Information About Coca-Cola Stock
Coca-Cola stock is a favorite of famed investor Warren Buffet and millions of ordinary investors. Coca-Cola is listed on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol KO, and is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500). The Coca-Cola Co. offers a full range of information to investors online and by mail.
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History
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Coca-Cola began offering stock to the public in 1919 at $40 per share. The initial symbol for Coca-Cola stock was CCO, but KO became the symbol used for the stock in 1923. A share of the company purchased in 1919 is now worth $7 million assuming all dividends were reinvested.
The stock has split several times in its history. If a stock splits, owners of a single share obtain another share or several more shares, for each share of stock they own. Companies split their stock to make more shares available on the market and to make the stock more affordable if it has reached what the company considers a very high price. The price of a stock declines, at least temporarily, after a stock split. Coca-Cola's last split was a 2-for-1 share split in 1996.
Dividends
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Coca-Cola currently pays an annual dividend of $1.76 per share. Dividends on the stock have been paid since 1920. Dividends have been increased each year for the last 48 years. Share owners may elect to join the dividend reinvestment program where dividends will be automatically reinvested to buy shares of stock.
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Purchasing Coca-Cola Stock
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The stock may be purchased through any stockbroker or directly through Computershare Trust Co. Coca-Cola has designated Computershare to administer the direct stock purchase plan. The direct purchase plan requires an initial investment of $500 or monthly $50 purchases of stock. The $50 monthly plan requires the investor to link a bank account with Computershare to make the monthly purchases.
Annual and Other Reports
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An investor considering purchasing Coca-Cola stock should review the company's annual report, which outlines the company's financial condition and future plans. Coca-Cola's annual report and other financial documents can be easily accessed online. The documents can also be requested by mail from The Coca-Cola Co., P.O. Box 1734, Atlanta, GA 30301.
Considerations
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Coca-Cola stock provides stability and growth potential for an investor's portfolio. All investments carry a certain degree of risk, but large blue chip stocks like Coca-Coal lessen that risk by producing a large variety of products on a worldwide scale. Coca-Cola holds properties and investments throughout the world, adding to the company's financial stability.
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