Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the resurgence of dividend stocks as interest rates decline in 2024, highlighting five reliable blue-chip dividend stocks that are worth considering for investment before this shift occurs [2][3]. Group 1: Dividend Stocks Overview - Dividend stocks are typically seen as slow-growth investments, often favored by income investors, especially when risk-free alternatives become less appealing due to rising interest rates [1]. - As interest rates are expected to decline, more investors are anticipated to return to high-yielding dividend stocks [2]. Group 2: Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola is the world's leading beverage maker, offering a diverse range of products that helps mitigate risks associated with declining soda consumption [5]. - The company operates a capital-light model, generating stable profits and increasing dividends for over 60 years, with a current forward yield of 3% and a valuation of 23 times forward earnings [6]. Group 3: Altria - Altria, the largest tobacco company in the U.S., is adapting to declining smoking rates by diversifying into non-smokable products and raising cigarette prices [7]. - The company has consistently raised its dividends since 2008, currently offering a forward yield of 6.4% and trading at 12 times forward earnings [8]. Group 4: IBM - IBM has shifted its focus from slow-growth segments to higher-growth areas like hybrid cloud and AI, leading to renewed growth [10]. - The company has raised its dividend for 30 consecutive years, with a forward yield of 2.8% and a valuation of 22 times forward earnings [11]. Group 5: Cisco - Cisco, the largest networking company, faced challenges but is now positioned to benefit from increased infrastructure spending as companies upgrade networks for AI applications [12][13]. - The company has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years, currently offering a forward yield of 2.4% and trading at 17 times forward earnings [14]. Group 6: Realty Income - Realty Income is a REIT focused on retail properties, maintaining a high occupancy rate and paying out at least 90% of its taxable income as dividends [15][16]. - The stock offers a forward yield of 5.6%, has increased its payout 131 times since its IPO, and trades at 14 times projected adjusted funds from operations per share [17].

Core Viewpoint - The Coca-Cola Company is expected to report second-quarter 2025 earnings on July 22, with anticipated year-over-year revenue growth despite a slight decline in earnings per share [1][2]. Revenue and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is $12.6 billion, reflecting a 1.9% increase from the previous year [2]. - The consensus estimate for earnings is 83 cents per share, indicating a 1.2% decline from the prior-year quarter [2]. - Coca-Cola has shown a positive earnings surprise trend over the last nine quarters, with an average surprise of 4.9% [2]. Business Performance and Trends - Coca-Cola's resilience is attributed to strong business momentum, a diverse brand portfolio, and strategic investments [5]. - The company is projected to see a 4.9% year-over-year increase in organic revenues, driven by a 5.8% rise in price/mix, despite a 0.9% decline in concentrate sales [7]. - Innovations and increased digital investments are expected to contribute positively to second-quarter revenues, with e-commerce growth rates doubling in many countries [8]. Market Challenges - Despite favorable price/mix trends, macroeconomic challenges such as low consumer confidence in China and high inflation in Argentina are anticipated to impact Coca-Cola's performance [9][10]. - The company is facing notable volume pressure in key markets, particularly in North America, which may affect overall growth [10]. Currency and Margin Impact - Currency headwinds are estimated to have a 3% negative impact on second-quarter revenues, with an anticipated 10-basis point decline in adjusted operating margin [13]. - The company expects comparable EPS growth to be affected by 5-6% from currency fluctuations [13]. Stock Performance and Valuation - Coca-Cola's stock has risen 13.4% year to date, outperforming the broader industry and the S&P 500 index [14][18]. - The stock trades at a forward 12-month P/E multiple of 22.77X, which is higher than the industry average of 17.96X [18]. Long-term Outlook - Coca-Cola commands over 40% of the global non-alcoholic beverage market, supported by a strong market presence and a focus on innovation [19]. - Despite short-term challenges, the company is well-positioned for sustained long-term growth [20]. - The upcoming earnings report is expected to reinforce Coca-Cola's resilience and growth outlook, making it a compelling long-term investment [21].