The seismic impact of tariffs on America's closest allies is starting to be felt worldwide. The Nasdaq, Dow Jones, and the S&P 500 are sharply down this week, with a type of trading unseen since 2022. It feels like everyone and their dog is selling, or at least bracing for a market correction. And who can blame them? Keeping your money in cash feels better than seeing your portfolio lose value as the market takes a beating. But, this “sell and wait” mentality is classic “retail trader” behavior that rarely ends well.

With a selloff comes opportunity. Selloffs offer investors the opportunity to pick up quality companies at a discount. And for dividend investors, that means higher yields. But which ones do we choose?

I love buying quality dividend stocks during selloffs as they offer comfort (in the form of cash) over the more volatile names. They’re also less likely to be affected by an extended market correction. So, we'll look to low-beta dividend stocks to fit the bill. 

Beta tells us how much a stock might move in relation to the index. Beta is expressed on a scale of 0 to 1. So, if the S&P were to increase by $1, a stock with 0.50 beta is expected to increase by $0.50. The lower the beta, the less volatile the stock is. However, stocks with low beta aren’t always ideal, as they might not appreciate as much when the markets recover.

Dividend stocks with proven track records of increases - like, say, those on the Dividend Kings list, with their 50-year plus increases, keep the cash flowing while the market recovers. 

So, today, I'll cover three non-volatile Dividend Kings to protect your portfolio and collect income despite the downturn. 

How I Came Up With The Following Stocks

As usual, I started this analysis using Barchart Stock Screener, using the following filters: 

• Current Analyst Ratings: 4.5 to 5 (Strong Buy). I’m looking for companies with the highest ratings from Wall Street analysts.
• 60-Month Beta: 0.50 to 1.00 (Medium).
• Watchlist: Dividend Kings, quality companies that have increased their dividends for 50+ consecutive years.
• Annual Dividend Yield: Left blank so I can arrange the results with it.

With those filters set, I ran the scan and got exactly three results: 

I arranged them from highest to lowest yields, and now I’ll discuss each, starting with: 

Coca-Cola Company (KO)

Coca-Cola Company appears often in my “Best Dividend Stocks” lists, including some of my own, and for good reason. The company is a global beverage production and distribution leader and has built itself into a trusted brand. Coca-Cola has increased dividends for 63 consecutive years, firmly cementing itself on the Dividend Kings list, and has paid shareholders for over 100 years.

The company pays $2.04 in annual dividends, translating to a 2.87% yield based on KO stock's current trading prices. The stock also has a 60-month beta of 0.57, making it a suitable addition to any defensive portfolio. And of course, KO stock enjoys a strong buy rating from analysts. 

Gorman-Rupp Company (GRC)

The Gorman-Rupp Company is a leading manufacturer of pumps and fluid handling systems for municipal, industrial, construction, petroleum, and agricultural applications. It designs and produces many pumps, including centrifugal, self-priming, and submersible models for efficient water and wastewater management.

Though a relatively new addition to the Dividend Kings list with 52 consecutive years of dividend increases, Gorman-Rupp has long proven its dedication to shareholder value. As of November 2024, the company has paid 299 consecutive dividends, and its latest payout is 74 cents annually, which translates to a 1.96% yield. GRC stock's  60-month beta is also 0.94. 

Walmart Inc (WMT)

Last on the list is retail giant Walmart, a multinational company that operates a vast network of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. It is known for its low-price strategy, extensive supply chain, and strong e-commerce presence, serving millions of customers worldwide.

After enjoying a bull run in 2024, WMT stock fell sharply after reporting lower-than-expected estimates for 2025 earnings. That’s not surprising, as shoppers will spend less if prices increase due to tariffs. However, that doesn’t change the fact the company ended 2024 on a strong note, and with the stock price where it is, I see it as an opportunity to grab this Dividend King for a discount. 

Walmart has increased dividends for 52 consecutive years and its current annual dividend is 94 cents, translating to a 1.07% yield. WMT stock also has a low 0.53 beta. 

Final Thoughts

For those who know me, I'm an optimist first, problem solver second, and realist third. To me, all evidence points to a volatile 2025. Buying or dollar cost averaging into non-volatile Dividend Kings will offer a blanket of safety while we get through this uncertainty. However, make sure you do your own research first to see if these companies fit your risk appetite and investment strategy. Things can change fast, so keep your eyes on the data whenever you can.