Coca Cola Stock History
Image Caption: Coca Cola Company Logo
Off Topic Rambling: It seems that financial woes affecting the economy haven't seen its end. Yesterday, the Dow closed down almost 338 points or 3.82%. This week, the retail industry carried all the doom and gloom signs.
Coca Cola Stock History, News Events, and Rivals
Today's topic of discussion is the stock history of Coca Cola Company. This is one company that every human even in the most remote part of the earth must have heard or seen it (I am sure the movie Gods' must be crazy would vouch for its influence). Coca Cola is without a doubt one of the most recognizable brands in the world. It is sold in almost every country, and is undoubtedly the most popular soft drink in the world. I am not going to bother bringing up facts to backup my assertions because, I would consider it as common knowledge. Regardless, I checked up (just to satisfy any doubters), and according to Business Week - Coca Cola Classic is the best selling soft drink in the world. Even with the economic slowdown, the diversity of Coca Cola's business - with interests in all geographic regions, it is possible that the global economic slow down wouldn't be that severe on Coca Cola, and the softening of commodity prices would definitely help coca cola's margins.
Coca-Cola Company Stock History Contd.
Coca Cola Stock History Overview
This report will discuss the stock performance of Coca Cola company over the year to date, its highs and lows, how it's stock performed against its rivals, and recent news events.
Coca Cola Company News
In recent months (September 3, 2008), Coca Cola Company offered to buy Chinese Juice maker Huiyan Juice Group for $2.4 billion, and the third quarter of Coca Cola Company's profit rose by 14% due to international sales, and its shares rose by 48 cents and was the only gainer in the Dow Jones. The stock closed at $44.21 (This was on October 15).
Coca Cola General Stock History Information
Coca-Cola Company Ticker Symbol - KO
On November 14, Coca-Cola Stock closed at $45.02, down $1.26 or 2.72. The stock went as high as $47.18, and a low of $44.98. The stock had a volume of 16.69 million, which is approximately 2 million short of its average volume of 18.67 million. The company has a market capital of $104 billion, with 2.31 billion (with a B) shares floating. Of these shares 65% are institution owned, and the stock has a beta of .72, implying that the stock is less volatile than the market. Some of the major institutional holders of Cocal Cola Stock include Berkshire Hathaway, Suntrust Banks, Barclays Global Investor UK Holdings, Capital World Investors, State Street Corporation, Vanguard Group, FMR, Bank of New York Mellon, AXA, and Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo. Some of the bigger mutual fund holders of the stock include Washinton Mutual Fund Ivestors, Fidelity Contrafund, Vanguard 500 Index fund, College Retirement Equities Fund, Capital World Growth and Income Fund, American Balanced Fund, and GMO U.S. Quality Equity Fund. As of June 30th of 2008, Berkshire Hathaway held approximately 200 million shares of Coca Cola, making it by far the biggest institutional holders. For its stock recommendations among analysts, 4 Analysts recommend "Strong Buy" (down 1), 7 recommend "Buy" rating (No Change), and 3 recommend a "Hold" rating (up 1 since last month).
Year to Date Coca Cola Company Stock History
For the year to date, Coca Cola Company lost 26.64% of its market value or $16.35 as of November 14. The company's stock debuted the year at a price of $61.07 on Januar 2nd, and a gradual rise until January 10. The stock traded around $58 for the entire months of February, March, April, and May. Post-May, Coca Cola stock gradualy lost its price, and throughout July, August, and September traded around $51-$54. Starting October Coca Cola stock began to see its stock value fall dramatically, and posted its lowest year to date on October 10, with a stock price of $41.50. In the current year, the company gave a dividend of $0.38 3 times in March, June, and September.
Cola Wars : Coca Cola Company Stock Vs PepsiCo Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Hansen Natural
In Cola Wars Stock Performance Competition, Coca Cola's Stock comes out top losing only approx 27% of its market value. The biggest loser among beverages was Hansen Natuaral Corporation losing a whopping 43% of its stock market value. Hansen Natural Corporation is known for brand names such as Monster Energy, Lost Energy and Ace. Pepsi, Coca Cola's biggest competitor saw its stock lose 29% of its value, marginally close to Coca Cola's stock performance. Dr Pepper saw its stock value fall by 31%, mirroring Pepsi's loss. Compared to Nasdaq, Coca Cola fared better losing 27%, while Nasdaq lost about 43%. The Graph Above shows the stock performance of Coca Cola, PepsiCo, Dr Pepper, and Hansen Natural.