What Is One of the Best Dividend Stocks to Buy With $10,000?

By John Ballard – Mar 2, 2026 at 7:18AM ESTKey PointsCoca-Cola has increased its dividend for 64 consecutive years.It has a high dividend yield supported by earnings.The company has navigated shifting consumer preferences well as it continues to gain market share.If you're looking for consistent, dependable dividend payers that also offer a high upfront yield with the potential to grow over time, look no further than one of Warren Buffett's all-time favorites, Coca-Cola (KO +1.27%). Coca-Cola just announced its 64th consecutive annual dividend increase. At its current payout, a $10,000 investment can generate about $262 in dividends over the next year, with the potential for growth. Coke's consistent sales, earnings, and dividend increases make it one of the best dividend stocks to buy in 2026. Image source: Getty Images. The company just raised its quarterly dividend by 3.9% to $0.53 per share, bringing its forward dividend yield to 2.62%. This full-year payout of $2.12 is well supported by earnings, with analysts expecting the company to earn $3.23 per share for 2026. Despite persistently high prices for everyday goods, consumers continue to buy Coca-Cola products. The company posted another solid year of sales, which grew 2% year over year to $47.9 billion. It has an extensive portfolio of 32 individual brands that generate at least $1 billion in annual sales. ExpandNYSE: KOCoca-ColaToday's Change(1.27%) $1.02Current Price$81.52Key Data PointsMarket Cap$351BDay's Range$80.83 - $81.9152wk Range$65.35 - $82.00Volume636Avg Vol18MGross Margin61.75%Dividend Yield2.50% Coca-Cola has demonstrated remarkable resiliency over several decades. The company has experienced only one year of decline in unit case volume over the last 50 years. That means there have been several economic recessions in which it still managed to sell more products to consumers. There are risks, including shifting consumer preferences, but Coca-Cola has managed that well in recent years. It is still gaining market share in its category, and recent margin improvement signals strong pricing power. If there's one consumer goods company that might pay you a growing income for the rest of your life, Coca-Cola is a good bet.Read NextMar 2, 2026 •By Neil PatelBetter Stock to Buy Right Now: Amazon vs. Coca-ColaFeb 27, 2026 •By Eric VolkmanThese 2 Dividend Kings Just Declared Dividend RaisesFeb 27, 2026 •By Will Ebiefung2 Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Next 10 YearsFeb 25, 2026 •By Dave KovaleskiYou Won't Believe What the Most Searched Stocks AreFeb 19, 2026 •By Neil PatelIs Coca-Cola Still the Ultimate Dividend Stock to Buy Now and Hold Forever?Feb 19, 2026 •By Neil PatelWant Decades of Passive Income? 2 Stocks to Buy Now and Hold Forever.About the AuthorJohn Ballard has been a contributing writer at The Motley Fool since 2016, covering consumer goods and technology stocks. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in real estate finance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.TMFRazorbackStocks MentionedCoca-ColaNYSE: KO$81.52(+1.27%)+$1.02*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.