New York, Jan 12, 2026, 19:59 EST — After-hours
- Coca-Cola shares closed nearly flat on Monday and held steady in late trading
- Tuesday’s U.S. inflation report has the potential to shake up rate expectations and influence the dollar—factors crucial for staples.
- Coca-Cola is set to release its next earnings in February, with a CEO transition scheduled for March
Coca-Cola shares held steady in after-hours trading Monday, hovering near $70 as investors awaited U.S. inflation data that might shake up bond yields and the dollar.
This is key for KO, which behaves like a typical “defensive” stock — reliable cash flow, consistent demand — and these tend to be repriced fast as rate expectations move. Plus, a stronger dollar can reduce the value of overseas revenue once converted back into U.S. dollars.
Tuesday morning brings the December Consumer Price Index, scheduled for release at 8:30 a.m. ET—a report that frequently dictates the market’s mood for the day. 1
Coca-Cola ended the day down 0.06% at $70.47 and hovered near $70.50 in after-hours trading, according to market data. 2
PepsiCo gained 1.04%, finishing at $141.36 and edging out Coca-Cola in today’s session. 3
The S&P 500 and Dow both hit record highs Monday, shrugging off renewed concerns over Federal Reserve independence. Investors shifted focus back to earnings season and inflation data. “The market is taking it in stride for now,” said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities in New York, referring to the Powell-related headlines. 4
Coca-Cola’s earnings report is looming, with the company expected to release results on Feb. 10, per Nasdaq’s earnings calendar. 5
Traders will watch closely for updates on volume and pricing — whether growth stems from moving more cases or raising prices per drink — along with any remarks on input costs and currency fluctuations.
The stock faces a risk if the CPI comes in hotter than expected, driving Treasury yields and the dollar up. That could hurt the appeal of consumer staples and weigh on Coca-Cola’s gains from overseas currency translation.
Beyond the earnings report, Coca-Cola announced that COO Henrique Braun will take over as CEO on March 31, replacing James Quincey, who will move into the executive chairman role. Investors are likely to watch closely for any changes in strategy or capital return plans amid this leadership shift. 6
Tuesday brings the CPI report at 8:30 a.m. ET, followed by the initial batch of major bank earnings. These results usually set the tone for risk appetite throughout the week. 7
