Core Viewpoint - Coca-Cola is positioned to be a more compelling long-term investment compared to Altria, the leading tobacco company, due to its diversified product portfolio and growth potential in a changing market landscape [5]. Group 1: Altria Overview - Altria is a leading tobacco company in America, known for its flagship Marlboro brand, which holds nearly half of the retail cigarette market [2]. - The company is expanding its portfolio with smoke-free products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches as adult smoking rates decline [2]. - Altria has consistently increased its dividend since spinning off its international business in 2008, currently offering a forward yield of 7.2% and trading at ten times forward earnings [3]. Group 2: Coca-Cola Overview - Coca-Cola has developed a diverse range of products beyond its traditional sugary sodas, including bottled water, fruit juices, teas, and alcoholic beverages, which has helped mitigate the decline in soda consumption [8]. - The company reported organic sales growth of 16% in 2022, 12% in 2023, and is projected to maintain 12% growth in 2024, contrasting with Altria's declining sales [9]. - Coca-Cola operates a capital-light business model, producing only concentrates and syrups, which allows for high gross margins and more cash for marketing and dividends [10]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Outlook - Analysts expect Coca-Cola's adjusted EPS to grow at a CAGR of 6% from 2024 to 2027, while Altria's adjusted EPS is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% [12]. - Coca-Cola has a forward dividend yield of 2.9% and has raised its payout for 63 consecutive years, making it a "Dividend King" [13]. - Over the past decade, Coca-Cola has delivered a total return of 126%, while Altria's total return was 99%, indicating Coca-Cola's stronger long-term performance [14]. Group 4: Market Trends and Future Prospects - The S&P 500 is near its all-time high, and the Federal Reserve is expected to cut benchmark rates in 2026, which may lead investors to favor dividend stocks like Coca-Cola over growth stocks [16]. - Coca-Cola is anticipated to benefit from this trend, positioning it as a better investment option compared to Altria for 2026 and beyond [16].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of selecting dividend stocks that provide a balance of risk and reward for long-term investment success [1][2]. Group 1: Coca-Cola (KO) - Coca-Cola holds a dominant 47.1% market share in the U.S. carbonated soft drink market and has a diverse portfolio including lemonade, tea, water, juices, sports drinks, coffee, and alcoholic beverages [4][6]. - In Q3, Coca-Cola reported revenue of $12.45 billion, a 5% increase from $11.85 billion year-over-year, with earnings of $3.69 billion and EPS of $0.86, up from $2.84 billion and $0.66 respectively [7]. - The company achieved 10% revenue growth in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, 4% in North America, and 11% in Asia-Pacific, offsetting a 4% decline in Latin America [6][7]. - Coca-Cola offers a strong dividend yield of 3% [7]. Group 2: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) - Enterprise Products Partners is a leading midstream company in the U.S., responsible for transporting fossil fuels without the need for expensive mining or drilling operations [8][10]. - The company reported Q3 revenue of $1.68 billion, down from $1.78 billion year-over-year, but managed to reduce operating costs from $12 billion to $10.3 billion [12]. - Net income fell slightly to $1.35 billion with EPS at $0.61, compared to $1.43 billion and $0.65 respectively [12]. - The dividend yield for Enterprise Products Partners is currently 7.1%, making it an attractive option even during revenue declines [13]. Group 3: Lam Research (LRCX) - Lam Research operates in the semiconductor industry, providing equipment for foundries to manufacture semiconductors, including wafer cleaning and plasma etching [14]. - The company reported Q3 revenue of $5.32 billion, a significant increase from $4.16 billion year-over-year, with EPS rising to $1.26 from $0.86 [15]. - Lam Research's stock has increased by 123% in 2025, although its dividend yield is relatively low at 0.6% [16]. Group 4: Diversification Strategy - The article highlights the importance of diversifying investments across different sectors to mitigate volatility risks [17]. - Investing in Coca-Cola, Enterprise Products Partners, and Lam Research can create a balanced income-generating portfolio [18].

Core Insights - Lassonde Industries Inc. reported solid sales and profit growth in Q3 2025, with sales reaching $723.9 million, a 55.6 million increase from the previous year, driven by effective pricing strategies and a favorable shift in Canadian private label sales [2][3] Financial Performance - Sales for Q3 2025 were $723.9 million, up 4.8% from $668.3 million in Q3 2024, primarily due to selling price adjustments and a favorable change in the Canadian sales mix of private label products [3][6] - Gross profit increased to $197.6 million, representing 27.3% of sales, up from $179.8 million in the same quarter last year [3][6] - Operating profit rose to $57.9 million, an increase of $10.7 million from the previous year, attributed to higher gross profit and reduced transportation costs [3][6] - Profit attributable to shareholders was $36.8 million, resulting in an EPS of $5.40, a 24.2% increase from the same quarter in 2024 [6][27] Adjusted Financial Metrics - Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025 was $86.4 million, up 24.7% from $69.3 million in Q3 2024 [6][24] - Adjusted EPS was $5.84, reflecting a 28.9% increase from $4.53 in the same quarter last year [6][27] Capital Expenditures and Investments - The company is focused on executing its strategy, including capital investment projects, with the relocation of production lines to its North Carolina plant completed [3][6] - Capital expenditures for 2025 are estimated to reach up to 7.0% of sales, depending on project progress and macroeconomic conditions [15][31] Outlook and Market Conditions - Lassonde anticipates a sales growth rate slightly above 10% for 2025, driven by the full-year impact of Summer Garden results and increased U.S. sales volume [7][14] - The company is monitoring consumer food habits and demand elasticity amid ongoing inflation in key commodities [7][14] Dividend Information - A quarterly dividend of $1.10 per share was declared, payable on December 15, 2025, to registered holders of Class A and Class B shares [18][31]

Core Viewpoint - Coca-Cola is considered an evergreen investment due to its consistent growth and long-term reliability, despite challenges in the beverage market [1][12] Group 1: Company Strengths - Coca-Cola has diversified its product portfolio beyond soda to include bottled water, tea, fruit juices, sports drinks, energy drinks, coffee, and alcoholic beverages, which helps mitigate declining soda consumption [3] - The company's capital-light business model, focusing on selling concentrates and syrups while bottling partners handle production, allows for consistent profits and insulation from inflation and regional macro challenges [4] - From 1984 to 2024, Coca-Cola achieved a revenue and split-adjusted EPS CAGR of 5% and 6%, respectively, maintaining stable growth through five global recessions and being a Dividend King with 63 consecutive years of dividend increases [5] - Analysts project Coca-Cola's revenue and EPS to grow at a CAGR of 5% and 11% from 2024 to 2027, driven by expansion in emerging markets, wellness-oriented brands, strategic acquisitions, and AI-driven efficiencies [6][7] Group 2: Company Weaknesses - Growth is slowing in developed markets like the U.S. and Europe, where competition from healthier and private label beverages is increasing, necessitating greater investment in emerging markets [8] - Ongoing trade wars and elevated tariffs, particularly on aluminum for cans, could lead to price increases from bottlers, potentially impacting shipments and margins during economic downturns [9] - Compared to PepsiCo, Coca-Cola's valuation at 24 times forward earnings appears less attractive, especially as PepsiCo offers a higher forward dividend yield of 4.3% [10] - Coca-Cola has underperformed the S&P 500 over the past 40 years, which has generated a total return of 3,460%, indicating that Coca-Cola may not be the best performer during bull markets [11]