CocaCola (NYSE:KO) Trading 2.7% Higher – Time to Buy?

CocaCola Company (The) (NYSE:KO)’s stock price was up 2.7% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $69.46 and last traded at $69.34. Approximately 19,217,277 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 2% from the average daily volume of 18,751,842 shares. The stock had previously closed at $67.54.

CocaCola News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting CocaCola this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Coca‑Cola is repeatedly cited as a classic dividend aristocrat and income holding, reinforcing its defensive appeal for income-seeking investors and supporting demand for the shares. The Dividend Aristocrats No One’s Talking About (And Their 30+ Year Track Records)
• Positive Sentiment: Mentions in roundups of Warren Buffett / Buffett‑style stocks keep KO in view as a long‑term, blue‑chip holding — a reputational tailwind that can attract conservative and dividend-focused flows. As a Concerned Warren Buffett Exits, His 4 Safest Dividend Stocks Are 2026 Gems
• Positive Sentiment: Several “buy/hold” analyst narratives and articles arguing KO remains a solid defensive investment are lifting investor interest and helping support the rally. Wall Street Analysts Think Coca‑Cola (KO) Is a Good Investment: Is It?
• Neutral Sentiment: General media coverage noting KO is drawing investor attention can boost short‑term flows, but this coverage is informational rather than new fundamental news. CocaCola Company (The) (KO) is Attracting Investor Attention: Here is What You Should Know
• Neutral Sentiment: Comparisons with Pepsi highlight KO’s defensive role in portfolios; that can attract conservative buyers but also invites valuation comparisons that may temper upside. Coca‑Cola Vs Pepsi Stock: Which is the Better Investment for 2026?
• Negative Sentiment: Operational and management headlines — CEO transition, restructuring and reported layoffs in Atlanta — create execution and morale uncertainty that can weigh on sentiment and near‑term multiple. How Investors May Respond To Coca‑Cola (KO) CEO Transition, Restructuring, and Atlanta Layoffs
• Negative Sentiment: Technical weakness — KO slipping below its 200‑day moving average amid lighter volume — raises questions about momentum and short‑term upside; technical sellers may pressure the stock if the level isn’t reclaimed. Coca‑Cola Trades Below 200‑Day SMA: Opportunity or Warning Sign?

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of CocaCola in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating on shares of CocaCola in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of CocaCola in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of CocaCola in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of CocaCola from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and fifteen have assigned a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, CocaCola has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $79.08.

CocaCola Trading Up 2.7%

The stock has a market cap of $298.27 billion, a PE ratio of 22.96, a PEG ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.39. The company’s fifty day moving average is $70.38 and its 200-day moving average is $69.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.00.

CocaCola (NYSE:KO) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 27th. The company reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $11.40 billion for the quarter. CocaCola had a return on equity of 43.62% and a net margin of 27.34%. On average, analysts predict that CocaCola Company will post 2.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CocaCola Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. CocaCola’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 67.55%.

Insider Activity at CocaCola

In other CocaCola news, EVP Nancy Quan sold 31,625 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.17, for a total value of $2,250,751.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 223,330 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $15,894,396.10. The trade was a 12.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Max R. Levchin acquired 7,206 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, October 24th. The stock was bought at an average price of $69.87 per share, for a total transaction of $503,483.22. Following the transaction, the director owned 14,267 shares in the company, valued at approximately $996,835.29. This represents a 102.05% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 225,252 shares of company stock valued at $15,953,007 in the last 90 days. 0.97% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of CocaCola

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Asempa Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in shares of CocaCola in the fourth quarter worth about $217,000. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of CocaCola by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC now owns 18,074 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,264,000 after acquiring an additional 906 shares during the period. Spartan Planning & Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of CocaCola in the 4th quarter valued at about $611,000. Bennett Selby Investments LP raised its holdings in CocaCola by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Bennett Selby Investments LP now owns 13,534 shares of the company’s stock worth $946,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the period. Finally, O Keefe Stevens Advisory Inc. raised its holdings in CocaCola by 6.5% in the 4th quarter. O Keefe Stevens Advisory Inc. now owns 16,847 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,178,000 after purchasing an additional 1,034 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.26% of the company’s stock.

About CocaCola

The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a global beverage manufacturer, marketer and distributor best known for its flagship Coca‑Cola soda. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company develops and sells concentrates, syrups and finished beverages across a broad portfolio of brands. Its product range spans sparkling soft drinks, bottled water, sports drinks, juices, ready‑to‑drink teas and coffees, and other still beverages, marketed under both global and regional brand names.

Coca‑Cola’s brand portfolio includes widely recognized names such as Coca‑Cola, Diet Coke, Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite, Fanta, Minute Maid, Powerade and Dasani, and in recent years the company has expanded into the coffee and premium beverage categories through acquisitions such as Costa Coffee.