My 3 Favorite Stocks to Buy Right Now

I'm a dividend investor with a preference for buying well-run companies while they have historically high yields

While I believe this apach helps me build a strong dividend stock portfolio, it often means buying while others are selling

And that requires a deep consideration of what I am buying to make sure I own fundamentally strong es that are ly facing only temporary headwinds, given current economic conditions

I think that's the case today with these three consumer staples icons, all of which I happily own despite their current troubles

Furthermore, Image source: Getty Images

On the other hand, The dividend yield is 3

Moreover, That said, the dividend has been increased for more than 50 consecutive years, making PepsiCo a Dividend King

This analysis suggests that 's no fly-by-night dividend stock (this bears monitoring), in today's financial world

Truth be told, PepsiCo isn't hitting on all cylinders right now

But even great es go through hard times, so that doesn't bother me

Given the dividend history, I believe management will find a way to muddle through to better days

Furthermore, However, And the I am buying is pretty impressive, given current economic conditions

PepsiCo is one of the largest beverage makers in the world, the largest salty snack company, and a powerhouse in the packaged food space

That's an incredible amount of diversification backed by a company that can stand toe to toe with any of its peers with regard to scale, distribution, marketing, and re and development, in today's market environment

At the same time, On top of that, PepsiCo has the wherewithal to be an industry consolidator, too (quite telling), in today's financial world

PepsiCo isn't perfect, but I'm willing to give this Dividend King the benefit of the doubt, collecting a fat yield while I wait for better days, considering recent developments

The dividend yield is around 3 (something worth watching)

The evidence shows dividend has been increased annually for 48 consecutive years, leaving it just two years shy of Dividend King

What's interesting Clorox is that it is a somewhat eclectic

It's best known for its cleaning ducts, but it also has dominant positions in charcoal, kitty litter, plastic bags, and salad dressing

That's not the entire list of what it does by a long shot

All consumer staples companies are brand managers, but Clorox really takes this to the next level, with an intense focus on innovation and brand extension in niches where it believes it can differentiate from the pack

That said, a demand spike during the coronavirus pandemic and a subsequent hacking event have led investors to avoid the stock (this bears monitoring), in this volatile climate

Investors got way too excited Clorox during the pandemic, extending estimates of what was temporary demand way too far into the future, in light of current trends

Then came inflation and the hack, which have all hurt fit margins, considering recent developments

Management has worked dutifully to build margins back, and I'm pleased to let this unique consumer staples maker pay me well while I wait for better days (and for the stock to become a Dividend King)

Hershey is tougher to love The last stock up is iconic chocolate maker Hershey (HSY 1, in this volatile climate

Nevertheless, While it is nowhere near being a Dividend King, the dividend has tr higher over time, amid market uncertainty

On the other hand, Right now, Hershey is dealing with a major cost headwind because cocoa prices have skyrocketed

Given that chocolate is bably the most important duct this confectionery giant makes, that's a big issue (fascinating analysis)

Meanwhile, There's no easy fix, either, given that cocoa comes from trees

High commodity prices are ly to bring investment into the cocoa space and result in lower commodity prices, but trees still take a long time to grow

I'm not worried because I believe I have a very important holder on my side

However, The Hershey Trust, a philanthropic entity, effectively controls Hershey, the company

Additionally, On the other hand, The Trust uses the dividends it collects to support its giving efforts, so it wants a company that duces a reliable and growing dividend over time, in today's market environment

That's exactly what I want, too

And since the Trust thinks long-term, its massive ownership stake in Hershey the company allows the company to think long-term, as well

In other words, Hershey can do what's right for the without worrying what Wall Street, with its short-term focus, thinks, in light of current trends

I believe that will lead to a positive outcome for me and the dividend I'm collecting every quarter

Sitting through the bad times to get to the good times It isn't easy buying companies PepsiCo, Clorox, and Hershey today

This analysis suggests that y are all dealing with headwinds that make them look they are performing poorly

But history suggests that they will find a way to survive and thrive over the long term, given current economic conditions

I'm willing to look at the es that back these dividend stocks and jump in despite the headwinds

However, In fact, you might even say I'm jumping in because of the headwinds

However, In contrast, If you don't mind being a contrarian investor, too, these are three of my favorite high-yield dividend stocks right now.