Candriam S.C.A. Raises Stock Position in CocaCola Company (The) $KO
by Mitch Edgeman · The Markets DailyCandriam S.C.A. grew its stake in shares of CocaCola Company (The) (NYSE:KO – Free Report) by 15.4% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 821,334 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 109,589 shares during the period. Candriam S.C.A.’s holdings in CocaCola were worth $62,462,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of KO. Beacon Financial Advisory LLC increased its holdings in CocaCola by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Beacon Financial Advisory LLC now owns 26,844 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,041,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of CocaCola by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors now owns 3,819 shares of the company’s stock worth $275,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the period. Alteri Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of CocaCola by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Alteri Wealth LLC now owns 7,738 shares of the company’s stock worth $541,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the period. Apexium Financial LP grew its position in shares of CocaCola by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Apexium Financial LP now owns 12,154 shares of the company’s stock worth $810,000 after buying an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lbmc Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of CocaCola by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Lbmc Investment Advisors LLC now owns 38,886 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,718,000 after buying an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.26% of the company’s stock.
Insider Buying and Selling
In other news, EVP Nancy Quan sold 31,625 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.93, for a total value of $2,559,411.25. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 223,330 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,074,096.90. This represents a 12.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, EVP Jennifer K. Mann sold 100,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.46, for a total value of $7,946,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 181,384 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,412,772.64. The trade was a 35.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Insiders sold 899,905 shares of company stock worth $71,832,315 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.90% of the company’s stock.
CocaCola Stock Performance
KO opened at $83.49 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $359.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.30 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $80.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $77.17. CocaCola Company has a 52-week low of $65.35 and a 52-week high of $85.68.
CocaCola (NYSE:KO – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The company reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.05. CocaCola had a net margin of 27.80% and a return on equity of 40.55%. The company had revenue of $12.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $12.24 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.73 EPS. CocaCola’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. CocaCola has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.240-3.270 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that CocaCola Company will post 3.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.
CocaCola Dividend Announcement
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 1st. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th were given a $0.53 dividend. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 15th. CocaCola’s dividend payout ratio is presently 66.67%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
A number of analysts recently weighed in on KO shares. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of CocaCola from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday. Truist Financial set a $88.00 target price on shares of CocaCola in a research report on Friday, June 26th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of CocaCola from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $83.00 price target on shares of CocaCola in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of CocaCola from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 16th. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $88.06.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on KO
Key Stories Impacting CocaCola
Here are the key news stories impacting CocaCola this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts at Jefferies and Bank of America expect solid second-quarter results, citing resilient demand, steady volume trends, and stronger organic sales growth; Jefferies also sees a modest earnings beat. Coca-Cola expected to post solid second-quarter results as analysts highlight resilient demand
- Positive Sentiment: Bank of America raised its price target on KO to $95 and reiterated a buy rating, while JPMorgan lifted its target to $90 and maintained an overweight view, signaling confidence in further upside. Benzinga report on Bank of America target raise Tickerreport report on JPMorgan target raise
- Positive Sentiment: Marriott announced a global beverage partnership making Coca-Cola its primary beverage provider across guestrooms, restaurants, lounges, and events, which could expand KO’s distribution in hospitality and boost long-term brand reach. Marriott International (MAR), Coca-Cola Company (KO) Announce Global Beverage Partnership
- Neutral Sentiment: Recent articles also highlighted Coca-Cola’s stock having already run up near the top of its 52-week range and discussed whether the shares are becoming expensive after the rally, which may temper enthusiasm but does not change the core business outlook. Coca-Cola (KO) Stock Drops Despite Market Gains: Important Facts to Note Is Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) Too Rich After Its Run?
- Negative Sentiment: One recent trading update noted KO fell in the prior session despite broader market strength, suggesting some short-term profit-taking after its strong move. Coca-Cola (KO) Stock Drops Despite Market Gains: Important Facts to Note
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.
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