<div id="readability-page-1"><div> <h2>Key Points</h2><ul><li>Both of these players reward shareholders with dividends.</li><li>Costco and Coca-Cola have earned consumers' loyalty. </li><li>10 stocks we like better than Costco Wholesale ›</li></ul>It's always a good idea to invest for the long term because this strategy offers you the opportunity to benefit from a company's growth story -- and any bumps along the road won't be felt as much if you hang on for several years, as the good times may compensate. After all, even the best companies encounter tough market times or headwinds at some point.And when a company is particularly strong, you may want to make it a core holding, owning it for many years -- or even forever. You'll want a company that's proven itself over time and one that offers very clear prospects.Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an &#34;Indispensable Monopoly&#34; providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »Costco (NASDAQ: COST) and Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) both fit the bill. But if you could only buy one right now, which is the best to buy and hold forever? Let's find out.<img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-dXJsPWh0dHBzOi8vZy5mb29sY2RuLmNvbS9lZGl0b3JpYWwvaW1hZ2VzLzg1OTQ1Ni9ncm9jZXJ5LXNob3BwaW5nLWNhci1hdXRvLXRyYW5zcG9ydGF0aW9uLmpwZyZ3PTcwMA?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="700" height="467" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-dXJsPWh0dHBzOi8vZy5mb29sY2RuLmNvbS9lZGl0b3JpYWwvaW1hZ2VzLzg1OTQ1Ni9ncm9jZXJ5LXNob3BwaW5nLWNhci1hdXRvLXRyYW5zcG9ydGF0aW9uLmpwZyZ3PTcwMA"/>Image source: Getty Images. <h2>The case for Costco</h2>What I like about Costco is that it has what it takes to deliver earnings stability or even growth during tough economic times. This is because the company offers dirt cheap prices on items, so shoppers are likely to favor shopping there during these moments.It's also important to note that Costco makes most of its profit through membership fees, meaning it's benefiting before you even set foot in the warehouse to shop. And the membership renewal rate of more than 90% in the major markets of the U.S. and Canada provides us with visibility into earnings to come. Costco also rewards shareholders with a dividend, today at $5.20 at a yield of 0.5%, another great reason to hold on for the long term. <h2>The case for Coca-Cola</h2>Coca-Cola has a rock-solid moat, or competitive advantage, in the form of its brand strength and its distribution network. This has helped the world's biggest maker of non-alcoholic beverages deliver earnings growth over time. The company also has known how to expand into a variety of beverage types -- from water to coffee -- and design drinks specifically for certain markets.Like Costco, Coca-Cola also believes in rewarding shareholders. It pays a dividend of $2.06, at a yield of 2.6% -- but most importantly, Coca-Cola has a long track record of increasing its dividend payments. It's a Dividend King, meaning it's boosted its dividend annually for more than 50 consecutive years. This shows a commitment to this strategy, suggesting it will continue. So, Coca-Cola is a dividend stock you can count on over time. <h2>The better buy?</h2>As mentioned, both stocks make fantastic additions to an investment portfolio, but if you're looking for a &#34;forever&#34; profile, think of the 1993 slogan &#34;always Coca-Cola.&#34; With this company and its long dividend track record and brand strength, you can invest, then sit back and relax as it works for you over time.<h2>Should you buy stock in Costco Wholesale right now?</h2> Before you buy stock in Costco Wholesale, 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 Costco Wholesale 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&amp;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 16, 2026. Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc. </div></div>

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Costco and Coca-Cola are both strong investment options for long-term holding, rewarding shareholders with dividends. Costco offers stability through low prices and high membership renewal rates, while Coca-Cola boasts a strong brand and a history of increasing dividends. Although both stocks are solid, Coca-Cola's long track record as a Dividend King makes it a preferable choice for a "forever" investment. However, investors should also consider other top stocks recommended by analysts.

- Costco and Coca-Cola both reward shareholders with dividends and show strong market positioning.  
- Costco offers stability through low prices and a high membership renewal rate, while Coca-Cola benefits from its brand strength and a long track record of increasing dividends, making it a reliable choice for investors.  
- Despite both being solid investments, Coca-Cola may be the better long-term option due to its established dividend history and market presence.

Best Stock to Buy and Hold Forever: Costco vs. Coca-Cola