Coca-Cola Company (The)NYSE: KO
Consumer Staples · Soft Drinks & Non-alcoholic Beverages
$78.69
-0.10%
Vol: 48.0M
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Coca-Cola Q1 2026 EPS beat ($0.86 vs $0.81) with 10% revenue growth; Coke Zero volume +13%; raised FY guidance to 8-9% EPS growth
Coca-Cola reported Q1 2026 EPS of $0.86, beating estimates of $0.81. Net operating revenues were $12.472B (up 10% YoY), driven by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar volume growth of 13%. Company raised full-year EPS growth guidance to 8-9% from prior 7-8%, signaling confidence. Morgan Stanley raised PT to $89 from $87. Announced 63rd consecutive dividend increase of $0.53/share. Stock jumped 4-6% on results. Current PT consensus $85.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30Coca-Cola beats Q1 with 10% organic revenue growth, raises FY EPS guidance to 8-9% on improved tax rates; Coke Zero drives volume surgePositive▶
KO topped Q1 2026 with $12.5B revenue (+12%, +10% organic), EPS $0.86 (+18%), operating margin 35.0% (vs 32.9% prior). Raised FY EPS guidance to 8-9% growth (prior 7-8%) due to lower effective tax rates; maintained 4-5% organic revenue guidance. Coke Zero Sugar volume jumped 13%, trademark Coca-Cola +2%, global unit case volume +3% (beat 1% consensus). Water/tea/sports/coffee segment strongest globally. Stock jumped 6% post-earnings to fresh highs. UBS raised PT to $92 from $90; Evercore ISI to $88 from $85; JPMorgan to $85 from $83. Of 23 analysts: 18 Strong Buy, 2 Moderate Buy, 3 Hold; avg PT $84.48. YTD +13%, trades at $78.71 (P/E 24.83, yield 2.6%). Risk: currency headwinds, competitive intensity.
Apr 29Coca-Cola reports Q1 2026: revenue $12.5B (+12%), organic growth +10%, EPS $0.86 beat ($0.81 est.), raises FY2026 EPS guidance to 8-9% growthPositive▶
Coca-Cola posted strong Q1 2026 on April 28: revenue $12.5B (+12% YoY), organic revenue +10% driven by 8% concentrate sales growth and 2% price/mix. EPS $0.86 beat $0.81 estimate (4th consecutive beat). Raised FY2026 comparable EPS growth guidance from 7-8% to 8-9%. FCF projection: $12.2B. Global unit case volume +3% vs. 1% expected. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar volume +13% (key driver). Stock jumped 4-6% post-earnings on strong results. NBA partnership announced (Sprite returns as Official Global Soft Drink Partner). BofA raised PT to $90 from $88 (Buy). UBS raised to $92 from $90. JPMorgan to $85 from $83. Current price $78.31, P/E 24.67, dividend yield 2.6%.
Apr 16Coca-Cola will report Q1 2026 earnings on April 28, announced South Africa investment of $1 billion through 2030, and appointed new global chief people officerPositive▶
Coca-Cola announced Q1 2026 earnings release scheduled for April 28 before market open, with shareholder meeting on April 29. The company deepened its South Africa commitment with 17.6 billion rand ($1 billion) investment through 2030 to expand capacity and distribution. Leadership changes include new global chief people officer Tapaswee Chandele and retirement of board member Maria Elena Lagomasino after 18 years. Barclays reaffirmed Buy rating on April 14, and 15 analysts maintain Strong Buy consensus with average price target of $83.20, implying 9.62% upside. Stock has surged 11% so far in 2026.
Apr 15Coca-Cola appoints Tapaswee Chandele as new global chief people officer; stock down 1.28% weekly but maintains dividend strengthNeutral▶
Coca-Cola announced Tapaswee Chandele as new global chief people officer effective May 1. Company preparing Q1 2026 earnings with expected $0.81 EPS. Stock declined 1.28% to $76.46 but maintains 64 consecutive years of dividend increases with 2.77% yield. Barclays reaffirmed Buy rating; consensus target $85.64.
Apr 14Coca-Cola secures exclusive Marriott beverage deal; 64th consecutive dividend increase to $0.53Positive▶
Exclusive partnership with Marriott across 9,700 hotels in 143 countries. 64th consecutive annual dividend increase to $0.53. Stock up ~10% YTD. Q1 earnings April 28.
Apr 13Coca-Cola secures exclusive Marriott beverage deal replacing Pepsi; new CEO transition complete; Q1 earnings April 28Positive▶
Coca-Cola secured exclusive beverage partnership with Marriott International replacing Pepsi across nearly 9,700 hotels in 143 countries. Leadership transition to CEO Henrique Braun (from COO) effective March 31 completed smoothly. Q1 2026 results due April 28 before NYSE open. 2025 operating income up 38%, EPS up 23%. UBS raised price target to $90 from $87 on April 7.
Apr 10Coca-Cola outperforming S&P 500 with 10% YTD gains; UBS raises price target to $90.Positive▶
Coca-Cola continues to outperform the broader market with approximately 10% year-to-date gains while the S&P 500 has declined roughly 4%. UBS raised its price target from $87 to $90 maintaining Buy rating. Coca-Cola will release Q1 2026 earnings on April 28. FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour visiting 30 nations. America 250 commemorative cans launching nationwide.
Apr 9Coca-Cola CEO transition announced as company reports strong earnings growthPositive▶
The Coca-Cola Company announced a CEO succession plan with COO Henrique Braun set to succeed James Quincey in 2026, driven partly by AI strategy considerations. The company reported 2025 earnings growth of 23.29% to $13.11 billion and is positioned for Q1 earnings on April 28 with 10.96% EPS growth expected. Stock trades at $75.91 with 9.8% year-to-date return. DCF analysis suggests approximately 13.4% upside, though P/E of 24.93x exceeds industry averages. Analyst consensus remains "Strong Buy" with $83.2 target.
Apr 8Coca-Cola raises UBS price target to $90 and announces Sprite as official NBA Global Soft Drink partner.Positive▶
UBS raised Coca-Cola target to $90 from $87. Announced multiyear NBA marketing partnership returning Sprite as official global soft drink partner effective March 17. Board approved 64th consecutive annual dividend increase from $0.51 to $0.53 quarterly. Q1 2026 earnings April 28.
Apr 7Coca-Cola announces CEO succession; COO Henrique Braun to replace James Quincey in 2026.Neutral▶
Coca-Cola announced CEO succession with COO Henrique Braun succeeding James Quincey in 2026. Quincey cited AI-driven changes as reason for departure. Company announced 3.9% dividend increase to $0.53/share effective April 1. Q1 earnings beat was challenged by weak consumer backdrop described as "light drizzle" by management. Company investing $1 billion in South Africa and managing pricing-affordability balance amid soft macro. Consensus Strong Buy rating from 15 analysts targets $83.0 (7.62% upside). Stock trades at $76.95. Dividend yield is 2.7%.
Apr 6Coca-Cola CEO succession announced; Henrique Braun to take over from James Quincey in 2026.Neutral▶
Coca-Cola announced CEO succession plan with COO Henrique Braun to take over from James Quincey in 2026. Investing $1.05B in South Africa and partnering with NBA. Dividend streak at 64 years. 15 Strong Buy ratings, $83.0 target (8.2% upside).
Apr 3Coca-Cola launches multi-partner ad campaign with Domino's, Wendy's, and Sonic to boost restaurant beverage sales.Positive▶
Coca-Cola announced a new marketing campaign featuring partnerships with restaurant chains including Domino's Pizza, Wendy's, and Sonic. The company announced CEO succession with COO Henrique Braun succeeding James Quincey in 2026. Q1 2026 earnings are scheduled for April 28. Coca-Cola trades at $76.66 with a market cap of $329.91B. The consensus rating is Strong Buy among 15 analysts with average price target of $85.29. The stock is up 14.2% since September 2025.
Apr 1Coca-Cola CEO transition to AI-focused COO Henrique Braun announced as company commits $650M Fairlife expansion and secures NBA partnership with Sprite.Positive▶
Coca-Cola announced leadership transition with COO Henrique Braun replacing long-time CEO James Quincey, reflecting company emphasis on artificial intelligence and generative technologies. The company committed $650 million to expand Fairlife facility in Michigan. Coca-Cola and NBA announced new global marketing partnership returning Sprite as Official Global Soft Drink Partner. Stock is up 10% year-to-date. Deutsche Bank raised price target to $86 from $83. Q1 2026 earnings scheduled for April 28, 2026.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOCOCA | $78.69 | -0.10% | +2.0% | 22.7x | 0.36 | $338.9B |
| PEPPEPSICO | $157.61 | -0.56% | +1.1% | 17.3x | 0.41 | $216.6B |
| MNSTMONSTER | $77.16 | +0.12% | +3.9% | 30.4x | 0.51 | $75.4B |
| KDPKEURIG | $29.11 | -0.99% | +14.4% | 11.6x | 0.36 | $40.0B |
| WMTWALMART | $131.84 | -0.07% | +4.0% | 40.2x | 0.66 | $1.05T |
| COSTCOSTCO | $1,012.70 | -0.18% | -0.4% | 45.1x | 0.98 | $450.1B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price above both MAs — bullish structure.