Before the opening bell on Tuesday, Coca-Cola (KO) released its fourth quarter financial results. Here’s what the results mean for mutual fund investors.
Inside KO's Earnings
Earnings
The company reported net income of $770 million, or 17 cents per share, down from $1.71 billion, or 38 cents per share. Excluding special items, earnings were 44 cents per share – above analysts’ view of 42 cents.
Revenue
Sales for the quarter totaled $10.87 billion, down from $11.04 billion last year. Analysts expected to see revenue of $10.76 billion.
Consistent Dividend Payer, but Little Growth
Coca-Cola is currently trading at 20x 2015 earnings estimates, which is expensive since the company’s revenue growth is essentially flat. We expect KO’s management to trim expenses to maintain its EPS numbers.
With its dividend yield around 2.85%, this stock is ideal for investors who are primarily focused on income. Other than its attractive dividend yield, there are few catalysts for Coca-Cola.
Mutual Funds to Watch
Investors interested in KO may also be interested in the funds listed below. These funds currently have the largest stakes in the company.
| Symbol | Mutual Fund | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| VTSMX | Vanguard Total Stock Market Index | 1.52% |
| VFINX | Vanguard 500 Index | 0.98% |
| VIGRX | Vanguard Growth Index | 1.95% |
The Bottom Line
The funds listed above allow investors to gain exposure to KO while remaining diversified. Investors interested in MCD may also be interested in PepsiCo (PEP) or Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS).
