There is a reflex in investing that I find hard to shake: When a stock hits a 52-week high, it feels expensive.
The logic seems obvious: The price is up, so you missed it, and you wait for a pullback
But that logic breaks down when you are looking at strong, longer-term companies with durable competitive positions and growing dividends, because a 52-week high often reflects the business getting better, not just the stock getting more crowded. Strong companies set new highs the same way they do most things — by earning it. Three dividend payers are at or near 52-week highs right now.
All three just declared dividends. Just because these tickers are near 52-week highs doesn’t mean any of them feel done. 1. Coca-Cola Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) hit a 52-week high of $84.04 in recent sessions and is trading near that level as of this week.