10 Defensive Dividend Stocks To Buy During Market Sell Off

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

Coca-Cola is a producer, seller, and marketer of Coca-Cola trademark beverages. It provides sparkling beverages, water, and alcoholic beverages. The stock’s 2.95% dividend yield didn’t make it past our screener for this list, but we decided to include it due to the solid investment opportunity this stock provides in tough times.

KO grew at 12% in 2024 but the 2025 guidance predicts a slowdown, with growth expected to stay between 5% and 6%. One reason for this is the forex impact, so the underlying business is as healthy as ever. The company has rewarded long-term investors in the past and there is no fundamental shift in the business or the economy to suggest that won’t continue.

The forward PE ratio of 23.39 suggests the stock is slightly expensive compared to its historic range. The recent rally in the stock has a lot to do with this and investors may feel they missed out on an attractive price. However, buying great stocks at a premium isn’t entirely a bad thing as the last 10 years have shown us.