You probably checked your phone this morning and saw that Coca-Cola (KO) closed Friday at $70.44. Since today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, the markets are closed, and they’ll actually stay closed through tomorrow for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. If you're looking to trade, you've got to wait until Tuesday morning.
But honestly, the "right now" price is kinda the least interesting thing about Coke lately.
The stock has been on a bit of a tear, up about 16.6% over the last year. For a company that basically sells flavored water in a world obsessed with GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and "ultra-processed food" crackdowns, that’s a pretty gutsy performance. Most people think of Coke as their grandpa’s stock—something you buy, forget about for thirty years, and use the dividends to buy a boat. But 2026 is turning out to be a massive pivot year for the Atlanta giant.
What's actually moving the needle for KO?
If you're asking what is the stock price of coca cola because you're thinking of jumping in, you need to look at February 10. That's the big day. Coke is dropping its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings before the bell.
Wall Street is currently looking for an EPS (Earnings Per Share) of about $3.02 for the year. But it’s not just about the nickels and dimes. There’s a huge leadership handoff happening. James Quincey is stepping down as CEO on March 31, 2026, handing the keys to Henrique Braun.
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Braun is currently the COO, and he’s basically been hired to turn Coke into a tech company that just happens to ship cans. They just named a new Chief Digital Officer, Sedef Salingan Sahin, and they’re going all-in on "digital transformation." It sounds like corporate speak, but it basically means they’re trying to use AI to figure out exactly when you’re thirsty and what you’ll pay for a Sprite at a stadium before you even know it yourself.
The Dividend King status isn't going anywhere
For the income hunters, 2026 is a milestone. This is the year Coke is expected to hit its 64th consecutive year of dividend increases. That is a wild streak.
- Current Dividend Yield: Somewhere around 2.90%.
- Annual Payout: Roughly $2.04 per share.
- Payout Ratio: It’s healthy, though they’re definitely reinvesting a lot into new categories.
I’ve noticed a lot of chatter about whether the "Trump officials" blasting ultra-processed foods will hurt the stock. We saw Kraft Heinz and Mondelez take a hit earlier this month because of some food pyramid drama. Coke dipped slightly but recovered fast. Why? Because they’ve spent the last five years diversifying into stuff that doesn't just come in a red can.
The World Cup and the 2026 hype
You can't talk about the stock price without mentioning that 2026 is a World Cup year. And not just any World Cup—it’s the one happening right here in North America.
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Coke is a signature sponsor. They’re already starting the "Trophy Tour," and you can bet your last dollar that their marketing spend is going to be astronomical this summer. Usually, these big events give the stock a nice "sentiment" bump, even if the actual sales take a minute to catch up. They’re also launching some weird new products like Coca-Cola Cherry Float and BodyArmor Flash I.V. with Caffeine.
They’re chasing that "functional beverage" trend hard. Basically, they want to own your morning coffee, your gym water, your lunch soda, and your evening Jack and Coke (yes, they are getting way deeper into alcohol RTDs too).
Is it actually a "Buy" at $70?
Analysts are all over the place, but the consensus is leaning toward a "Buy."
- The Bull Case: Simply Wall St actually thinks the intrinsic value is closer to $89.02 based on cash flows. That would mean the stock is trading at a 20% discount.
- The Bear Case: Some folks think the P/E ratio of 23.3x is a bit rich for a beverage company, especially since the industry average is closer to 18x.
Honestly, you're paying a premium for the fact that Coke almost never goes to zero. It’s a "defensive" play. When the rest of the market gets shaky, people run to the things they know—and people know Coke.
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Actionable insights for your portfolio
If you're looking at the stock price of coca cola as a potential entry point, don't just stare at the $70.44 mark. Keep these specific moves in mind:
- Watch the February 10 Earnings: This will be the first real look at how the 2026 guidance is shaping up. If they confirm that 5-6% organic revenue growth target, the stock could easily test its 52-week high of $74.38.
- The CEO Transition: Between now and March 31, expect some volatility as Quincey exits. Transitions always make the "big money" institutional investors a little nervous.
- Dollar Strength: Since Coke makes about two-thirds of its money outside the U.S., a weaker dollar is actually great for them. If inflation data keeps pointing to more rate cuts, it might give KO an accidental tailwind.
Don't buy just because of the brand name. Buy because they're finally figuring out how to sell more than just sugar. They've survived wars, depressions, and New Coke—they’ll probably survive 2026 just fine.
Next Steps for Investors:
Set a price alert for $68.50. If the market has a broader sell-off before the February earnings, that’s a historically strong support level where the dividend yield starts looking even juicier. Also, keep an eye on the America250 marketing launches; if those don't land well with consumers, the "sentiment" premium might evaporate.