CocaCola (NYSE:KO) Stock Price Up 1.4% on Analyst Upgrade

CocaCola Company (The) (NYSE:KO)’s stock price shot up 1.4% during trading on Thursday after Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on the stock from $84.00 to $88.00. Jefferies Financial Group currently has a buy rating on the stock. CocaCola traded as high as $78.86 and last traded at $78.4550. 21,477,924 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 11% from the average session volume of 19,425,984 shares. The stock had previously closed at $77.35.

KO has been the topic of several other reports. Evercore ISI reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of CocaCola in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of CocaCola in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of CocaCola from $75.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $83.00 target price on shares of CocaCola in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $82.00 price target on shares of CocaCola in a research note on Tuesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and fifteen have issued a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $80.43.

Insider Activity at CocaCola

In related news, COO Henrique Braun sold 40,390 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.93, for a total value of $2,864,862.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 62,621 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,441,707.53. This represents a 39.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Nancy Quan sold 31,625 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.17, for a total transaction of $2,250,751.25. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 223,330 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,894,396.10. The trade was a 12.40% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 549,528 shares of company stock valued at $41,051,826 in the last quarter. 0.97% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

More CocaCola News

Here are the key news stories impacting CocaCola this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades: Jefferies raised its price target to $88 and reaffirmed a buy, and Deutsche Bank lifted its target to $83 and kept a Buy rating — these upgrades support upside expectations and likely helped buying interest today. Jefferies & Deutsche Bank Upgrades
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and defensive-staples narrative: multiple pieces (Barron’s, MarketBeat, Finbold) highlight Coca‑Cola’s pricing power, steady dividend profile and “all‑weather” strategy, making KO attractive as a defensive income play amid market volatility. Dividend & Pricing Power Coverage
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 expectations: Zacks previews Wall Street metric estimates and notes KO’s strong history of earnings beats; markets are positioning ahead of the company’s upcoming quarterly release. This is supportive but dependent on actual results. Zacks Q4 Projections
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector tailwinds and competitor moves: PepsiCo’s strong Q4 and activist‑led initiatives have lifted the sector; that positive spotlight on beverages can buoy KO, though it also raises comparative performance scrutiny. Pepsi Strategic Initiatives
• Negative Sentiment: Large insider sale: CEO James Quincey sold 337,824 shares on Feb 3 (~$26.0M at ~$77.10), cutting his ownership nearly in half — investors may view the size and ownership reduction as a negative signal or profit‑taking that pressures sentiment. SEC filing: SEC Form 4: Quincey Sale

Hedge Funds Weigh In On CocaCola

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors grew its position in shares of CocaCola by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors now owns 3,819 shares of the company’s stock valued at $275,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. Apexium Financial LP lifted its stake in shares of CocaCola by 1.2% in the third quarter. Apexium Financial LP now owns 12,154 shares of the company’s stock worth $810,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares during the period. Stockman Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in CocaCola by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Stockman Wealth Management Inc. now owns 8,901 shares of the company’s stock valued at $622,000 after acquiring an additional 147 shares during the last quarter. 1ST Source Bank increased its position in CocaCola by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. 1ST Source Bank now owns 19,766 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,382,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares during the period. Finally, Prosperity Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in CocaCola by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. Prosperity Financial Group Inc. now owns 3,957 shares of the company’s stock worth $262,000 after purchasing an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.26% of the company’s stock.

CocaCola Stock Up 1.4%

The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $71.10 and its 200-day moving average price is $69.64. The stock has a market cap of $337.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.98, a P/E/G ratio of 3.95 and a beta of 0.36.

About CocaCola

The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a global beverage manufacturer, marketer and distributor best known for its flagship Coca‑Cola soda. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company develops and sells concentrates, syrups and finished beverages across a broad portfolio of brands. Its product range spans sparkling soft drinks, bottled water, sports drinks, juices, ready‑to‑drink teas and coffees, and other still beverages, marketed under both global and regional brand names.

Coca‑Cola’s brand portfolio includes widely recognized names such as Coca‑Cola, Diet Coke, Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite, Fanta, Minute Maid, Powerade and Dasani, and in recent years the company has expanded into the coffee and premium beverage categories through acquisitions such as Costa Coffee.