Updated: December 1, 2025
The Coca‑Cola Company’s stock (NYSE: KO) is trading near record highs as it goes ex‑dividend today, with Wall Street still broadly bullish on the beverage giant’s long‑term prospects. At around $72 per share, Coca‑Cola now commands a market capitalization of roughly $310 billion, up about 14% over the last year. [1]
This article rounds up all the major KO stock news, forecasts and analyses published around December 1, 2025, and explains what they may mean for investors watching Coca‑Cola right now.
1. KO stock today: ex‑dividend dip near record highs
Price action and valuation
Midday on December 1, 2025, KO is changing hands around $72.1, down about 1.3% on the session as the stock trades ex‑dividend. [2] That small pullback comes after a strong run:
- Year‑to‑date gain: ~16–18%, versus roughly 7% for the soft‑drinks industry in recent Zacks analysis. [3]
- All‑time high close: about $73.1 on November 28, 2025. [4]
- 52‑week range: ~$60.6 to ~$74.4, putting shares not far below their 52‑week high. [5]
On valuation, KO currently trades at around: [6]
- P/E (ttm): ~24×
- Forward P/E: ~22–23×
- PEG ratio: ~3.8
- Price‑to‑sales: ~6.5×
Zacks notes that Coca‑Cola’s forward P/E sits above the beverages industry average (roughly 22.7× vs. ~18×), underscoring that investors are still willing to pay a premium for this defensive dividend name. [7]
With beta around 0.4, KO remains a classic low‑volatility, “sleep‑at‑night” blue chip rather than a high‑octane growth stock. [8]
2. Dividend King status: ex‑dividend today, yield near 2.8%
Key details of the latest dividend
Coca‑Cola’s status as a Dividend King—over six decades of consecutive annual dividend increases—remains intact. [9]
Key dates and numbers for the current payout:
- Dividend per share: $0.51 quarterly (annualized $2.04) [10]
- Ex‑dividend date: December 1, 2025 [11]
- Record date: December 1, 2025 [12]
- Payment date: December 15, 2025 [13]
- Forward dividend yield: ~2.8–2.9% at today’s price. [14]
Several data providers put Coca‑Cola’s payout ratio at roughly two‑thirds of earnings, consistent with a mature, cash‑rich consumer staples company that prioritizes income investors while retaining enough profit for reinvestment. [15]
What recent dividend analysis is saying
A fresh AI‑assisted study published by AInvest today highlights how KO tends to behave around ex‑dividend dates: [16]
- Across 11 past dividend events, KO recovered about 91% of its ex‑dividend price drop within 15 days,
- With an average recovery time of 4.7 trading days.
The same note points to strong profitability—net income around $8.4 billion and EPS near $1.96 on a trailing basis—arguing that these fundamentals support ongoing dividend sustainability even in a higher‑rate environment. [17]
For short‑term traders, that historical pattern is framed as a potential tactical opportunity around ex‑dividend dips. For long‑term investors, it reinforces KO’s reputation as a reliable income compounder.
3. Wall Street forecasts: consensus “Strong Buy” with high‑$70s price targets
One‑year price targets
The Street remains broadly positive on Coca‑Cola heading into 2026:
- StockAnalysis: 13 analysts, “Strong Buy” consensus, with an average 12‑month target of $78.15, implying about 8% upside from current levels. [18]
- Public.com (aggregating Wall Street data): also reports 13 analysts with a “Buy” rating and the same $78.15 target. [19]
- Finviz compiles a broader set of targets, with an average around $79.6. [20]
Meanwhile, a detailed forecast from 24/7 Wall St., published November 29, notes that: [21]
- The median Street target is about $79.08, roughly 8.5% above today’s price.
- 14 of 15 analysts rate KO a “Buy,” with one “Hold” and no “Sell” ratings.
24/7 Wall St.’s own model is slightly more conservative for the near term, projecting $76 per share for 2025, but far more optimistic over the long term, with a 2030 price target of $101.25—almost 39% upside from current levels—tied to steady EPS growth and technology‑driven efficiency improvements. [22]
Zacks and Simply Wall St: valuation under the microscope
A new Zacks‑authored piece on Nasdaq, “Can Coca‑Cola’s Billion‑Dollar Brands Power Its Next Growth Wave?”, points out that KO has gained ~16.6% year to date, outpacing its beverages peers, but now trades at a forward P/E ~22.7× vs. an industry average of ~18×. [23]
Zacks expects: [24]
- 2025 EPS growth of roughly 3.5%,
- 2026 EPS growth near 8%,
and assigns Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) despite a positive long‑term narrative, largely because the stock already embeds a quality premium.
Separately, a new Simply Wall St piece highlighted on Yahoo Finance today — “Coca-Cola (KO): Exploring Valuation Perspectives After Recent Share Price Momentum” — calls attention to KO’s recent rally and reassesses whether the shares still offer upside at these multiples. While the full analysis is behind throttled access, the framing clearly reflects market debate around “great company vs. fair price” rather than any concern about the underlying business. [25]
What the forecasts add up to
Taken together, current forecasts paint a consistent picture:
- KO is widely viewed as a high‑quality, lower‑growth compounder,
- With mid‑single‑digit EPS growth and a 2.8% dividend yield,
- Leading to expected high‑single‑digit total returns annually from this price level, assuming no major valuation re‑rating.
4. Institutional moves and insider selling: mixed but supportive
Four new 13F‑based articles released December 1 on MarketBeat offer a snapshot of how big money has been trading Coca‑Cola in recent quarters: [26]
- Panagora Asset Management
- Boosted its KO stake by 429.8% in Q2, adding 1.03 million shares
- Now holds 1.27 million shares worth about $90.1 million
- Shelton Capital Management
- Cut its position by 49.3%, selling 227,886 shares
- Retains 234,430 shares valued around $16.6 million
- OMERS Administration Corp (Canadian pension fund)
- Trimmed its KO stake by 4.8%, selling 8,600 shares
- Still owns 169,049 shares worth nearly $12 million
- Fisher Asset Management
- Reduced its KO holdings by about 0.8% in Q2
- Still controls roughly 6.4 million shares, a position of about $453 million
Across these filings, MarketBeat also flags notable insider selling in recent months: executives including EVPs Manuel Arroyo, Nancy Quan, and Monica Howard Douglas collectively sold over 225,000 shares, worth around $15.9 million, leaving insiders with just under 1% of total shares outstanding. [27]
Institutional ownership remains high—around 70–75% depending on the source—led by Vanguard, Wellington and Norges Bank, which continue to hold very large, long‑term positions. [28]
Takeaway: Big money is not exiting KO en masse. Instead, the recent filings show portfolio rebalancing: some funds taking profits after a strong run, others aggressively adding to positions.
5. Fundamental backdrop: strong Q3 results and billion‑dollar brands
Third‑quarter 2025 earnings
Coca‑Cola’s latest reported quarter (Q3 2025, released October 21) was solid across the board: [29]
- Global unit case volume: +1%
- Net revenues: +5%
- Organic revenue (non‑GAAP): +6%
- Operating income: +59%; comparable currency‑neutral operating income: +15%
- Operating margin: 32.0% (vs. 21.2% last year)
- Reported EPS: $0.86, up 30%
- Comparable EPS: $0.82, up 6%
Management reiterated confidence in full‑year 2025 guidance, emphasizing flexibility in a still‑challenging macro backdrop and continued investment in brands and marketing. [30]
Billion‑dollar brands and premium innovations
The Zacks analysis mentioned earlier underlines how KO’s nearly 30 billion‑dollar brands—including Coca‑Cola, Coke Zero Sugar, Sprite and Fanta—are fueling what it calls the company’s “next growth wave”. [31]
Recent highlights from that piece:
- Coca‑Cola estimates its billion‑dollar labels account for roughly one‑quarter of all billion‑dollar beverage brands in the industry.
- New concepts like Sprite + Tea in North America, Bacardí Mixed with Coca‑Cola in Mexico and Europe, and Powerade tie‑ins with the Springboks in South Africa show how KO is blending brand equity with regional tastes. [32]
- Marketing is increasingly data‑driven and digitally targeted, aiming to forge deeper consumer connections and more personalized campaigns.
24/7 Wall St. adds a broader strategic layer, noting Coca‑Cola’s: [33]
- Expanding non‑carbonated portfolio (tea, coffee, water, dairy, energy)
- Use of AI and big data to optimize pricing, product mix and marketing through platforms like Studio X
- Heavy investment in emerging markets such as India, Argentina and Europe, including major event sponsorships and localized brands.
All of this supports a thesis of slow but steady top‑line growth with very high margins, rather than explosive revenue expansion.
6. Brand and legal headlines: Diet Cherry Coke, Vietnam taxes and voice‑rights litigation
Diet Cherry Coke revival: nostalgia as a growth lever
A widely shared story today from Spanish outlet El Adelantado reports that Coca‑Cola is officially bringing back Diet Cherry Coke in the United States, turning a social‑media rumor into a planned nationwide relaunch. [34]
Key points from that report:
- The drink is expected to return permanently in early 2026, contingent on healthy sales.
- Distribution is slated for nationwide retail, including 20‑oz bottles and 12‑can packs, not just selective outlets.
- The piece frames the move as tapping into “nostalgic brand love,” arguing that reintroducing a cult favorite flavor can drive incremental volume and brand engagement during uncertain times.
Financially, a single flavor revival won’t move KO’s earnings needle by itself, but it exemplifies Coca‑Cola’s broader strategy of leveraging heritage, limited‑time offers and fan communities to keep its portfolio culturally relevant.
Vietnam tax case: $31 million back‑tax liability
On December 1, Retail News Asia reported that Coca‑Cola Vietnam lost a court appeal over a long‑running tax dispute and has been ordered to pay VND 821 billion (~$31.1 million) in back taxes and penalties. [35]
Details from the judgment:
- The ruling upholds a 2019 decision by Vietnam’s General Department of Taxation related to filings from 2007–2015.
- Authorities found that Coca‑Cola Vietnam reported years of accounting losses—paying almost no corporate income tax—despite rapidly growing revenues, leading to allegations of incorrect tax filings and underpayment. [36]
- Coca‑Cola has said it respects the court’s decision and reiterated its commitment to tax compliance, while considering next steps. [37]
From a KO‑shareholder perspective, the $31 million charge is immaterial relative to the group’s multi‑billion‑dollar annual profit, but it underscores regulatory and reputational risks in emerging markets—especially where transfer pricing and local tax practices are under scrutiny.
Johnny Cash estate lawsuit and the ELVIS Act
Separately, the estate of Johnny Cash has filed a lawsuit against The Coca‑Cola Company, alleging that the company used a sound‑alike singer to imitate Cash’s voice in a college‑football advertising campaign without proper authorization. [38]
According to a report from Wide Open Country: [39]
- The case centers on an ad titled “Go the Distance,” created for the 2025 NCAA season.
- The complaint argues that using a Cash‑like voice infringes rights protected under Tennessee’s new ELVIS Act (Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security) as well as federal false‑endorsement and consumer‑protection laws.
- The suit is being closely watched as an early test of how AI‑age voice and likeness laws will be applied to advertising and brand content.
Any eventual financial impact is highly uncertain and likely limited for a company of Coca‑Cola’s size, but the case could influence how KO and other brands use voice clones or sound‑alikes in future marketing.
7. Long‑term narratives: steady compounder, not a rocket ship
Recent deep‑dive pieces from The Motley Fool, including “Is Coca‑Cola Stock a Buy Right Now?” and longer‑horizon essays about what KO could look like in ten years, converge on a few core themes: [40]
- Durable business model
- Coca‑Cola’s asset‑light concentrate model and global bottler system generate high margins and robust free cash flow, even in inflationary or recessionary environments.
- Shareholder returns drive the story
- With a ~2.8% yield and decades of dividend growth, income plus moderate buybacks are expected to remain the bulk of shareholder returns. [41]
- Emerging markets and premiumization
- Volume growth is increasingly tied to India, Africa, Southeast Asia and parts of Latin America, while incremental profit growth comes from premium offerings, smaller packs and new categories (energy, RTD cocktails, functional beverages). [42]
- Regulatory and health headwinds
- Expanding sugar taxes, warning labels and marketing restrictions create structural headwinds that cap volume growth for sugary drinks, incentivizing Coca‑Cola to shift towards zero‑sugar, low‑calorie and “better‑for‑you” options. [43]
- Moderate growth at a fair (but not cheap) price
- With KO trading near 23× earnings, Motley Fool argues that future returns will likely track earnings growth plus dividends, without much help from multiple expansion—making KO more of a steady compounder than a potential multibagger. [44]
In short, KO still fits best as a “portfolio anchor”: a stock for investors who care more about stability and reliable cash flows than about rapid capital gains.
8. Key risks and what to watch next
Even for a blue chip like Coca‑Cola, several risks remain firmly on the radar:
- Valuation risk
- Trading at a premium to the sector on forward earnings, KO could underperform in a sharp “risk‑on” rotation or if growth undershoots expectations. [45]
- Regulation and litigation
- Sugar taxes, marketing restrictions and high‑profile cases like the Johnny Cash lawsuit and Vietnam tax ruling highlight ongoing legal and policy exposure in both mature and emerging markets. [46]
- FX and macro exposure
- With well over half of revenues sourced outside the U.S., currency volatility and local economic slowdowns can pressure reported results despite strong brand fundamentals. [47]
- Shifting consumer tastes
- KO must keep executing on zero‑sugar, functional and premium trends, while innovations like RTD alcohol and nostalgic flavors (e.g., Diet Cherry Coke) need to translate into sustained incremental volume, not just short‑term buzz. [48]
9. Bottom line: how today’s news frames KO stock
Putting together today’s ex‑dividend action, the newest forecasts and the latest headlines:
- The business: Q3 results and brand commentary show a highly profitable, globally diversified beverage leader still expanding its non‑carbonated and premium offerings. [49]
- The dividend: Coca‑Cola continues to justify its Dividend King reputation with another reliable $0.51 payout and a yield around 2.8%, supported by strong cash generation. [50]
- The valuation: KO looks fairly valued to slightly rich, with most analysts calling for mid‑single‑digit upside over the next year on top of the dividend. [51]
- The risk profile: Recent tax and voice‑rights cases underline that even iconic brands face legal and regulatory friction, but the dollar amounts involved are small relative to Coca‑Cola’s earning power. [52]
For readers tracking KO through Google News or Discover, today’s cluster of stories reinforces a familiar message: Coca‑Cola stock is still about dependable income, resilient cash flows and modest growth, not about explosive upside. Whether that trade‑off is attractive depends on each investor’s risk tolerance, time horizon and need for stability.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.
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