Are we headed for an economic recession? JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM ) puts the odds at 35%, up from 25% earlier this year.

Following the severe market falloff that began last month but accelerated this month, investors may want to consider the inherent comfort of stable dividend stocks. No, these ideas aren't the most glamorous in the world – far from it.

Starbucks reported China same-store sales dropped by 14% in the quarter ended June 30, far steeper than the 2% decline in the U.S. "Consumer sentiment in China is quite weak," McDonald's chairman, CEO and director Christopher Kempczinski, said of the quarter ended June 30.

General Mills (GIS) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock?

While tech stocks are falling Wednesday, consumer staples are on the rise.

While all major indexes continue to reach new highs, including the Dow exceeding 40,000 points for the first time last week, many notable stocks have surprisingly failed to keep up with the rally. It's quite unexpected to see that among these underperformers are blue-chip stocks, companies recognized for their overall quality, stability, and reliable growth.

"What's the best first step towards a job in finance? @General Mills CFO @Kofi Bruce -- a liberal arts major in college -- thinks curiosity and aptitude in entry-level candidates can be more helpful than a portfolio of academic skills.

The benchmark S&P 500 index is at a record high, having just closed above the 5,600 level for the very first time. So far, in 2024, the index is up 18%, marking one of the best starts in its history and the best start ever to a presidential election year.

Chief Financial Officers now play a critical role in shaping corporate strategy and positioning organizations to meet future challenges. Bloomberg's monthly program, Chief Future Officer, profiles these leaders and explores the impact they're making on their companies and industries.

Packaged food giant General Mills uses AI tools, machine learning and data science to increase productivity in many areas of its business. On "Bloomberg Chief Future Officer," CFO Kofi Bruce tells Romaine Bostick how investments in these technologies are producing significant results.

The packaged food industry has seen input costs soar since the onset of the pandemic. While higher prices have brought blowback from consumers.

Four dividend increases this week, including Universal Corporation, with a 1.25% increase, extending its 53-year dividend growth streak. My investment strategy involves buying companies with consistent dividend growth and beating benchmarks. I share data on companies with consistent dividend growth history merged with other metrics to find valuable investment ideas.