Coca-Cola has paid a growing dividend for over half a century and continues to invest in opportunities. Home Depot has a long track record of dividend growth and outperforming the broad market. Dividend superstar Realty Income has paid a monthly dividend for more than 54 years.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch maintains what it calls its "US 1 List" of top investment ideas, comprising U.S. stocks that analysts believe will help investors generate superior performance over the long term.

The past couple of years have been terrific for stocks, with the benchmark S&P 500 index up a whopping 57.1% since the end of 2022. The average stock in the S&P 500 index offers a yield of just 1.2%,