Investors near the S&P 500 highs may pivot to defensive consumer staples stocks like Coca-Cola and Altria. Both are Dividend Kings, increasing payouts annually for over 50 years. Coca-Cola expanded its non-carbonated drink portfolio, while Altria focuses on smoke-free products to offset declining smoking rates.

Coca-Cola’s capital-light business model sustains stable margins and a 2.6% forward yield. With 63 years of dividend growth, its organic revenue grew 5% in 2025. Altria boasts a 6.3% forward yield and aims to generate $5 billion in smoke-free revenues by 2028, focusing on e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

While both Coca-Cola and Altria face challenges, their strategies to diversify product offerings make them appealing long-term investments. Coca-Cola’s stable growth outlook and Altria’s focus on smoke-free products position them as reliable anchors in a volatile market. Both stocks appear reasonably valued at this time.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: 2 Consumer Staples Stocks to Buy in February 2026