U.S. stocks are rising and clawing back some of their losses from late last week. The S&P 500 added 0.4% in early trading Monday, coming off its first losing week in the last four. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 29 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite was up 0.6%. All three are near their all-time highs set a week ago. Electronic Arts climbed after the video-game maker confirmed rumors it would be taken private in what could become the largest-ever buyout funded by private-equity firms. A ke ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three dividend stocks—Coca-Cola, Realty Income, and Johnson & Johnson—that provide steady income and have a proven track record of performance across various economic conditions [1][2]. Group 1: Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola is a globally recognized brand with a diverse product portfolio beyond colas, including Dasani water and Minute Maid juice [4]. - The company has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years, making it a Dividend King, with a current yield just below 3% and a payout ratio that allows for steady increases [5]. - Despite potential headwinds from currency fluctuations and health trends affecting sugary beverage sales, Coca-Cola's adaptability keeps it in a reliable position [6]. Group 2: Realty Income - Realty Income, known as "The Monthly Dividend Company," has paid dividends for 661 consecutive months, approximately 55 years [7]. - The company operates on a business model of long-term net lease agreements with tenants in stable industries, owning over 15,600 commercial properties with a 98.5% occupancy rate [8]. - Realty Income's predictable cash flow supports a current yield of around 5.6%, and while elevated interest rates have impacted share prices, the fundamentals remain strong [9][10]. Group 3: Johnson & Johnson - Johnson & Johnson is another Dividend King, having increased its annual dividend for 63 years, with operations in pharmaceuticals and medical devices [11][12]. - The pharmaceutical segment generates the largest revenue share, while the medical devices segment benefits from consistent demand [12]. - Despite facing litigation risks, the company maintains a strong balance sheet and a payout ratio just over 50%, supporting a dividend yield of about 3% [13][14]. Group 4: Overall Investment Perspective - The three companies—Coca-Cola, Realty Income, and Johnson & Johnson—demonstrate a long history of rewarding shareholders through various market cycles, providing a stable income stream even amidst market volatility [15].

Core Viewpoint - The current economic uncertainty is prompting investors to consider a more defensive approach, focusing on cash accumulation and high-yield dividend stocks as potential investment opportunities [1][2]. Group 1: High-Yield Dividend Stocks - **Verizon Communications**: Offers a dividend yield of 6.2%, with over 100 million customers generating nearly $135 billion in revenue last year, resulting in $18 billion net income and $11.25 billion in dividends paid to shareholders [4][6]. However, growth potential is limited due to market saturation [5]. - **Realty Income**: A REIT with a dividend yield of 5.6%, known for its monthly dividend payments. It maintains a high occupancy rate of 98.5% and has raised its payout for 30 consecutive years, focusing on strong retail tenants [8][10][11]. - **SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF**: This ETF has a dividend yield of 4.6% and includes stocks from the S&P 500 High Dividend Index. It offers diversification and potential for capital appreciation, although individual yields may be lower than some other options [12][14]. - **Pfizer**: Currently has a dividend yield of 6.9%. Despite recent sales declines from $100 billion in 2022 to $64 billion, the company has a promising pipeline with several oncology drugs in development, which could lead to significant revenue growth in the future [15][18]. - **Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF**: This ETF offers a high dividend yield of 14% by generating income through selling covered calls. While it provides substantial yields, it may underperform the Nasdaq-100 index due to the nature of the covered call strategy [19][22].