The Coca-Cola Company (KO): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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The Coca-Cola Company (KO) Information


A Brief History of The Coca-Cola Company

Company Overview

The Coca-Cola Company, established in 1886, is a global leader in the beverage industry, renowned for its flagship product, Coca-Cola. As of 2024, the company operates in over 200 countries and offers more than 500 brands, including sparkling and still beverages.

Financial Performance in 2024

As of September 27, 2024, Coca-Cola reported a total revenue of $11,953 million, reflecting a slight increase compared to the previous year. The operating income for the three months ended September 27, 2024, was $2,510 million, down from $3,270 million in the same period of 2023, marking a 23% decline.

Period Total Revenue ($ Million) Operating Income ($ Million) Net Income ($ Million)
Q3 2024 11,953 2,510 N/A
Q3 2023 11,574 3,270 N/A

Market Trends

Coca-Cola's gross profit margin for the three months ended September 27, 2024, was 60.7%, down from 61.0% for the same period in 2023. This decline was attributed to higher commodity costs and unfavorable foreign currency exchange impacts. The company faced a 15% reduction in operating income due to these factors alongside a 2% decrease in concentrate sales volume.

Dividends and Stock Performance

The company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.485 per share in October 2024, payable on December 16, 2024. The total cash outflow for treasury stock purchases in the nine months ended September 27, 2024, was $1,228 million, with 18 million shares repurchased at an average cost of $63.03 per share.

Period Dividends Paid ($ Million) Treasury Stock Purchases ($ Million) Shares Repurchased (Million)
9M 2024 4,274 1,228 18
9M 2023 4,078 1,193 17.9

Debt and Interest

During the nine months ended September 27, 2024, Coca-Cola had issuances of debt totaling $11,298 million, consisting of $3,129 million in commercial paper and $8,169 million in long-term debt. Interest expense for the same period increased to $1,225 million from $1,114 million in the previous year.

Global Operations and Market Challenges

Coca-Cola's operating segments reported varying performances. North America showed an increase in operating income to $1,405 million, while Latin America and the Europe, Middle East & Africa segments reported declines. The unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations significantly impacted the overall operating income, particularly in Latin America.

Region Operating Income Q3 2024 ($ Million) Operating Income Q3 2023 ($ Million)
North America 1,405 1,276
Latin America 933 985
Europe, Middle East & Africa 977 1,136

Future Outlook

Expectations for the remainder of 2024 indicate that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations will continue to exert pressure on operating income. The company remains focused on strategic initiatives to enhance profitability and market presence globally.



A Who Owns The Coca-Cola Company (KO)

Major Shareholders

As of 2024, the ownership of The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is distributed among various institutional and individual shareholders. The following table lists the major shareholders along with their ownership percentages:

Shareholder Ownership Percentage Number of Shares
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 8.63% 373 million
BlackRock, Inc. 7.89% 344 million
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 9.2% 404 million
State Street Corporation 4.72% 207 million
Wellington Management Company, LLP 2.82% 124 million
Other Institutional Investors 56.74% 2.5 billion
Individual Investors 10.0% 440 million

Shareholder Composition

The shareholder composition of The Coca-Cola Company reflects a significant institutional investment, with over 56% of shares held by institutional investors. This includes prominent asset management firms such as The Vanguard Group and BlackRock, which are major players in the investment management industry.

Recent Stock Performance

As of September 27, 2024, The Coca-Cola Company reported a total of 4.31 billion shares outstanding. The stock price has shown fluctuations, with the average price per share being $63.03 during recent buybacks.

Period Stock Price (Average) Market Capitalization
Q3 2024 $63.03 $271 billion
Q2 2024 $61.45 $257 billion
Q1 2024 $60.00 $258 billion

Dividends and Share Repurchase

During the nine months ended September 27, 2024, The Coca-Cola Company paid dividends totaling $6.272 billion, with a quarterly dividend of $0.485 per share. The company also repurchased 18 million shares for a total cost of $1.135 billion.

Non-controlling Interests

The Coca-Cola Company also has non-controlling interests, which have shown a balance of $1.636 billion as of September 27, 2024. This includes various investments and partnerships that have been established over the years.

Recent Financial Highlights

For the nine months ended September 27, 2024, key financial metrics of The Coca-Cola Company included:

Metric Value
Net Operating Revenues $35.517 billion
Net Income $8.436 billion
Basic Earnings Per Share $1.96
Operating Income $7.283 billion

The Coca-Cola Company's ownership structure and financial performance showcase a robust investment landscape, with significant backing from institutional investors and a steady performance in the stock market. The continuous dividend payments and share repurchases reflect the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders.



The Coca-Cola Company (KO) Mission Statement

Mission Statement Overview

The Coca-Cola Company aims to refresh the world in mind, body, and spirit, and inspire moments of optimism and happiness through its brands and actions. It focuses on creating value for its stakeholders, including customers, employees, and communities.

Key Components of the Mission Statement

  • Refreshment: The company seeks to provide refreshing beverages that enhance the quality of life.
  • Inspiration: It aims to inspire happiness and optimism through its products and marketing.
  • Value Creation: The focus is on delivering value to all stakeholders, ensuring sustainable business practices.

Financial Performance Metrics (2024)

The Coca-Cola Company has reported notable financial metrics in its recent earnings, reflecting its commitment to its mission.

Metric Value (in millions)
Net Operating Revenues (Q3 2024) $11,854
Net Income (Q3 2024) $2,850
Operating Income (Q3 2024) $2,510
Gross Profit (Q3 2024) $7,190
Dividends Paid (2024) $6,272
Basic Net Income Per Share (Q3 2024) $0.66
Average Shares Outstanding (Q3 2024) 4,311

Strategic Initiatives Supporting the Mission

The Coca-Cola Company undertakes various strategic initiatives to align its operations with its mission statement:

  • Sustainability Efforts: The company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and water usage.
  • Product Diversification: It continues to innovate by expanding its beverage portfolio to include healthier options.
  • Community Engagement: Coca-Cola invests in local communities through various programs aimed at improving quality of life.

Market Position and Brand Influence

Coca-Cola holds a prominent market position, with brand recognition that supports its mission of inspiring happiness and optimism globally.

Region Net Operating Revenues (2024) Operating Income (2024)
North America $13,970 $3,162
Latin America $4,816 $2,795
Europe, Middle East & Africa $6,331 $3,309
Asia Pacific $4,330 $1,760

Recent Challenges and Adaptations

In 2024, The Coca-Cola Company faced challenges such as fluctuating commodity costs and foreign currency impacts. Despite these, it has adapted its strategies to maintain profitability and continue fulfilling its mission.

Future Outlook

The Coca-Cola Company aims for continued growth and alignment with its mission statement through strategic investments and consumer-centric innovations.



How The Coca-Cola Company (KO) Works

Business Model

The Coca-Cola Company operates primarily through a franchised distribution system. The company produces beverage concentrates and syrups, which are then sold to bottling partners, who are responsible for producing, packaging, and distributing the final products. This model allows Coca-Cola to maintain a consistent brand while leveraging local bottlers' expertise in their markets.

Financial Performance Overview

As of September 27, 2024, Coca-Cola reported net operating revenues of $11,854 million for the third quarter, a slight decrease from $11,953 million in the same period of 2023. For the nine months ended September 27, 2024, net operating revenues increased to $35,517 million from $34,905 million in the prior year, representing a 2% increase.

Financial Metrics Q3 2024 Q3 2023 9M 2024 9M 2023
Net Operating Revenues $11,854 million $11,953 million $35,517 million $34,905 million
Gross Profit $7,190 million $7,296 million $21,806 million $21,019 million
Operating Income $2,510 million $3,270 million $7,283 million $9,038 million
Consolidated Net Income $2,850 million $3,083 million $8,436 million $8,717 million

Segment Performance

During the nine months ended September 27, 2024, the operating segments reported the following income:

Operating Segment Operating Income (9M 2024) Operating Income (9M 2023)
North America $3,525 million $3,404 million
Latin America $2,795 million $2,635 million
Europe, Middle East & Africa $3,309 million $3,404 million
Asia Pacific $1,760 million $1,727 million
Global Ventures $224 million $210 million
Bottling Investments $297 million $393 million

Cost Structure

The company experienced increased costs in several areas:

  • Higher commodity costs impacted cost of goods sold by approximately $4,664 million in Q3 2024.
  • Selling, general and administrative expenses for Q3 2024 were $3,636 million, a slight decrease from $3,667 million in Q3 2023.
  • Other operating charges increased significantly to $1,044 million in Q3 2024 from $359 million in Q3 2023.

Dividends and Shareholder Returns

Coca-Cola continues to return value to its shareholders through dividends. The company paid dividends of $0.485 per share in Q3 2024, totaling $2,091 million.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

For the nine months ended September 27, 2024, the cash flow metrics were as follows:

Cash Flow Metrics 9M 2024 9M 2023
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $2,854 million $8,929 million
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities $3,307 million ($2,423 million)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities ($1,426 million) ($4,085 million)

Market Trends and Challenges

The Coca-Cola Company faces challenges from fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates, which adversely affected consolidated net operating revenues by approximately 5% in 2024. Additionally, higher commodity prices continue to pressure margins.

Conclusion

The Coca-Cola Company's operational and financial performance as of 2024 reflects its strategic focus on maintaining brand strength while navigating market challenges. The company remains committed to enhancing shareholder value through consistent dividends and strategic investments.



How The Coca-Cola Company (KO) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

The Coca-Cola Company generates revenue primarily through the sale of beverages, including carbonated soft drinks, water, juices, teas, and energy drinks. The company operates through several segments, including North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Global Ventures.

Segment Net Operating Revenues (2024) Net Operating Revenues (2023) Year-over-Year Change (%)
North America $13,963 million $12,728 million 9.7%
Latin America $4,816 million $4,338 million 11.0%
Europe, Middle East & Africa $6,331 million $6,388 million -0.9%
Asia Pacific $4,330 million $4,340 million -0.2%
Global Ventures $2,279 million $2,251 million 1.2%
Bottling Investments $4,672 million $5,847 million -20.0%

Cost of Goods Sold

The company reported a cost of goods sold (COGS) of $13,711 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2024, compared to $13,886 million for the same period in 2023. This represents a decrease of 1.3% in COGS, which is in line with operational efficiencies.

Operating Income and Margin

For the nine months ended September 27, 2024, Coca-Cola reported an operating income of $7,283 million, down from $9,038 million in the previous year. The operating margin for this period was approximately 20.5%, compared to 25.8% in 2023.

Gross Profit Margin

The gross profit margin for the three months ended September 27, 2024, was 60.7%, a slight decrease from 61.0% in the same period a year earlier. For the nine months, the gross profit margin improved to 61.4% compared to 60.2% in the prior year.

Other Income and Charges

Other operating charges for the nine months ended September 27, 2024, totaled $3,987 million, significantly higher than $1,808 million in the same period in 2023. This increase was primarily due to the remeasurement of contingent liabilities related to acquisitions and various impairments.

Interest Income and Expense

Coca-Cola reported interest income of $784 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2024, an increase of 23% from $640 million in the previous year. Conversely, interest expense rose to $1,225 million, up from $1,114 million, reflecting higher debt levels and interest rates.

Net Income

Consolidated net income for the nine months ended September 27, 2024, was $8,436 million, compared to $8,717 million for the same period in 2023. The net income attributable to shareowners was $8,436 million, with a basic net income per share of $1.96.

Dividends

Coca-Cola paid dividends totaling $6,272 million during the nine months ended September 27, 2024, at a rate of $1.455 per share, compared to $5,967 million at a rate of $1.38 per share in the previous year.

Sales Volume and Pricing Strategy

The company experienced a 1% increase in concentrate sales volume for the nine months ended September 27, 2024. Price and product mix contributed positively with an 11% increase, while foreign currency fluctuations had a negative impact of 6% on overall revenues.

Metric Value (2024) Value (2023)
Consolidated Net Income $8,436 million $8,717 million
Basic Net Income Per Share $1.96 $2.02
Gross Profit Margin 61.4% 60.2%
Operating Income $7,283 million $9,038 million
Dividends Paid $6,272 million $5,967 million

Impact of Foreign Currency

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted Coca-Cola's consolidated revenues by approximately 6% due to a stronger U.S. dollar against various currencies, including the Argentine peso and Turkish lira.

Conclusion on Financial Performance

The Coca-Cola Company continues to adapt its strategies to maintain profitability amidst fluctuations in sales volumes, pricing, and foreign currency impacts. The company’s diversified product portfolio and global presence remain key to its ongoing revenue generation.

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • The Coca-Cola Company (KO) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of The Coca-Cola Company (KO)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View The Coca-Cola Company (KO)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.