The S&P 500‘s average yield is a meager 1.1%, but income investors can do much better. Recent weakness in consumer spending has pressured even top brands, yet the strongest consumer staples still offer attractive yields of 2.4% or more.
Three blue chip consumer companies that could keep paying (and raising) dividends for decades are Coca-Cola (KO +0.29%), PepsiCo (PEP +0.55%), and Procter & Gamble (PG +0.40%).
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Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola owns dozens of beverage brands, including Sprite and Dasani, that generate $50 billion in trailing 12-month revenue. The company’s strong profit margin also supports a generous dividend.
Coca-Cola has increased its dividend for 64 straight years. It currently offers a forward (12-month) yield of about 2.4% and pays out roughly two-thirds of its earnings. The dividend has grown at a compound annual rate of around 5% over the last three years.
Consumer spending has been squeezed by inflation and other economic challenges. That pressure has pushed Coca-Cola and other major brands to sharpen execution by cutting costs and managing pricing while protecting profitability. So far, that approach appears to be working. Global unit case volume rose 5% year over year in the second quarter, and the company’s trailing 12-month profit margin has climbed from the low 20s to over 28%.
Coca-Cola is also shifting toward a more capital-light model, which should support further margin expansion and steady earnings growth. Analysts expect earnings to grow at an annualized rate of 7% in the coming years. Assuming the company delivers, investors should continue to see higher dividend payments from Coca-Cola each year.
Today’s Change
(0.55%) $0.78
Current Price
$142.86
Key Data Points
Market Cap
Day’s Range
$141.64 – $142.88
52wk Range
$133.73 – $171.48
Volume
1.1M
Avg Vol
8.6M
Gross Margin
53.98%
Dividend Yield
4.05%
PepsiCo
PepsiCo brings together a powerful mix of beverage and snack brands. It has paid a consistent dividend since 1965, including 54 consecutive years of dividend increases. The stock currently offers a forward (1-year) yield of around 4.2% while paying out about three-quarters of earnings. The dividend has grown at an annualized rate of 7% over the last three years.
The company has gotten off to a solid start to 2026. In the first half, revenue rose nearly 7% year over year, supported by balanced unit volume growth across both food and beverages.
Just as importantly, PepsiCo is becoming more globally diversified. International beverage volumes now account for about two-thirds of the total, while international food has moved above 50%. That broader mix should help reduce reliance on any single market, and management expects its global expansion to support profitability over time.
PepsiCo is also keeping pace with changing consumer preferences. Its functional hydration, no-sugar, and portion-controlled snack offerings are growing at double-digit rates. Management is targeting long-term organic sales growth of 4% to 6% annually, which should support comparable earnings growth and long-term dividend growth for shareholders.
Today’s Change
(0.40%) $0.57
Current Price
$143.54
Key Data Points
Market Cap
Day’s Range
$142.14 – $143.73
52wk Range
$137.62 – $167.25
Volume
3.3M
Avg Vol
9.2M
Gross Margin
50.87%
Dividend Yield
3.00%
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble owns a powerhouse lineup of brands across household, beauty, and personal care. Its focus on category leaders has helped it deliver 70 consecutive years of dividend increases. The stock currently offers a forward (1-year) yield of about 3% while paying out roughly two-thirds of earnings. The dividend has grown at a 5% annual rate over the last three years.
The company’s strategy centers on superior-performing products, backed by consistent marketing and packaging that stand out on the shelf. That combination helps drive repeat purchases, even when consumers are more selective.
That strategy is still paying off in a tough environment. Organic sales grew in 90% of the company’s product categories last quarter. In its fiscal 2026 (which ended in June), adjusted sales and earnings increased 1% from the prior year. Investors will expect to see stronger growth over time, but this is a solid result given the challenging environment.
P&G has faced higher costs for raw materials, energy, and transportation, but it has countered them with $2.8 billion in realized pretax productivity savings. Management is reinvesting those savings into product improvements and brand-building, which can strengthen its long-term competitive position.
Analysts expect earnings to grow at an annualized rate of 5%, which should support dividend increases for years to come.
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