The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) remains one of Wall Street’s most closely watched dividend blue chips. As of late trading on December 2, 2025, Coca‑Cola stock changes hands at about $70.56 per share, down roughly 1.9% on the day from a previous close near $71.95. StockInvest
Despite today’s pullback, KO is still trading close to the upper end of its 52‑week range of $60.62–$74.38, with a market capitalization around $305–310 billion and a low‑beta profile (≈0.4), underscoring its role as a defensive, income‑oriented stock. Yahoo Finance
At the same time, a wave of fresh research notes, dividend commentary and legal headlines is shaping how investors are thinking about Coca‑Cola’s next leg in 2025 and beyond.
KO stock snapshot on 2 December 2025
Latest trading metrics
- Price: ~$70.56 (intraday)
- Daily move: about ‑1.9% vs. Monday’s close near $71.95 StockInvest
- Day’s range: roughly $70.66–$71.76 Yahoo Finance
- 52‑week range:$60.62 (low) – $74.38 (high) Yahoo Finance
- Market cap: about $309.5 billion MarketBeat
- Valuation: forward P/E in the low‑20s (around 23–24x), price/earnings‑to‑growth (PEG) near 3.6 MarketBeat
- Beta: ≈ 0.40–0.43, reflecting below‑market volatility Yahoo Finance
Over the last 12 months, KO shares have delivered mid‑teens total returns, outpacing many consumer‑staples peers but lagging the broader S&P 500, which has run hotter in 2025. Simply Wall St
Fresh headlines for Coca‑Cola stock on December 2, 2025
1. Valuation spotlight: healthier beverages and a DCF “undervaluation”
A new valuation deep‑dive from Simply Wall St, published today, zeroes in on Coca‑Cola’s pivot toward healthier and functional beverages—from zero‑sugar offerings to expanded juice, water and tea lines. The article notes: Simply Wall St
- KO shares are up about 16.6% over the past year and roughly 4.4% in the last month, suggesting renewed investor confidence.
- Coca‑Cola continues to push low‑ and no‑sugar brands, ready‑to‑drink teas and value‑added dairy, supported by global expansion agreements and event sponsorships. Simply Wall St
Crucially, the piece runs a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis that pegs fair value at about $89.90 per share, roughly 20% above the current market price, and labels KO “undervalued” on that metric. Simply Wall St
However, the same analysis notes that Coca‑Cola trades at a P/E of ~23.7x, modestly above the broader beverage industry’s average but close to the model’s “fair” multiple for KO, implying that on earnings‑based measures the stock looks more fairly valued than deep‑value. Simply Wall St
Takeaway: For long‑term, fundamentals‑driven investors, today’s valuation conversation is less “is the business solid?” and more “how much future growth is already in the price?”
2. Dividend King narrative front and center
Coca‑Cola’s income story has come sharply back into focus heading into December:
- The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.51 per share, or $2.04 annualized, payable December 15, 2025 to shareholders of record as of December 1, which was also the ex‑dividend date. TS2 Tech
- At today’s share price, that translates into a forward yield around 2.8–2.9%, with a payout ratio of roughly two‑thirds of earnings, in line with mature, cash‑rich consumer staples. TS2 Tech
- Coca‑Cola remains a classic “Dividend King”, with more than six decades of consecutive annual dividend increases. TS2 Tech
A feature published today by The Motley Fool/AOL asks whether this Dividend King can “outlast a recession” and keep raising its payout for at least another seven years, pointing to KO’s robust free cash flow and recession‑resistant portfolio as key supports. AOL
TS2 Tech, in an in‑depth ex‑dividend‑day breakdown released yesterday, highlights historical patterns showing that KO typically recovers most of its ex‑dividend price drop within a couple of weeks, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable income compounder. TS2 Tech
3. Institutional reshuffling: new stakes and trims
Two new 13F‑driven notes from MarketBeat, dated December 2, 2025, show how big money is fine‑tuning exposure to Coca‑Cola: MarketBeat
- Westerkirk Capital Inc. initiated a new position of 52,043 KO shares, worth roughly $3.68 million in the second quarter. MarketBeat
- M&T Bank Corptrimmed its stake by 2.9%, selling 38,737 shares but still holding about 1.32 million shares valued near $93 million. MarketBeat
Both articles underscore that:
- Institutional ownership stands above 70%, led by long‑term holders like Vanguard and other large asset managers. MarketBeat
- Insider activity has recently skewed toward selling, with senior executives, including COO Henrique Braun and EVP Monica Howard Douglas, collectively disposing of over 225,000 shares (~$16 million) over the last three months. MarketBeat
Interpretation: The data suggests portfolio rebalancing, not a wholesale exit. Some institutions are taking profits near multi‑year highs, while others are adding KO as a steady dividend anchor.
4. Corporate actions and strategic moves
Several corporate developments from recent weeks are still relevant for KO’s December setup:
- Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference: CEO James Quincey is presenting at 11:45 a.m. ET on December 2, 2025, with slides and a replay to be posted for investors. The Coca-Cola Company
- Beverage system reshaping in Africa: Coca‑Cola and Gutsche Family Investments agreed to sell a 75% controlling interest in Coca‑Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) to Coca‑Cola HBC, valuing the business at $3.4 billion and moving KO further toward an “asset‑light” bottling model. Stock Titan
- Coca‑Cola Consolidated transaction: On November 7, 2025, bottler Coca‑Cola Consolidated repurchased 18.8 million shares from a Coca‑Cola subsidiary for about $2.4 billion, with KO relinquishing its board seat there—another step away from direct bottling ownership. The Coca-Cola Company
- Tech focus at the board level: On October 16, 2025, Coca‑Cola elected Max Levchin, co‑founder of PayPal and CEO of Affirm, to its board of directors, signaling a push to deepen digital and technology capabilities. The Coca-Cola Company
5. Legal and regulatory overhangs
Two non‑fundamental, but high‑profile, headlines are also on investors’ radar:
- Vietnam tax ruling: Courts in Ho Chi Minh City recently rejected Coca‑Cola Vietnam’s lawsuit challenging a tax assessment, leaving the company on the hook for about VND 821 billion (~$31 million) in back taxes, penalties and interest. The Investor
- Johnny Cash estate lawsuit: The estate of Johnny Cash sued Coca‑Cola in U.S. federal court, alleging that a college‑football‑themed commercial used a Cash sound‑alike without authorization, potentially violating Tennessee’s new “ELVIS Act” and other publicity laws. Reuters
Financially, both matters are small relative to KO’s multi‑billion‑dollar earnings, but they highlight ongoing regulatory and reputational risk, especially around global tax practices and marketing content in the AI/voice‑clone era.
Wall Street forecasts for KO: high‑$70s consensus and “Buy” ratings
Across Wall Street, the message on Coca‑Cola stock heading into 2026 is broadly constructive:
- StockAnalysis.com reports that 13 analysts cover KO with a “Strong Buy” consensus and an average 12‑month price target of about $78.15, implying roughly 9–11% upside from current levels, depending on your reference price. StockAnalysis
- TipRanks compiles data from 15 analysts, showing an average price target of $79.08, with a high target of $85 and a low near $71. That average implies about 8% expected upside from the mid‑$70s share price used in their model. TipRanks
- MarketBeat’s analyst summary, referenced in today’s institutional‑flow stories, puts the consensus price target near $78.43 and rates KO a “Buy” overall. MarketBeat
- A TS2 Tech recap of Street data echoes these figures, pointing to a cluster of targets in the high‑$70s to low‑$80s range, supported by major brokers like Bank of America, which recently raised its KO target to $80. TS2 Tech
Overall, analysts see KO as a high‑quality, lower‑growth compounder:
- Expected mid‑single‑digit EPS growth over the next few years
- Add a 2.8%+ dividend yield, and most forecasts imply high‑single‑digit total returns annually from current price levels, assuming the valuation multiple stays roughly where it is. TS2 Tech
Model‑driven price predictions: 2025–2030 scenarios
Alongside traditional analyst research, several quantitative and retail‑investor platforms publish KO forecasts:
1. 24/7 Wall St’s fundamental forecast
A November 29 deep dive from 24/7 Wall St. lays out a detailed 2025–2030 trajectory: 24/7 Wall St.
- Uses the Street’s median one‑year target around $79.08 as an anchor.
- Projects KO at $76 in 2025 (about mid‑single‑digit upside from the level used in the article).
- Extends the model to $101.25 by 2030, implying close to 39% upside over five years, predicated on steady EPS growth, digital transformation, and ongoing expansion in non‑carbonated beverages and emerging markets.
The piece highlights dividends, AI‑enabled marketing, global diversification and “hyper‑local” brand customization as the main drivers of that long‑term thesis. 24/7 Wall St.
2. CoinCodex technical forecast
Crypto‑adjacent platform CoinCodex, which also runs equity models, currently projects that KO could reach approximately $81.61 by December 30, 2025—an 11–12% gain from today’s price—and around $79.53 by early 2026. CoinCodex
Their dashboard shows:
- Neutral technical sentiment
- Fear & Greed Index at 39 (“Fear”)
- KO posting 16 green days out of the last 30 with about 2% price volatility. CoinCodex
3. StockInvest.us: “Buy or Hold” technical profile
Technical‑analysis site StockInvest.us classifies KO as a “Buy or Hold” candidate since early November, with: StockInvest
- A short‑term pullback (‑1.6% on December 1) after a stretch where shares were up in six of the last ten sessions.
- Rising volume on a down day, which they flag as a mild near‑term risk signal.
- A 3‑month projected range of roughly $75–$79.5 and a 12‑month range of about $71.5–$82.7, indicating expectations for gradual upside with modest volatility.
Important: these model‑based forecasts are not guarantees; they rely on historical patterns and assumptions that can change quickly if macro conditions or company‑specific news shift.
Fundamentals: Q3 2025 earnings still set the tone
Coca‑Cola’s latest quarter, reported on October 21, 2025, continues to anchor most fundamental analysis around KO. The Coca-Cola Company
Key highlights from Q3 2025:
- Net revenues: up 5% to $12.5 billion
- Organic revenues: up 6%, driven entirely by 6% price/mix while concentrate volumes were flat
- Global unit case volume:+1%, with particular strength in Central Asia, North Africa, Brazil and the U.K. The Coca-Cola Company
- Operating income:+59%; comparable currency‑neutral operating income +15%
- Operating margin: about 32%, up from roughly 21% a year earlier
- Reported EPS:$0.86, up 30%; comparable EPS $0.82, up 6% year‑over‑year Stock Titan
An earnings‑focused article from Roboforex and coverage on MarketWatch emphasize that KO slightly beat consensus expectations on both revenue (vs. a ~$12.41 billion forecast) and EPS (vs. ~$0.78), and reaffirmed full‑year guidance for around 3% adjusted EPS growth over 2024’s $2.88 baseline. RoboForex
While some commentary flagged sluggish volume trends in certain categories, especially in developed markets, the company continues to lean heavily on its pricing power, mix improvement and cost discipline to drive high‑margin growth. Yahoo Finance
Growth drivers: beyond classic soda
Recent research pieces from 24/7 Wall St, Zacks/Nasdaq and Simply Wall St converge on several structural growth drivers for Coca‑Cola: Zacks
- Diversification into non‑carbonated beverages
- KO has steadily expanded into water (Dasani, smartwater), tea, coffee (Costa), juice, dairy and energy drinks, as well as ready‑to‑drink cocktails and hard teas. 24/7 Wall St.
- Many of these categories tap faster‑growing trends than traditional sugary sodas.
- Healthier and “better‑for‑you” products
- Ongoing launches like Minute Maid Zero Sugar and reformulated, lower‑sugar versions of core brands align with tightening health regulations and shifting consumer tastes. Simply Wall St
- Zacks notes that KO’s portfolio of nearly 30 billion‑dollar brands continues to skew toward higher‑margin, premium offerings. TS2 Tech
- Digital, data and AI
- Coca‑Cola is investing heavily in AI‑driven marketing and analytics, using tools like its Studio X platform and e‑commerce data to refine product mix, pricing and promotions. 24/7 Wall St.
- Emerging markets and “hyper‑local” branding
- From Thums Up in India to region‑specific teas and juices in China and Latin America, KO tailors products to local tastes, capturing incremental volume and loyalty. 24/7 Wall St.
- Nostalgia‑driven innovation
- A widely shared story this week confirms that Diet Cherry Coke will return permanently in early 2026, rolling out nationwide in cans and bottles—a small but symbolic example of Coca‑Cola using nostalgia to boost engagement in a saturated market. The Street
Key risks: what could go wrong for KO?
Even for a company as entrenched as Coca‑Cola, investors face several notable risks:
- Valuation risk
- Zacks‑linked commentary points out that KO trades at a premium P/E vs. the beverages industry, with consensus calling for only ~2.7% revenue and ~3.5% EPS growth in 2025, and faster but still moderate growth in 2026. TS2 Tech
- If growth underperforms or rates stay higher for longer, the multiple could compress.
- Health regulations and sugar taxes
- Expanding sugar taxes, labeling rules and advertising restrictions around the world continue to cap volume growth for traditional sodas and require ongoing reformulation and marketing changes. TS2 Tech
- FX and emerging‑market exposure
- A substantial portion of KO’s revenue and cash flow now comes from outside the U.S., leaving earnings sensitive to currency swings and local economic conditions. 24/7 Wall St.
- Legal and reputational risk
- The Vietnam tax ruling and the Johnny Cash estate lawsuit underscore how tax authorities and courts can challenge multi‑national tax structures and high‑profile marketing campaigns. VnExpress International
- Changing consumer preferences
- While KO is leaning into zero‑sugar and functional beverages, it still depends on its core cola franchises and large‑scale bottling partners to drive volume. Faster‑than‑expected declines in sugary‑drink consumption would increase pressure on innovation and marketing spend. The Coca-Cola Company
Is Coca‑Cola (KO) stock attractive in December 2025?
Putting it all together:
- Business quality: KO remains a global, high‑margin, cash‑generative franchise with dozens of billion‑dollar brands and a durable concentrate‑and‑bottler model. Stock Titan
- Income profile: With a ~2.8–2.9% yield, more than 60 years of dividend growth, and a payout policy that targets roughly two‑thirds of earnings, Coca‑Cola continues to be a core holding for dividend and defensive‑equity investors. TS2 Tech
- Growth outlook: Wall Street generally expects modest EPS growth in the mid‑single digits, plus buybacks and dividends, adding up to high‑single‑digit total‑return potential from today’s levels. TipRanks
- Valuation: Some models (like Simply Wall St’s DCF) see KO as undervalued by around 20%, while earnings‑based metrics and Zacks’ work suggest the stock is closer to fairly valued but not cheap. Simply Wall St
For long‑term, conservative investors who prioritize stability, global scale and reliable dividends over rapid capital appreciation, Coca‑Cola still fits the mold of a “steady compounder”—a stock that may not shoot the lights out, but aims to deliver predictable, compounding returns through cycles.
For more aggressive growth‑oriented traders, KO’s low beta and premium valuation mean there may be more exciting short‑term opportunities elsewhere, a point some strategists and sites like MarketBeat also hint at when they note that top analysts see higher upside in other names. MarketBeat
Either way, as of December 2, 2025, Coca‑Cola Company (The) stock remains firmly at the crossroads of defensive income and slow‑but‑steady growth, with the debate now centered less on “if” the business will keep delivering—and more on how much you’re willing to pay for that consistency.
