The S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is offering a tiny 1.1% dividend yield.
Coca-Cola’s (NYSE: KO) yield is more than twice as high at 2.7%
Hershey Foods (NYSE: HSY) has an even higher yield of 3%. And Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL) tops the list with a 5.8% yield. All are reliable dividend payers, though they’ll probably appeal to different types of investors.
If you have $10,000 to invest, you can buy 127 shares of Coca-Cola, 52 shares of Hershey, or 495 shares of ultra-high yield Hormel. Here’s why you might decide to take the plunge with each of them. Coca-Cola is doing well despite the headwinds Consumers are tightening their budgets, and buying habits have shifted in a healthier direction.