How Has Coca-Cola (KO) Stock Done for Investors?

Core Insights - Coca-Cola has underperformed the S&P 500 over the last five years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% compared to the market's 13.6% CAGR [4][9] - Despite a strong dividend yield of 2.8%, which is significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.1%, it has not been sufficient to offset the stock's weak performance during and after the pandemic [3][4] - The company maintains a robust brand portfolio, including popular beverages like Sprite, Fanta, and Dasani, positioning it to compete in a health-conscious market [10] Financial Metrics - Coca-Cola's return on equity (ROE) is 45%, nearly double the S&P 500 average of 27% [5] - The stock is currently priced at 24.9 times trailing earnings, below the S&P 500 average of 28.5 [6] - The market capitalization of Coca-Cola is $315 billion, with a current stock price of $72.13 [7][8] Market Position and Challenges - Rising competition and a global shift towards healthy foods have constrained Coca-Cola's growth [9] - The company has incorporated AI themes in its advertising and product development since 2023, but it is not primarily viewed as an AI stock [9] - Only 0.9% of Coca-Cola's shares are on loan to short-sellers, compared to 2.3% for the S&P 500, indicating a relatively stable investor sentiment [6]