Commonwealth Equity Services LLC Sells 49,888 Shares of Coca-Cola Company (The) $KO

Commonwealth Equity Services LLC decreased its holdings in Coca-Cola Company (The) (NYSE:KO) by 3.9% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 1,219,552 shares of the company’s stock after selling 49,888 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC’s holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $104,979,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Banco Santander S.A. boosted its position in Coca-Cola by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 1,090,758 shares of the company’s stock valued at $88,646,000 after buying an additional 32,723 shares during the period. CX Institutional grew its holdings in Coca-Cola by 402.3% in the 3rd quarter. CX Institutional now owns 163,248 shares of the company’s stock worth $14,052,000 after acquiring an additional 130,746 shares during the last quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 68.5% in the second quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 218,199 shares of the company’s stock valued at $17,733,000 after acquiring an additional 88,690 shares during the period. Moore Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Coca-Cola in the second quarter valued at about $12,905,000. Finally, Cidel Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 2,091.3% during the second quarter. Cidel Asset Management Inc. now owns 361,934 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,414,000 after acquiring an additional 345,417 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.26% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Coca-Cola

In related news, insider Bruno Pietracci sold 111,365 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.93, for a total transaction of $10,126,419.45. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 41,365 shares in the company, valued at $3,761,319.45. The trade was a 72.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, EVP Beatriz Perez sold 67,548 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.91, for a total value of $6,410,980.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 160,428 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $15,226,221.48. This trade represents a 29.63% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 238,871 shares of company stock valued at $21,918,267. Company insiders own 0.90% of the company’s stock.

Coca-Cola Price Performance

KO stock opened at $95.69 on Friday. Coca-Cola Company has a 1 year low of $67.27 and a 1 year high of $97.39. The company has a market cap of $411.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.14, a PEG ratio of 3.74 and a beta of 0.28. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $89.96 and a 200 day moving average of $82.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 1.19.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.03. Coca-Cola had a return on equity of 38.79% and a net margin of 28.65%. The business had revenue of $13.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $12.92 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.82 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Coca-Cola Company will post 3.34 EPS for the current year.

Coca-Cola Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 1st will be paid a $0.53 dividend. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 1st. Coca-Cola’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.35%.

More Coca-Cola News

Here are the key news stories impacting Coca-Cola this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Coca-Cola shares reportedly reached a record high as investors sought defensive stocks amid a market downturn. Its established brands and dividend income may be attracting buyers looking for more resilient businesses. Coca-Cola Stock Hits Record High as Market Crashes
• Positive Sentiment: Recent articles point to Coca-Cola’s shelf presence, distribution reach and consumer habits as sources of a durable competitive advantage. The company’s ability to raise prices while still growing volume supports the long-term investment case. Coca-Cola Stock Is a Buy Thanks to Shelf Space and Habits
• Positive Sentiment: Investors are also focusing on the company’s 64 consecutive years of dividend increases. Its latest quarterly results beat estimates, with revenue up year over year, and coverage says the company raised its outlook and dividend—supporting its earnings and income appeal. Coca-Cola Earnings Beat Lifts Guidance and Dividend
• Positive Sentiment: Margin expansion despite higher marketing spending, supported by productivity gains and disciplined pricing, suggests Coca-Cola is balancing investment with profitability. Can Coca-Cola Keep Expanding Margins While Investing More?
• Neutral Sentiment: Executive Beatriz Perez sold 67,548 shares, but the reported sale was to cover tax withholding on vested equity awards, making it a limited signal about her view of the business. Coca-Cola EVP Share Sale
• Negative Sentiment: After a strong run this year and a move to record levels, valuation may constrain further gains; one dividend-focused article suggests prospective investors consider waiting before buying. Coca-Cola’s Dividend Record and Valuation

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

KO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Piper Sandler increased their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $95.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, October 26th. Bank of America boosted their price target on Coca-Cola from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on Coca-Cola from $92.00 to $98.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and set a $100.00 target price (up from $88.00) on shares of Coca-Cola in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, DZ Bank reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Coca-Cola in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $97.26.

About Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a global beverage company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1886, it is best known for Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most recognized soft drink brands.

The company owns, licenses, and markets a broad portfolio of beverages, including sparkling soft drinks, water, sports drinks, coffee, tea, juice, dairy and plant-based beverages, and energy drinks. Its brands include Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite, Fanta, Dasani, smartwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, fairlife, and Costa Coffee, among others.

The Coca-Cola Company serves consumers in more than 200 countries and territories through a system that includes company-operated operations, independent bottling partners, distributors, retailers, and food-service providers.