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KO or KR or WMT
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Coca-Cola (KO) vs. Kroger (KR) vs. Walmart (WMT) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- KO shares have gained around 10% YTD, supported by a 4% dividend increase and resilient beverage demand, though recent weeks saw modest pullbacks.
- KR delivered strong Q4 results with 2.4% identical sales growth ex-fuel and issued 2026 guidance for 1-2% sales growth, driving recent momentum with shares up nearly 19% YTD.
- WMT leads YTD performance at 11% gains, bolstered by e-commerce surges and market share in retail, despite recent sector pressures.
- Consumer staples sector resilience shines amid volatility, with all three showing relative stability but varying growth profiles in recent market activity.
- KR exhibits strongest short-term momentum, while WMT offers scale advantages and KO dividend reliability.
Introduction
This comparison examines KO, KR, and WMT, three stalwarts in consumer staples representing beverages and grocery retail. These stocks appeal to investors seeking defensive positioning with steady demand, even in uncertain markets. Traders may value their relative performance amid recent earnings cycles and sector rotations, offering insights into value, growth potential, and risk in the current environment. Understanding their business models, recent trajectories, and head-to-head metrics aids informed stock comparison decisions.
KO Overview and Recent Performance
The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is the world's largest nonalcoholic beverage maker, with a portfolio spanning sparkling soft drinks, waters, juices, and coffees across 200+ brands globally. In recent market activity, KO shares have shown stability, up about 10% YTD near $77, reflecting resilience despite a weekly dip of nearly 5%. Full-year 2025 net revenues reached $47.9 billion, up 2%, with organic growth at 5% driven by price/mix and emerging market strength. A Q4 impairment on BODYARMOR tempered operating income, but full-year EPS rose 23% to $3.04. Sentiment benefits from a 4% dividend hike to $2.12 annually—extending a 63-year streak—and new CEO Henrique Braun's focus on innovation amid low-sugar trends. Guidance for 2026 eyes 4-5% organic revenue growth, bolstered by $12.2 billion free cash flow expectations.
KR Overview and Recent Performance
The Kroger Co. (KR) operates one of the largest U.S. supermarket chains, with banners like Ralphs and Fred Meyer offering groceries, pharmacy, and fuel services. Recent performance has been robust, with shares up nearly 19% YTD around $74, including a 10% weekly surge post-earnings. Q4 2025 identical sales ex-fuel rose 2.4%, with adjusted EPS at $1.28 beating estimates; full-year sales hit $147.6 billion. E-commerce grew 20%, and pharmacy strength offset disinflation pressures. New CEO Greg Foran emphasizes affordable fresh foods and delivery. 2026 guidance projects 1-2% identical sales growth ex-fuel (2.3-3.3% ex-IRA headwind), adjusted EPS $5.10-$5.30, and $2.7-$2.9 billion free cash flow, signaling operational efficiencies amid competitive grocery dynamics.
WMT Overview and Recent Performance
Walmart Inc. (WMT) is the global retail leader, operating supercenters, Sam's Clubs, and e-commerce platforms serving 270 million weekly customers. Shares have advanced 11% YTD to about $124, with a market cap nearing $987 billion, though recent weeks reflect modest consolidation. Q4 2025 revenues hit $190.7 billion, up 5.6%, with 24% e-commerce growth and advertising gains; adjusted EPS was $0.74. U.S. comp sales rose 4.5% on transaction and volume increases. Challenges include a $100 million Spark Driver settlement and insider sales, yet omnichannel strength persists. FY2026 guidance forecasts 3.5-4.5% sales growth and $2.75-$2.85 adjusted EPS, supported by a $30 billion buyback and 5% dividend hike to $0.99. Scale and tech investments drive sentiment in a value-oriented retail landscape.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
KO, KR, and WMT operate in defensive consumer staples but differ in models: KO leverages global branding for high-margin beverages (P/E ~25, yield ~2.8%, $331B cap), while KR and WMT focus on volume-driven grocery (KR P/E ~15, yield ~2.4%, $45B cap; WMT P/E ~43, yield ~0.8%, $987B cap). Growth drivers contrast: WMT's e-commerce (24% rise) outpaces KR's 20% digital gains, with KO relying on price/mix. Recent momentum favors KR (15% monthly) over WMT (-3%) and KO (-1%). Risks include grocery margin pressures for KR/WMT amid disinflation, versus KO's currency exposure. Valuation sensitivity shows KR cheapest, WMT premium for scale. Sentiment tilts to WMT's omnichannel edge in relative performance.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward WMT based on trend consistency in e-commerce and market share gains, superior YTD positioning at 11%, and catalysts like advertising growth amid retail resilience. KR's recent momentum adds appeal for shorter horizons, while KO offers stability via dividends. Probabilistic edge favors WMT's scale in prevailing conditions.
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. Disclaimers and Limitations
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 undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
KO’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileKR’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s), and WMT’s FA Score reflects 2 green FA rating(s).
- KO’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- KR’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- WMT’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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.
KO’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KR’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s), and WMT’s TA Score reflects 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- KO’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 7 bearish.
- KR’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
- WMT’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
KO (@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic) experienced а -1.22% price change this week, while KR (@Food Retail) price change was -0.21% , and WMT (@Discount Stores) price fluctuated +2.69% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Beverages: Non-Alcoholic industry was -0.35%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.71%, and the average quarterly price growth was +2127.15%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Food Retail industry was +2.11%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +3.06%, and the average quarterly price growth was +2.30%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Discount Stores industry was +3.07%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +4.65%, and the average quarterly price growth was +9.77%.
Reported Earning Dates
KO is expected to report earnings on Apr 28, 2026.
KR is expected to report earnings on Jun 11, 2026.
WMT is expected to report earnings on May 14, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic (-0.35% 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.
@Food Retail (+2.11% weekly)The food retail industry includes companies that sell food, beverage and household products. Items sold include grocery, gourmet food, fresh produce, and frozen food. Kroger Co., George Weston Ltd., Grocery Outlet Holding Corp., and Sprouts Farmers Markets, Inc. are examples of major food retailers. While e-commerce companies like Amazon have increasingly been ramping-up offerings in the food retail space, several traditional players have also been expanding their online presence to stand their ground against rising competition.
@Discount Stores (+3.07% weekly)Companies in the discount stores industry specialize in offering substantial discounts on a vast array of retail products. Some companies in this industry also operate general merchandise warehouse clubs. Products sold at discount stores are typically similar to those of any department store, but the pricing of the goods is generally much lower (and hence the name “discount”). Think Dollar General Corporation, Dollar Tree, Inc. and Five Below, Inc. Many discount stores target low-income households and/or price-sensitive consumers as their potential market. Discount stores’ profitability could hinge on factors like competitive pricing, sufficient locations, healthy revenue per square foot, and effective advertisement. These store operators could have an edge over other retailers during financial crises or recessions, when many consumers could be looking for less expensive alternatives.
| KO | KR | WMT | |
| Capitalization | 325B | 41.6B | 1.02T |
| EBITDA | 18.7B | 5.76B | 46.5B |
| Gain YTD | 8.710 | 9.204 | 15.054 |
| P/E Ratio | 24.83 | 44.08 | 46.86 |
| Revenue | 47.9B | 148B | 713B |
| Total Cash | N/A | 4.58B | 10.7B |
| Total Debt | 45.5B | 24.7B | 67.1B |
KO | KR | WMT | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 64 | 54 | 25 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 42 Fair valued | 55 Fair valued | 92 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 13 | 25 | 7 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 20 | 56 | 40 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 52 | 59 | 24 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 79 | 11 | 42 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 | 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.
KO's Valuation (42) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is in the same range as KR (55) in the Food Retail industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for WMT (92) in the Specialty Stores industry. This means that KO's stock grew similarly to KR’s and somewhat faster than WMT’s over the last 12 months.
WMT's Profit vs Risk Rating (7) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as KO (13) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry, and is in the same range as KR (25) in the Food Retail industry. This means that WMT's stock grew similarly to KO’s and similarly to KR’s over the last 12 months.
KO's SMR Rating (20) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is in the same range as WMT (40) in the Specialty Stores industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for KR (56) in the Food Retail industry. This means that KO's stock grew similarly to WMT’s and somewhat faster than KR’s over the last 12 months.
WMT's Price Growth Rating (24) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as KO (52) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for KR (59) in the Food Retail industry. This means that WMT's stock grew similarly to KO’s and somewhat faster than KR’s over the last 12 months.
KR's P/E Growth Rating (11) in the Food Retail industry is in the same range as WMT (42) in the Specialty Stores industry, and is significantly better than the same rating for KO (79) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry. This means that KR's stock grew similarly to WMT’s and significantly faster than KO’s over the last 12 months.
| KO | KR | WMT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 75% | 1 day ago 65% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 40% | 1 day ago 64% | 1 day ago 33% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 46% | 1 day ago 50% | 1 day ago 60% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 33% | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 64% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 35% | 1 day ago 47% | 1 day ago 55% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 31% | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 54% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 13 days ago 39% | 5 days ago 57% | 1 day ago 55% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 30% | 7 days ago 46% | 9 days ago 34% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 17% | 1 day ago 60% | 1 day ago 41% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 22% | 1 day ago 44% | 1 day ago 52% |
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