Warren Buffett Stock Portfolio: Top 5 Stock Picks

4. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)

Value of Berkshire Hathaway‘s 13F Position: $22.4 Billion

Number of Hedge Fund Shareholders: 59

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is one of Warren Buffett’s oldest holdings and the Oracle of Omaha has left it unchanged for more than a decade (his share count doubled in Q3 2012 due to the company’s stock split). Buffett is not only a major investor of the company (it ranked as his top stock pick for several quarters), but also one of the biggest fans of its iconic sodas, consuming multiple cans daily.

Other money managers appear to be concerned by Coca-Cola’s slowing growth and the decline in global soda consumption, as their ownership of the stock has dropped for three straight quarters, falling by 20% during that time. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) did have a strong Q3 however, growing net revenue by 10% and EPS by 14% on year-over-year bases, which highlights the success the company has had in expanding out from its soda offerings, which includes launching two alcoholic beverages this year.

Carillon Tower likes the direction of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s pricing, as revealed in its Q3 2022 investor letter:

“Shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) sold off with consumer staples even as the company reported strong pricing for the second quarter. On average, product prices rose with management hinting at further momentum.”