A Motley Fool writer named PepsiCo, Unilever and McDonald’s as dividend-stock picks, citing everyday demand and 2026 payout increases. PepsiCo’s quarterly dividend rose 4% to $1.48 per share, McDonald’s rose 4% to $1.93 per share, and Unilever’s rose 3% to €0.4664 per share.
PepsiCo’s July increase lifted its annualized payout to $5.92 per share and marked 54 consecutive years of annual dividend growth. McDonald’s September increase brought its annual rate to $7.72 and marked 50 straight years of increases. Unilever’s first-half 2026 results showed 4.8% underlying sales growth, mostly from volume, and a 20.3% underlying operating margin; it also completed a €1.5 billion share buyback earlier in the year.
PepsiCo is rolling out functional snacks and better-for-you beverages and integrating snack and beverage distribution through shared mixing centers. The Conveyor reported that the centers are expected to reduce duplicate logistics infrastructure, improve truck use and lower costs. The article also cited McDonald’s annual operating cash flow above $10 billion and a roughly 3% yield at recent prices.
