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ATLANTA - The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), the $302 billion beverage giant with annual revenues of nearly $47 billion, announced Friday that Luisa Ortega will become president of its Europe operating unit effective September 1, replacing Nikos Koumettis, who will retire in 2026 after 25 years with the company. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains impressive gross profit margins of 61%.
Ortega, 55, currently serves as president of the Africa operating unit, where she oversees operations across 54 markets. She joined Coca-Cola in 2019 and has previously led operations in Latin America, including roles as president of the South Latin business unit and president of the central zone of the Latin America operating unit.
Koumettis, 60, will remain with the company through February 28, 2026, as a senior advisor and will serve on the board of directors of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd., a company-owned bottler in India. He will also continue to co-lead the Global Franchise Leadership Council.
"Luisa has done an outstanding job leading our African business," said Henrique Braun, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Coca-Cola Company, in a press release statement.
Koumettis has led the Europe operating unit since its creation in 2021. Under his leadership, the unit was recognized as the company’s top performer for 2023. This success has contributed to Coca-Cola’s strong market position, with InvestingPro analysis showing the stock has delivered a total return of over 14% in the past six months. InvestingPro subscribers have access to 10+ additional exclusive insights about KO’s financial health and market performance.
Before joining Coca-Cola, Ortega worked at SC Johnson for more than 14 years in various roles across Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Universidad Pontificia Comillas and an MBA from the IESE Business School, both in Spain.
Ortega will continue to report to Braun in her new role. The company stated that her successor in Africa will be named at a future date. For investors interested in deeper analysis of Coca-Cola’s leadership changes and financial outlook, InvestingPro offers comprehensive research reports with detailed insights into the company’s operational efficiency and market position.
In other recent news, Coca-Cola has announced the election of Jennifer Henry as the new Senior Vice President, where she will lead strategy and corporate development. The company also declared a regular quarterly dividend of 51 cents per common share, payable on October 1 to shareholders of record as of September 15. In addition, Coca-Cola is reportedly planning to use real cane sugar in its U.S. products following discussions with former President Donald Trump, although no official confirmation has been provided by the company. Piper Sandler has maintained an Overweight rating on Coca-Cola stock, with a price target of $80.00, despite adjusting some near-term North American growth estimates. The firm also noted that favorable foreign exchange conditions have positively impacted their earnings projections. At the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareowners, Coca-Cola’s director nominees were elected with strong support, and executive compensation was approved by a significant majority. However, shareholder proposals on non-sugar sweeteners and food waste did not pass. The appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the company’s independent auditors was ratified with overwhelming approval.
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