ETF Comparison
JNJ vs KO: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Johnson & Johnson and The Coca-Cola Company covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated July 4, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| JNJ | KO | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Johnson & Johnson | The Coca-Cola Company |
| Issuer | — | — |
| Last Close | $263.04 as of July 4, 2026 | $84.14 as of July 4, 2026 |
| Distribution yield | 2.05% | 2.56% |
| Distribution Safety Score | 100 | 100 |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| AUM | — | — |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | — | — |
| Objective | Researches, develops, manufactures, and sells healthcare products including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health products worldwide. | Manufactures, distributes, and markets nonalcoholic beverage concentrates, syrups, and finished beverages worldwide. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | N/A | N/A |
| Beta | 0.256 | 0.354 |
| Last dividend | $1.3400 | $0.5300 |
| Ex-dividend date | 05/26/2026 | 06/15/2026 |
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Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
JNJ has outpaced KO over the trailing twelve months, posting a 71.93% total return against 20.72%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: JNJ has compounded at 10.98% a year, against 9.80% for KO. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Since Jan 1962 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JNJ | 27.53% | 71.93% | 20.47% | 12.64% | 10.98% | 13.12% | 17.9% | 0.79 | 1.17 | -15.9% |
| KO | 23.36% | 20.72% | 14.92% | 12.57% | 9.80% | 12.09% | 15.9% | 0.60 | 0.90 | -16.3% |
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 2, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Jan 1962” measures every fund from January 2, 1962 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Quick verdict
JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) and KO (The Coca-Cola Company) are both quarterly-pay stocks, but they take different approaches.
KO offers the higher yield at 2.56% vs 2.05% for JNJ. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, JNJ would generate roughly $17.08/month, while KO would produce $21.33/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, JNJ would cost approximately $0 in fees vs $0 for KO (simplified, not compounded). Both charge the same expense ratio.
Strategy & risk
JNJ is a stock, while KO is a stock. Beta is 0.256 for JNJ and 0.354 for KO, indicating JNJ is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
JNJ is managed by — (launched 01/02/1962) with — in assets. KO is managed by — (launched 01/02/1962) with — in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is JNJ or KO better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. KO currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between JNJ and KO?
JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) is a stock, while KO (The Coca-Cola Company) is a stock. They are issued by — and — respectively.
Can I hold both JNJ and KO?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify across different strategies and underlying indexes. This can reduce concentration risk while maintaining a strong income stream.
Which has lower fees, JNJ or KO?
JNJ has an expense ratio of — while KO charges —. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in JNJ vs KO generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in JNJ would generate roughly $17.08 per month ($205.00 annually). The same in KO would produce about $21.33 per month ($256.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, JNJ or KO?
JNJ has outpaced KO over the trailing twelve months, posting a 71.93% total return against 20.72%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: JNJ has compounded at 10.98% a year, against 9.80% for KO. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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JNJ vs KO — at a glance
Generated June 2026 from current fund data.
Overview
Johnson & Johnson and Coca-Cola are two of the oldest dividend-paying stocks in the U.S. market, both with roots in the 1960s. JNJ operates across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health, while KO manufactures and distributes nonalcoholic beverages globally. The core distinction is sector exposure: JNJ targets healthcare demand driven by aging demographics and innovation, while KO depends on consumer discretionary spending and pricing power in a mature beverage market.
How they differ
JNJ and KO differ fundamentally in cyclicality and growth drivers. JNJ's lower beta of 0.256 reflects the defensive nature of pharmaceuticals and medical devices—demand holds up during downturns—while KO's 0.354 beta indicates greater sensitivity to economic cycles through beverage consumption patterns. On yield, KO edges higher at 2.58% versus JNJ's 2.16%, a 42-basis-point spread that reflects KO's mature, capital-light model versus JNJ's reinvestment in R&D and pipeline development. Both pay quarterly dividends, but JNJ's healthcare focus offers exposure to pricing power in specialty drugs and aging-population tailwinds, whereas KO's model relies on pricing discipline in a commoditized beverage landscape.
Who each is best for
JNJ: Fits investors seeking lower portfolio volatility and exposure to demographic growth in healthcare, willing to accept a modest yield for stability and the potential for capital appreciation through product innovation and market expansion.
KO: Designed for income-focused allocations that prioritize current yield and a simpler, more predictable business model, with tolerance for slightly higher sensitivity to consumer spending cycles.
Key risks to know
- Sector-specific headwinds: JNJ faces drug patent cliffs, generic competition, and regulatory price pressures on pharmaceuticals; KO confronts shifting consumer preferences toward non-sugary beverages and changing consumption patterns in key markets.
- Valuation and growth: JNJ's premium multiple reflects its defensive profile and innovation expectations, meaning disappointment in pipeline approvals or acquisition returns can create meaningful drawdowns; KO's lower growth rate leaves little margin for earnings misses.
- Economic sensitivity: KO's beverage demand is more cyclical than JNJ's healthcare services, particularly in emerging markets where discretionary spending fluctuates with economic conditions.
- Capital allocation: JNJ's dividend is well-supported by free cash flow, but a slowdown in drug approvals or failed M&A could pressure the payout ratio; KO's yield is more reliant on share buybacks to maintain distribution growth, creating vulnerability if cash generation declines.
Bottom line
JNJ offers lower volatility and exposure to structural healthcare growth, while accepting a lower current yield; KO provides higher income and simpler business mechanics, but with greater cyclical risk. If defensive stability matters more than yield, JNJ's profile stands out; if current income and a straightforward model are the priority, KO's higher distribution rate merits consideration. Neither guarantees future performance.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
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