Core Viewpoint - The private sector is experiencing job losses, which is beneficial for earnings season and dividend growth stocks due to easing wage pressures and lower inflation, leading to better profit margins and dividend hikes [2]. Dividend Growth Stocks Dividend Growth Stock 1: T-Mobile US (TMUS) - T-Mobile US initiated a new dividend program in 2023 and raised its dividend by 35% to 88 cents per share after merging with Sprint [6][8]. - The company is expanding its margins and free cash flow, which supports its dividend growth strategy [7][9]. Dividend Growth Stock 2: Amphenol (APH) - Amphenol has seen significant growth, particularly in AI-related applications, with total orders increasing by nearly 60% year-over-year in Q1 2025 [12]. - The company raised its dividend by 50% last year, marking one of its largest increases [12]. Dividend Growth Stock 3: California Resources (CRC) - California Resources has shifted towards green-energy initiatives and has increased its quarterly distribution by 128% since its initiation [15]. - The company has been profitable since emerging from bankruptcy in 2021 and has seen its shares triple since relisting [16]. Dividend Growth Stock 4: RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) - RLJ Lodging Trust reduced its dividend significantly during the pandemic but has since increased it by 1,400% from its low point [19]. - Analysts project a 40% AFFO payout ratio for RLJ, indicating potential for further dividend growth [20]. Dividend Growth Stock 5: Coca-Cola Consolidated (COKE) - Coca-Cola Consolidated has shown consistent top-line growth and recently announced a $16-per-share special dividend, along with a quintupled regular payout to $2.50 per share [24]. - The company currently pays out only 15% of its earnings as dividends, suggesting room for future increases [24].

Core Insights - Warren Buffett plans to step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of this year but will remain as chairman of the board, with expectations that his long-term investment strategy will continue to thrive [1] - A $1,000 investment in Berkshire stock in 1965 would have grown to $44.7 million by the end of 2024, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which would have reached only $342,906 [2] Berkshire Hathaway's Dividend-Paying Stocks - Berkshire's portfolio of publicly traded securities is valued at $282 billion, with three stocks accounting for 47.7% of its total value, potentially generating $1.6 billion in dividends this year [3] 1. Apple - Berkshire holds 300 million shares of Apple, expected to yield $309 million in dividends this year, with a current value of $61 billion and a dividend yield of 0.5% [5][8] - Apple represents 21.7% of Berkshire's portfolio, and Buffett sold half of the position last year to mitigate concentration risk [6] 2. American Express - Berkshire owns 151.6 million shares of American Express, which could yield $479 million in dividends this year, with a total value of $44.9 billion, accounting for 15.9% of its portfolio [9][10] - The expected dividend yield from American Express is around 1.1% [11] 3. Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola is expected to provide $816 million in dividends this year, with Berkshire holding 400 million shares valued at $28.5 billion, representing 10.1% of its portfolio [12][13] - Coca-Cola's dividend yield is projected at 2.8%, with the company having paid $776 million in dividends last year [14][15]

Summary of Coca Cola HBC Conference Call Company Overview - Coca Cola HBC is one of the largest global strategic bottling partners of the Coca Cola Company, operating in 29 markets across Europe and Africa, including both established markets like Italy and emerging markets like Nigeria and Egypt [1] Key Strategies and Performance - The company focuses on a "twenty four seven portfolio" that caters to consumer needs throughout the day, from coffee in the morning to non-alcoholic beverages mixed with premium spirits [2] - Coca Cola HBC has a proven track record of delivering results, with a guidance update for organic revenue growth set at 6-7% per year and EBIT margin improvement of 20-40 basis points annually [4] - In Q1, the company reported a 10.6% organic sales growth with a volume growth of 1.8% [4][6] Market Dynamics and Consumer Behavior - The company acknowledges consumer sensitivity to pricing and sentiment, which remains below 2021 levels, impacting revenue growth management strategies [8][13] - Price mix is expected to soften this year, with a more balanced ratio between price, mix, and volume anticipated in the midterm [10][11] - The company is focused on affordability initiatives across all markets to support consumer needs [14] Segment Performance - Coca Cola HBC expects all three segments (emerging, developing, and established markets) to contribute to growth, with emerging markets showing the strongest growth potential [15][16] - In Italy, the company is focusing on lunch occasions, particularly with pizza, and has seen strong performance from its Zero Sugar portfolio [20][22] - In Nigeria, dynamic pricing strategies are being employed to navigate market volatility while maintaining volume growth [25][26] Challenges and Opportunities - The company is facing challenges in Egypt due to high inflation and devaluation, but sees opportunities for growth and share gains as the situation stabilizes [34][36] - The energy category has shown strong growth, with innovations and partnerships contributing to its success [43][44] Digital Insights and Analytics - Coca Cola HBC has invested in digital insights and analytics, which are seen as a competitive advantage, enabling personalized execution and improved planning [56][58] Cash Deployment and Future Outlook - The company has a strong balance sheet with a net debt to EBITDA ratio below one, and is looking for opportunities to scale capabilities within the Coca Cola system [60][61] - Future cash deployment may include acquisitions or special dividends, depending on strategic fit and economic viability [62][63]

Recently raised import and export tariffs are putting a premium on stocks of companies that can sidestep these rising costs. More to the point for interested investors, yes, this long-timer Buffett favorite would be a smart pick for almost anyone's portfolio, if only as a means of remaining in the market at a time when it isn't comfortable to do so. The forward-looking dividend yield of 2.8% isn't exactly thrilling either, but it is reliable. It's also a reliable grower, having now been raised for 63 consec ...

Core Viewpoint - Coca-Cola demonstrates resilience in turbulent markets, showcasing its defensive attributes and strong brand power, making it a compelling investment option for stability-focused investors [2][18][19] Market Performance - Coca-Cola's stock surged approximately 19.7% in the three months leading to late April 2025, with a year-to-date gain of about 18.8%, contrasting with the S&P 500's decline of around 10% [3][4] - The company's low beta of 0.45 indicates lower volatility compared to the market average, enhancing its appeal during market downturns [4] Dividend Information - Coca-Cola has a dividend yield of 2.83% and has increased its annual dividend for 63 consecutive years, solidifying its status as a Dividend King [6][7] - The latest quarterly dividend was raised by approximately 5.2%, resulting in an annual dividend of $2.04 per share, up from $1.94 in 2024 [7][9] - The dividend payout ratio is reported at 82.6%, but a more sustainable ratio based on comparable EPS is 70.8% [8] Financial Performance - In FY2024, Coca-Cola's organic revenues increased by 12%, driven by an 11% improvement in price/mix, indicating strong pricing power [10] - The Comparable Operating Margin expanded to 30.0% in FY2024 from 29.1% the previous year, despite increased input costs [11] - Comparable EPS increased by 7% to $2.88 in FY2024, even after a significant currency headwind [13] Cash Flow and Operational Efficiency - Reported cash flow from operations decreased by 41% to $6.8 billion in FY2024, impacted by a $6.0 billion deposit related to tax litigation [14] - Excluding this item, Free Cash Flow reached $10.8 billion, an 11% increase year over year, highlighting strong cash-generating capabilities [14] Strategic Initiatives - Coca-Cola is expanding its product portfolio in response to evolving consumer preferences, including categories like water, sports drinks, and low/no-sugar options [15] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts maintain a strong consensus Buy rating for Coca-Cola, with a 12-month price target of $75.06, suggesting a potential upside of 4.31% [16] - The company's management projects solid growth in organic revenue and comparable EPS for the fiscal year, despite anticipated currency headwinds [17]