Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) shares have gained 11.2% since the beginning of the year, showing strong growth amid economic uncertainty and outperforming the broader market. Consistent demand for the company’s products and high profitability make the stock attractive to income-focused investors.

Over the past year, Coca-Cola earned nearly $11 billion in net profit with a margin exceeding 20%, more than twice the market average. The company pays out around 75% of its profits as dividends and has increased its payout for 63 consecutive years. The current quarterly dividend is $0.51 per share, offering a yield of 2.95%.

The Coca-Cola brand serves over 2.2 billion drink portions daily worldwide. Thanks to its localized bottling and distribution system, the company minimizes the impact of international trade restrictions. Its portfolio includes water, tea, juices, and soft drinks, generating over $47 billion in annual revenue.

The company sees growth potential in emerging markets, where about 70% of the population still does not consume commercial beverages. This makes Coca-Cola a reliable dividend asset with strong expansion prospects.