24/7 Wall Street·1d ago
The Average 1-Year CD Pays Just 1.76%. These Dividend Stocks Could Pay MoreA guaranteed bank rate sounds safe until you weigh what it can't do.
Coca-Cola's operating profile appears to have undergone a structural reset, with operating margin climbing from 21.2% in Q3 2024 to 33.4% in Q3 2026 and gross margin expanding 320 bps to 63.2%, outpacing peers such as PEP at 54.1% and MNST at 55.8%.
Price trend, volume and key moving averages
Start with the evidence for owning the stock and the risks that can break the thesis.
Revenue growth reaccelerated to 7.4% in Q3 2026 from -1.5% in Q1 2025, but the swing appears pricing-led, with gross margin at 63.2% and operating margin at 33.4% reflecting an 80% operating income increase to $4.5B on only 12.6% revenue growth over two years.
Coca-Cola reported 10% organic sales growth in Q1 2026, with a target of 4-5% organic revenue growth for the full year.
Coca-Cola's strong global brand and expansion in emerging markets like India and Africa are expected to drive future volume recovery.
With a low beta of 0.36 and 63 consecutive years of dividend increases, Coca-Cola is appealing to stability-seeking investors.
Continued price increases may reduce sales volume as consumers trade down or cut back on consumption.
The rise of weight-loss drugs and sugar content regulations could negatively impact beverage consumption.
Coca-Cola faces risks from inflation, trade-down behaviors, and currency headwinds, particularly noted in regions like Asia Pacific.
Trailing total returns as of 11/7/2026, which may include dividends or other distributions. Benchmark is S&P 500 (^GSPC).
Check whether operating performance supports the current valuation.
Recent results and news deserve attention only when they alter the forward view.
| Quarter | EPS (Act vs Est) | Revenue (Act vs Est) |
|---|---|---|
Q4 2026Latest Oct 27, 2026 | $0.91+3.3% vs $0.88 | $13.4B+3.7% vs $12.9B |
Q3 2026 Jul 28, 2026 | $0.97+4.1% vs $0.93 | $13.4B+1.5% vs $13.2B |
Q2 2026 Apr 28, 2026 | $0.86+5.9% vs $0.81 | $12.5B+1.9% vs $12.2B |
Q1 2026 Feb 10, 2026 | $0.58+2.7% vs $0.56 | $11.8B-2.1% vs $12.0B |
A guaranteed bank rate sounds safe until you weigh what it can't do.
Coca-Cola is known for consistent dividend payouts -- and increasing the amount for 64 straight years. The stock price has performed well in 2026, climbing 35% compared to the S&P 500's 10.5% return.
When profits dip, lenders get paid first and the dividend is usually what gets cut. Four household names have raised their payouts year after year, and one of them holds a credit rating almost no other U.S. company can match.
Tech is bleeding while soda and detergent makers rally, and Jim Cramer wants to camp out in staples "for a bit." Two dividend legends have very different runs behind them, and only one suits someone living off portfolio income.
Benchmark KO against direct peers instead of judging its metrics in isolation.
Key metrics vs top competitors for The Coca-Cola Company (KO)
| Company | Price | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | Rev Growth (1Y) | Net Margin | ROE | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $95.67 | $411.62B | 28.21 | 1.87% | 28.65% | 39.58% | 2.13% | |
| $141.34 | $193.07B | 17.71 | 2.25% | 11.1% | 50.24% | 3.94% | |
| $45.72 | $89.43B | 41.69 | 10.7% | 22.66% | 24.01% | — | |
| $32.16 | $8.22B | 27.49 | 85.54% | 9.41% | 11.71% | 0.49% | |
| $37.14 | $3.48B | 19.89 | -1.73% | 14.81% | 32.6% | — | |
| $36.63 | $49.84B | 30.38 | 8.16% | 7.12% | 5.8% | 2.5% |
The Coca-Cola Company (KO) vs competitors — business, growth, and fundamentals comparison against the closest industry rivals.
Verify the primary filings, follow material updates, and answer the remaining questions.
The Coca-Cola Company (KO) SEC filings — annual & quarterly reports (10-K, 10-Q)
Oct 27, 2026·SEC
Jul 28, 2026·SEC
Jul 16, 2026·SEC
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The Coca-Cola Company (KO) stock FAQ — growth, dividends, profitability & financials explained
The Coca-Cola Company (KO) reported $51.05B in revenue over the trailing twelve months. Revenue was $47.94B in fiscal year 2025. That is 157% more than the $18.67B of fiscal year 1996.
The Coca-Cola Company (KO) grew revenue by 7.1% over the trailing twelve months, compared with the twelve months before.
Yes. The Coca-Cola Company (KO) earned $14.63B in net income over the trailing twelve months (a 28.7% net margin).
Yes. The Coca-Cola Company (KO) pays a dividend that yields 2.13% at the current price, a moderate yield.
The Coca-Cola Company (KO) had a return on equity (ROE) of 39.6% over the trailing twelve months. That is well above the market's typical 10-15%.
The Coca-Cola Company (KO) generated $14.28B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months.
