Since the start of the year, investors have rotated out of high-flying tech stocks and into more defensive areas of the market, including consumer staples. As of March 11, the S&P 1500 Consumer Staples index is up 11%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) is down 2.2%.

In uncertain markets, investors often gravitate toward leading consumer brands for their resiliency and dividends. Two high-yielding consumer staples stocks to consider buying right now are Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG).

Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »

Here's why both look like rock-solid long-term holdings.

Despite a choppy consumer spending environment, Coca-Cola has delivered steady sales. It has a diversified brand portfolio that extends well beyond its Coca-Cola-branded products, including Dasani, Minute Maid, and Powerade. The company had only one down year in unit sales volume in the last 50 years, and that was during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

One reason Coca-Cola produces consistent sales is execution. It doesn't just distribute the same beverages to all markets. It tailors each product to fit local cultures. This requires exceptional research, data, and precision marketing.

Coca-Cola has delivered 19 consecutive quarters of value share gains. It has seen notable strength recently from Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fresca, Dasani, fairlife, Powerade, and BodyArmor.

The company generates returns on invested capital that are nearly double those of its consumer packaged goods competitors. It posted organic sales growth of 5% last year and just raised the dividend for the 64th consecutive year. That makes it a Dividend King, or a company that has increased its dividend for 50 years or more.

With an attractive forward dividend yield of 2.76% and an exceptional record of driving consistent sales, Coca-Cola can provide ballast to a portfolio loaded with growth stocks.

Procter & Gamble is another top consumer staple that has been around for ages, delivering 69 consecutive years of dividend increases, also making it a Dividend King. It currently offers an above-average yield of 2.78% on a forward-looking basis and plans to distribute about $15 billion to shareholders in dividends and share repurchases this year.

P&G's competitive edge is built on strong brands and superior product performance. This has led to name-brand recognition in the grocery aisle. Its product roster includes category leaders such as Tide, Pampers, Gillette, and Crest.

P&G could be a major beneficiary of artificial intelligence (AI). The company is investing in AI-powered molecular discovery. This initiative could accelerate product development, potentially lowering costs, boosting margins, and stimulating demand through a steady flow of new products.

The company has been struggling in a slow consumer spending environment, with flat adjusted sales last quarter. But it's holding or gaining market share across most of its product categories, suggesting growth will return when consumer spending picks up again. P&G's strong brands and AI opportunities should drive growing earnings and dividends for years to come.

Before you buy stock in Coca-Cola, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Coca-Cola wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $514,000!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,105,029!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 930% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 187% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of March 15, 2026.

John Ballard 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.

The Top 2 Consumer Staples Stocks to Buy Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool