Is Coca-Cola Stock Still a Buy After Earnings?
Coca-Cola stock is higher Tuesday after Warren Buffett's favorite soft drink maker beat expectations for its fourth quarter. Here's what you need to know.


Coca-Cola (KO) stock is higher early Tuesday after the soda pop maker beat top- and bottom-line expectations for its fourth quarter and provided a strong outlook for 2025.
In the three months ending December 31, Coca-Cola's net revenue increased 6% year over year to $11.5 billion. Organic revenue, which excludes the impact of currency changes, increased 14%. Meanwhile, the company said earnings per share (EPS) rose 12% from the year-ago period to 55 cents.
"Our all-weather strategy is working, and we continue to demonstrate our ability to lead through dynamic external environments," said Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey in a statement.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Quincey added that Coca-Cola's global scale and local-market expertise as well as "the unwavering dedication of our people and our system" put it in position "to capture the vast opportunities ahead."
The results topped analysts' expectations. Wall Street was anticipating revenue of $10.7 billion and earnings of 52 cents per share, according to CNBC.
In the first quarter, Coca-Cola said it expects to achieve net revenue growth in the range of 3% to 4% and EPS growth of 4% to 6%. For 2025, the company anticipates net revenue growth of 3% to 4%, organic revenue growth of 5% to 6% and earnings per share growth of 2% to 3%.
Is Coca-Cola stock a buy, sell or hold?
Coca-Cola has generated a double-digit total return of nearly 12% over the last 12 months, trailing the S&P 500's gain of more than 22%. But Wall Street is bullish on the Dow Jones stock.
According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the average analyst target price for KO stock is $71.71, representing implied upside of more than 6% to current levels. And the consensus recommendation is a Buy.
Financial service firm Jefferies is one of the more bullish outfits on the Warren Buffett stock with a Buy rating and $75 price target.
"The market has aggressively sold off consumer staples since the election," Jefferies analyst Kaumil Gajrawala wrote in a January 30 note, adding that Coca-Cola shares were off about 15% from its highs and were trading at just 20 times earnings estimates for 2026.
"As we look for the most underpriced high-quality asset in this sell-off," Gajrawala wrote, "we think it is this business."
Related Content
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Joey Solitro is a freelance financial journalist at Kiplinger with more than a decade of experience. A longtime equity analyst, Joey has covered a range of industries for media outlets including The Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Market Realist, and TipRanks. Joey holds a bachelor's degree in business administration.
-
Social Security Will Continue Sending Paper Checks Sparingly, Reversing Course
The Social Security Administration has backed off from plans to eliminate paper checks. However, it will only send checks in the mail as a matter of last resort.
-
Ask the Editor — Tax Questions on Four New Tax Deductions
Ask the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, we answer tax questions from readers on four new tax deductions in the "One Big Beautiful Bill."
-
How Divorced Retirees Can Maximize Their Social Security Benefits: A Case Study
Susan discovered several years after she filed for Social Security that she is eligible to receive benefits based on her ex-spouse's earnings record. This case study explains how her new benefits are calculated and what her steps are to claim some of the money she missed.
-
From Piggy Banks to Portfolios: A Financial Planner's Guide to Talking to Your Kids About Money at Every Age
From toddlers to young adults, all kids can benefit from open conversations with their parents about spending and saving. Here's what to talk about — and when.
-
I'm an Investment Pro: Here's How Alternatives Could Inject Stability and Growth Into Your Portfolio
Alternative investments can often avoid the impact of volatility, counterbalancing the ups and downs of stocks and bonds during times of market stress.
-
Dow Bleeds Red Due to Big Blue: Stock Market Today
Six of the official GICS sectors were in the green, led by communications services, technology and energy stocks.
-
July Fed Meeting: Live Updates and Commentary
The July Fed meeting could be a lively economic event, with Wall Street keyed into what Fed Chair Powell has to say about interest rates and President Trump.
-
A Contrarian Approach Pays Off for This Small-Cap Fund
Small-cap stocks have been hit hard by tariff worries, but this T. Rowe Price fund has outperformed thanks to its manager's against-the-tide approach.
-
A Financial Planner's Guide to Unlocking the Power of a 529 Plan
529 plans are still the gold standard for saving for college, especially for affluent families, though they are most effective when combined with other financial tools for a comprehensive strategy.
-
An Investment Strategist Takes a Practical Look at Alternative Investments
Alternatives can play an important role in a portfolio by offering different exposures and goals, but investors should carefully consider their complexity, costs, taxes and liquidity. Here's an alts primer.