Coca-Cola ( KO -0.20%) is an iconic consumer staples giant. The stock has long been a holding in Warren Buffett-run Berkshire Hathaway 's ( BRK.A -0.63%) ( BRK.B -1.30%) stock portfolio, which is a huge vote of confidence in the business.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) on Tuesday reported mixed second-quarter 2025 earnings and revenue. The food and beverage giant reported adjusted earnings of 87 cents per share, beating the consensus of 83 cents.

Coca-Cola's iconic brand power hasn't translated into strong investment returns. Click here to read what makes KO stock a Sell.

The most-chosen retail brand has worked its way through one stock dividend and 10 forward splits, and turned a $40 initial investment into more than $639,000!

KO stock is trading 15% below its 52-week high of $73.53, achieved recently on Sept. 4.However, shares of Coca-Cola have dropped 12.1% over the past three months, lagging behind the Nasdaq Food ...

Analysts currently favor an Neutral trajectory for PepsiCo, with an average 1-year price target of $150.88, suggesting a potential 116.01% upside. Analysts currently favor an Outperform trajectory for Monster Beverage, with an average 1-year price target of $63.17, suggesting a potential 9.56% downside.

Coca-Cola is one of the most recognized brands in the world. Coca-Cola's business is well-run and performing relatively strongly right now. Investors are well aware of Coca-Cola's strengths, which makes this consumer staples peer more attractive.

Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) ... Overall, the performance of KO stock with respect to the index has been lackluster. Returns for the stock were 8% in 2021, 7% in 2022, and -12% in 2023.

Bearish Case: A confirmed breakdown below $69 opens the door to a drop toward $66, a prior area of consolidation from early 2025. Fundamentally, Coca-Cola will need either: A shift in sentiment where investors reward margin protection over volume growth.