
NYSE:KO
This summary was created by AI, based on 5 opinions in the last 12 months.
Coca-Cola Company (KO-N) is highly regarded as a defensive stock, evidenced by its 2.77% rise today and 19.5% increase this year, reaching a 52-week high. It remains a preferred choice among consumer staples, with strong performance in the zero-calorie beverage segment. Although currently facing resistance around $72.50, the overall trend appears positive, marked by higher lows and the formation of an ascending triangle. Experts emphasize the company's unmatched global presence, significant pricing power, and resilient margins, predicting continued growth with earnings expected to rise by 7-9% in 2025. The outlook remains optimistic, with significant upside potential noted by analysts, validating its status as a leading player in the beverage industry.
We feel that the consumer staples space is trading at attractive valuations, and for the time being, much of the reason for the decline (ozempic fears), is likely overblown. KO pays a dividend of 3.3% which is slightly above its 20-year average of 3%. Relative to its 20-year historical average valuations, its forward P/E is in line with historical averages, while its EV/EBITDA and forward price to sales are both slightly above historical averages. For an investor with a long-term time horizon, we would be quite comfortable with KO today.
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KO is now trading at 19.4x times' Forward P/E. KO is a mature consumer staples company and KO used to be a “bond proxy” for income investors due to the stability of its business, the capital-light nature of beverages and its high dividend yield. KO’s share price was quite resilient last year. However, due to the new expectation that rates may stay higher for longer, most consumer staples names have experienced pressure in recently, as bonds become a safer alternative for yield. KO is largely mature, revenue growth going forward is expected to be around 5%. Having said that, valuation is at a more attractive level now, currently trading at 19.4x Forward P/E, while historical averages in the last few years range from 19.3x to 26.1x. It is not a huge buy yet, but we would be OK to slowly start buying, for those with a decent time frame.
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A Warren Buffett core holding. He gradually built his holdings in the late-80s and into the 1990s then didn't touch the shares. Coke and AmEx are now among his largest holdings. Total cost: $1.3 billion apiece. Last year, he earned $704 million in dividends from Coke + $302 million from AmEx in 2022 alone.
A long-term hold. If you get a profit on this, take some off the table. He likes it.