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Coca Cola - >>> 3 Strong Warren Buffett Stocks for a Volatile Market


Motley Fool

By Chuck Saletta, Barbara Eisner Bayer, and Eric Volkman -

Mar 13, 2022


https://www.fool.com/investing/2022/03/13/3-strong-warren-buffett-stocks-volatile-market/?source=eptyholnk0000202&utm_source=yahoo-host&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=article


KEY POINTS

When there's inflation, a company that gets a percentage of lots of purchases makes a ton of sense.

One Buffett pick is a timeless beverage giant that has already shown its ability to hold up well in this crazy market.
If you can't pick from among them, why not buy every Buffett investment by buying a single security?

Businesses that are built to last can be a great way to ride out tough times for stocks.

Warren Buffett is well known as one of the world's all-time great investors. He made his fortune as a value-focused investor -- someone who looks to buy stocks when they're cheap and profit as they recover. As the recent market downtrend reminds us, that's often easier said than done, as falling stocks tend to make it feel like your money is evaporating with every down day.

Still, if Buffett's success shows us anything, it's that a strong company that survives a down market can often come out the other side in a much better spot to deliver solid long-term returns for its shareholders. With that in mind, we asked three successful investors to pick strong Warren Buffett stocks that are worth considering in today's volatile market. They picked Coca-Cola ( KO -0.03% ), Visa ( V -1.03% ), and Berkshire Hathaway ( BRK.A -0.27% )( BRK.B -0.31% ). Read on to find out why and decide for yourself whether those companies deserve a spot in your portfolio.

Volatility goes better with Coke

Barbara Eisner Bayer (Coca-Cola): If anyone knows how to make money in all markets, including volatile ones, it's Buffett, the famous nonagenarian who has an approximate net worth of $114 billion. And one of the Oracle of Omaha's favorite stocks is his oldest stock position, which he started purchasing 34 years ago -- The Coca-Cola Company.

Buffett is so in love with the company that he's known to consume five cans of Coke each day. He even joked to Fortune magazine back in 2015 that his body is made up of "one-quarter Coca-Cola." It's no surprise, then, that Berkshire Hathaway owns about $22 billion worth of its shares, or 10% of the company.

It's great that Buffett is so fond of Coke, but that in and of itself doesn't make it a great buy for a volatile market. So let's look at what does.

First, Coca-Cola's products are consumed worldwide and embrace more than its fizzy namesake drink. Its portfolio of beverages has expanded to include changing and healthier tastes, and according to the company, includes "200 brands and thousands of beverages around the world from soft drinks and waters, to coffee and tea." You've probably heard of many of them: Dasani, Fairlife, Fanta, Fuze Tea, Schweppes, Powerade, Smart Water, and Minute Maid. Because these drinks are worldwide staples, people aren't going to stop drinking them when the stock market goes on a wild ride.

The company has survived extreme volatility in the past. Back in October 2018, during an extremely turbulent period, Coca-Cola was up 2% while the S&P 500 was down 9%. This happened because the company was and continues to be a huge, stable conglomerate with a solid dividend and continuing growth prospects.

While the company struggled during the coronavirus pandemic, it has finally returned to growth. During its recent fourth-quarter 2021 earnings report, Coca-Cola said net revenue had grown 10% year over year and earnings per share (EPS) were up 65% per share. And management sees brighter days ahead: 2022 revenue growth of 7.5% and EPS growth of 9% are numbers investors can get excited about for such a stable company.

But the cherry on top of these reasons why Coca-Cola is a great Buffett stock to own during volatile times is its dividend, which currently offers investors a 3% dividend yield. Coca-Cola is also a Dividend Aristocrat and has been raising its payout for 59 years in a row. If stocks start plummeting, investors will still be earning income from the dividend, which is vital when all you're seeing is red every day in your portfolio.

If Buffett put down his bottle of Coke and spoke directly to you, he might just say that Coca-Cola -- with its stable business, continuing growth prospects, and mighty fine dividend -- may be the perfect stock to survive and even thrive through volatile times.

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