10 Best Dividend Aristocrat Stocks To Buy Right Now

6. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is an American multinational beverage company. Since the start of 2024, the stock has surged by nearly 7%, showing investor confidence in the company. Its strongest competitive edge lies in its powerful brand, which establishes an economic moat, setting it apart from industry competitors. Along with its long-standing reputation for delivering a reliable product, the company has also built remarkable marketing expertise, keeping its brand highly visible and memorable to consumers.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in the third quarter of 2024, surpassing analysts’ expectations by $290 million. The company’s cash flow was also robust, with $2.9 billion in operating cash flow and $1.6 billion in free cash flow. Its adjusted operating margin for the quarter stood at a remarkable 30.7%, highlighting the company’s strong profitability.

This consistent performance has translated into long-term benefits for shareholders, as The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) has increased its dividend for an impressive 62 years in a row. Few companies boast such a remarkable track record of returning profits to investors. The company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.485 per share, offering a dividend yield of 3.03% as of November 25.

By the end of the third quarter of 2024, 69 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey held positions in The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), an increase from 68 in the previous quarter. The combined value of these stakes totaled nearly $35 billion. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway held the largest individual stake in the company, with 400 million shares.