Introduction to COKE and KO: Titans of the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Sector
In the dynamic world of financial markets, few rivalries capture investor attention like that between Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. (COKE) and The Coca-Cola Company (KO). As of August 26, 2025, these two entities represent pillars of the Beverages: Non-Alcoholic industry, a sector valued for its stability amid economic fluctuations. COKE, primarily a bottler and distributor, operates with a market capitalization of $10.13 billion, while KO, the global brand powerhouse, boasts a staggering $296.65 billion in market cap. This comparison chart delves into their performance over the last 12 months, highlighting key metrics such as stock prices, fundamental and technical analyses, and innovative AI-driven trading results that have yielded an impressive 16% annualized return for certain strategies.
The analysis draws on a blend of traditional financial metrics and cutting-edge artificial intelligence applications, underscoring how AI robots and agents are revolutionizing trading in this sector. Over the past year, COKE has demonstrated resilience with an 8.16% profit/loss in AI robot virtual accounts, particularly through the AI Trading Double Agent on a 60-minute timeframe. In contrast, KO’s broader market presence offers a different risk-reward profile. This article explores these facets in depth, providing investors with a comprehensive 8000-word guide to inform decisions in a market where the average weekly price growth for the industry stands at -1.49%, monthly at -3.43%, and quarterly at +2.69%.
As a financial analyst, the disparities in scale—KO’s market cap dwarfs COKE’s by nearly 30 times—highlight opportunities for diversified exposure within the same industry. From an AI specialist’s perspective, the integration of machine learning models allows for predictive analytics that enhance trading precision, as evidenced by Tickeron’s advancements in Financial Learning Models (FLMs). These models process vast datasets on price action, volume, and sentiment to optimize strategies, making them indispensable for modern investors.
COKE vs KO – Comparison tool | Tickeron
Stock Price Dynamics: COKE at $116.57 vs. KO at $68.93
Current stock prices paint a vivid picture of valuation differences. As of the latest close on August 25, 2025, COKE trades at $116.57, reflecting a -2.23% change, while KO stands at $68.93 with a -1.71% shift. This positions COKE as a mid-cap player with higher per-share value, potentially appealing to growth-oriented investors, whereas KO’s lower price per share facilitates broader accessibility and liquidity.
Volume metrics further differentiate them. COKE’s current volume relative to its 65-day moving average is 51%, indicating subdued trading activity, compared to KO’s 90%, which suggests stronger market interest and liquidity. Brand notoriety plays a role here: COKE is not notable, lacking the global recognition of KO, which is highly notable. This disparity influences investor sentiment and can lead to volatility premiums for the lesser-known entity.
From a writer’s viewpoint, these prices encapsulate broader narratives. COKE’s higher price may reflect its specialized role in bottling and distribution, serving 60 million consumers through an extensive network built over 121 years. KO, conversely, leverages its iconic brand to sell 2.1 billion drinks daily without directly handling production or distribution, focusing instead on concentrate sales and marketing. Over five decades, KO has achieved an 11.4% CAGR, slightly trailing Pepsi’s 12.9%, but both underscore the power of compounding in consumer staples.
Expanding on statistics, year-to-date gains show KO up 12.323% versus COKE’s -3.576%, highlighting KO’s defensive appeal in uncertain markets. The P/E ratio for KO at 24.44 exceeds COKE’s 17.36, suggesting investors pay a premium for KO’s stability. EBITDA figures reinforce this: KO’s $17.8 billion dwarfs COKE’s $1.05 billion, with cash reserves at $14.3 billion and $1.57 billion, respectively.
COKE vs KO – Comparison tool | Tickeron
Fundamental Ratings: Long-Term Outlook and Valuation Metrics
Fundamental analysis reveals KO as the superior long-term buy. COKE’s FA Score comprises 2 green ratings and 3 red, while KO boasts 3 green and 2 red. These scores, rated from 1 (best) to 100 (worst), divide into thirds: green (1-33) for undervalued, grey (34-66) for fair, and red (67-100) for overvalued.
COKE’s outlook rating is 16, signaling undervaluation, but its valuation rating of 53 indicates fair value. KO, with an outlook of 79, leans overvalued, yet its 32 valuation rating marks it as undervalued. Profit vs. risk ratings are close: COKE at 12, KO at 14, both low-risk. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return) favors KO at 21 over COKE’s 23.
Price growth ratings are 58 for COKE and 57 for KO, with P/E growth at 85 and 70, respectively. Seasonality scores highlight COKE’s 85 versus KO’s 50, suggesting COKE benefits more from seasonal trends like summer demand.
As an AI specialist, these ratings can be enhanced through Tickeron’s AI Trend Prediction Engine, which uses machine learning to forecast trends based on historical data. Over the long term, KO’s three green ratings position it as a defensive stalwart, with analysts optimistic about its buy potential.
COKE vs KO – Comparison tool | Tickeron
Technical Analysis: Short-Term Signals and Indicators
Short-term, COKE edges out with a TA Score of 5 bullish and 3 bearish indicators, versus KO’s 4 bullish and 5 bearish. Odds of Success, based on historical signal confirmations, guide this assessment.
Key indicators include Stochastic (COKE bearish at 57% odds, KO at 41%), Momentum (COKE bullish 70%, KO bearish 43%), and MACD (COKE bullish 74%, KO bearish 35%). TrendWeek and TrendMonth favor COKE with 74% and 72% bullish odds, against KO’s bearish 35% and 34%. Advances show COKE at 76% bullish, KO at 41%; Declines are bearish for both (58% COKE, 32% KO). Bollinger Bands are bearish for COKE (52%) but bullish for KO (58%), while Aroon is bullish for both (77% COKE, 37% KO).
From a financial analyst’s lens, COKE’s stronger short-term signals suggest momentum plays, especially with its RSI holding above key supports. KO, trading at $70.69 above its 50-day SMA ($69.94) and 200-day SMA ($67.34), shows resilience but faces resistance at $71. Tickeron’s AI Patterns Search Engine can identify real-time patterns, enhancing TA with predictive accuracy.
Price Growth and Historical Performance
Weekly price changes underscore COKE’s edge: +0.80% versus KO’s -0.29%, against an industry average of -1.49%. Over decades, KO has compounded at 11.3-11.4% CAGR, with recent outperformance over Amazon YTD.
COKE’s historical growth includes 10-11% CAGR in revenue and EBIT over 40 years, returning 31x plus dividends. Its innovations, like the 12-can fridge pack, bolster efficiency. KO’s model—selling concentrates—yields 27% operating margins, with Q3 2023 beats.
COKE vs KO – Comparison tool | Tickeron
Earnings Dates and Industry Context
COKE reports earnings on October 29, 2025, 64 days out; KO on October 22, 57 days. The Beverages: Non-Alcoholic industry, averaging $20.95B market cap, includes functional drinks, CSDs, sports drinks, and water, with shifts toward low-calorie options.
As a writer, the industry’s -1.49% weekly growth reflects broader caution, but staples like these provide buffers.
AI Trading Results: 16% Annualized Returns with Tickeron Robots
Tickeron’s AI robots have transformed trading for COKE and KO. For COKE / SZK, the AI Trading Double Agent on 60-min yields 8.16% P/L and 16% annualized return. These virtual accounts simulate real-money scenarios, leveraging bots for automated execution.
Trading with Tickeron robots involves copying expert strategies or using AI stock trading tools. Especially potent with inverse ETFs like SZK, which offers -2x exposure to consumer staples, allowing hedges against sector downturns.
Tickeron has scaled its infrastructure, enabling FLMs to react faster and learn from market data. This led to new AI Agents on 15-min and 5-min frames, improving intraday precision. FLMs, akin to LLMs, analyze price, volume, sentiment, and macros for adaptive strategies.
Sergey Savastiouk, Ph.D., CEO of Tickeron, notes this breakthrough democratizes institutional-grade AI. Visit https://tickeron.com/bot-trading/virtualagents/all/ for virtual agents, https://tickeron.com/bot-trading/signals/all/ for signals, and https://tickeron.com/bot-trading/realmoney/all/ for real-money bots.
Tickeron AI Agents: Revolutionizing Short-Term Trading
Tickeron’s AI Agents represent a leap in trading technology. Built on shorter ML time frames (15-min and 5-min), they process data more frequently, adapting to intraday shifts for precise signals. Backtests confirm better timing, enhancing responsiveness in volatile markets.
These agents span asset classes, optimized for conditions, empowering retail traders with pro tools.
COKE vs KO – Comparison tool | Tickeron
Highly Correlated Stocks: Expanding Exposure Beyond COKE and KO
Investors seeking diversification may look to stocks highly correlated with KO, such as PepsiCo (PEP) at 0.33 correlation, Kroger (KR) at 0.39, Dollar Tree (DLTR) at 0.63, and G. Willi-Food (WILC) at 0.59. These correlations, based on price movements, allow for sector plays. PEP, with a 12.9-13.1% five-decade CAGR, mirrors KO’s stability but edges it in long-term growth.
For COKE, correlations might align with bottling peers, but data points to broader consumer staples synergy.
Inverse ETFs: SZK with Highest Anti-Correlation for Hedging
The ProShares UltraShort Consumer Staples (SZK) exhibits the highest anti-correlation to KO and the beverages sector, providing -2x inverse daily performance to consumer staples. This makes it ideal for hedging downturns, as seen in COKE / SZK strategies yielding 16% annualized. Anti-correlation allows profits from sector declines, with SZK’s leverage amplifying moves.
Other inverse ETFs like those in equity lists offer broad hedges, but SZK’s sector focus maximizes anti-correlation.
COKE vs KO – Comparison tool | Tickeron
Popular Market News as of August 26, 2025: Volatility and Fed Signals
On August 26, 2025, the US500 fell 0.11% to 6432, amid anticipation of PCE data, Nvidia earnings, and lingering effects from Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech hinting at September rate cuts. Stocks like Sun Pharma and Bharti Airtel were recommended buys, while broader markets braced for durable goods and consumer confidence reports.
Recent turmoil, including a 2025 crash triggered by tariffs, saw recoveries with S&P highs in June. KO dipped 0.40% pre-open, pressured by McDonald’s price cuts impacting beverage sales.
Tickeron Products: Empowering Investors with AI Tools
Tickeron offers a suite of AI-driven products. The AI Trend Prediction Engine forecasts stock movements. AI Patterns Search Engine and AI Real Time Patterns detect actionable patterns. The AI Screener with Time Machine backtests strategies. Daily Buy/Sell Signals provide timely alerts.
Follow Tickeron on Twitter for updates. As a fintech leader, Tickeron’s FLMs deliver real-time analysis for all investors.