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COKE vs PEP
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Coca-Cola Consolidated (COKE) vs. PepsiCo (PEP) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- COKE (Coca-Cola Consolidated) is the largest independent Coca-Cola bottler in the U.S., while PEP (PepsiCo) is a diversified global beverage and snacks giant.
- COKE has delivered sharply stronger recent relative performance, with annualized multi-year returns far outpacing PEP, which has been roughly flat over the past five years.
- COKE repurchased roughly $2.4 billion of its stock from The Coca-Cola Company, boosting its autonomy and investor sentiment.
- PEP is restructuring under pressure from activist investor Elliott Management, cutting its U.S. product lineup and prices to revive North American volume.
- The two names carry very different risk profiles: COKE is a concentrated, higher-multiple regional play, while PEP offers global scale, dividends, and greater stability.
Introduction
At first glance, COKE and PEP both sell soft drinks, but they are fundamentally different businesses. Coca-Cola Consolidated is a regional bottler and distributor focused almost entirely on the U.S. market, while PepsiCo is a multinational spanning beverages and convenient foods. This stock comparison is relevant to investors weighing a high-momentum, concentrated name against a diversified, dividend-paying global leader. Because their recent performance, growth drivers, and market positioning have diverged so sharply, examining them side by side helps clarify which profile better suits a given strategy in the current environment.
COKE Overview and Recent Performance
Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. manufactures, markets, and distributes nonalcoholic beverages, holding exclusive bottling and distribution rights for Coca-Cola products across a large portion of the United States. It is the largest independent Coca-Cola bottler in the country and operates with a wide economic moat built on exclusive regional rights, an extensive distribution network, and economies of scale.
Recent market activity has been notably strong. The company reported record full-year 2025 revenue of roughly $7.23 billion alongside record gross profit and operating income, even as net income eased versus the prior year amid higher costs and increased front-line investment. A defining catalyst was the repurchase of approximately $2.4 billion of its common stock from The Coca-Cola Company, a move that increased Coca-Cola Consolidated's autonomy, eliminated the former parent's board seat, and was widely interpreted as a signal of confidence. These developments helped drive a multi-year run that has produced total returns in the hundreds of percent over the past five years, pushing shares to fresh highs and lifting the stock's valuation above the broader beverage group.
PEP Overview and Recent Performance
PepsiCo, Inc. is a global food and beverage company whose portfolio includes brands such as Pepsi, Gatorade, Lay's, Doritos, Quaker, and Mountain Dew. Its business is split between beverages and convenient foods, with significant international exposure across Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
In contrast to COKE, PepsiCo's recent performance has been more subdued. The company has reported steady top-line growth, with international markets delivering an extended streak of organic revenue growth, but profitability has remained under pressure from higher commodity and tariff-related costs. A central theme in recent months has been the engagement of activist investor Elliott Management, which disclosed a roughly $4 billion stake and pushed for change. PepsiCo responded with an agreement to reduce its U.S. product lineup, lower prices on key snack brands, review its North American supply chain, and trim its workforce. These restructuring efforts have supported sentiment, but the stock remains broadly flat over the past five years even as the broader market has risen substantially.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The most fundamental contrast is business model and scope. COKE is a concentrated, single-market bottler whose fortunes are tied closely to U.S. beverage demand, pricing flexibility, and its relationship with The Coca-Cola Company. PEP is a diversified global conglomerate with scale, geographic reach, and a snacks division that provides a hedge against softness in any single category or region.
Recent momentum clearly favors COKE. Its buyback-driven autonomy, record revenue, and sharply rising share price contrast with PEP's volume declines in North America and ongoing restructuring. However, risk factors cut the other way: COKE trades at a higher earnings multiple, carries elevated leverage, and is more exposed to a single market, whereas PEP offers a lower forward valuation, a long dividend history, and broader revenue diversification.
On growth drivers, COKE relies on pricing, distribution efficiency, and share repurchases to concentrate value, while PEP is betting on cost-cutting, product rationalization, and reinvigorated volume through lower prices and innovation. Market sentiment has rewarded COKE's momentum story more than PEP's turnaround narrative in recent periods.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI would likely favor COKE in the current environment. The stock demonstrates stronger trend consistency, sustained relative performance, and a clear catalyst in its buyback-driven autonomy and record operating results. By contrast, PEP's price action reflects an unproven restructuring, with stable but more modest momentum. While PEP offers greater stability, diversification, and income, COKE's combination of upward price trend and positive sentiment suggests it is better positioned on momentum-based and trend-following metrics at present. This assessment reflects probabilities rather than certainty and may shift as new data emerges.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is COKE is a Buy and PEP is a StrongBuy.
COKE's MACD Histogram crosses above signal line
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for COKE turned positive on October 09, 2026. Looking at past instances where COKE's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 43 of 49 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 05, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on COKE as a result. In 62 of 87 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 71%.
COKE moved above its 50-day moving average on October 08, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for COKE crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 07, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 13 of 16 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 81%.
Following a +5.17% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where COKE advanced for three days, in 270 of 350 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 77%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 206 of 294 cases where COKE Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 70%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator demonstrated that the stock has entered the overbought zone. This may point to a price pull-back soon.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 8 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where COKE declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 57%.
COKE broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 14, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 5 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 72, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 9 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 14 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 18 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (-28.606) is normal, around the industry mean (-4.842). P/E Ratio (28.505) is within average values for comparable stocks, (25.520). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.060) is also within normal values, averaging (3.732). Dividend Yield (0.005) settles around the average of (0.038) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.899) is also within normal values, averaging (2.785).
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 39 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. COKE’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 85 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
Momentum Indicator for PEP turns positive, indicating new upward trend
PEP saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 14, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 90 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 43 of the 90 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 48%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for PEP just turned positive on October 09, 2026. Looking at past instances where PEP's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 20 of 45 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 44%.
PEP moved above its 50-day moving average on October 20, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +3.59% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where PEP advanced for three days, in 115 of 295 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 39%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator demonstrated that the stock has entered the overbought zone. This may point to a price pull-back soon.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 4 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where PEP declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 48%.
PEP broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for PEP entered a downward trend on October 16, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 20 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 56 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. PEP’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 72 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (8.575) is normal, around the industry mean (-4.842). P/E Ratio (18.171) is within average values for comparable stocks, (25.520). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.316) is also within normal values, averaging (3.732). Dividend Yield (0.043) settles around the average of (0.038) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.901) is also within normal values, averaging (2.785).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 82 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 88 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. PEP’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 72, placing this stock worse than average.
COKE | PEP | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 36 | 37 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 18 Undervalued | 72 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 5 | 88 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 14 | 20 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 39 | 56 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 9 | 82 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 85 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
COKE's Valuation (18) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is somewhat better than the same rating for PEP (72). This means that COKE’s stock grew somewhat faster than PEP’s over the last 12 months.
COKE's Profit vs Risk Rating (5) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is significantly better than the same rating for PEP (88). This means that COKE’s stock grew significantly faster than PEP’s over the last 12 months.
COKE's SMR Rating (14) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is in the same range as PEP (20). This means that COKE’s stock grew similarly to PEP’s over the last 12 months.
COKE's Price Growth Rating (39) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is in the same range as PEP (56). This means that COKE’s stock grew similarly to PEP’s over the last 12 months.
COKE's P/E Growth Rating (9) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is significantly better than the same rating for PEP (82). This means that COKE’s stock grew significantly faster than PEP’s over the last 12 months.
| COKE | PEP | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 70% | 1 day ago 56% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 44% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 48% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 88% | 1 day ago 44% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 75% | 1 day ago 41% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 72% | 1 day ago 43% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 77% | 1 day ago 39% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 22 days ago 57% | 22 days ago 48% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 55% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 70% | 1 day ago 44% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
COKE’s FA Score shows that 4 FA rating(s) are green while PEP’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- COKE’s FA Score: 4 green, 1 red.
- PEP’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
COKE’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while PEP’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- COKE’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- PEP’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
COKE (@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic) experienced а +5.07% price change this week, while PEP (@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic) price change was +4.20% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Beverages: Non-Alcoholic industry was +1.42%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.99%, and the average quarterly price growth was -8.62%.
Reported Earning Dates
COKE is expected to report earnings on Nov 04, 2026.
PEP is expected to report earnings on Feb 11, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic (+1.42% weekly)Non-alcoholic drinks include traces of alcohol or low alcohol content or without alcohol or alcohol removed. Functional Beverages, Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSDs), Sports Drinks, Fruit Beverages, and Bottled Water are some common types of non-alcoholic beverages. The largest segment in this market is soft drinks (think Pepsi and Coke). Many established companies in this space have also been stepping up production of low to zero-calorie varieties in recent years, to cater to a rising number of health-conscious consumers. Coca-Cola Company, Pepsico Inc, Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. and Monster Beverage Corporation are some major non-alcoholic beverage makers.
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PEP and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, PEP has been loosely correlated with CCEP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 50% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if PEP jumps, then CCEP could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To PEP | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEP | 100% | +3.07% | ||
| CCEP - PEP | 50% Loosely correlated | +3.57% | ||
| KDP - PEP | 48% Loosely correlated | +2.09% | ||
| FIZZ - PEP | 35% Loosely correlated | +6.43% | ||
| MNST - PEP | 29% Poorly correlated | +1.44% | ||
| COKE - PEP | 27% Poorly correlated | +2.50% | ||
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