<p>There's no such thing as a free lunch in the stock market. Today's top-performing stocks could stumble over the next few years, while stable blue chip stocks could stagnate or sink.</p>
<p>However, investors who plan to hold their stocks for a few years generally fare better than those who hold them for only a few quarters. That's because the S&amp;P 500 -- although it endured some wild swings -- has still generated an average annual return of about 10% since its inception. An easy way to ride that long-term trend is to simply invest in an exchange-traded fund (ETF), like <strong>Vanguard's S&amp;P 500 ETF</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(VOO <span class="ml-1 text-red-900">0.33%</span>)</span>, which passively tracks the index for a low fee.</p>
<p>But if you still prefer to pick individual stocks -- and also want steady dividends -- then you should consider these three blue chip plays instead: ExxonMobil <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(XOM <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+1.19%</span>)</span>, <strong>Johnson &amp; Johnson</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(JNJ <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+0.10%</span>)</span>, and <strong>Coca-Cola </strong><span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(KO <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+0.91%</span>)</span>. These three stocks are as close to &#34;sure things&#34; in this unpredictable market, and they're great stocks to buy, hold, and forget.</p>
<div><img alt="A person holding a laptop cheers while being showered with cash." width="880" height="495" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84NzAzMjcveW91bmctd29tYW4tY2VsZWJyYXRpbmctaW4tYS1zaG93ZXItb2YtY2FzaC5qcGcmdz0zODQw?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84NzAzMjcveW91bmctd29tYW4tY2VsZWJyYXRpbmctaW4tYS1zaG93ZXItb2YtY2FzaC5qcGcmdz0zODQw"/>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
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<h2>ExxonMobil</h2>
<p>ExxonMobil, one of the world's largest integrated energy companies, operates in over 56 countries. Its upstream business extracts oil and natural gas, its midstream business operates more than 16,000 miles of pipelines in North America, and its downstream business refines petroleum products. That scale and diversification helped it consistently grow over the long term, even as oil prices fluctuated amid wars and recessions. That's why it's raised its dividend annually for 43 consecutive years and still pays an attractive forward yield of 2.6%.</p><div><div id="foolcom_sidebar_top_container"></div></div>
<section><div><div><div><small><div>Expand</div></small></div><div><img alt="ExxonMobil Stock Quote" width="64" height="64" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL1hPTS5wbmcmdz0xMjg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL1hPTS5wbmcmdz0xMjg"/></div><div><h2>NYSE: XOM</h2><div>ExxonMobil</div></div></div><div><div><div>Today's Change</div><div>(1.19%) $1.91</div><div>Current Price</div><div>$162.40</div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><h3>Key Data Points</h3><div><div>Market Cap</div><div>$665B</div><div>Day's Range</div><div>$159.67 - $162.42</div><div>52wk Range</div><div>$101.19 - $176.41</div><div>Volume</div><div>288K</div><div>Avg Vol</div><div>21M</div><div>Gross Margin</div><div>20.92%</div><div>Dividend Yield</div><div>2.54%</div></div></div></div></section>
<p>From 2025 to 2028, analysts expect ExxonMobil's EPS to grow at a 19% CAGR. Its expansion in Guyana (one of the world's fastest-growing regions), imports of oil sands from Canada, exports of liquefied natural gas, and its other overseas investments should drive that growth.</p><div></div>
<p>ExxonMobil's stock has already risen more than 50% over the past 12 months, yet it still looks cheap at 14 times this year's earnings. So if you're looking for a simple, evergreen energy play that can easily stay ahead of the S&amp;P 500, ExxonMobil checks all the right boxes.</p><div><div id="in_line_article_pitch_container"></div></div>
<h2>Johnson &amp; Johnson</h2>
<p>Johnson &amp; Johnson, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical and medical device companies, is another reliable dividend stock that has raised its payout annually for 64 consecutive years. It currently pays a forward dividend yield of 2.3%.</p>
<section><div><div><div><small><div>Expand</div></small></div><div><img width="64" height="64" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL0pOSi5wbmcmdz0xMjg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL0pOSi5wbmcmdz0xMjg"/></div><div><h2>NYSE: JNJ</h2><div>Johnson &amp; Johnson</div></div></div><div><div><div>Today's Change</div><div>(0.10%) $0.24</div><div>Current Price</div><div>$229.16</div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><h3>Key Data Points</h3><div><div>Market Cap</div><div>$551B</div><div>Day's Range</div><div>$228.05 - $230.82</div><div>52wk Range</div><div>$149.04 - $251.71</div><div>Volume</div><div>230K</div><div>Avg Vol</div><div>8M</div><div>Gross Margin</div><div>67.96%</div><div>Dividend Yield</div><div>2.27%</div></div></div></div></section>
<p>Over the past few years, J&amp;J streamlined its operations by divesting its slower-growing businesses and strengthening its core pharmaceutical and medical device segments. Most of its revenue and growth comes from its pharmaceutical segment, which sells drugs for cancers, autoimmune diseases, cardiopulmonary conditions, and neurological disorders. It still has a deep pipeline of potential blockbuster drugs, and the needs of the aging global population should drive tailwinds for its medical device business.</p>
<p>From 2025 to 2028, analysts expect J&amp;J's EPS to grow at an 8% CAGR. That growth should be driven by newer drugs (including Tremfya for autoimmune disorders and Icotye for psoriasis), and its stock still looks reasonably valued at 20 times this year's earnings.</p>
<h2>Coca-Cola</h2>
<p>Coca-Cola, the world's largest beverage maker, has raised its dividend annually for 64 consecutive years. It pays a forward yield of 2.6%.</p>
<section><div><div><div><small><div>Expand</div></small></div><div><img alt="Coca-Cola Stock Quote" width="64" height="64" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL0tPLnBuZyZ3PTEyOA?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL0tPLnBuZyZ3PTEyOA"/></div><div><h2>NYSE: KO</h2><div>Coca-Cola</div></div></div><div><div><div>Today's Change</div><div>(0.91%) $0.74</div><div>Current Price</div><div>$81.94</div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><h3>Key Data Points</h3><div><div>Market Cap</div><div>$349B</div><div>Day's Range</div><div>$81.26 - $82.66</div><div>52wk Range</div><div>$65.35 - $82.66</div><div>Volume</div><div>803K</div><div>Avg Vol</div><div>15M</div><div>Gross Margin</div><div>61.82%</div><div>Dividend Yield</div><div>2.54%</div></div></div></div></section>
<p>Coca-Cola might initially seem like a shaky investment, since soda consumption rates are declining across many of its top markets. But over the past few decades, the company has launched more brands of bottled water, teas, fruit juices, sports drinks, energy drinks, coffee, and alcoholic drinks to offset that pressure. It also updated its flagship sodas with smaller serving sizes, new flavors, and healthier versions to attract younger consumers.</p>
<p>By selling concentrates and syrups to its independent bottling partners, which produce and distribute finished drinks, Coca-Cola maintains high margins and generates ample cash for dividends. Its business is also well insulated from inflation and other macro headwinds.</p>
<p>From 2025 to 2028, analysts expect its EPS to grow at a 6% CAGR. Its stock isn't expensive at 25 times this year's earnings, and it will remain a safe haven play in this turbulent market.</p><div id="article_pitch_container"></div><div id="promobox_container"></div>

<p>Investors seeking reliable dividend stocks may consider ExxonMobil, Johnson & Johnson, and Coca-Cola. ExxonMobil has raised its dividend for 43 years, with a forward yield of 2.6% and expected EPS growth of 19% CAGR from 2025 to 2028. Johnson & Johnson, with a 64-year dividend history and a 2.3% yield, focuses on pharmaceuticals and medical devices, expecting 8% EPS growth. Coca-Cola, also with a 64-year dividend record and a 2.6% yield, adapts to market changes and anticipates 6% EPS growth, maintaining high margins.</p>

- The article discusses the risks and strategies for investing in the stock market, emphasizing long-term holding for better returns.  
- It highlights three blue chip stocks: ExxonMobil, Johnson & Johnson, and Coca-Cola, known for their stability and consistent dividend payments.  
- Each company's growth potential and current valuation suggest they remain solid investment choices amid market volatility.

These 3 Dividend Stocks Are as Close to a Sure Thing as Investing Gets