Want Income for Life? Coca-Cola Has Raised Its Dividend for 64 Straight Years and Yields 2.4%. Here's Whether It Belongs in Your Portfolio.

Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) has raised its dividend for 64 consecutive years and yields about 2.4% at a share price near $90. I think it belongs in most income portfolios, though not for the reason most people assume.

In February, Coca-Cola raised its quarterly payout from $0.51 per share to $0.53, bringing the annual dividend to $2.12 per share from $2.04. That was a 3.9% increase and the 64th straight year of growth, a streak that has survived recessions, inflation spikes, and repeated shifts in what people drink. This streak puts Coca-Cola on the elite list of Dividend Kings, companies that have grown their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years.

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Here is the honest part: A 2.4% yield doesn't sound like income for life. Five-year average dividend growth runs near 4.5%, and the payout ratio sits at 63.7%. The dividend alone will not drive strong near-term returns. What makes the case is what sits behind the payment.

The business is growing faster than the dividend

Second-quarter net revenue rose 7% to $13.38 billion. Comparable earnings per share (EPS) grew 11% to $0.97 against a $0.93 estimate, and reported EPS jumped 16% to $1.03. Global unit case volume increased 5%, with every single reporting segment posting volume growth.

The company is placing fewer and larger bets rather than chasing every trend. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar has become the growth engine, with global unit case volumes up 14%. Fairlife is the protein platform, and Topo Chico anchors premium hydration.

Fairlife matters the most to me. It gives Coca-Cola real exposure to protein and functional nutrition, categories that benefit from fitness culture and the adoption of weight-loss medications. Protein intake is gaining popularity in mainstream health conversations. But capacity has been the constraint. The New York facility began construction at the start of 2026 and is ramping up throughout the year, de-bottlenecking supply across variants and package sizes.

Henrique Braun took over as CEO at the end of March and has been direct about the gap. He said innovation "is not where it needs to be," and that the company needs to get closer to consumers and improve speed to market. That's a useful thing to hear from a new chief executive, rather than a defense of the status quo.

The affordability play

Coca-Cola is not resetting prices. Instead, it's widening the range. The company rolled out mini 7.5-ounce cans priced under $2 in United States convenience stores to reach lower-income consumers and get them to try the products. Braun's team is marketing across price points and pack sizes rather than pushing everyone toward premium.

Innovation has also gotten bolder: Sprite + Tea in North America, Bacardi Mixed With Coca-Cola in Mexico and Europe, and Coca-Cola Cherry Float across the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom. The company also added Coca-Cola sweetened with cane sugar to the U.S. lineup.

Does Coca-Cola belong in your portfolio?

I believe that Coca-Cola should be in your portfolio, but with the right expectation. You're not buying a high yield. You're buying a company that gained value share in nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages while growing volume by 5% and expanding margins. The dividend grows roughly 4% to 5% annually on top of earnings compounding near 10%.

That combination is what can turn a 2.4% yield today into meaningful income over the next couple of decades. If you need cash flow right away, there are probably better options out there. But if you have a significant amount of money to invest and want a reliable company with a history of steady growth and increasing payouts, this could be a solid long-term choice. If your goal is a dividend that keeps growing through whatever comes next, this is the kind of setup worth seeking.

Micah Zimmerman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.