Coca-Cola(US:KO) ZACKS·2026-02-09 19:51Core Insights - Fairlife has become a significant growth driver for The Coca-Cola Company, positioning it strongly in the expanding protein and functional nutrition market as consumer preferences shift towards healthier options [1][8] - Coca-Cola's investment in expanding Fairlife's production capacity is crucial for meeting demand and supporting volume growth, enhancing its innovation capabilities in protein shakes and value-added dairy [2][3] - Fairlife provides Coca-Cola with a competitive advantage in the health and wellness trend, offering strong pricing power and repeat purchase behavior, which helps balance slower growth in traditional categories [3] Company Strategies - Coca-Cola is focusing on expanding Fairlife's production capacity to alleviate supply constraints and drive higher volumes, which is expected to enhance its market position in health-focused beverages [2][8] - The company is strategically pivoting from carbonated drinks to higher-margin nutrition-led categories, reflecting a broader trend in consumer preferences towards better-for-you beverages [1][3] Competitive Landscape - In the competitive beverage market, PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper are also targeting the protein and functional nutrition space, with PepsiCo leveraging its diverse portfolio and distribution strengths [4][5] - Keurig Dr Pepper is adopting a more measured approach, focusing on selective partnerships and functional beverages while minimizing capital investment, positioning itself to adapt to evolving consumer trends [6] Financial Performance - Coca-Cola's shares have increased by 12.1% over the past three months, slightly underperforming the industry growth of 14.2% [7] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for Coca-Cola is 24.27X, which is higher than the industry average of 20.16X, indicating a premium valuation [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects year-over-year earnings growth of 3.8% for 2025 and 8.1% for 2026, with recent estimates remaining unchanged [10]