China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in Coca-Cola Company (The) (NYSE:KO – Free Report) by 20.2% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 45,696 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 7,673 shares during the period. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.’s holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $3,979,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 4.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 45,958,636 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,735,058,000 after purchasing an additional 1,939,673 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 36,354,414 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,954,523,000 after buying an additional 162,097 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 9.2% in the 2nd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 29,053,752 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,361,198,000 after purchasing an additional 2,439,026 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 18,822,295 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,431,495,000 after purchasing an additional 235,785 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fayez Sarofim & Co grew its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Fayez Sarofim & Co now owns 15,272,831 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,241,223,000 after buying an additional 113,599 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.26% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Ratings Changes
Several research analysts have issued reports on KO shares. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Coca-Cola from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $96.00 target price on shares of Coca-Cola in a research report on Monday. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $93.00 price objective (up from $83.00) on shares of Coca-Cola in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $100.00 to $104.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Freedom Broker increased their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $85.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $97.26.
View Our Latest Research Report on Coca-Cola
Key Stories Impacting Coca-Cola
Here are the key news stories impacting Coca-Cola this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Coca-Cola reported its sixth consecutive earnings beat, with third-quarter revenue of $13.35 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.91, ahead of estimates. Global unit case volume increased 5%, and management raised its 2026 comparable EPS growth forecast to at least 11%. KO Q3 Earnings Call Highlights
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts remained constructive following the results. Citigroup raised its target to $103, JPMorgan to $98, and TD Cowen to $104; the firms maintained Buy or Overweight ratings. TD Cowen Coca-Cola Rating
- Positive Sentiment: Jim Cramer endorsed Coca-Cola, while investors continue to view its global distribution network, iconic brands and emerging-market opportunity as long-term growth advantages. India’s strong performance and potential 2027 IPO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings could also unlock value. Jim Cramer Says Buy Coca-Cola
- Neutral Sentiment: Coca-Cola’s 64-year record of dividend increases and approximately 2.3% yield support its appeal as an income and defensive investment, though the lower yield provides less immediate income after the stock’s strong rally.
- Negative Sentiment: Some commentary suggests waiting for a better entry point because the shares trade at a premium valuation after a roughly 31%–35% 2026 advance. Flat North American volume, potential revenue pressure from divestitures and ongoing IRS litigation remain concerns. Coca-Cola Raised Its 2026 Outlook
- Negative Sentiment: Freedom Broker raised its price target to $89 but kept a Hold rating, implying that the stock may already exceed near-term fair value. Comparisons with higher-yielding beverage or consumer-staple alternatives may further limit buying enthusiasm.
Insider Activity
In other news, EVP Nancy Quan sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.39, for a total value of $4,519,500.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 223,330 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $20,186,798.70. This represents a 18.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, insider Bruno Pietracci sold 111,365 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.93, for a total transaction of $10,126,419.45. Following the sale, the insider owned 41,365 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,761,319.45. This represents a 72.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 171,323 shares of company stock worth $15,507,286. Corporate insiders own 0.90% of the company’s stock.
Coca-Cola Trading Up 1.2%
NYSE:KO opened at $92.84 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $399.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.63, a P/E/G ratio of 3.52 and a beta of 0.32. Coca-Cola Company has a 52 week low of $67.27 and a 52 week high of $95.37. The company has a fifty day moving average of $89.40 and a 200 day moving average of $81.96.
Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.88 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $13.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.92 billion. Coca-Cola had a return on equity of 38.79% and a net margin of 28.65%. Coca-Cola’s revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.82 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Coca-Cola Company will post 3.34 earnings per share for the current year.
Coca-Cola Announces Dividend
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.53 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 1st. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Coca-Cola’s dividend payout ratio is 63.66%.
About Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a global beverage company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1886, it is best known for Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most recognized soft drink brands.
The company owns, licenses, and markets a broad portfolio of beverages, including sparkling soft drinks, water, sports drinks, coffee, tea, juice, dairy and plant-based beverages, and energy drinks. Its brands include Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite, Fanta, Dasani, smartwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, fairlife, and Costa Coffee, among others.
The Coca-Cola Company serves consumers in more than 200 countries and territories through a system that includes company-operated operations, independent bottling partners, distributors, retailers, and food-service providers.
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