PepsiCo, spanning beverages and snacks, shows a notably strong A- growth grade — actually higher than Coca-Cola's B+. A 4.23% dividend yield is among the highest in this batch, partly a result of the stock's -6.0% pullback over the past year pushing the yield up.

Analyst sentiment sits at "hold," more neutral than for most other consumer staple megacaps. Alongside the high-yield defensive appeal, it's worth watching how the snacks division adapts to health-conscious consumer trends.