Coca-Cola stock split: what it means for traders
Stock splits can influence how a company’s shares trade without altering the underlying business. For Coca-Cola, they form part of a long-running approach to managing how its share price is presented in the market.
Coca-Cola (KO) is one of the most widely recognised consumer brands in global equity markets. Its long trading history means corporate actions such as stock splits often attract attention, as they can influence how a share trades, how accessible it appears to different types of investors and how the company manages its capital structure over time.
This article outlines what a stock split involves, how Coca-Cola has used them in the past and what’s known about any potential future action. It also summarises the latest available share price and recent earnings context, helping readers understand the backdrop against which discussions about stock splits tend to arise.
Coca-Cola (KO) live share price
Coca-Cola’s share price continues to reflect its position as a mature global consumer goods company with consistent cash flows. The share has generally traded in the high-$60s to low-$70s range over the past 12-months as of 8 December 2025, with a 52-week high in the mid-$70s.
Share prices change throughout the trading day, so the precise level may differ from the figures above. For the latest quote, please refer to real-time data on your trading platform.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
What is a stock split?
A stock split is a corporate action that increases the number of a company’s shares while reducing the price per share in proportion. The company’s total market value doesn’t change, and each shareholder’s overall position remains the same in value terms.
For example, in a 2-for-1 stock split, an investor holding 100 shares would receive 200 shares, and the share price would adjust to roughly half its previous level. The company’s fundamentals stay the same. Instead, the action changes the nominal share price, sometimes making the stock appear more accessible to a wider range of market participants or supporting liquidity.
Stock splits are often used by companies whose share prices have risen steadily over long periods, as price levels can drift higher over time.
Coca-Cola’s 2-for-1 stock split
Coca-Cola’s most recent stock split was a 2-for-1 split completed in August 2012. The total market value of the company stayed largely unchanged, but the number of outstanding shares doubled and the nominal price per share halved.
The 2012 split followed a long history of periodic splits, reflecting Coca-Cola’s sustained share-price appreciation and the company’s view on maintaining a trading range it considers suitable for a widely held consumer goods business.
Why did Coca-Cola conduct a share split?
Companies typically carry out stock splits for practical and operational reasons. These can include maintaining a share price level that they consider attractive to a broad investor base, supporting smoother trading across different participant groups and enhancing liquidity.
Coca-Cola’s previous splits followed this pattern. As the company grew internationally and long-term performance lifted the share price, management used splits to reset the nominal price to a level they viewed as appropriate for a widely recognised global brand.
A stock split doesn’t affect Coca-Cola’s earnings, competitive position or valuation drivers. It simply changes how the share is presented in the market.
Will Coca-Cola split again in 2026?
As of 8 December 2025, Coca-Cola hasn’t announced any intention to conduct a stock split in 2026. Public filings, company statements and investor-relations materials contain no reference to a forthcoming split, and the board hasn’t indicated that a decision is imminent.
While Coca-Cola has a long history of carrying out splits, any future action would depend on factors such as the share-price level, market conditions and broader board considerations. Without an announcement, discussions about potential future splits remain speculative.
Coca-Cola stock split history
Coca-Cola has conducted several stock splits across multiple decades, reflecting its brand development, product portfolio expansion and global scale. Key splits on its US listing include:
| Date | Stock split | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 June 1977 | 2-for-1 split | Doubled the number of shares and adjusted the price-per-share accordingly, consistent with Coca-Cola’s long-term share-price growth. |
| 1 July 1986 | 3-for-1 split | Tripled the number of shares, reducing the nominal share price to support accessibility and trading liquidity. |
| 14 May 1990 | 2-for-1 split | Continued the company’s pattern of periodic splits aimed at maintaining a preferred trading range. |
| 12 May 1992 | 2-for-1 split | Further increased the number of outstanding shares while keeping the total market value broadly unchanged. |
| 13 August 2012 | 2-for-1 split (most recent) | The latest split in Coca-Cola’s sequence, reflecting sustained share-price appreciation over multiple decades. |
Earlier splits from the 1960s may also appear in some historical records, though most traders tend to focus on the modern sequence from 1977 to 2012. Each action increased the number of shares and reduced the nominal share price in a consistent, proportional manner.
Latest earnings: Coca-Cola Q3 2025 results
Coca-Cola’s most recent reported period is the third quarter of 2025. The update highlighted several operational and financial trends:
- Net revenues rose around 5% year-on-year to approximately $12.5bn.
- Organic revenue increased about 6%, adjusting for currency effects and specific items.
- Global unit case volume grew by roughly 1%.
- Earnings per share reached $0.86, up around 30%. Comparable (adjusted) earnings per share increased about 6% to $0.82, with currency movements noted as an ongoing headwind.
Full-year 2025 results haven’t yet been published as of early December 2025. Traders following KO shares therefore rely on management’s guidance and quarterly results as the most up-to-date source of company information.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
Outlook and upcoming developments
Coca-Cola’s communications outline several areas of focus for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026. These themes are based solely on company-issued information and don’t include analyst commentary.
Revenue and profit guidance
Management expects mid-single-digit organic revenue growth of around 5–6% for 2025 compared with 2024. Comparable earnings per share are projected to rise at a low- to mid-single-digit rate, with a strong US dollar cited as a continuing headwind for reported results.
Strategic priorities
The company continues to prioritise its core brands, invest in zero-sugar variants and expand in fast-growing categories such as ready-to-drink coffee and broader non-alcoholic beverages. Pricing discipline remains a key part of its strategy.
Operational initiatives
Coca-Cola is investing in digital capabilities, data-driven marketing and improvements across its global bottler network. Management also tracks macroeconomic factors such as currency movements, input costs and regional consumer demand, all of which may influence performance over the coming quarters.
Actual outcomes will depend on market conditions, consumer behaviour and cost trends.
Summary
- Coca-Cola last closed at around $70 per share, with the trading range remaining relatively stable over the past year.
- The company’s most recent stock split was a 2-for-1 action in August 2012.
- No stock split is currently announced for 2026.
- Q3 2025 results showed steady organic revenue growth and higher earnings, despite currency pressures.
- Coca-Cola’s near-term focus includes portfolio discipline, digital investment and operational improvements.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
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FAQ
When did Coca-Cola stock split?
Coca-Cola has carried out several forward stock splits during its long market history, particularly in periods of sustained share-price appreciation. Modern summaries of its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing typically refer to 2-for-1 splits in 1977, 1990, 1992, and 2012, along with a 3-for-1 split in 1986. Each corporate action increased the number of shares in circulation while reducing the price per share, without altering the company’s overall market value.
When did the Coca-Cola stock split take effect?
The most recent Coca-Cola stock split took effect in August 2012, when the company completed a 2-for-1 split. Shareholders of record on 27 July 2012 received one additional share for each existing share, and KO began trading on a split-adjusted basis on 13 August 2012. From that date, the share price reflected the lower nominal value associated with the increased number of shares.
Did Coca-Cola have a stock split before?
Yes. Coca-Cola has carried out a series of stock splits across multiple decades. Earlier actions in the 1960s and 1970s were followed by further splits in the 1980s and 1990s, before the most recent split in 2012. These events generally occurred as the share price rose over time and management sought to maintain a trading range that supported accessibility and liquidity.
How many times has Coca-Cola stock split?
The total number of Coca-Cola stock splits depends on how far back historical records are counted. The 2012 split is often included as one of more than ten splits in its full corporate history. Modern summaries commonly cite six major splits from 1977 onwards, while broader datasets include earlier mid-20th-century actions. Although methodologies differ, all sources note that Coca-Cola has completed multiple splits, with the most recent in 2012.
How much was Coca-Cola stock after the split?
Following the 2-for-1 split in August 2012, Coca-Cola’s share price adjusted to account for the doubled share count. Historical data show that KO traded in the mid-$30 range on a split-adjusted basis towards the end of 2012. The adjustment didn’t change Coca-Cola’s market value; it simply recalibrated the price per share in line with the new number of issued shares.
Why did Coca-Cola split its stock?
Coca-Cola stated that the 2012 stock split was intended to improve accessibility by lowering the nominal share price. Increasing the number of shares can make ownership appear more manageable for a broader investor base while leaving the company’s fundamentals unchanged. More broadly, Coca-Cola’s recurring use of stock splits reflects a long-standing approach to keeping its shares within a price range that management considered supportive of liquidity and wider market participation.
Will Coca-Cola split again?
As of 8 December 2025, Coca-Cola has not announced a new stock split. Any future action would require board approval and would depend on several factors, including market conditions, the prevailing share price and broader strategic considerations. Without an official statement, a future split cannot be assumed.
What was the most recent Coca-Cola stock split date?
Coca-Cola’s most recent split was a 2-for-1 action in August 2012. Shareholders of record on 27 July 2012 received their additional shares around 10 August, and KO began trading ex-split on 13 August 2012. The company has not carried out another split on its primary NYSE listing since then.
Can you trade Coca-Cola shares as CFDs on Capital.com?
Yes. Coca-Cola CFDs are available to trade on Capital.com. CFDs let you speculate on short-term price movements without owning the underlying shares. You can go long or short, choose flexible position sizes and use risk-management tools such as take-profit and stop-loss orders. Because CFD prices track the underlying market, events such as corporate actions and earnings updates can influence market conditions, but they don’t change the structure of the CFD itself.
Contracts for difference (CFDs) are traded on margin – leverage amplifies both profits and losses. Standard stop-loss orders are not guaranteed. Guaranteed stop-loss orders incur a fee if activated.