Key Points Monster Beverage has outperformed the market since partnering with Coca-Cola in 2014, driven by explosive growth in the energy drink category. At 23.5 times earnings, Coca-Cola's well-known brands offer stability and value. Both companies are quality investments with no clear loser -- your choice depends on whether you prioritize income or growth. 10 stocks we like better than Coca-Cola › Beverage veterans Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and Monster Beverage (NASDAQ: MNST) have been business part ...

2011年5月6日，肯塔基州路易斯维尔，亿万富翁迈克·雷波尔出席第137届肯塔基赛马会。图片来源：ROB CARR —GETTY IMAGES 亿万富翁企业家迈克·雷波尔(Mike Repole)曾与他人共同创立饮料巨头Glaceau和BodyArmor，并以合计 97亿美元的价格将两家公司出售给可口可乐公司（Coca-Cola）。如今，他却向有志创业者发出了一个 出人意料的忠告：不要创业。 在近期接受知名社交媒体频道"The School of Hard Knocks"专访时，雷波尔分享了他对创业的不同看 法，并着重强调了那些被多数成功创业故事忽略的残酷现实。"The School of Hard Knocks"平台以采访 富有企业家而闻名。 雷波尔说："我花了很多时间劝别人不要创业，对于创业者而言，前五年是生存期。你每天都有可能破 产。" 雷波尔曾经取得辉煌的商业成就，因此他的这番警示性建议极具影响力。这位纽约皇后区土生土长的56 岁商人，1999年与J . 达里乌斯·比科夫共同创立Glaceau，赚到了第一桶金。这家公司生产Smartwater和 Vitaminwater，首年销售额仅100万美元，到2 ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the performance of consumer-facing Dividend Champions in 2025, highlighting that Coca-Cola has outperformed the S&P 500 despite a market trend favoring high-beta growth stocks [1][3][5]. Company Overview - Coca-Cola has 30 billion-dollar brands, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta, with 15 brands developed organically and 15 through acquisitions [6][8]. - The company is a leader in the commercial beverage industry, holding the top market share in sparkling soft drinks, water, sports drinks, and juice [9]. Market Position - Coca-Cola has a 14% market share in developed beverage markets and a 7% share in emerging markets, indicating significant growth potential [10]. - The company benefits from a long-term trend where non-commercial drinks in emerging markets (68%) are expected to decrease, potentially increasing Coca-Cola's market share [12]. Financial Performance - Coca-Cola has increased its value share for 17 consecutive quarters, contributing to its stock performance in 2025 [13]. - The company has a dividend yield of 2.9%, which is more than double that of the S&P 500, and has grown its dividend payments for 62 consecutive years [14]. Dividend and Valuation - Coca-Cola utilizes 69% of its net income for dividend payments, allowing room for future increases, although its dividend growth rate has slowed to 5% annually over the last decade [15]. - The stock currently has a P/E ratio of 24, slightly below its five-year average of 27, indicating it is fairly valued [19]. Future Outlook - Management aims to grow earnings per share by 8% over the long term, suggesting that Coca-Cola could provide market-similar returns, making it a suitable option for income-seeking investors [20].

Core Insights - Investors in 2025 are facing a challenging market characterized by persistent inflation and global uncertainty, leading to a shift towards high-quality, stable companies rather than high-risk growth stocks [1][2] Company Summaries Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola is recognized for its predictability and financial strength, boasting a dividend yield of 2.96% and an annual dividend of $2.04, with a 64-year track record of dividend increases [4][5] - The company recently announced a 5.2% increase in its dividend, marking its 63rd consecutive year of growth, supported by strong brand loyalty and pricing power [5][6] - Coca-Cola's strong organic revenue growth of 9% was attributed to successful price adjustments, demonstrating its ability to shield profits from inflation [6][7] PepsiCo - PepsiCo offers a diversified business model across beverages and convenient foods, with a dividend yield of 4.41% and an annual dividend of $5.69, maintaining a 54-year dividend increase track record [9][11] - The Frito-Lay division contributes significantly to PepsiCo's cash flow, with a recent 6% organic revenue growth, enhancing the overall stability of the company [10][11] - PepsiCo announced its 53rd consecutive dividend increase of 5%, reflecting management's confidence in its dual-engine business model [11][12] Realty Income - Realty Income focuses on providing a reliable monthly dividend, with a dividend yield of 5.63% and an annual dividend of $3.22, having made over 660 consecutive monthly payments [13][14] - The company operates as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with long-term, triple-net leases, insulating it from inflationary pressures [14][15] - Realty Income's focus on investment-grade tenants in defensive industries ensures a high occupancy rate above 98%, contributing to its financial stability [15][16] Investment Strategy - The companies highlighted demonstrate that stability and predictability are key attributes for long-term investment success, especially in uncertain market conditions [17][18]

Core Insights - PepsiCo's hydration portfolio is primarily driven by Gatorade and LIFEWTR, reflecting a strategic shift towards functional performance and premium wellness offerings [1][2] - Gatorade has shown strong performance in Q1 2025, with innovations like Gatorade Zero and rapid hydration products contributing to its market share recovery [1][8] - LIFEWTR has experienced double-digit growth, aligning with consumer trends towards premium hydration and clean ingredients [2][8] Product Strategy - PepsiCo is investing in various functional hydration options, including powders and tablets, to meet evolving health demands [1] - The company is focusing on "better-for-you" portfolios, including protein and reduced sugar offerings, to capture emerging consumption trends [3] - Gatorade's expansion into performance-focused formats is crucial for regaining market share in the competitive sports drink market [1][8] Competitive Landscape - The Coca-Cola Company and Keurig Dr Pepper are key competitors in the hydration and wellness space, with Coca-Cola leveraging brands like Powerade and Smartwater to compete with Gatorade and LIFEWTR [4][5] - Coca-Cola is enhancing its hydration lineup through innovation and consumer-centric strategies, positioning itself as a strong challenger to PepsiCo [5] - Keurig Dr Pepper focuses on health-conscious positioning with brands like Core Hydration, appealing to wellness-driven consumers [6] Financial Performance - PepsiCo's shares have declined approximately 14.5% year-to-date, contrasting with the industry's growth of 7.6% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.13X, below the industry average of 18.68X, indicating potential undervaluation [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests a year-over-year decline of 3.6% in 2025 earnings, with a projected growth of 5.4% in 2026 [10]

Industry Overview - The global beverage industry is transforming, with a focus on health-conscious and convenience-driven products, moving beyond traditional carbonated soft drinks [1][2] - The competition is primarily between Coca-Cola Company (KO) and Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP), each with distinct strengths and strategies [1][2] Coca-Cola Company (KO) - Coca-Cola has over 130 years of brand equity and operates in more than 200 countries, commanding a significant market share across various beverage categories [2][5] - Approximately 30% of Coca-Cola's volume comes from low- or no-calorie beverages, aligning with consumer health preferences [5] - The company's "all-weather" business strategy includes a diverse product range, from classic sodas to health-focused options, and adapts pricing and packaging to consumer affordability [6] - Coca-Cola invests in digital innovation and marketing personalization, utilizing platforms like Studio X for localized marketing and enhancing consumer experiences through connected packaging [7] Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP) - KDP has established itself as a significant player in the beverage industry, with a diverse portfolio that includes carbonated soft drinks, premium coffee, and energy beverages [8][10] - The company's strategy balances short-term execution with long-term brand building, focusing on innovation and expanded distribution [10] - KDP is attuned to emerging demographics and trends, introducing brands that resonate with younger, health-conscious consumers and leveraging data-driven marketing for brand relevance [11] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Coca-Cola's 2025 sales and EPS indicates year-over-year growth of 2.4% and 2.9%, respectively [12] - In contrast, KDP's 2025 sales and EPS estimates suggest a higher growth of 5.6% and 6.1% [14] - Coca-Cola trades at a forward P/E ratio of 23.45X, above the industry average, while KDP trades at a lower multiple of 16.19X, indicating it as a more value-oriented option [15][17] Stock Performance - Over the past year, Coca-Cola stock has gained 13.7%, outperforming KDP and the broader industry's decline [17] - Despite KDP's lower valuation, Coca-Cola's stronger stock performance and growth trajectory provide it with an edge [17][19] Conclusion - Coca-Cola maintains a commanding edge in global scale, brand equity, and consumer loyalty, despite KDP's rising influence and innovation [18][19] - For investors seeking stability and long-term value creation, Coca-Cola is positioned as the stronger choice [19]