Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. (COKE)

In November 2025, Coca-Cola Consolidated repurchased all outstanding shares previously held by The Coca-Cola Company for approximately $2.4 billion. In January 2026, the company announced a first-quarter 2026 dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on February 6, 2026. Following the share buyback and dividend announcement, S&P Global Ratings revised its outlook on the company to negative, citing a more leveraged balance sheet. COKE experienced a 90-day share price return of 20.78% (mid-October 2025 to mid-January 2026). The stock saw a decline, with a 30-day share price return showing a decrease of 7.38% to 9.49% (mid-December 2025 to mid-January 2026). Over the past 12 months, COKE's stock was up 19.40%.

The demand for Coca-Cola Consolidated's products is generally subject to seasonality. The non-alcoholic beverage industry typically experiences higher demand during warmer months due to increased consumption of refreshing drinks. Sales for Coca-Cola Consolidated's products would likely see an uptick in spring and summer compared to fall and winter.

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. is the largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola products in the United States, involved in the distribution, marketing, and manufacturing of nonalcoholic beverages. The company operates within the Consumer Defensive sector and is categorized under the Food Processing, Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters, and Soda Production industries. Its extensive product portfolio includes both sparkling and still beverages, including brands like Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Dasani, Minute Maid, POWERade, and Monster Energy.

Coca-Cola Consolidated's operations span 14 states and the District of Columbia, serving an estimated 60 to 66 million consumers across the Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The company's headquarters are located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Its service area includes states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and portions of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Arkansas. To support its vast distribution network, Coca-Cola Consolidated manages between 11 and 13 manufacturing facilities and approximately 60 to 80 distribution centers.

Coca-Cola Consolidated has maintained a positive brand reputation, marked by community engagement and industry recognition. The company was named to Newsweek's "2025 America's Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families" list. It also formed a partnership with the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC in September (likely 2025) to become their Official Soft Drink and Bottled Water Provider. In December 2025, the company collaborated with the Carolina Panthers to spread joy in the Carolinas. Coca-Cola Consolidated emphasizes a purpose-driven culture centered on values such as honoring God, serving others, pursuing excellence, and growing profitably.

Institutional investors own a significant portion of Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.'s stock, with reported percentages generally ranging from 41% to 50%. Major institutional owners include BlackRock, Inc., Vanguard Group Inc, Boston Partners, State Street Corp, Diversified Trust Co, First Trust Advisors LP, AQR Capital Management LLC, Geode Capital Management, LLC, and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. Individual insiders hold a smaller percentage, with estimates around 0.78% to 19%. J. Frank Harrison III, the Chairman and CEO, held shares representing approximately 86% of the total voting power as of January 1, 2017. The Coca-Cola Company repurchased all its outstanding shares in November 2025, altering the ownership structure.