Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) reported first-quarter earnings on Tuesday morning. By the end of the day, the main enemy of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) was down 2.8% on better-than-average volume. Coke said that it earned 65 cents per share on an adjusted basis. According to Beth Gaston Moon's earnings preview, management met Wall Street's expectations.

So, right off the bat, you can see why the market wasn't so kind to Coke's shares. Meeting expectations isn't enough sometimes. But there are some other issues here, too.

Revenue was kind of soft, and a look at the statement of cash flows shows a decrease in money generated from operations. That number decreased over 20% to roughly $870 million.

Continue reading Coca-Cola's Q1 was only okay, but company is still a refreshing core holding

Coca-Cola's Q1 was only okay, but company is still a refreshing core holding originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Coca-Cola (KO) has better than expected fourth quarter

Coca-Cola (KO) has better than expected fourth quarter originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

According to an article on Reuters, Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) is feeling the pressures of the flat domestic marketplace. COO Muhtar Kent, who will soon become the CEO, said in comments at a speaking event in Japan that Coke will be evaluating an acquisition strategy to grow the long-term prospects of its beverage business.

Now, this doesn't mean that a large purchase or merger is on the horizon, but it does mean that shareholders can expect, according to Kent, small, targeted asset buys. He did, however, specifically state that the company isn't giving up on organic growth, either, in its quest to expand its presence in beverages and beat back the ongoing threat of enemy number one, PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP).

He better not be giving up on it. Coke's stock recently retreated from its 52-week high of $65.59 to a price, as of noon today, of $56.37. The stock has done well over the last year, and this could be considered a normal consolidation. However, there has been a lot of buzz lately about Coke's domestic weakness.

Continue reading Coke's Muhtar Kent says acqusitions needed for growth - is he right?

Coke's Muhtar Kent says acqusitions needed for growth - is he right? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 14 May 2008 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) -

KO announced Muhtar Kent as its new CEO, succeeding resining chairman and CEO Neville Isdell. Isdell will remain chairman until April 2009. KO overall option implied volatility of 21 is near its 26-week average of 20 according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional risk.

Novell (NASDAQ: NOVL) -

NOVL postponed its Q4 and full year 2007 earnings release because of inquiries from the SEC about NOVL's accounting practices. NOVL, a provider of network software, closed at $6.94. NOVL overall implied volatility of 46 is above its 26-week average of 35 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.

Daily Options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Option update 12-6-07: Coke shares near 8-year high into CEO Isdell succession originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.