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Exploring Dividend-Paying Stocks: Coca-Cola as a Prime Example
Investing in stocks that pay dividends can be a fruitful strategy over time, as it offers a reliable income stream—provided the company is in a position to maintain such payouts.
Coca-Cola: A Model of Consistent Dividend Growth
Coca-Cola, with its diverse portfolio of beverages including soda, water, juice, and plant-based drinks, stands out not just for paying dividends but for its commitment to increasing them regularly. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola’s board of directors announced a 5.4% increase in dividends, marking the 62nd consecutive year of such a rise. This remarkable achievement elevates the company to the status of a Dividend King, a prestigious group of companies that have increased their payouts for at least 50 consecutive years.
Calculating Your Potential Earnings
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To determine how much you need to invest to earn $1,000 annually in dividends from Coca-Cola, let’s break down the figures:
Investment Calculation
Currently, Coca-Cola offers a quarterly dividend of $0.485 per share, translating to an annual dividend of $1.94 per share. To achieve a $1,000 annual dividend income, you would need to own 516 shares of Coca-Cola.
Cost of Investment
At the current stock price of $70.75 per share, purchasing 516 shares would require an investment of approximately $36,500. This calculation adopts a conservative stance, assuming that dividend payments remain unchanged.
Dividend Stability and Financial Health
Investors can rest assured about the stability of Coca-Cola’s dividend payouts. The company’s free cash flow (FCF) robustly supports these dividends. In the first half of the year alone, Coca-Cola generated $3.3 billion in FCF and distributed $2.2 billion in dividends, indicating a healthy margin.
Competitive Dividend Yield
Coca-Cola’s stock offers a dividend yield of 2.7%, which comfortably surpasses the S&P 500’s average yield of 1.3%. Given Coca-Cola’s steadfast dedication to its dividends, its competitive yield, and its solid free cash flow backing dividend payments, the stock remains a compelling choice for dividend-focused investors.