CFRA Affirms ‘Buy’ Stance on Coca-Cola Co (KO) as Q2 Results Top Estimates

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is one of the defensive stocks that billionaires are buying amid US trade tariff uncertainty. On July 22, analysts at CFRA reiterated a ‘Buy’ rating and an $80 price target on the stock. The positive stance comes from the company delivering solid second-quarter results that topped analyst estimates.

CFRA Affirms ‘Buy’ Stance on Coca-Cola Co (KO) as Q2 Results Top Estimates

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The beverage giant posted adjusted earnings per share of $0.87, representing a 4% year-over-year increase. It also topped consensus estimates of $0.84. The better-than-expected earnings were driven by solid gross margins that expanded to 62.4%.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) also recorded a 1.4% year-over-year increase in sales to $12.54 billion. The sales increase was driven by a positive price mix, which contributed to a 65% sales growth, offsetting the impact of currency headwinds. Coca-Cola also raised its full-year adjusted earnings per share to $3.04 from $3 for 2025 and to $3.20 from $3.15 for 2026.

The CFRA Buy rating is in response to the company’s global brand value, which is diminishing due to currency headwinds, and confidence in dividend aristocrat trends.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is a global beverage company that manufactures, markets, and sells beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as finished beverages. Its products include a wide range of sparkling soft drinks, waters, juices, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages.

While we acknowledge the potential of KO to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than KO and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.