New York, Feb 23, 2026, 15:45 EST — Regular session
- Coca-Cola shares climbed roughly 1.3%, touching their session peak late Monday—even as U.S. stocks broadly slumped.
- Argus bumped its price target on the stock up to $89. Coca-Cola’s latest dividend hike also remained in the spotlight.
- Investors have their sights on two dates: March 13, the record date for the upcoming dividend, and March 31, when the CEO handover takes place.
Coca-Cola (KO.N) popped roughly 1.3% to $80.84 late in the session, hitting the day’s high even as broader markets struggled.
Investors are shifting into consumer-staples plays like Coca-Cola, looking for safety. Two big things on deck for Coke: a boosted dividend, plus a new CEO coming in.
This is notable with the stock hovering close to its recent peaks. Choppy tape tends to push traders toward more predictable cash returns and established names, even if just for a handful of sessions.
U.S. stocks slid, with tariff worries back in play. Still, consumer staples managed to hold up as one of the S&P 500’s stronger spots, Reuters reported. “Obviously, the extra layer of uncertainty … isn’t helping,” said Ross Mayfield, investment strategy analyst at Baird, pointing to the risk-off sentiment. Reuters
Last week, Coca-Cola bumped its quarterly dividend to 53 cents a share, up roughly 4%. The company says shareholders on record as of March 13 will receive the first-quarter payout, set for April 1. Investors picking up shares after the record date miss out on that April dividend.
The company also announced that Todd Beiger is set to take over as vice president and head of investor relations on March 31, succeeding Robin Halpern.
Coca-Cola outlined fresh pay details for its leadership change in a separate filing. Henrique Braun’s base salary lands at $1.45 million once he steps in as CEO on March 31. Outgoing chief James Quincey, taking the executive chairman spot, will receive a $1.2 million base, according to the same document.
Argus bumped up its price target on Coca-Cola to $89 from $84 on Monday, sticking with a “buy” rating, MT Newswires reported. Marketscreener
PepsiCo added roughly 2.2%, with Keurig Dr Pepper up close to 1.7%. Shares of Coca-Cola’s beverage rivals climbed as consumer-staples names led the way.
But it’s hardly a sure thing. Tariff headlines can whipsaw sentiment, and as risk appetite dries up in equities, even so-called “defensive” stocks sometimes get dumped to cover redemptions. Meanwhile, a strong dollar threatens to chip away at overseas earnings come reporting season.
The next milestones for investors are coming up fast: March 13 is set as the record date for the April 1 dividend, while Braun steps in as CEO on March 31.
