New York, Jan 24, 2026, 05:38 EST — Market closed
- Coca-Cola shares climbed 1.4% on Friday, closing at $72.88 and beating the flat finish of the S&P 500.
- The Federal Reserve’s decision next week, coupled with a packed earnings calendar, could shake up risk appetite.
- Coca-Cola will report earnings on Feb. 10 and present at CAGNY on Feb. 17.
Coca-Cola shares gained $1.01, or 1.4%, to finish at $72.88 on Friday, holding firm as the weekend approaches. Investors are bracing for the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy move and a packed schedule of earnings reports.
The Dow dropped 0.58%, with the S&P 500 holding almost flat, as Intel plummeted on a bleak forecast. Investors wrapped up a turbulent week driven by policy concerns. “We feel pretty good about where we are today,” said Jason Blackwell, chief investment strategist at Focus Partners Wealth. (Reuters)
That mood could face a quick challenge. “It’s been a short but steep roller-coaster ride,” said Yung-Yu Ma, chief investment strategist at PNC Financial Services Group, as investors focus on the Fed and upcoming earnings for cues. Chris Galipeau of Franklin Templeton warned that valuations mean “the earnings bar had better be met.” (Reuters)
Coca-Cola has its next milestone set: fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results will drop on Feb. 10, before NYSE opens. An earnings call is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET that day. CEO-elect Henrique Braun and CFO John Murphy will then speak at 10 a.m. ET on Feb. 17 during the CAGNY conference in Orlando, Florida. (The Coca-Cola Company)
The report arrives as the market wrestles with a key issue: can major consumer brands keep hiking prices without tanking sales volume? Investors will be on the lookout for early signs of cost spikes, particularly if freight, sweeteners, or packaging costs start rising unexpectedly.
New consumer data delivered a mixed picture. The University of Michigan’s January survey showed U.S. consumer sentiment ticked up, while one-year inflation expectations fell to 4.0%, with longer-term outlooks sliding as well. Despite this, households continued to cite high prices and a weaker labor market as ongoing challenges. (Reuters)
Rates occupy a central spot in this narrative. The Fed’s policy meeting is set for Jan. 27–28, with the decision and press conference slated for Jan. 28, per the central bank’s calendar. (Federal Reserve)
PepsiCo edged up around 0.1% on Friday, with Keurig Dr Pepper climbing about 0.8%. Rivals generally moved higher heading into the weekend.
Still, Coca-Cola’s rebound won’t shield it if markets pivot back to growth or the Fed signals a fresh rate debate. With earnings approaching, a drop in volumes or a nasty margin miss could sting more than usual.
U.S. markets reopen Monday, eyeing the Fed’s move on Wednesday, Jan. 28, as the key event ahead. For Coca-Cola, focus shifts to earnings on Feb. 10 and the CAGNY presentation a week later, on Feb. 17.
