While the hopes that 2025 growth will persist in 2026 haven’t been entirely obliterated, the stock market bloodbath of the January 20 session made investors feel less greedy and open to considering being fearful, according to the January 21 ‘Fear and Greed Index.’

Furthermore, the main cause of the latest downturn – tensions between the U.S. and the E.U. over President Donald Trump’s drive to annex Greenland – is far from resolved, and the bond market is also potentially exposed, meaning some old-fashioned blue-chip dividend investments might be the perfect risk hedge for the year.

UnitedHealth (NYSE: UNH)

UnitedHealth (NYSE: UNH) is one of the dividend kings in its sector, as its annual yield of 2.61% is substantially higher than the industry average of 1.58%. This means that, for each UNH share an investor owns – the press time price of the stock stands at $337.02 – a trader can expect to receive $2.21 per quarter, or $8.84 per year.

UnitedHealth equity is simultaneously an attractive investment at press time. The stock underwent a severe drop in late 2024 and early 2025 but has, in recent months, cautiously been on the mend.

UNH shares are 35.81% down in the last 12 months but 19.91% up in the last 6 months, and even managed a 2.21% rise on January 20 – the day the benchmark S&P 500 index dropped 2.06%.

Looking ahead, Wall Street is optimistic about UnitedHealth stock and, on average, rates it as a ‘Strong Buy’ with a 12-month price target of $399.61, per the data Finbold retrieved from TipRanks on January 21.

Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO)

For years, Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) has been among the favorite stocks of the legendary Warren Buffett. KO shares performance – or rather, outperformance against its sector – is one of the big reasons why the ‘Oracle of Omaha’ liked the blue-chip so much.

Indeed, Coca-Cola stock is up 14.75% in the last 12 months and, much like UNH, managed to rise 1.86% to $71.63 on January 20 while much of the market was crashing.

Looking forward, Wall Street is favorable toward KO equity, forecasting an 11.25%rise to $79.82 and considering it, on average, a ‘Strong Buy.’

Lastly, Coca-Cola is one of the best-established ‘dividend kings,’ considering it offers a 2.84% annual yield. This means that for each KO share owned, an investor can expect $0.51 every three months, or $2.04 per annum.

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