Stockchase Opinions

James Cole, BA, CFACoca-Cola CompanyKOWEAK BUYJun 12, 2007

Trading around fair value. Is okay not very exciting. A low single digit grower with a positive dividend yield.
$51.14

Stock price when the opinion was issued

food processing
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BUY

The only consumer staples he owns are COST and KO. Growth is explosive on 0 calorie drinks. Still growing, capital light, smart operators.

WATCH

Seems to be consolidating at this point. Good news is that underlying trend has basically been positive, seeing nice higher lows. But we're also seeing resistance around $72.50 where it just doesn't want to get through. Nice ascending triangle forming, but hard to say which way it's going to break from here. 

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Nov 05/24, Up 6%)

Still upside of about 15%. Unmatched global reach. Business continues to grow steadily, strong demand in key markets across the globe. Big pricing power is a huge advantage. Fundamentals: 9/10.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Nov 05/25, Up 4%)

Is the gold standard of beverages with a reach into 200 countries. Revenue grew 5% last quarter and volumes are improving again. They have pricing power. Margins are resilient. EPS should grow 7-9% in 2025. Trades at 22x forward PE is stable, paying a 3% dividend. Sees 195 upside.

DON'T BUY

Focused, has the branding. 24x forward PE for 5-6% earnings growth. Not on his radar for what he's looking for in terms of growth. Technically OK, with price above 200-day MA and that MA turning slowly higher. Yield is 2.8%.

HOLD

Operates in a cola duopoly with PEP. He likes market leaders like these that have little to no direct competition. That being said, it's a lot harder these days with consumer brands to establish a brand and build a moat. Today he could launch a cola company online, using Instagram and FB, with very little cost and effort, and with luck it could even go viral. Brands will have a tough time. 

Very strong, well-established brand. He owns FEVR, take a look at that one.

WATCH

They report Tuesday. It's the only stock in consumer products that he follows and is hanging in there compared to its peers.

TOP PICK

Brand strength, pricing power, geographic diversification. Big potential expansion in coffee. Really gets local culture. Chart shows a bit of resistance at this level, and we want to see it get through that. Whole chart is decent. Down less than the market these last few days. Beverage sector is pretty defensive and predictable. Metrics look pretty good. Yield is 2.82%.

(Analysts’ price target is $75.38)
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TOP PICK

The Coca-Cola Co is the nonalcoholic beverage company, which engages in the manufacture, market, and sale of non-alcoholic beverages which include sparkling soft drinks, water, enhanced water and sports drinks, juice, dairy and plant-based beverages, tea and coffee and energy drinks. Its brands include Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid, Georgia, Powerade, Del Valle, Schweppes, Aquarius, Minute Maid Pulpy, Dasani, Simply, Glaceau Vitaminwater, Bonaqua, Gold Peak, Fuze Tea, Glaceau Smartwater, and Ice Dew. It operates through the following segments: Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific, Bottling Investments and Global Ventures. The company was founded by Asa Griggs Candler in 1886 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Social media mentions are up 700% in the past 24h.

PARTIAL BUY

Buy 25% now, buy another 25% at $60, another tranche at $58, then at $55.

TOP PICK

Demand is resilient despite industry challenges. They introduced new packaging, the 12-oz slim cans. Is trading below its 50-day moving averages, and nearing its 200. A great entry point. It scores 8/10 fundamentally. She see 15% upside. 

(Analysts’ price target is $74.32)
COMMENT

They report next week. He expects them to deliver on recent cost cuts.

DON'T BUY

Problem he has is that the growth isn't there. His goal is to buy companies that do better than the S&P 500 over the long term, and KO doesn't fit the bill. Great business, especially in EMs, now asset light. 

PARTIAL SELL

A long-term hold. If you get a profit on this, take some off the table. He likes it.