# Forget Chasing the Biggest Yield. These 5 Dividend Stocks Have Something Better

> Five dividend stocks offer reliable income with strong financials and long histories.
- Title: Forget Chasing the Biggest Yield. These 5 Dividend Stocks…
- Summary: Five dividend stocks offer reliable income with strong financials and long histories. Exxon Mobil, Coca-Cola, IBM, PepsiCo, and UPS provide steady dividend…
- Keywords: exxon mobil, coca cola, ibm, pepsico, ups, dividend stocks, retirement income, dividend yield, free cash flow, dividend safety, Forget, Chasing
- Source: 24/7 Wall St. — https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/10/09/forget-chasing-the-biggest-yield-these-5-dividend-stocks-have-something-better
- Author: Chris Lange
- Published: 2026-10-09T18:45:50+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: exxon mobil, coca cola, ibm, pepsico, ups, dividend stocks, retirement income, dividend yield, free cash flow, dividend safety
## Retirement income depends on one question
Will the dividend check keep coming?
## Five blue chips share dividend safety
Each has decades of dividend history and strong financials for retirement income.
## IBM: 31 years of dividend growth
IBM has paid a quarterly dividend every year since 1916 with 31 consecutive increases.
## Exxon Mobil: 43 years of dividend raises
Exxon has raised its annual dividend per share for 43 consecutive years as of Q4 2025.
## Coca-Cola: Steady dividend growth
Coca-Cola raised its quarterly dividend from $0.28 in 2013 to $0.53 in 2026.
## PepsiCo: Higher yield with North American challenges
PepsiCo offers a 4.70% yield but faces slowing North American snack sales.
## UPS: Ultra-high yield with thin cushion
UPS provides a 6.95% yield but has tight dividend safety margins.
## Exxon's Guyana project success
Exxon fully recovered $55 billion investment in Guyana project two years early.
## Coca-Cola's stable growth
Coca-Cola's volume grew 5% for the main brand, its best in 17 years outside the pandemic.
## IBM's software growth
IBM's software revenue reached $24.6 billion with 11% growth in Red Hat.
## PepsiCo's overseas growth
PepsiCo's EMEA and Asia Pacific grew 9% while Latin America Foods rose 14%.
## UPS's turnaround progress
UPS improved revenue per piece by 11.3% with 68.5% automated buildings.
## Exxon's oil price risks
Exxon's earnings swing with oil prices and Middle East disruptions.
## PepsiCo's North American slowdown
PepsiCo's core operating profit fell 12% due to gas prices and consumer issues.
## UPS's contract renewal risk
UPS faces Teamsters contract renewal in two years with payout risks.
## Key takeaway

Exxon Mobil, Coca-Cola, IBM, PepsiCo, and UPS provide steady dividend growth with varying risks for retirement investors.