5 Stocks for Busy Investors: GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (GSK), The Coca-Cola Company (KO)

Another huge drinks-maker with a massive moat in the nonalcoholic markets is U.S.-based The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) . The shares actually split 2-for-1 in August, meaning for every share you owned before the split you were given two. Adjusting for the split, the shares are down about 5% from July, though a few dividends have been paid out.

Dividends (the common thread)
A theme in the shares I’ve mapped out for a set-and-forget portfolio is that each pays a dividend. Remember, a dividend paid to you is a real return — you get paid for owning the shares. Dividends can help smooth out any emotional sweating you may do over share price movement.

After a brutal start to 2012 that saw shares sold off heavily, Tesco Corporation (USA) (NASDAQ:TESO) management had work to do. They were clear that they would focus on strengthening its U.K. business while growing as a multichannel retailer in more international markets. It’s been a year, and I for one have been pleased with Tesco’s progress on those fronts.

Shares have outpaced the market and are up about 18% since I wrote about them in July.

And when it comes to dividends, Tesco’s track record is hard to beat. It’s raised its annual dividend payout for nearly 30 years in a row, offering income-focused investors a nice yield to rely on.

Pair that with Tesco’s foundation in the U.K. and growing business internationally, and this set-and-forget share seems deserving of a spot in the busy investor’s portfolio.

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The article 5 Stocks for Busy Investors originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Jill Ralph.

Jill Ralph owns shares in Tesco and Unilever. The Motley Fool recommends Coca-Cola, GlaxoSmithKline, and Unilever. The Motley Fool owns shares of Tesco. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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