3 Unstoppable S&P 500 Stocks to Buy Before October Ends
It is Oct. 29, and there are just two trading days left in October (including today). But that's more than enough time to buy S&P 500 index(SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) members Coca-Cola(NYSE: KO), Johnson & Johnson(NYSE: JNJ), and Federal Realty(NYSE: FRT). Why these three?
From a big-picture perspective, the answer boils down to the fact that they have above-market yields and are all Dividend Kings (having made 50+ annual dividend increases). But here's why each of these companies has something unique to offer as October draws to a close.
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1. Coca-Cola is doing well in a difficult market
Coca-Cola is one of the world's largest consumer staples companies . It is focused entirely on beverages, with a brand portfolio, marketing skills, innovation chops, and distribution strength that rival any consumer staples competitor. It offers a 2.2% yield and, as noted above, it's a Dividend King.
That alone should be enough to make Coca-Cola interesting to conservative investors. But there's one more important fact: Coca-Cola is doing very well despite the headwinds facing consumer staples stocks. Inflation, budget-conscious consumers, and shifting tastes toward healthier fare are all causing havoc in the sector. And Coca-Cola still grew case volumes by 5% in the third quarter of 2026, with organic sales up 7%. In fact, the business is doing so well that management raised its full-year earnings guidance. If this is how Coca-Cola performs during difficult times, it is worth considering for even the most conservative of investors.
2. Johnson & Johnson sells recession-resistant products
Johnson & Johnson is a large healthcare company, with sizable operations in the pharmaceutical and medical device segments. One stock gets you broad healthcare diversification. It also offers a roughly 2% yield backed by more than 50 annual dividend increases. Again, if you are a conservative investor, this is the type of stock you can buy and hold without worrying too much about what you own.
That said, the real story here is what J&J sells. Medical devices and pharmaceuticals aren't usually optional purchases. In fact, they are often the difference between living a healthy life or not. Even during a recession, consumers will continue to buy J&J's products, making it a very resilient business. The company's third-quarter results were a bit messy, with one-time charges and merger expenses, but sales rose nearly 6%, and the company raised its full-year guidance.
To be fair, J&J is kind of a slow, boring business, but that's not a bad thing, given the worries about an artificial intelligence bubble brewing on Wall Street.
3. Federal Realty is small, but mighty
Federal Realty is actually a fairly small real estate investment trust (REIT), with a portfolio that generally hovers around 100 strip mall and mixed-use assets. But it has achieved something that no other REIT has: it is a Dividend King. Now add in an attractive 4.2% yield, and you can see why dividend investors would find the stock of interest today.
That said, the small portfolio needs examination. Simply put, Federal Realty is a sharpshooter, focused on owning retail-related properties in areas with high concentrations of wealthy customers. It owns properties that retailers want to be located in, giving the REIT pricing power and resulting in strong occupancy throughout the economic cycle. Federal Realty raised its full-year guidance after second-quarter earnings. But the real strength is likely to show up when the economy hits the skids, and Federal Realty's business again proves how it can sustain such a long streak of annual dividend increases.
Unstoppable dividends can help you survive bear markets
The S&P 500 is near all-time highs and offering a shockingly low yield of just 1%. All of the Dividend Kings listed above offer well more income and a proven history of resilience in the face of adversity. And all three are actually doing quite well right now. If you are looking for stocks to buy as October draws to a close, these three unstoppable dividend payers are worth a very close look. And they'll still be every bit as attractive if the calendar slips into November before you have time to buy them.
Should you buy stock in Coca-Cola right now?
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Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Federal Realty Investment Trust. The Motley Fool recommends Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .
3 Unstoppable S&P 500 Stocks to Buy Before October Ends was originally published by The Motley Fool
