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Nikolaos Koumettis, the Europe OU President of Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO), recently executed a significant transaction involving company stock. The beverage giant, currently valued at $305 billion and trading near its 52-week high of $73.53, has shown strong momentum with a 14.76% gain year-to-date. On March 7, 2025, Koumettis sold 55,500 shares of Coca-Cola stock at an average price of approximately $71.01 per share, totaling about $3.94 million. This transaction was part of a series of moves by Koumettis, who also exercised stock options at a price of $40.89 per share for the same number of shares on the same day. Following these transactions, Koumettis now holds 246,909 shares directly. According to InvestingPro, Coca-Cola maintains an impressive track record of raising dividends for 54 consecutive years, though current analysis suggests the stock is slightly overvalued. For deeper insights into KO’s valuation and 10+ additional exclusive ProTips, explore the comprehensive Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro.
In other recent news, Coca-Cola has reported strong financial performance and strategic developments. The company announced robust fourth-quarter results for 2024, with organic sales growth of 14%, surpassing the consensus forecast of 7%. Earnings per share for the quarter were $0.55, exceeding the consensus estimate of $0.52, supported by higher-than-expected pricing and concentrate sales. Additionally, Coca-Cola has introduced its 2025 guidance, projecting organic sales growth of 5-6% and EPS growth of 2-3%, aligning closely with analyst estimates.
Coca-Cola also raised its quarterly dividend for the 63rd consecutive year, increasing it by 5.2% to 51 cents per share. Analyst firms have shown confidence in Coca-Cola’s growth prospects, with Piper Sandler raising the stock’s price target to $80 and Jefferies increasing it to $79, both maintaining positive ratings. Erste Group upgraded the stock from Hold to Buy, citing Coca-Cola’s strong profitability and growth outlook, including the introduction of new products like probiotic lemonades. Citi maintained a Buy rating with an $85 price target, emphasizing the company’s strong pricing power and volume growth. These developments reflect Coca-Cola’s strategic initiatives and continued commitment to delivering shareholder value.
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