KO COCA COLA CO

Price Chart

Executive Summary

Jefferies upgraded Coca-Cola (KO) to Buy from Hold on January 30, 2025, lifting its price target to $75 from $69, part of a six-firm cluster including Piper Sandler, TD Cowen, Deutsche Bank, CFRA and Exane BNP Paribas. Jefferies has a 53% accuracy rate on 2,282 calls with an average return of 3.9%, placing it in the middle tier among covering firms. Consensus remains strongly bullish: 29 of 35 analysts rate it Buy/Strong Buy (83%), 6 Hold, 0 Sell. The mean price target is $85.15, implying 8.1% upside from current levels, while Jefferies' $75 target sits 12% below consensus. EPS estimates have been revised down over the past 30 days, with 8 downgrades versus 1 upgrade for the current fiscal year. Insider selling has been heavy—five top executives sold over $11M in March 2026—but institutional buying is strong: Norges Bank initiated a $3.86B position, Renaissance Technologies doubled its stake, and Two Sigma doubled. Short interest is elevated at 57.6% of float, creating a squeeze potential. The rating upgrade is a positive signal but the below-market price target and insider selling warrant caution.

Impact Score

Consensus & Targets

The consensus is overwhelmingly bullish: 9 Strong Buy, 20 Buy, 6 Hold, 0 Sell, 0 Strong Sell — totaling 29 Buy/Strong Buy (83%) and 6 Hold (17%) out of 35 analysts. The direction has been consistently positive with no recent downgrades.

Mean price target is $85.15, median $87, high $92, low $71.38. Current price of $78.76 implies 8.1% upside to the mean. Jefferies' $75 target is 12% below the mean, making it one of the most conservative among covering firms.

Recent Analyst Activity

No upgrades or downgrades in the last 30 days; the January cluster is the most recent catalyst. EPS revisions have turned negative: over the last 30 days, the current fiscal year (0y) saw 9 revisions down vs 1 up, and next year (+1y) saw 8 down vs 1 up. Estimates are being revised lower across all periods.

Firm Track Record — Jefferies

Jefferies accuracy: 53% on 2282 calls | avg return: 3.9%

Industry benchmark: mean 51% ± 11%. Top tier: ≥61% (mean + 1σ). Based on 12 firms with ≥5 scored calls.

Jefferies has a 53% accuracy rate (1,201 correct of 2,282 calls) and an average return of 3.9%. Among firms covering KO, top performers include B of A Securities (100% on 2 calls), Deutsche Bank (100% on 2), Evercore (100% on 2), Piper Sandler (100% on 4), and TD Cowen (100% on 3). Weaker performers include Morgan Stanley (33% on 6) and Truist (50% on 2). Jefferies sits near the middle of the peer range.

Earnings Estimates

Next earnings: Jul 20, 2026

Cross-Platform Signals

Insider activity is bearish: five executives sold over $11M in early March 2026, including COO Monica Howard ($1.8M) and CFO John Murphy ($5.8M). Congressman Ro Khanna bought $15k-$50k in March 2026. Institutional moves are bullish: Norges Bank initiated a $3.86B position (then exited, but the new entry is notable), Renaissance Technologies doubled its stake (+68,506% to $257M), and Two Sigma doubled twice. Short interest is high at 57.6% of float, suggesting significant bearish positioning. The analyst upgrade diverges from insider selling but converges with institutional accumulation.

Documents Analyzed

Report based on filing metadata.

US Market Status