demand for Azure and Office 365 driving revenue growth [16] - The company anticipates a 13.7% increase in net sales for fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 [17] - Expected revenue growth rate for Microsoft is 12.4% and earnings growth rate is 12% for the current year [18] The Coca-Cola Co. - Coca-Cola achieved strong first-quarter 2025 results, marking its ninth consecutive quarter of exceeding expectations [19] - The company's all-weather strategy, which combines marketing, innovation, and revenue growth management, is expected to drive revenue growth in 2025 [20] - Expected revenue growth rate for Coca-Cola is 2.6% and earnings growth rate is 3.1% for the current year [21] International Business Machines Corp. - IBM is positioned to benefit from demand for hybrid cloud and AI, focusing on its watsonx platform for AI capabilities [22][24] - The company is expected to see growth in its Software and Consulting segments due to a better business mix and productivity gains [23] - Expected revenue growth rate for IBM is 5.5% and earnings growth rate is 6% for the current year [25]

Group 1: Lockheed Martin - Lockheed Martin's dividend yield is 2.84% with an annual dividend of $13.20, and it has a 22-year track record of dividend increases [2][5] - The company derives over 70% of its revenue from the U.S. government, providing insulation against macroeconomic headwinds [3] - Despite challenges in the F-35 program and a lost contract in 2024, these issues are already reflected in the stock price, which is near critical support [2][4] - Revenue growth is inconsistent quarterly but shows an annual upward trend, with a mid-single-digit growth pace expected to sustain balance sheet health [4] - Share repurchases have reduced the share count by an average of 2.6% year-over-year in the first quarter [5] Group 2: Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola's dividend yield is 2.92% with an annual dividend of $2.04, and it has a 64-year track record of dividend increases [8] - The company relies heavily on a localized supply chain, which helps mitigate tariff impacts through price hedging and efficiency improvements [8] - Despite struggling with growth in 2025, Coca-Cola's diversified beverage strategy allows for steady revenue, maintaining balance sheet health [9] - Analyst trends indicate a consensus Buy rating with an expected price target increase of about 8% [10] Group 3: Walmart - Walmart's dividend yield is 0.99% with an annual dividend of $0.94, and it has a 53-year track record of dividend increases [12] - The company benefits from a well-localized supply chain and is positioned as a primary shopping destination in North America, leading industry growth [13] - Walmart's dividend payout ratio is under 40%, indicating reliable growth and a healthy balance sheet [14] - Analyst activity is driving Walmart shares to new all-time highs, with a Moderate Buy rating and a consensus price target suggesting a potential 10% gain [15]

编者按：在黄土地的厚重与江南的烟雨间，古人以砖瓦为笔、天地为纸，在建筑中书写 "明 理" 之道。北方晋商大院的方正威仪与南方徽派建筑的素雅灵动，虽形制迥异，却都循着 "察 天地、守秩序、合伦理" 的法则，将生存智慧与处世哲学熔铸于一砖一瓦。 乔家大院的双扇朱漆大门，宽 1.2 米的门板仅为重要仪式开启，暗合 "避僭越" 之训；40 厘 米高的门槛，既应 "门槛高，家业牢" 的民俗，更象征门第不可轻越的社会秩序。"墙厚三尺 六取天罡之数，院深五进合五行之理"，一砖一瓦皆循章法 —— 晋商如这灰褐建筑，不争浮 华，唯守本真，以 "知物性之理" 筑就百年不倾之业。 若说晋商大院是厚重典籍，江南徽派建筑便是水墨诗词。白墙如宣纸、黛瓦似墨痕，天井揽 风雨、马头墙裁云天，徽人以建筑回应江南湿热的气候：白墙映日散热，黑瓦耐腐防潮，将 素雅置于青山绿水间，恰合文人 "喜素雅、重写意" 的偏好。 天井是徽派建筑的灵魂，既通风采光，更藏 "四水归堂" 的哲学 —— 雨水汇入院落，象征 "聚气凝神"。这种 "形制极简而营造有法" 的巧思，让建筑与自然对话：不追求大气，只问 "住着合适"，于不经意间将自然规律与生活智慧相融，尽显 " ...

A $2 billion wealth tussle at one of China’s largest beverage empires is unfolding in a Hong Kong courtroom https://t.co/PfIK8buP1a ...

Core Viewpoint - The beverage market in China is experiencing a trend termed "Dajiao-ization," where products like Dajiao soda are gaining popularity despite the overall decline in carbonated drink sales, indicating a shift in consumer preferences towards sweeter, more flavorful options [1][5][21]. Group 1: Market Trends - The summer beverage market has seen a surge in sales, with Dajiao soda standing out as a notable success, achieving revenue of 3.2 billion yuan, significantly outperforming competitors like Ice Peak and North Ice Ocean [3][5]. - Nielsen research indicates that carbonated drinks are the only category among seven beverage types in China to experience a decline in sales growth in 2023, highlighting Dajiao's unique position in the market [3][5]. Group 2: Consumer Preferences - Dajiao soda, despite its high sugar content and artificial flavoring, has attracted consumers who appreciate its refreshing taste, contrasting with the health trends that have dominated the market [3][20]. - The product's design, resembling beer, has led to initial consumer confusion, with many mistaking it for an alcoholic beverage, which has contributed to its appeal in social settings [6][9]. Group 3: Business Strategy - Dajiao's business model primarily targets the restaurant sector, with over 85% of its sales coming from this channel, allowing it to maintain competitive pricing and high profit margins for restaurant owners [14][18]. - The beverage's pricing strategy, where it is sold to restaurants at approximately 3 yuan per bottle, enables restaurant owners to sell it at a markup, making it an attractive option for both parties [14][18]. Group 4: Marketing and Branding - Dajiao has effectively utilized marketing strategies that resonate with consumers, emphasizing its perceived value and affordability, which aligns with the current trend of consumer downgrade in spending [21][25]. - The brand's collaboration with advertising agency Hua Yu Hua has resulted in memorable campaigns featuring popular figures like Wu Jing, enhancing its market presence and consumer recognition [23][25].

Core Viewpoint - Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. will announce its operating results for the second quarter and the first half of fiscal 2025 on July 24, 2025, after market close [1] Company Overview - Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. [2] - The company distributes beverages from The Coca-Cola Company and other partners, offering over 300 brands and flavors across 14 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 60 million consumers [2] - The company has a commitment to consumers, customers, and communities, with a purpose centered on honoring God, serving others, pursuing excellence, and growing profitably [2]

Core Insights - Celsius Holdings (CELH) is positioning itself as a leader in the modern energy category by expanding its product portfolio beyond traditional energy drinks, including the acquisition of Alani Nu and the launch of CELSIUS HYDRATION [1][8] - The company is experiencing strong international growth of 41% and holds a 16.2% dollar share in the U.S. energy drink category [3][8] - CELH's stock has surged 75% year to date, significantly outperforming the industry average [7] Product Expansion - The acquisition of Alani Nu, which appeals to female consumers, complements CELH's core offerings and broadens its consumer base [1] - CELH has entered the hydration market with CELSIUS HYDRATION, targeting the $1.4 billion hydration powder market [1] - New flavors and multipack expansions have contributed to over 50% of sales in certain channels [2] Market Position and Competitors - CELH's competitors include PepsiCo (PEP) and The Coca-Cola Company (KO), both of which are transforming their portfolios to meet consumer demands for health and functionality [4][5][6] - PepsiCo is focusing on zero-sugar variants and wellness-driven products, while Coca-Cola is prioritizing bold product launches and integrating advanced digital marketing [5][6] Financial Performance - Despite a 7% revenue decline in Q1 2025, CELH remains optimistic about future growth due to a strong prior-year comparison and ongoing product innovation [3][8] - The company has a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 46.19X, significantly higher than the industry average of 15.91X [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates year-over-year EPS growth of 17.1% for 2025 and 41.6% for 2026, with stable estimates over the past week [10]