Diageo
One of the largest producers of alcoholic beverages in the world, Diageo PLC (NYSE: DEO) produces, markets and sells alcoholic beverages worldwide, including scotch whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, beer, Irish cream liqueurs, wine, Raki, tequila, Canadian and American whiskey, Cachaça and brandy, as well as adult beverages and ready to drink products. The company’s premium brands include Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Its reserve brands include Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Johnnie Walker Green Label, Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18-year-old, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18-year-old, John Walker & Sons Collection, Johnnie Walker The Gold Route, Johnnie Walker The Royal Route and other Johnnie Walker super-premium brands, as well as The Singleton, Cardhu, Talisker, Lagavulin and other malt brands.
The dividend yield here is 2.03%. Diageo stock has a $213 price target at BofA Securities. The consensus target is $206.38, and Friday’s close was at $178.86.
Kraft Heinz
Even in bad times, everybody has to eat, and this company always stands to benefit. Kraft Heinz Co. (NASDAQ: KHC) was formed via the merger of H.J. Heinz and Kraft Foods. The company is a leading global food company, with $29 billion in annual revenues generated by such well-known brands as Kraft, Heinz, Oscar Meyer and Maxwell House. Legendary investor Warren Buffett holds a big position in the stock at Berkshire Hathaway.
It is the third-largest food and beverage manufacturer in North America, deriving 76% of revenues from that market and 24% internationally. Additional brands include Oscar Meyer, Maxwell House, Capri Sun, Classico, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Lunchables, Ore-Ida, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Planters, Plasmon, Quero, Weight Watchers Smart Ones and Velveeta.
Kraft Heinz stock comes with a 4.01% dividend, and it is on the BofA Securities US 1 list of top picks. The firm’s $48 price target compares with a consensus target of $42.26 and the most recent close at $39.92.
Procter & Gamble
The company offers a very solid dividend as well as a host of recognizable products. Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) is one of the world’s largest consumer products companies and one of the oldest in the Fortune 500. Its many brands include Pampers, Tide, Bounty, Charmin, Gillette, Oral B, Crest, Olay, Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Ariel, Gain, Always, Tampax, Downy and Dawn.
The company sells its products through mass merchandisers, e-commerce, grocery stores, membership club stores, drug stores, department stores, distributors, wholesalers, baby stores, specialty beauty stores, high-frequency stores and pharmacies. The company has been very innovative in its product development process and uses that to help ensure future growth and cash flow. This should provide investors with years of steady growth and dividends.
Shareholders receive a 2.42% dividend. The Raymond James price objective is $165, while the consensus target is $148.60. Procter & Gamble stock ended Friday trading at $150.44.
While 2023 will hopefully not be the trainwreck that this year has been, one thing is for sure. Playing it safe will not go out of style, and owning dividend-paying market leaders remains the best plan until the Federal Reserve decides it is time to pivot and lower rates. There is a very good chance that will not be until 2024.
Originally published at 24/7 Wall St.
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