Short interest for Coca-Cola HBC gives investors a sense of the degree to which investors are betting on the decline of Coca-Cola HBC's stock. Short interest data is updated every two weeks.

Coca-Cola HBC Stock (OTC:CCHGY), Short Interest Report

Coca-Cola HBC is the third-largest bottling partner in the Coca-Cola system by volume, behind Coca-Cola FEMSA and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. In 2023, CCHBC sold 2.8 billion unit cases of beverages. For context, Coke's largest bottler, Coke FEMSA, sold 4 billion unit cases in Latin America, and the second-largest—CCEP, serving Europe, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific region—sold 3.3 billion unit cases. There is a long tail of Coke distributors, including brewers and independent operators with very small distribution territories.CCHBC is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Kar-Tess, a Luxembourg-based holding company, owns 23% of the equity of CCHBC, and Coca-Cola holds a further 21%. The remaining 56% is free float.

COCA COLA HBC UNSP/ADR by Coca-Cola HBC AG

Coca-Cola HBC AG

News

Guidance

EXLS

ExlService Sees FY24 Revenue Of $1.79B - $1.82B Vs. $1.8B Est.

Targa Resources (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TRGP#NYSE">TRGP</a>) reported quarterly sales of $4.562 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $4.296 billion by 6.19 percent. This is a 0.91 percent increase over sales of $4.521 billion the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Beats

TRGP

Targa Resources Q1 Sales $4.562B Beat $4.296B Estimate

WIIM

Emergent Biosolutions shares are trading higher after the company announced operational changes to stabilize its financial position and reported Q1 financial results.

Financial&nbsp;Outlook&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;Q2&nbsp;2024
<ul>
<li>Cognex expects revenue to be between&nbsp;$230 million&nbsp;and&nbsp;$245 million. This range represents a sequential increase in revenue from&nbsp;Q1-24 to&nbsp;Q2-24 due to typical seasonality of consumer electronics revenue.

	&nbsp;</li>
<li>Adjusted gross margin1&nbsp;is expected to be slightly above&nbsp;70%, an increase from&nbsp;68.8%&nbsp;in&nbsp;Q1-24 as we move beyond the one-time events in the&nbsp;first quarter.

	&nbsp;</li>
<li>Adjusted operating expense1&nbsp;is expected to increase by low- to mid-single digits on a sequential basis as we expect additional investment in the company&#39;s Emerging Customer initiative.

	&nbsp;</li>
<li>The adjusted effective tax rate1&nbsp;is expected to be&nbsp;16%.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

CGNX

Cognex Expects Q2 Revenue of $230M-$245M Vs $235.11M Est

BrightSpring Health (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BTSG#NASDAQ">BTSG</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.12 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.07 by 71.43 percent. This is a 220 percent increase over losses of $(0.10) per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $2.577 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $2.313 billion by 11.41 percent. This is a 27.07 percent increase over sales of $2.028 billion the same period last year.

BTSG

BrightSpring Health Q1 2024 Adj EPS $0.12 Beats $0.07 Estimate, Sales $2.577B Beat $2.313B Estimate

ASPN

Aspen Aerogels shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q1 financial results.

LXP Industrial Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LXP#NYSE">LXP</a>) reported quarterly Adj. FFO of $0.16 per share which met the analyst consensus estimate. This is a 5.88 percent decrease over earnings of $0.17 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $86.251 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $81.723 million by 5.54 percent. This is a 1.38 percent increase over sales of $85.075 million the same period last year.

LXP Industrial Trust Q1 2024 Adj. FFO $0.16, Inline, Sales $86.251M Beat $81.723M Estimate

The Company is maintaining its 2024&nbsp;outlook&nbsp;for organic sales growth in the range of flat to up&nbsp;1.5%, and adjusted EPS in the range of&nbsp;$2.00&nbsp;to&nbsp;$2.10 (consensus $2.06). Based on its latest view of the macroeconomic environment, the Company believes adjusted EPS and organic sales are trending towards the low-end of both ranges. The Company is revising its anticipated reported sales to a new range of&nbsp;$3.91 billion&nbsp;to&nbsp;$3.97 billion, due to an additional estimated foreign currency translation headwind of&nbsp;$50 million.

XRAY

Dentsply Sirona Maintains FY24 Outlook For Organic Sales And Adjusted EPS, Trending Towards The Low-End Of Both Ranges

Rush Street Interactive shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q1 financial results and issued FY24 revenue guidance above estimates.

Large Cap

Health Care

General

Cigna Reaffirms 2024 Adjusted Revenues Of At Least $235B Versus Guidance Of $235.10B

Ecovyst (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECVT#NYSE">ECVT</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.04 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.05 by 20 percent. This is a 33.33 percent decrease over earnings of $0.06 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $160.50 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $165.10 million by 2.79 percent. This is a 0.25 percent decrease over sales of $160.90 million the same period last year.

Earnings Misses

ECVT

Ecovyst Q1 Adj $0.04 Misses $0.05 Estimate, Sales $160.50M Miss $165.10M Estimate

LAMR

Lamar Advertising Sees FY24 EPS Of $4.95- $5.01 Vs. $5.22 Est.

WESCO Intl Reaffirms FY24 Sales Growth Of 1% To 4%, Adjusted EBITDA Margin Of 7.5% To 7.9%

&nbsp;<a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4156649-1&amp;h=4072296199&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shutterstock.com%2Fhome&amp;a=Shutterstock%2C+Inc." target="_blank">Shutterstock, Inc.</a>&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSTK#NYSE">SSTK</a>), a leading global creative platform offering high-quality creative content for transformative brands, digital media and marketing companies, today announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Envato Pty Ltd. (&quot;Envato&quot;), a leader in digital creative assets and templates. Envato&#39;s flagship product, Elements, is a creative subscription providing unlimited downloads of a diverse array of assets, templates and more&mdash;an intelligent creative companion helping creatives make their mark globally.
Transaction Highlights:
<ul>
<li>$245 million&nbsp;cash purchase of&nbsp;100%&nbsp;of Envato Pty Ltd at closing, after customary working capital and other adjustments</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Expected to accelerate path to Shutterstock&#39;s 2027 long-term targets with Envato adding&nbsp;20%&nbsp;to annual revenues and&nbsp;15%&nbsp;to annual adjusted EBITDA</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Financing via a&nbsp;$375 million&nbsp;credit facility with expected drawn leverage of 0.7x net debt to 2024 combined adjusted EBITDA</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Expected transaction closing in the&nbsp;third quarter, subject to customary closing conditions</li>
</ul>

SSTK

Shutterstock to Acquire Envato, Featuring Envato Elements, the Unlimited Creative Content Subscription for $245M

Murphy Oil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MUR#NYSE">MUR</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.85 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.82 by 3.66 percent. This is a 31.45 percent decrease over earnings of $1.24 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $796.412 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $749.633 million by 6.24 percent. This is a 5.38 percent decrease over sales of $841.716 million the same period last year.

Murphy Oil Q1 2024 Adj EPS $0.85 Beats $0.82 Estimate, Sales $796.412M Beat $749.633M Estimate

AUPH

Aurinia Reiterates 2024 Net Product Revenue Guidance Of $200M-$220M

Enovis (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENOV#NYSE">ENOV</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.50 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.48 by 4.17 percent. This is a 13.64 percent increase over earnings of $0.44 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $516.266 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $503.895 million by 2.45 percent. This is a 27.11 percent increase over sales of $406.151 million the same period last year.

ENOV

Enovis Q1 2024 Adj EPS $0.50 Beats $0.48 Estimate, Sales $516.266M Beat $503.895M Estimate

ExlService Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXLS#NASDAQ">EXLS</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.38 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.36 by 5.56 percent. This is a 8.57 percent increase over earnings of $0.35 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $436.51 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $425.75 million by 2.53 percent. This is a 8.95 percent increase over sales of $400.64 million the same period last year.

ExlService Holdings Q1 Adj $0.38 Beats $0.36 Estimate, Sales $436.51M Beat $425.75M Estimate

Manitex International (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MNTX#NASDAQ">MNTX</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.17 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.06 by 183.33 percent. This is a 142.86 percent increase over earnings of $0.07 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $73.34 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $73.20 million by 0.20 percent. This is a 8.06 percent increase over sales of $67.87 million the same period last year.

MNTX

Manitex International Q1 Adj $0.17 Beats $0.06 Estimate, Sales $73.34M Beat $73.20M Estimate

Linde (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIN#NYSE">LIN</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $3.75 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $3.67 by 2.18 percent. This is a 9.65 percent increase over earnings of $3.42 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $8.100 billion which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $8.380 billion by 3.34 percent. This is a 1.14 percent decrease over sales of $8.193 billion the same period last year.

Linde Q1 2024 Adj EPS $3.75 Beats $3.67 Estimate, Sales $8.100B Miss $8.380B Estimate

With an AI-assisted drink and a raised full-year outlook, should investors consider buying Coca-Cola (KO)? Let's look at its financial metrics to gauge its prospects… Beverage industry powerhouse The Coca-Cola Company (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KO">KO</a>) recently launched a limited-edition beverage, Coca-Cola Y3000, which was <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/12/business/coca-cola-y3000/index.html">created using the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI)</a>. KO's consistent efforts to retain health-conscious young consumers could benefit the company in the long run.
The company also announced its decision to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/26/coca-cola-says-its-done-raising-prices-in-us-europe-this-year.html">stop raising drink prices this year</a> in U.S. and European markets. KO had been raising prices to combat higher costs, which has led customers to switch to private-labeled bottled water and juices.
On top of it, the company raised its full-year forecast after a robust second-quarter performance. KO expects organic revenue growth of 8% to 9% for the full year, compared with a prior forecast of an increase of 7% to 8%. The company expects to generate <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/freecashflow.asp">free cash flow</a> of approximately $9.5 billion through cash flow from operations of approximately $11.4 billion.
Given this backdrop, let's look at the trends of KO's key financial metrics to understand why it could be wise to invest in the stock now.
Analyzing Coca-Cola's Financial Performance: Key Metrics from 2020 to 2023
The data provided shows the trailing-12-month net income of KO from September 25, 2020, through June 30, 2023.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">On September 25, 2020, KO's net income was $8.33 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">By December 31, 2020, the net income decreased to $7.75 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Over the course of 2021, KO's net income showed fluctuations. It started at $7.22 billion in April, increased to $8.07 billion in July, and further rose to $8.81 billion in October. By the end of 2021, it stood at $9.77 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">In 2022, KO's net income increased to $10.31 billion in April, decreased a bit to $9.57 billion in July, but picked up to reach $9.92 billion in September. However, by the end of the year, it declined slightly to $9.54 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">In 2023, there was an apparent increase in the year's first half. The net income was recorded as $9.87 billion at the end of March and quickly jumped to $10.51 billion by the end of June.</li>
</ul>
Upon calculation, the growth rate of KO's net income from September 2020 to June 2023 comes out to be approximately 26.23%, bearing witness to the company's impressive performance over this period despite the observed fluctuations.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/sjn-charts/visualized-metrics/1694779567.66132.png" />
The trailing-12-month revenue trends of KO reveal a general upward trajectory from September 2020 to June 2023:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">In September 2020, the revenue was at $33.47 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">By the end of 2020 (December 31, 2020), a slight drop to $33.01 billion was recorded.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">An increase trend resumed in the first quarter of 2021(April 2, 2021), reaching $33.43 billion, which further escalated to $38.65 billion by the end of the year (December 31, 2021).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The year 2022 began on a strong note with $40.13 billion in the first quarter (April 1, 2022) and showed continued growth, reaching $43 billion at the end of the third quarter (September 30, 2022) and closing the year with a slightly higher figure of $43.004 billion (December 31, 2022).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The first half of 2023 displayed an ongoing upward trend, tallying $43.49 billion in the first quarter(March 31, 2023) and culminating in $44.14 billion at mid-year (June 30, 2023).</li>
</ul>
Measuring from the beginning of the series to the last reported value indicates a significant growth in the revenue of the company. Between September 2020 and June 2023, there has been an approximately 31.90% growth rate in revenue.
Given an analysis of more recent figures, it's clear that KO has maintained a steady growth in revenue, with notable fluctuations relative to each quarter. Despite occasional dips, the overarching trend is a positive and promising growth trajectory.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/sjn-charts/visualized-metrics/1694779628.18133.png" />
KO's DPS (Dividend Per Share) showed a steadily increasing trend from September 25, 2020, to June 30, 2023, based on the provided data series. Here are the key statistics:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">On September 25, 2020, KO's DPS was $1.63.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The value steadily rose to $1.76 by December 31, 2022, and further increased to $1.80 by June 30, 2023.</li>
</ul>
The last recorded value in this series is $1.80 as of June 30, 2023. Between September 2020 and June 2023, the DPS of KO steadily grew with minimal fluctuations. The rate of growth during this period, taking into account the range from the first value ($1.63) to the last value ($1.8), was approximately 10.42%.
In recent years, the highest increase in value was observed between December 31, 2022, and June 30, 2023, with DPS rising from $1.76 to $1.8. In summary, over the period from September 2020 to June 2023, KO demonstrated a stable and progressive increase in DPS, reflecting positive dividend payment trends.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/sjn-charts/visualized-metrics/1694779803.31407.png" />
The trend in KO's asset turnover shows an overall positive growth with several fluctuations. Here is a summary of the changes:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">From September 25, 2020, when the asset turnover was recorded as 0.36, there has been a steady increase, with occasional minor declines.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">At the end of 2020 (December 31), the value slightly decreased to 0.354.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">However, starting from 2021, the value has generally been on an upward trend, increasing to 0.362 by April 2, 2021.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A significant boost occurred between April and July of 2021, where the asset turnover increased from 0.362 to 0.399. This upward trend continued even further and reached 0.422 by October 1, 2021.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">As we approach the more current data, we observe that the asset turnover has continued to rise, reaching 0.462 by the end of 2022.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The most recent data points, March 31, 2023, and June 30, 2023, show a slight stabilization, with the asset turnover consistently at 0.463.</li>
</ul>
In terms of growth rate calculated from the first value (0.36 in September 2020) to the last value (0.463 in June 2023), KO's asset turnover has grown approximately 29% over this period. These figures suggest a general improvement in KO's efficiency in using its assets to generate sales or revenue during the referenced period.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/sjn-charts/visualized-metrics/1694779833.01311.png" />
Analyzing Coca-Cola's Share Price Volatility and Trends in 2023
Based on the provided data, we observe the following trends for KO's share price:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The share price increased from $60.33 on March 24, 2023, to a peak of $63.93 on May 5, 2023. During this period, the company experienced consistent growth over six weeks.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">However, there was a decline in share prices starting from May 12, 2023 ($63.68), gradually falling to $60.14 on June 2, 2023.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">This decline was reversed briefly from the week of June 9, 2023, where the share price was $60.43, increasing slightly over the weeks to reach $61.53 on June 23, 2023.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">There was a slight downward swing again from June 30, 2023 ($60.58) to July 21, 2023 ($61.54), with a small dip to $59.94 on July 14, 2023.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Dates between July 28, 2023, and August 4, 2023, show a rise from $62.52 to $61.73, respectively, followed by a steady decline from $61.10 on August 11, 2023, to $58.46 on September 14, 2023.</li>
</ul>
Summarizing the above, the share price of KO appeared to have an initial growth trend that peaked in early May 2023, only to be followed by a period of irregular fluctuations and a general decrease in value towards the latter end of the data set.
The pace of these changes, both increases and decreases in share price, doesn't follow a speedily accelerating or decelerating trend - the movements are relatively mild. These trends suggest a somewhat volatile period for the share price of KO in this time frame. Here is a chart of KO's price over the past 180 days.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/sjn-charts/visualized-metrics/1694779938.71645.png" />
Analyzing Coca-Cola's Market Strengths: Quality, Stability, and Rising Sentiment
KO, a stock in the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/beverages/">Beverages</a> category, currently holds a <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a> grade of B (Buy) as of its most recent data from September 14, 2023. This is an improvement from an earlier C (Neutral) rating noted on April 1, 2023. Here are some key points outlining KO's POWR grade journey:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">On March 25, 2023, KO had a B (Buy) grade with a rank of #20 out of 35 stocks in the category.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The grade dipped to a C (Neutral) for the week of April 1, 2023. However, its category rank slightly improved to #19.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">KO regained its B (Buy) grade on April 8, 2023, maintaining its category rank at #19.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Over the next few weeks and months, KO remained consistent with a B (Buy) grade while its rank improved gradually, reaching rank #13 by the week of July 29, 2023.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">KO continued to hold a B (Buy) grade through August 2023, maintaining its improved category rank of #13 through most of August.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">As of the latest data point on September 15, 2023, KO still commands a B (Buy) POWR grade, and its rank in the Beverages category is recorded at #13.</li>
</ul>
In this category comprising 35 stocks, the lower the rank-in-category value, the better the position of the stock. Thus, KO's gradual move from rank #20 to #13 demonstrates an overall climb in its category standing over this period.
From the POWR Ratings for KO, it appears that the three most noteworthy dimensions are Quality, Stability, and Sentiment. Based on available data from March 2023 to September 2023, below are some key observations: 
Quality
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The Quality dimension consistently performed exceptionally well over the course of these months, hitting a high rating of 96 in August and September 2023.</li>
</ul>
Stability
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Stability is another strong dimension for KO, maintaining a steady rating of 84 from April 2023 to September 2023.</li>
</ul>
Sentiment
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The Sentiment rating displayed a clear trend of growth over this period. While starting with a score of 63 in March 2023, it gradually increased to achieve a high of 92 by September 2023, showing improving market sentiment towards the company.</li>
</ul>
From the above analysis, it's clear that Quality, Stability, and Sentiment are the strengths of KO, which positions the brand well in the market. However, companies should keep monitoring these ratings over time as they may fluctuate according to market variations and internal changes.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/sjn-charts/visualized-metrics/1694780005.40221.png" />
How does The Coca-Cola Company (KO) Stack Up Against its Peers?
Other stocks in the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/beverages/">Beverages</a> sector that may be worth considering are Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/COKE">COKE</a>), Coca-Cola HBC AG (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/CCHGY">CCHGY</a>), and Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KOF">KOF</a>) - they have better POWR Ratings. <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/beverages/">Click here</a> to explore more stocks in the Beverages sector.
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<hr />
KO shares were trading at $58.13 per share on Friday afternoon, down $0.33 (-0.56%). Year-to-date, KO has declined -6.48%, versus a 16.79% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Anushka Dutta</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Anushka-Dutta_Headshot_3.jpg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Anushka is an analyst whose interest in understanding the impact of broader economic changes on financial markets motivated her to pursue a career in investment research.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=anushka-dutta">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/ko-coke-cchgy-kof-evaluating-coca-colas-ko-investment-prospects-for-september/>Evaluating Coca-Cola's (KO) Investment Prospects for September</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

Evaluating Coca-Cola's (KO) Investment Prospects for September

Coca-Cola Europacific Vs. FEMSA: Which Bottler Is The Better Buy?

Coca-Cola HBC: Getting Interesting Despite The Russia Overhang

With a raised annual outlook and efforts to grow its flagship brand's presence, should investors consider buying Coca-Cola (KO)? Let's look at its financial metrics to gauge its prospects… Industry behemoth The Coca-Cola Company (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KO">KO</a>) is poised to announce its third-quarter results later this month. The company, which surpassed estimates in the previous quarter, has subsequently raised its outlook for the fiscal year.
For 2023, KO has revised its expected growth for comparable adjusted earnings per share, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/26/coca-cola-ko-q2-2023-earnings.html">raising this from 4-5% to now between 5-6%</a>. This upward trend extends to its prognosis for organic revenue, which has been upgraded to anticipate a rise of 8-9%, an increase from the formerly predicted range of 7-8%.
Meanwhile, KO remains dedicated to <a href="https://www.thestreet.com/restaurants/coca-cola-adds-new-coke-and-sprite-flavors-that-could-be-big-hits">growing its presence</a> through its soda-based products. Following an array of special-edition drinks, the firm is returning to its original focus with the intention of broadening the reach of its flagship brand.
In accordance with this strategy, KO is ready to unveil "Spiced" Coke, a new addition to its principal brand, and also plans to add a fresh variant, "Sprite Chill," to its Sprite product line.
Given this backdrop, let's look at the trends of KO's key financial metrics to understand why it could be wise to buy the stock now.
Analyzing Key Financial Indicators of The Coca-Cola Company From 2020 to 2023
The trailing-12-month net income of KO has shown a general upward trend over almost three-and-a-half years, albeit with fluctuations throughout the period.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">December 2020: $7.75 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">April 2021: $7.22 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">July 2021: $8.08 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">October 2021: $8.81 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">December 2021: $9.77 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">April 2022: $10.31 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">July 2022: $9.57 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">September 2022: $9.93 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">December 2022: $9.54 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">March 2023: $9.87 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">June 2023: $10.51 billion.</li>
</ul>
There was an initial decrease in net income from December 2020 to April 2021, falling from $7.75 billion to $7.22 billion. From April 2021, there was an appreciable increase, with only brief dips in July 2022 and December 2022.
As of June 2023, the company's net income reached a peak of $10.51 billion, being the highest recorded net income in the series. This indicates a growth rate of roughly 35.7% from the first value in December 2020.
It's worth noting that despite the overall growth during the period, the most significant fluctuations were seen in the second and fourth quarter of each year, reflecting potential seasonal variations in the company's performance.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/sjn-charts/visualized-metrics/1696592086.37857.png" />
The trailing-12-month <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/revenue.asp">revenue</a> of KO has been progressively growing over the studied period, with a defining upward trend.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The initial value stood at $33.01 billion as of December 31, 2020.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">By April 2022, the revenue increased by approximately $7.12 billion to reach $40.13 billion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">In recent times, the revenue has shown more acceleration. By December 31, 2022, it reached $43 billion, displaying a growth of around 8% within less than a year from April 2022.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Continuing this positive trajectory, the series concluded with the last revenue value of $44.14 billion as of June 30, 2023.</li>
</ul>
With reference to the first and last entries in the series, KO has experienced an estimated increase in revenue of about 33.7% across the studied time frame. The continued growth in the company's revenue indicates a persistently robust financial performance.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/sjn-charts/visualized-metrics/1696592123.54338.png" />
The series represents the asset turnover of KO over a period from December 31, 2020, to June 30, 2023. There has been a consistent positive trend in the asset turnover of KO during this period, starting from 0.35 on December 31, 2020, to 0.46 on June 30, 2023. The asset turnover experienced some fluctuations within that time frame, exhibiting minor but steady quarterly increases:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">From 0.35 in December 2020 to 0.36 in April 2021.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A sharper increase to 0.4 by July 2021.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Continued growth, reaching 0.42 by October 2021.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">It hovered at 0.42 by the end of 2021 but continued its upward trend through 2022, reaching 0.43 by April, 0.44 by July, and 0.46 by December.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The growth then stagnated at 0.46 in the first half of 2023.</li>
</ul>
In terms of growth rate, calculated by comparing the first value to the last, the asset turnover has grown by approximately 32% from December 31, 2020, to June 30, 2023. Despite the overall growth, emphasis on more recent data suggests a slight stagnation in growth, with the asset turnover remaining constant at 0.46 from December 2022 till June 2023.
This pattern suggests that while KO effectively utilized its assets to generate revenue during this period, this efficiency has plateaued recently. Further data would be necessary to determine whether this is a temporary stall or indicative of future trends.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/sjn-charts/visualized-metrics/1696592315.12578.png" />
The trend and fluctuations in the analyst price target for KO show a general increase from $60 in November 2021 to $70 by May 2022, representing a growth rate of 16.67%. The price target began at 60 in November 2021 and remained the same up until December 23, 2021, when it increased to $61.5. Here are some key points:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Steady Increase: From December 2021 to May 2022, there was a steady increase in the analyst price target, peaking at $70 in May 2022.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Stability During Mid-Year: From May 2022 to October 2022, the analyst price target for KO remained stable at $70, despite a slight dip to $69.5 in July 2022.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Downward Adjustment: From October 2022 to November 2022, there was a series of downward adjustments that saw the price target drop from $70 to $66. The price target remained at this level until mid-December.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Late Year Increase: Starting from late December to the end of 2022, the analyst price target experienced a mild increase, from $66 to $68.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Stability in Early 2023: From January 2023 through March 2023, the price target remained stable at $68. It then showed another small increase to $68.5, which held steady until the end of April.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Final Increase: From late April 2023, the price target experienced its final increase from $68.5 to $70, where it remained stable up to at least October 2023. Overall, the data presents a picture of mild fluctuations with periods of stability and growth.</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/sjn-charts/visualized-metrics/1696592350.99687.png" />
Analyzing Coca-Cola's Share Price Downward Trend from April to October 2023
Based on the provided data, the share price of KO over the mentioned period is showing a general downward trend. Here's a detailed breakdown:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">On April 14, 2023, the share price was $62.74.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">There was a slight increase in price in April, peaking at $63.80 on April 28, 2023.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The upward trend continued into May, reaching $63.93 on May 5, 2023. However, prices started to decline after that.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">By June 2, 2023, the share price had dropped down to $60.14.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Despite minor fluctuations, the price remained around the $60 mark until the end of June 2023.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">In July, the price dipped further to $59.94 but rallied back up to $61.54 mid-month before receding again to end the month at $62.52.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">August saw a slow decline in price, ending with a value of $60.32 on August 25, 2023. - September saw a rapid decline, where the share price went from $60.17 at the beginning of the month down to $58.04 by September 22, 2023, before falling steeply down to $56.27 by the end of the month.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">October saw a continued downward trend, bringing the price down to $52.38 by October 5, 2023.</li>
</ul>
Over the entire course of this timespan, there's an overall decrease in the share price of KO, indicating a decelerating or negative growth rate for the company. Here is a chart of KO's price over the past 180 days.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/sjn-charts/visualized-metrics/1696592419.06062.png" />
Assessing Coca-Cola's Market Performance: Quality, Sentiment, and Stability Metrics Analysis
The <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a> grade of KO, which belongs to the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/beverages/">Beverages</a> category of stocks, has been maintained at B (Buy) over several months in the year 2023, as per the data provided. Please note that in the Beverages category, there are a total of 36 stocks.
The rank of KO within its category fluctuates slightly but indicates a better position and superior performance compared to other stocks in the same category.
For instance, at the beginning of April 2023, it was ranked at #19, reaching a peak rank of #18 by mid-May and early July. However, thereafter, it slowly improved and achieved its best rank of #12 by the second week of September.
As of the latest data point, which is dated October 5, 2023, KO holds a POWR grade of B (Buy) with a rank of #14 in its category. Here's a glimpse of its performance over the past few months based on the data:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">April 15, 2023 - POWR Grade: B, Rank in Category: #19</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">June 24, 2023 - POWR Grade: B, Rank in Category: #14</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">August 19, 2023 - POWR Grade: B, Rank in Category: #13</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">September 09, 2023 - POWR Grade: B, Rank in Category: #12</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">October 6, 2023 - POWR Grade: B, Rank in Category: #14</li>
</ul>
This assessment suggests that KO has been maintaining a steady performance with room for more growth in the competitive beverages industry.
Upon examination of the POWR Ratings for KO, the three most significant dimensions can be noted - Quality, Sentiment, and Stability. Their respective ratings exhibit distinct trends over the given period. Starting from April 2023 in our dataset,
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Quality: With the highest rating across all dimensions, the value of Quality for KO has been consistently high throughout the months, remaining within a close range of 93 to 96. A trend of gradual increase has been observed, ending with a rating of 96 as of October 5, 2023.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sentiment: Although starting at 80 in April 2023, the Sentiment dimension displays a noticeable uptick from July 2023 onwards. This clear upward trend culminates in a substantial leap to reach 91 by August 2023 before it slightly drops to 85 by October 5, 2023.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Stability: The Stability dimension exhibits an impressive steady performance, maintaining a constant rating of 84 from April to September 2023. Only by October 5, 2023, we detect a minor decrease when the rating steps down to 83.</li>
</ul>
These highest-rated dimensions provide evidence of KO's exceptional Quality, positive market Sentiment, and robust Stability, effectively contributing to its market standing and outlook.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/sjn-charts/visualized-metrics/1696592480.24957.png" />
How does The Coca-Cola Company (KO) Stack Up Against its Peers?
Other stocks in the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/beverages/">Beverages</a> sector that may be worth considering are Coca-Cola HBC AG (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/CCHGY">CCHGY</a>), Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/COKE">COKE</a>), and Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KOF">KOF</a>) - they have better POWR Ratings. <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/beverages/">Click here</a> to explore more stocks in the Beverages industry.
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<hr />
KO shares were trading at $52.46 per share on Friday afternoon, up $0.08 (+0.15%). Year-to-date, KO has declined -15.60%, versus a 13.25% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Anushka Dutta</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Anushka-Dutta_Headshot_3.jpg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Anushka is an analyst whose interest in understanding the impact of broader economic changes on financial markets motivated her to pursue a career in investment research.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=anushka-dutta">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/ko-cchgy-coke-kof-analyzing-the-profit-potential-for-coca-cola-ko/>Analyzing the Profit Potential for Coca-Cola (KO)</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

Analyzing the Profit Potential for Coca-Cola (KO)

The beverage industry is expected to witness significant growth, driven by the inelastic demand for its products and its ability to meet shifting consumer preferences. Thus, it could be wise to add fundamentally sound beverage stocks PepsiCo (PEP), Coca-Cola (CCHGY), and Kirin Holdings (KNBWY) to your portfolio for substantial gains. Read more… With the inelastic demand for its products and the increasing disposable income of individuals, the beverage industry is well-poised for robust profitability and expansion. Further, evolving consumer preferences amid increased focus on physical and emotional well-being will boost demand for healthy drinks, propelling the market's growth.
Given the industry's bright growth prospects, quality beverage stocks PepsiCo, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/PEP/">PEP</a>), Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KNBWY/">KNBWY</a>), and Coca-Cola HBC (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/CCHGY/">CCHGY</a>) could be ideal additions to your portfolio for potential gains.
The beverages market is projected to reach $4.39 trillion by 2028, expanding at a <a href="https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/beverages-market">CAGR of 4.3%</a> during the forecast period (2023-2028). Growing health consciousness and the rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases encourage consumers to opt for healthy drinks, driving the market's growth.
The non-alcoholic beverages market is poised to expand considerably, with health-conscious consumers increasingly inclining toward healthy beverage options. <a href="https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2023/06/08/Drizly-sees-growth-of-non-alcoholic-beverages-in-the-US">Drizly reported</a> that non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirits are growing in popularity in the U.S., drawing on both consumer surveys and its data.
According to Statista, revenue in the non-alcoholic drinks market is expected to be $1.45 trillion in 2023 and <a href="https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/non-alcoholic-drinks/worldwide">grow at a 4.7% CAGR between 2023 and 2027</a>.
In addition, the growing participation of individuals in professional sports, recreational outdoor activities, and increased shift to physical fitness are creating high demands for dietary supplements, including energy drinks. Industry players are also focusing on manufacturing sugar-free beverages to cater to the needs of individuals with diabetes and other chronic conditions.
Fueled by the ongoing trends, the zero-sugar beverages market has taken the advanced gear. The market is expected to grow at a <a href="https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/zero-sugar-beverages-market#:~:text=Zero%20Sugar%20Beverages%20Market%20Outlook,US%24%2013%2C150.6%20million%20by%202033.">CAGR of 14.7%</a> from 2023 to 2033, totaling $13.15 billion by 2033.
Given these encouraging trends, let's look at the fundamentals of the three best <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/beverages/">Beverages</a> stocks, beginning with the third choice.
Stock #3: PepsiCo, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/PEP/">PEP</a>)
PEP manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells beverages and convenient foods globally. The company primarily offers its products under brands like Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, Aquafina, Emperador, Diet Mountain Dew, Diet Pepsi, and others.
On November 16, PEP declared a quarterly dividend of $1.265 per share, a 10% increase from the comparable year-ago period. This dividend is payable on January 5, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 2023. The dividend increase reflects the company's robust capital structure and its ability to provide stable growth in the long run.
PEP pays an annual dividend of $5.06, which translates to a yield of 3.05% at the current share price. Its four-year average dividend yield is 2.7%. Moreover, the company's dividend payouts have increased at a CAGR of 6.6% over the past five years. PepsiCo has raised its dividends for 51 consecutive years.
On October 19, Cheetos, a snack brand made by Frito-Lay, PEP's subsidiary, launched a new product line, Cheetos Pretzels. With this launch, the brand delivers a new snack with a bold taste that will amaze the category.
"Our fans are always hungry for unique ways that they can experience Cheetos' signature cheesy flavor, which is why this latest innovation is breaking into an entirely new category," said Tina Mahal, senior vice president of marketing at Frito-Lay.
PEP's net revenue increased 6.7% year-over-year to $23.45 billion in the third quarter that ended September 9, 2023. Its gross profit grew 9.6% from the year-ago value to $12.78 billion. The company's net income rose 14.4% from the prior year's quarter to $3.12 billion, and its EPS came in at $2.24, an increase of 14.8% year-over-year.
The company updated its full-year 2023 guidance to EPS growth of 13%, previously estimated at 12%. PEP reaffirmed its organic revenue growth of 10% for the full year.
Analysts expect PEP's revenue and EPS for the fourth quarter (ending December 2023) to increase 1.5% and 3% year-over-year to $28.41 billion and $1.72, respectively. Also, the company surpassed the consensus revenue and EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, which is impressive.
For the fiscal year 2024, the company's revenue and EPS are estimated to grow 4.7% and 7.9% from the prior year to $96.49 billion and $8.15, respectively.
The stock has declined marginally over the past month to close the last trading session at $165.68.
PEP's robust outlook is reflected in its <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a>. The stock has an overall rating of B, which translates to a Buy in our proprietary rating system. The POWR Ratings are calculated by considering 118 different factors, each weighted to an optimal degree.
The stock has an A grade for Quality. Within the B-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/beverages/">Beverages</a> industry, PEP is ranked #11 of 35 stocks.
<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/PEP/">Click here</a> to access additional ratings of PEP for Growth, Value, Momentum, Stability, and Sentiment.
Stock #2: Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KNBWY/">KNBWY</a>)
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, KNBWY engages in the food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and health science businesses. The company offers beer, wine, and spirits; dairy products; pharmaceutical products; and biochemical products. In addition, it operates factories and theme park businesses and manages a chain of Kirin City beer pubs.
On November 30, Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of KNBWY, received a no-question letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its Generally Recognized as Safe Substances (GRAS) notices for three human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). The company is committed to expanding the availability of these innovative ingredients in several countries.
On November 27, KNBWY launched a dual-care functional food supplement, Kirin iMUSE Immuno-Care and Healthya Visceral Fat Down. This product is a collaboration between Kirin iMUSE, Japan's first immune care brand, and Kao Healthya, Japan's first body fat care beverage brand from Kao Corporation.
KNBWY is committed to developing a broad line of functional food products with immune functions to help customers solve their health issues.
For the nine months that ended September 30, 2023, KNBWY's <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/revenue.asp">revenue</a> grew 6.2% year-over-year to ¥1.54 trillion ($10.67 billion). The company's gross profit increased 5.5% from the year-ago value to ¥692.81 billion ($4.78 billion). Its normalized operating profit came in at ¥141.54 billion ($976.19 million), up 4.7% from the previous year's quarter.
Furthermore, as of September 30, 2023, the company's total assets were ¥2.94 trillion ($20.28 billion), compared to ¥2.54 trillion ($17.52 billion) as of December 31, 2022.
For the fiscal 2023 full year, KNBWY expects revenue of ¥2.11 trillion ($14.58 billion), while its normalized operating profit is expected to be ¥192 billion ($1.32 billion). Further, the company expects profit before tax and EPS to reach ¥196 billion ($1.35 billion) and ¥139.54, respectively.
Street expects KNBWY's revenue for the fiscal year (ending December 2024) to increase 2.5% year-over-year to $14.55 billion. The company's EPS for the same period is expected to grow 19.1% from the prior year to $1.16. Moreover, it has topped the consensus revenue estimates in three of the trailing four quarters.
Over the past three months, KNBWY's stock has gained 4.2% to close the last trading session at $14.55.
KNBWY's POWR Ratings reflect bright prospects. The stock has an overall grade of B, translating to a Buy in our proprietary rating system.
KNBWY has a B grade for Growth, Value, Stability, and Quality. It is ranked #9 among 35 stocks within the B-rated Beverages industry.
To access the other ratings of KNBWY for Momentum and Sentiment, <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KNBWY/">click here</a>.
Stock #1: Coca-Cola HBC (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/CCHGY/">CCHGY</a>)
Based in Steinhausen, Switzerland, CCHGY engages in the production, distribution, and sale of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages internationally. The company markets and sells its products under Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Adez, Amita, Aperol, Avra, Fruice, Kinley, and other brands.
On November 1, CCHGY announced the completion of the previously announced <a href="https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=1323-16192407-5EUON52VBKJA4SRF4N9M07MPN7">acquisition of the Finlandia vodka brand</a> from Brown-Forman Corporation for $220 million subject. Finlandia is expected to enhance CCHGY's premium spirits credentials, driving growth opportunities with premium and super-premium Non-Alcoholic Ready-To-Drink (NARTD) products.
On June 22, CCHGY announced a partnership with Genpact (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/G/">G</a>), a global professional services company focused on delivering outcomes that transform businesses to accelerate digital transformation for Coca-Cola HBC's finance operations and drive future growth.
"The partnership with Genpact makes us more agile and allows us to innovate and move faster on our transformation journey. It brings excellent opportunities for our business, customers, and, importantly, for our people," said Spyros Mello, Strategy and Transformation Director, CCHGY.
During the third quarter ended on September 30, 2023, CCHGY's net sales revenue increased 3.8% year-over-year to €2.79 billion ($3.01 billion).
For the first half that ended June 30, 2023, CCHGY's net sales revenue increased 19.3% year-over-year to €5.02 billion ($5.40 billion). Its operating profit grew 102.1% year-over-year to €557.30 million ($599.45 million). The company's comparable EBIT was €560.70 million ($545.03 million), an increase of 21.2% from the previous year's period.
In addition, CCHGY's net profit and comparable EPS rose 152.2% and 22.3% year-over-year to €385.70 million ($414.87 million) and €1.06, respectively.
For the fiscal year ending December 2023, the company's revenue is expected to grow 10.9% year-over-year to $10.95 billion. Similarly, analysts expect CCHGY's revenue for the fiscal year 2024 to increase 4.9% year-over-year to $11.49 billion. Also, the company topped the consensus revenue estimates in three of the trailing four quarters.
Shares of CCHGY have surged 10.8% over the past month and 21.1% year-to-date to close the last trading session at $28.65.
CCHGY's sound fundamentals are reflected in its POWR Ratings. The stock has an overall rating of A, which translates to a Strong Buy in our proprietary rating system.
CCHGY has an A grade for Stability and a B for Growth and Value. It is ranked #4 out of 35 stocks in the B-rated Beverages industry.
In addition to the POWR Ratings we've stated above, we also have CCHGY ratings for Momentum, Sentiment, and Quality. Get all CCHGY ratings <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/CCHGY/">here</a>.
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<hr />
PEP shares were trading at $167.01 per share on Monday morning, up $1.33 (+0.80%). Year-to-date, PEP has declined -4.90%, versus a 21.72% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Mangeet Kaur Bouns</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Mangeet-Kaur-Bouns_Image-4.jpg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Mangeet's keen interest in the stock market led her to become an investment researcher and financial journalist. Using her fundamental approach to analyzing stocks, Mangeet's looks to help retail investors understand the underlying factors before making investment decisions.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=mangeet-kaurbouns">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/pep-cchgy-knbwy-g-3-beverage-stocks-to-fuel-your-portfolio-for-year-end-success/>3 Beverage Stocks to Fuel Your Portfolio for Year-End Success</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

3 Beverage Stocks to Fuel Your Portfolio for Year-End Success

<a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a>
A subject you don&rsquo;t read about a lot in the business media is investing in Greece. Europe? Sure. Even Latin America. But Greece? Not so much.&nbsp;



In December, I noticed an article from Barron&rsquo;s that discussed why Greece&rsquo;s turnaround is underway. John Paulson, the hedge fund guy, is big on the Greek markets.&nbsp;




&ldquo;Greece&rsquo;s stock market is already up 40% so far this year, and some major investors expect it has more room to run. Hedge fund billionaire John Paulson, a long-time investor in the country, is bullish and looking for more opportunities,&rdquo; wrote Barron&rsquo;s contributor Patti Domm on Dec. 19.





&ldquo;&lsquo;One measure is the value of the stock market to the total economy. It&rsquo;s about 30% in Greece today. The previous peak was 80%, and the European average has been 80%,&rsquo; Paulson said.&rdquo;




The difficulty for the average do-it-yourself is finding Greek stocks to buy that aren&rsquo;t over-the-counter. There are brokers such as Interactive Brokers Group (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ibkr-stock-quote/">IBKR</a>), which can seem daunting to smaller investors. For Paulson, he&rsquo;s got a whole company to help him.&nbsp;



However, if you like investing in Greece, here are three ways to do so.&nbsp;



<h2>Global X MSCI Greece ETF (GREK)</h2>


<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/etf-blocks-1600-300x169.jpg" alt='the word "etf" spelled out in many yellow cubes against a background of many black cubes'><div>Source: shutterstock.com/Imagentle</div></div>


The easiest way to invest in Greece is to buy the Global X MSCI Greece ETF (NYSEARCA:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/grek-stock-quote/">GREK</a>). The ETF tracks the performance of the MSCI All Greece Select 25/50 Index, investing in the largest and most liquid companies in Greece.&nbsp;




&ldquo;GREK is the first and only ETF to directly target Greece,&rdquo; <a href="https://www.globalxetfs.com/funds/grek/" target="_blank">Global X&rsquo;s website states</a>




Because it can be challenging to invest in Greece from the United States, it&rsquo;s understandable that the ETF has managed to gather more than $185 million in net assets.



The ETF currently invests in 26 companies. These companies have a weighted average market capitalization of $4.11 billion, a 16.6% return on equity, and an 8.5 price-to-earnings ratio.&nbsp;



The top three sectors by weight are financials (41.8%), industrials (18.4%), and utilities (11.1%). Interestingly, there is no tech component. That in itself makes GREK an outlier from most ETFs.&nbsp;



As of Dec. 31, 2023, GREK&rsquo;s one-year return was 42.7%. Over the past five years, its annualized return was 15.1%. That&rsquo;s slightly better than the S&amp;P 500.



It charges 0.57% annually, which isn&rsquo;t too bad for an emerging market.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2>National Bank of Greece (NBGRY)</h2>


<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/banks1600-300x169.jpg" alt="Image of a grey cityscape with a large corporate building that features the word bank on it"><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div>


National Bank of Greece (OTCMKTS:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/nbgry-stock-quote/">NBGRY</a>) is an ADR (American Depositary Receipt) trading over-the-counter in the U.S. <a href="https://www.nbg.gr/en/group/activities/bank" target="_blank">The bank was founded in 1841</a>, making it the first bank of the modern Greek state.&nbsp;



In business for 182 years, it has approximately 356 branches across Greece, serving six million clients and 2.8 million active digital banking users. The bank is the largest holding of GREK, representing 13.89% of the ETF&rsquo;s net assets.&nbsp;



As I look at the bank&rsquo;s Q3 2021 press release, its CET1 capital ratio stands out as a big positive at <a href="https://www.nbg.gr/-/jssmedia/Files/Group/enhmerwsh-ependutwn/Press-Releases/NBG-3Q23-Results-Press-Release-E.pdf?rev=490d366017054774867c049919b7cdbf&amp;_gl=1&#x2A;1neogtp&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTU5OTIxNTU4My4xNzA1NDI0ODYw&#x2A;_up&#x2A;MQ..&#x2A;_ga_44Y14P97V7&#x2A;MTcwNTQyNDg1OS4xLjAuMTcwNTQyNDg2OS4wLjAuMA..">17.9%</a>, up from 17.3% in Q2 2023 and 15.2% a year ago. By comparison, JPMorgan Chase&rsquo;s (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/jpm-stock-quote/">JPM</a>) CET1 ratio was <a href="https://www.jpmorganchase.com/content/dam/jpmc/jpmorgan-chase-and-co/investor-relations/documents/quarterly-earnings/2023/3rd-quarter/fa584ba1-9ee9-4b87-8ac4-eb9be0e9744b.pdf">14.3%</a> at the end of September.&nbsp;



Now, I&rsquo;m not suggesting it&rsquo;s in the same league as Jamie Dimon&rsquo;s baby, but it&rsquo;s much better than what one might expect from a Greek bank.



With 35.32 billion euros ($38.40 billion) in loans and 56.29 billion euros ($61.20 billion) in deposits, it&rsquo;s more than holding its own with banks in other emerging markets.&nbsp;



<h2>Coca-Cola HBC (CCHGY)&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>


<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/coke-1600-300x169.png" alt="Coca-Cola Consolidated sign outside of their building. COKE Stock."><div>Source: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock</div></div>


Coca-Cola HBC (OTCMKTS:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/cchgy-stock-quote/">CCHGY</a>) bottles and sells Coca-Cola (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ko-stock-quote/">KO</a>) products in <a href="https://www.coca-colahellenic.com/en/about-us/at-a-glance">29 countries</a>, including Egypt, its newest market, which it entered in <a href="https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2022/01/13/Coca-Cola-HBC-AG-completes-acquisition-of-majority-stake-in-Coca-Cola-Bottling-Company-of-Egypt">January 2022</a>, with the acquisition of 52.7% of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Egypt. Later that month, it acquired an additional <a href="https://tools.euroland.com/tools/Pressreleases/GetPressRelease/?ID=4035753&amp;lang=en-GB&amp;companycode=ch-cch&amp;v=">42%</a>. It now holds 94.7%.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Other countries in<a href="https://www.coca-colahellenic.com/en/about-us/who-we-are/where-we-operate" target="_blank"> which it operates include Austria</a>, Ireland, Croatia, Latvia, Belarus, Nigeria and Greece.&nbsp;



The Greek portion of its business <a href="https://www.coca-colahellenic.com/en/about-us/who-we-are/history" target="_blank">started in 1969</a> as the Hellenic Bottling Company based in Athens. In 1991, its shares were listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. On Aug. 9, 2000, <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1190713/000095012303012650/u46807fv4.htm#:~:text=CCHBC%20was%20formed%20on%20August,and%20Coca%2DCola%20Beverages%20plc." target="_blank">Hellenic merged with Coca-Cola Beverages plc</a> to form Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company. It listed its ADS&rsquo; (American Depositary Shares) on the NYSE in October 2002.&nbsp;



However, once it was listed on the London Stock Exchange in April 2013, its NYSE listing became redundant. It was delisted on <a href="https://www.manufacturing-supply-chain.com/coca-cola-hbc-to-delist-from-new-york-stock-exchange/">July 24, 2014</a>. The company officially moved to Zug, Switzerland, in April 2013 to lower its corporate tax rate. The European Parliament&rsquo;s November 2015 report on multinational corporate taxation suggests the company saved <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/93083/Coca-Cola.pdf">30 million euros</a> ($32.6 million) in tax in 2014 alone.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



The company&rsquo;s been busy in the last couple of years making acquisitions. In August 2022, it acquired the super-premium Three Cents brand of mixers for <a href="https://tools.euroland.com/tools/Pressreleases/GetPressRelease/?ID=4148267&amp;lang=en-GB&amp;companycode=ch-cch&amp;v=">45 million</a> euros ($48.9 million). In June 2023, it made an even bigger splash, acquiring Finlandia vodka from Brown-Forman (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/bf.b-stock-quote/">BF.B</a>) for <a href="https://tools.euroland.com/tools/Pressreleases/GetPressRelease/?ID=4343492&amp;lang=en-GB&amp;companycode=ch-cch&amp;v=">$220 million</a>. Coca-Cola HBC distributed the product for 17 years, so it was a logical choice to purchase the brand from the maker of Jack Daniels.&nbsp;&nbsp;



If you want an even safer way to play it, Coca-Cola <a href="https://www.coca-colahellenic.com/en/investor-relations/shareholder-centre/shareholder-structure" target="_blank">owns 21% of Coca-Cola HBC</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



On the date of publication, Will Ashworth did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com<a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/"> Publishing Guidelines</a>.
<div>Will Ashworth has written about investments full-time since 2008. Publications where he&rsquo;s appeared include InvestorPlace, The Motley Fool Canada, Investopedia, Kiplinger, and several others in both the U.S. and Canada. He particularly enjoys creating model portfolios that stand the test of time. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.</div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/01/the-top-3-ways-to-play-the-coming-comeback-for-greece/">The Top 3 Ways to Play the Coming Comeback for Greece</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.

The Top 3 Ways to Play the Coming Comeback for Greece

Despite macroeconomic concerns, beverage demand is expected to remain stable, thanks to consumer preferences and rising health awareness. Therefore, fundamentally strong beverage stocks Fomento Económico Mexicano (FMX), Kirin Holdings (KNBWY) and Coca-Cola (CCHGY) might be ideal additions to your portfolio. Read on... The beverage industry is expected to thrive due to inelastic demand, changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and effective marketing strategies, all of which are expected to drive future growth.
Given the industry's growth prospects, fundamentally strong beverage stocks Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/FMX/">FMX</a>), Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KNBWY/">KNBWY</a>) and Coca-Cola HBC (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/CCHGY/">CCHGY</a>) might be worth buying.
Before discussing the fundamentals of these stocks in detail, let's see what's driving the beverage industry.
In 2024, the global non-alcoholic beverages market is expected to attain a value of $987.30 billion, and it is poised for significant expansion, reaching a projected value of $1.89 trillion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period.
The global ready-to-drink beverage market is expected to reach $176.57 billion by 2030, expanding at a <a href="https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/market-report/ready-to-drink-beverages-market/200422/">7.1% CAGR</a>. The growth of the ready-to-drink beverage market can be attributed to the increasing demand for convenience and on-the-go consumption. Additionally, the rising popularity of healthier beverage options among consumers is also driving market growth.
In addition, the global functional beverages market is expected to grow at a <a href="https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/functional-beverages-global-market-report">5.9% CAGR</a> to $207.77 billion by 2028. The growing demand for functional beverages is driven by health-conscious consumers seeking healthier options with added benefits like improved energy, immunity, and digestion, resulting in market growth.
Considering these conducive trends, let's take a look at the fundamentals of the three above-mentioned <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/beverages/">Beverages</a> stocks, starting with the third pick.
Stock #3: Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/FMX/">FMX</a>)
Based in Monterrey, Mexico, FMX, through its subsidiaries, operates as a bottler of Coca-Cola trademark beverages.
In terms of trailing-12-month EV/EBITDA multiple, FMX is trading at 8.64 is 21.7% lower than the industry average of 11.18. In addition, FMX's trailing-12-month EV/Sales of 1.20x is 27.2% lower than the industry average of 1.64x.
FMX's trailing-12-month net income margin of 8.92% is 87.6% higher than the industry average of 4.76%. Its trailing-12-month <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/return_on_total_assets.asp#:~:text=The%20ROTA%20metric%20can%20be,it%20should%20be%20in%20reality.">ROTA</a> is 8.30% is 80.8% higher than the industry average of 4.59%.
FMX's total revenue increased 19.3% year-over-year to Mex$188.10 billion ($10.96 billion) in the third quarter that ended September 30, 2023. The company's gross profit rose 22.1% from the year-ago value to Mex$72.08 billion ($4.20 billion), while its income from operations grew 12.6% from the prior-year quarter to Mex$15.93 billion ($928.57 million).
Also, its EBITDA increased 15.1% from the year-ago value to Mex$25.37 billion ($1.48 billion).
FMX's revenue grew at CAGR of 15.4% over the past three years. In addition, its net income grew at 154.7% CAGR over the past three years.
Analysts expect FMX's revenue to increase 6.9% year-over-year to $47.63 billion for the year ending December 2024. Its EPS is expected to come in at $5.68 for the same period. It is expected to surpass EPS in three of four trailing quarters. The stock has gained 65.8% over the past year to close the last trading session at $140.14.
FMX's <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a> reflect this promising outlook. The stock has an overall rating of B, equating to a Buy in our proprietary rating system. The POWR Ratings assess stocks by 118 different factors, each with its own weighting.
FMX has a B grade for Growth, Stability, Sentiment and Quality. Within the B-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/beverages/">Beverages</a> industry, it is ranked #12 out of 34 stocks. To see additional POWR Ratings for Value and Momentum for FMX, <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/FMX/">click here</a>.
Stock #2: Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KNBWY/">KNBWY</a>)
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, KNBWY engages in the food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and health science businesses. The company offers beer, wine, and spirits; dairy products; pharmaceutical products; and biochemical products. In addition, it operates factories and theme park businesses and manages a chain of Kirin City beer pubs.
KNBWY's forward EV/Sales of 1.24x is 24.4% lower than the industry average of 1.64x. Its forward Price/Sales of 0.83x is 25.2% lower than the industry average of 1.12x.
KNBWY's trailing-12-month CAPEX / Sales of 5.70% is 78.6% higher than the 3.19% industry average. Its trailing-12-month gross profit margin of 45.28% is 34.4% higher than the 33.70% industry average.
For the year that ended December 31, 2023, KNBWY's revenue grew 7.3% year-over-year to ¥2.13 trillion ($14.18 billion). The company's profit increased 4.6% from the year-ago value to ¥150.44 billion ($999.12 million). Its earing per share came in at ¥139.16, up 3% from the previous year's quarter.
Furthermore, as of September 30, 2023, the company's total assets were ¥2.87 trillion ($19.06 billion), compared to ¥2.54 trillion ($17.52 billion) as of December 31, 2022.
KNBWY's revenue grew at CAGR of 3.7% over the past three years. In addition, its total assets grew at 6.6% CAGR over the past three years.
The consensus revenue came in at $14.61 billion for the fiscal year ending December 2024 represents a 3.3% increase year-over-year. Its EPS is expected to grow 19.8% year-over-year to $1.17 for the same period. KNBWY's shares have gained 4.4% past six months to close the last trading session at $14.39.
It's no surprise that KNBWY has an overall B rating, equating to a Buy in our POWR Ratings system. It has a B grade for Value, Growth, Stability and Quality. It is ranked #7 in the same industry.
Beyond what is stated above, we've also rated KNBWY for Sentiment and Momentum. Get all KNBWY ratings <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KNBWY/">here</a>.
Stock #1: Coca-Cola HBC (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/CCHGY/">CCHGY</a>)
Based in Steinhausen, Switzerland, CCHGY engages in the production, distribution, and sale of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages internationally. The company markets and sells its products under Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Adez, Amita, Aperol, Avra, Fruice, Kinley, and other brands.
CCHGY's forward EV/Sales of 1.15x is 30.1% lower than the industry average of 1.64x. Its forward Price/Sales of 0.92x is 18% lower than the industry average of 1.12x.
CCHGY's trailing-12-month ROCE of 20.64% is 80.6% higher than the industry average of 11.43%. Its 6.48% trailing-12-month net income margin is 36.2% higher than the 4.76% industry average.
For the year that ended December 31, 2023, CCHGY's net sales revenue increased 10.7% year-over-year to €10.18 billion ($10.90 billion). Its operating profit grew 35.5% year-over-year to €953.60 million ($1.02 billion). The company's comparable EBIT was €1.08 billion ($1.16 billion), an increase of 16.6% from the previous year's period.
In addition, CCHGY's net profit and comparable EPS rose 53.2% and 52.6% year-over-year to €636.50 million ($681.46 million) and €1.73, respectively.
CCHGY's revenue grew at CAGR of 15.5% over the past three years. In addition, its net income grew at 15.9% CAGR over the past three years.
Street expects CCHGY's revenue to come in at $11.62 billion for the year ending December 2024, increase 4.4% year-over-year. Shares of CCHGY have gained 17.7% over the past year to close the last trading session at $27.58.
CCHGY has an overall A rating, equating to a Strong Buy in our POWR Ratings system.
CCHGY's is ranked #2 in the same industry. It has an A grade for Stability and a B for Growth and Value. To see additional CCHGY's ratings for Sentiment and Quality, <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/CCHGY/">click here</a>.
What To Do Next?
43 year investment veteran, Steve Reitmeister, has just released his 2024 market outlook along with trading plan and top 11 picks for the year ahead.
<a href="https://report.stocknews.com/sign-up/stock-market-outlook-2024/?formplacement=artbotad_smo24_rep">2024 Stock Market Outlook &gt;</a>

<hr />
FMX shares were trading at $141.30 per share on Wednesday afternoon, up $1.16 (+0.83%). Year-to-date, FMX has gained 8.40%, versus a 4.27% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Rashmi Kumari</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Rashmi-Kumari_headshot_2-1.jpg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Rashmi is passionate about capital markets, wealth management, and financial regulatory issues, which led her to pursue a career as an investment analyst. With a master's degree in commerce, she aspires to make complex financial matters understandable for individual investors and help them make appropriate investment decisions.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=rashmi-kumari">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/fmx-knbwy-cchgy-3-beverage-stocks-poised-for-2024-growth/>3 Beverage Stocks Poised for 2024 Growth</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>