KO AI Stock Analysis – Buy, Hold, or Avoid?
The Coca-Cola Company (KO)
Fundamentals
Coca-Cola (KO) demonstrates robust financial health with consistent top-line growth, resilient profitability, and reliable earnings delivery. The company leverages its global dominance in non-alcoholic beverages to produce stable revenue and cash flow, which supports attractive shareholder returns even during economic cycles.
Financial Highlights
- Revenue
- Net Income
- Net Margin (%)
Revenue
12.07% YoY
Q1 2026
Net Income
17.84% YoY
Q1 2026
Net Margin
Q1 2026
Growth Metrics
Revenue Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Net Income Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Revenue Per Share Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
EPS Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Book Value Per Share Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 12.5B | 11.8B | 12.5B | 12.5B | 11.1B | 11.5B | 11.9B | 12.4B |
| Revenue Growth YoY | +12.07% | +2.41% | +5.07% | +1.39% | -1.51% | +6.41% | -0.83% | +3.27% |
| Net Income | 3.9B | 2.3B | 3.7B | 3.8B | 3.3B | 2.2B | 2.8B | 2.4B |
| Net Income Growth YoY | +17.84% | +3.46% | +29.78% | +58.03% | +4.82% | +11.25% | -7.74% | -5.34% |
| EPS | $0.91 | $0.53 | $0.86 | $0.89 | $0.77 | $0.51 | $0.66 | $0.56 |
| EPS Growth YoY | +18.18% | +3.92% | +30.30% | +58.93% | +4.05% | +10.87% | -7.04% | -5.08% |
Profitability Metrics
Technical Analysis
KO is currently in a strong uptrend with price trading above key moving averages and a golden cross in place. Momentum is neutral but stable, supporting further upside potential in the near term. The stock is in the advancing phase with signs of institutional accumulation and minimal downside risk from a technical perspective.
No extreme reading
Price in uptrend
Trend developing
50 above 200 - bullish
Key Technical Values
Price with Moving Averages
50-day, 150-day and 200-day simple moving averages
Relative Strength Index
Momentum oscillator measuring speed and magnitude of price changes
RSI (14)
Earnings
Coca-Cola (KO) demonstrates robust financial health with consistent top-line growth, resilient profitability, and reliable earnings delivery. The company leverages its global dominance in non-alcoholic beverages to produce stable revenue and cash flow, which supports attractive shareholder returns even during economic cycles.
Latest Earnings
Q1 2026 Earnings (Apr 3, 2026)
Earnings Per Share (EPS)
Actual
$0.86
Estimated
$0.81
Surprise
+$0.05
Surprise %
+5.91%
Revenue
Actual
$12.47B
Estimated
$12.24B
Surprise
+$234.75M
Surprise %
+1.92%
Historical Earnings
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Per Share | ||||||||
| EPS (Actual) | $0.86 | $0.58 | $0.82 | $0.87 | $0.73 | $0.55 | $0.77 | $0.84 |
| EPS (Estimated) | $0.81 | $0.56 | $0.78 | $0.83 | $0.71 | $0.52 | $0.74 | $0.81 |
| EPS Surprise | +$0.05 | +$0.02 | +$0.04 | +$0.04 | +$0.02 | +$0.03 | +$0.03 | +$0.03 |
| % Diff | +5.9% | +2.7% | +5.3% | +4.3% | +2.2% | +6.2% | +4.1% | +4.2% |
| Revenue | ||||||||
| Revenue (Actual) | $12.47B | $11.8B | $12.46B | $12.54B | $11.13B | $11.54B | $11.85B | $12.36B |
| Revenue (Estimated) | $12.24B | $12.05B | $12.41B | $12.57B | $11.16B | $10.68B | $11.61B | $11.78B |
| Revenue Surprise | +$234.75M | -$249.71M | +$49.93M | -$32.13M | -$29.33M | +$861.94M | +$243.77M | +$587.28M |
| % Diff | +1.9% | -2.1% | +0.4% | -0.3% | -0.3% | +8.1% | +2.1% | +5.0% |
Valuation
The Coca-Cola Company (KO) exhibits a strong fundamental profile with consistent revenue and earnings growth supported by robust margins and efficient capital returns. Valuation metrics indicate a premium but generally justified valuation given the company's durable competitive advantages, steady cash flows, and growth initiatives. Market sentiment remains positive with a buy consensus from analysts and solid recent results, though some caution is warranted from supply chain risks and geopolitical factors.
Valuation Metrics
Price to Earnings
TTM
Price to Sales
TTM
Price to Book
TTM
Enterprise Value to EBITDA
TTM
Enterprise Value to Revenue
TTM
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price to Earnings | 21.03 | 33.11 | 19.11 | 19.86 | 22.73 | 30.56 | 27.17 | 28.44 |
| Price to Sales | 26.46 | 25.44 | 22.69 | 24.14 | 27.20 | 23.24 | 26.11 | 22.18 |
| Price to Book | 9.81 | 9.35 | 9.04 | 10.59 | 11.55 | 10.79 | 11.67 | 10.61 |
| Enterprise Value to EBITDA | 78.60 | 92.58 | 65.52 | 62.04 | 72.90 | 86.22 | 83.92 | 81.93 |
| Enterprise Value to Revenue | 29.13 | 28.42 | 25.47 | 27.32 | 30.86 | 26.24 | 28.84 | 24.62 |
Sentiment & Analyst Ratings
The market sentiment for Coca-Cola (KO) is broadly positive, supported by strong Q1 2026 earnings and an optimistic outlook for organic revenue and EPS growth. Analysts maintain a consensus Buy rating with price targets suggesting a moderate upside from current price levels. Social media sentiment shows a predominantly neutral tone with pockets of criticism related to marketing approaches using AI, but overall retail investor interest remains stable.
Analyst Recommendations
Risk Assessment
Coca-Cola (KO) presents a moderately healthy financial profile with stable liquidity and manageable debt levels, supported by strong brand resilience and consistent revenue growth expectations. However, significant risks such as a major IRS tax dispute, competitive pressures in the performance beverage segment, and economic/cost headwinds temper the outlook. Market sentiment remains positive with strong analyst buy consensus and moderate upside potential.
Liquidity & Solvency
Current Ratio
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Quick Ratio
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Debt-to-Equity
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Debt-to-Assets
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquidity Metrics | ||||||||
| Current Ratio | 1.36 | 1.46 | 1.21 | 1.21 | 1.10 | 1.03 | 1.06 | 1.08 |
| Quick Ratio | 1.15 | 1.25 | 1.00 | 0.98 | 0.89 | 0.84 | 0.90 | 0.92 |
| Solvency Metrics | ||||||||
| Debt-to-Equity | 1.30 | 1.41 | 1.52 | 1.73 | 1.87 | 1.83 | 1.74 | 1.69 |
| Debt-to-Assets | 0.42 | 0.43 | 0.45 | 0.47 | 0.48 | 0.45 | 0.44 | 0.43 |
Liquidity Assessment
Current Ratio: 1.36(Adequate)
Quick Ratio: 1.15(Strong)
The company has adequate liquidity but may face challenges in a downturn.
Solvency Assessment
Debt-to-Equity: 1.30(High)
Debt-to-Assets: 0.42(Moderate)
The company has relatively high debt levels, which may increase financial risk in economic downturns.
Frequently Asked Questions about KO
AI Answers: Common Questions About KO
Get AI-powered answers to the questions investors ask most about The Coca-Cola Company
KO is a good buy at current levels for most investors: it trades at $78.42 with a P/E of 24.74, reflecting a premium but justified by strong fundamentals, expanding margins (gross margin >61%), and reliable growth. Technicals are bullish, and analyst targets suggest upside toward $86-$90. While not a deep value play, KO offers stability, income, and moderate capital appreciation potential.
There is no compelling reason to sell KO now unless you have a very short-term focus or are highly risk-averse to the IRS litigation. Fundamentals remain strong, technicals are bullish (price above all major SMAs), and sentiment is positive. Only a major negative development (e.g., adverse tax ruling) would warrant a change in thesis.
The biggest risks are the unresolved IRS tax dispute (potential $18B liability), elevated leverage (debt-to-equity >1.3), and external pressures like inflation, FX volatility, and regulatory changes (e.g., sugar taxes). While liquidity is healthy (current ratio 1.36), these risks could impact margins or earnings if they materialize.
Technically, KO faces resistance at $82 (52-week high) and could extend to $85 on a breakout; analyst targets cluster at $86-$90, implying 10-15% upside from current price. Support is strong at $77 (50 SMA) and $72 (200 SMA), limiting downside risk in the near term.
KO is fairly valued: its P/E of 24.74 and elevated EV/EBITDA are above sector averages but justified by its strong growth, margins, and brand. The premium reflects investor confidence in steady cash flow and dividend growth; valuation is in line with KO's historical range and sector leaders.
KO is fundamentally strong, with consistent revenue and EPS growth (FY2025 EPS up 23.6%), expanding margins (operating margin 28.7%), and robust free cash flow supporting dividends and buybacks. Liquidity and solvency are solid, though leverage is higher than historical norms.
Technical analysis is bullish: KO is in a strong uptrend with a golden cross (50 SMA above 200 SMA), RSI is neutral at 56.8 (no overbought/oversold), and price is above all major moving averages. Key resistance is at $82, with a breakout potentially targeting $85.
Key catalysts include upcoming earnings (with potential for further beats and guidance raises), resolution of the IRS tax dispute, and continued success in premium/zero-sugar products and emerging markets. Macro events like FX moves and commodity costs also bear watching.
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