U.S. consumer spending collapsed in January, falling to lows not seen in almost four years. Americans cut their spending by 0.2% in January as tariff threats, massive government and tech layoffs, continued to dominate headlines. Data released in late February showed consumers cut their spending by the most since February 2021. The U.S. Department of Commerce also cited the unseasonably cold January weather, which some reports indicated was part of the coldest winter in the United States in 25 years.
Consumer staples stocks are shares of companies that sell everyday essentials, such as food, drinks, and household goods. These stocks are considered relatively stable investments because the demand for these products is consistent across economic cycles. One of the benefits to owning consumer staples stocks, especially when market volatility and the stock market weakens, is that they may be more inflation-resistant than other sectors, and quality companies in the sector can provide consistent, reliable growth.
We screened our 24/7 Wall St. consumer staples dividend stocks research database looking for top companies. Five hit our screens. All pay dependable and growing dividends and look to have solid upside to Wall Street’s price targets. In addition, all are rated Buy at top firms that we cover.
Why do we cover consumer staples dividend stocks?
Consumer staples dividend stocks provide investors with reliable streams of passive income. Passive income is characterized by its ability to generate revenue without requiring the earner’s continuous active effort, making it a desirable financial strategy for those seeking to diversify their income streams or achieve financial independence.
Here are five of the top stocks in our consumer staples dividend universe.
Altria
Altria is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of cigarettes and other tobacco-related products.
This tobacco company offers value investors a great entry point and a rich 7.45% dividend. Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO | MO Price Prediction) manufactures and sells smokable and oral tobacco products in the United States through its subsidiaries.
The company provides cigarettes, primarily under the Marlboro brand, as well as:
- Cigars and pipe tobacco, principally under the Black & Mild and Middleton brands
- Moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands
- on! Oral nicotine pouches
- e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand
It sells its tobacco products primarily to wholesalers, including distributors and large retail organizations, such as chain stores.
Altria used to own over 10% of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer. Earlier this year, the company sold 35 million of its 197 million shares through a global secondary offering. That represents 18% of its holdings but still leaves 8% of the outstanding shares in its back pocket. Altria also announced a $2.4 billion stock repurchase plan partially funded by the sale.
Diageo
Diageo is a British multinational alcoholic beverage company headquartered in London.
Warren Buffett owns Diageo PLC (NYSE: DEO), one of the largest producers of alcoholic beverages in the world. The company pays a solid 4.14% dividend.
It offers:
- Scotch whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, beer, and spirits
- 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 comprise Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray, and Guinness.
The 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
Johnnie Walker super premium brands:
- The Singleton
- Cardhu
- Talisker
- Lagavulin, and other malt brands
Kimberly-Clark
This American multinational personal care corporation produces mostly paper-based consumer products.
This consumer staples leader is a safe bet for nervous investors, paying a dependable 3.60% dividend. Kimberly Clark Corp. (NYSE: KMB) and its subsidiaries manufacture and market personal care and consumer tissue products worldwide.
It operates through three segments:
- Personal Care
- Consumer Tissue
- K-C Professional
The Personal Care segment offers a diverse range of products, including:
- Disposable diapers
- Swim pants, training and youth pants, baby wipes
- Feminine and incontinence care products
- Related products under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Sweety, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Depend, Plenitud, Softex, Poise, and other brand names
The Consumer Tissue segment provides facial and bathroom tissues, paper towels, napkins, and related products under the brand names:
- Kleenex
- Scott
- Cottonelle
- Viva
- Andrex
- Scottex
- Neve
The K-C Professional segment offers wipers, tissues, towels, apparel, soaps, and sanitizers under the Kleenex, Scott, WypAll, Kimtech, and KleenGuard brands.
Kraft Heinz
Kraft Heinz is the fifth-largest food and beverage company in the world.
Warren Buffett also has a sizable position in this company. Even in bad times, everybody has to eat, and this company always stands to benefit while paying a tremendous 5.22% dividend. Kraft Heinz Co. (NYSE: KHC) was formed via the merger of H.J. Heinz and Kraft Foods.
The company is a leading global food company with estimated annual revenues of over $25 billion from well-known brands such as Kraft, Heinz, Oscar Meyer, and Maxwell House.
Kraft Heinz is North America’s third-largest food and beverage manufacturer. It derives 76% of its revenues from that market and 24% from the International segment.
The company’s additional brands include:
- ABC
- Capri Sun
- Classico
- Jell-O
- Kool-Aid
- Lunchables
- Ore-Ida
- Philadelphia
- Planters
- Plasmon
- Quero
- Weight Watchers
- Smart Ones
- Velveeta
PepsiCo
Pepsi is the second most valuable soft drink brand worldwide behind Coca-Cola.
This top consumer staples stock posted solid earnings for the fourth quarter that were above expectations. PepsiCo Inc. (NYSE: PEP) is a worldwide food and beverage company. It will continue to supply all the goods for the 2025 March Madness parties and pays a solid 3.57% dividend.
Its Frito-Lay North America segment offers:
- Lays and Ruffles potato chips
- Doritos, Tostitos, and Santitas tortilla chips
- Cheetos cheese-flavored snacks, branded dips
- Fritos corn chips
The company’s Quaker Foods North America segment provides:
- Quaker Oatmeal
- Grits
- Rice cakes
- Natural granola and oat squares
- Pearl Milling mixes and syrups
- Quaker Chewy granola bars
- Cap’n Crunch cereal
- Life cereal
- Rice-A-Roni side dishes
PepsiCo’s North America Beverages segment offers beverage concentrates, fountain syrups, and finished goods under these brands:
- Pepsi
- Gatorade
- Mountain Dew
- Diet Pepsi
- Aquafina
- Diet Mountain Dew
- Tropicana Pure Premium
- Sierra Mist
- Mug brands
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