If You Bought 1 Share of Coca-Cola at Its IPO, Here's How Many Shares You'd Own Now

Key Points

• Stock splits in influential businesses have excited investors.
• Inclusive of stock dividends, Coca-Cola's shareholders have been privy to 11 stock-split events in 106 years.
• Coca-Cola's competitive advantages -- and its 63-year (and counting) dividend growth streak -- are here to stay.
• 10 stocks we like better than Coca-Cola ›

Wall Street typically has at least one next-big-thing trend to captivate the attention and wallets of investors. Stock-split euphoria certainly fits the bill.

A stock split provides a way for public companies to alter their share price and outstanding share count while having no impact on their market cap or operating performance. Forward splits, which are designed to make a company's shares more affordable for retail investors, are especially popular.

One brand-name company that's made stock splits part of its corporate culture for nearly a century is consumer staples giant Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO).

Image source: Getty Images. ## Coca-Cola's stock-split history spans almost 100 years

Coca-Cola's initial public offering (IPO) occurred on Sept. 5, 1919, at $40 per share. Since 1927, it's navigated its way through one stock dividend and 10 forward splits:

• April 1927: 1-for-1 stock dividend
• November 1935: 4-for-1 stock split
• January 1960: 3-for-1
• January 1965: 2-for-1
• May 1968: 2-for-1
• May 1977: 2-for-1
• June 1986: 3-for-1
• May 1990: 2-for-1
• May 1992: 2-for-1
• May 1996: 2-for-1
• July 2012: 2-for-1

If you had, hypothetically, purchased one share of Coca-Cola for $40 at its IPO in 1919, you'd have 9,216 shares presently worth $639,222, not including dividends, as of the closing bell on July 15.

Coca-Cola's competitive advantages are here to stay

Coca-Cola's eye-popping long-term outperformance is a reflection of its geographic diversity and top-tier marketing. With regard to the former, it has ongoing operations in all but three countries and is moving the organic growth needle thanks to emerging markets.

Meanwhile, it's relying on its over 100 years of history to engage mature consumers, and is leaning on artificial intelligence and social media to interact with younger audiences. Coca-Cola's phenomenal marketing is why its brand has been the most-chosen from retail shelves for 12 consecutive years, per Kantar's "Brand Footprint" report.

With a 63-year streak of annual dividend raises in its sails, it's safe to say Coca-Cola stock is as rock-solid as they come.

Do the experts think Coca-Cola is a buy right now?

The Motley Fool’s expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They’ve just revealed their 10 best stocks to buy now — did Coca-Cola make the list?

Story ContinuesWhen our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor’s total average return is up 1,069% vs. just 180% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 888.61%!*

Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $687,149!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,060,406!*

The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of July 15, 2025

Sean Williams has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

If You Bought 1 Share of Coca-Cola at Its IPO, Here's How Many Shares You'd Own Now was originally published by The Motley Fool

View Comments