Better Passive Income Opportunity: 10-Year Treasury Notes Yielding 5% or These 3 S&P 500 Dividend Stocks? History Offers a Clear Answer.

Key Points Beverage giant Coca-Cola is an income-growth juggernaut. Real estate investment trust Realty Income may not bring a ton of price appreciation potential to the table, but its dividends make it worth considering. Investment management giant BlackRock's track record of dividend hikes is one of the market’s best, making its relatively low starting yield worth accepting for long-term-minded investors. 10 stocks we like better than Coca-Cola › For the first time since mid-2007, 10-year Treasury notes are yielding a head-turning 5%. Income investors who have held dividend stocks -- out of necessity -- for years now finally have a compelling alternative. This begs the question: Which should an income-minded investor hold right now?