Coca-Cola (KO) vs PepsiCo (PEP)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Coca-Cola (KO) has outperformed PepsiCo (PEP) over the past year, gaining 28.5% versus a loss of 12.1%. Over five years, KO leads with a +57.5% price change compared with -22.1% for PEP. Coca-Cola is the larger company by market cap ($369.24 billion vs $169.02 billion), about 2.2 times the size, while PepsiCo is growing revenue faster (+2.3% vs +1.9%).
On valuation, PepsiCo trades at a lower forward P/E (13.9x vs 24.3x for Coca-Cola). PepsiCo offers the higher dividend yield (4.65% vs 2.42%). Coca-Cola converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 27.3% versus 8.8%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | KO | PEP |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $85.82 | $123.73 |
| Market cap | $369.24B | $169.02B |
| 1-day change | -0.41% | -1.58% |
| YTD return | +22.76% | -13.79% |
| 1-year return | +28.49% | -12.12% |
| 5-year return | +57.53% | -22.09% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 25.77 | 16.48 |
| Forward P/E | 24.35 | 13.89 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.33 | $7.51 |
| Dividend yield | 2.42% | 4.65% |
| Annual dividend | $2.08 | $5.75 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $47.94B | $93.92B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.87% | +2.25% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $13.11B | $8.24B |
| Gross margin | 61.63% | 54.15% |
| Operating margin | 28.71% | 12.24% |
| Net margin | 27.34% | 8.77% |
| 52-week high | $92.49 | $171.48 |
| 52-week low | $66.00 | $123.47 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.21% | -27.85% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +10.03% | +20.13% |
| Average volume | 15.90M | 8.15M |
| Shares outstanding | 4.30B | 1.37B |
| Employees | 65,900 | 306,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Defensive |
| Industry | Beverages (Production/Distribution) | Beverages - Non-Alcoholic |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Coca-Cola is about 2.2 times larger than PepsiCo by market value ($369.24B vs $169.02B).
- KO has outperformed PEP by 40.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Coca-Cola trades at a higher earnings multiple (25.8x vs 16.5x trailing P/E).
- PepsiCo offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.65% vs 2.42%).
- Coca-Cola is more profitable, keeping 27.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.8 cents for PepsiCo.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Coca-Cola in Consumer Staples and PepsiCo in Consumer Defensive.
About Coca-Cola
KO stock →The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures and sells various nonalcoholic beverages in the United States and internationally. The company provides Trademark Coca-Cola, sparkling soft drinks and flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and emerging beverages.
Consumer Staples · Beverages (Production/Distribution) · 65,900 employees
About PepsiCo
PEP stock →PepsiCo, Inc. engages in the manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of various beverages and convenient foods worldwide.
Consumer Defensive · Beverages - Non-Alcoholic · 306,000 employees
KO vs PEP FAQ
Which is bigger, Coca-Cola or PepsiCo?
Coca-Cola (KO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $369.24B compared with $169.02B for PepsiCo (PEP).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KO or PEP?
KO returned +28.49% over the past 12 months, compared with -12.12% for PEP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, KO or PEP?
PEP has the lower trailing P/E at 16.5, versus 25.8 for KO. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Coca-Cola or PepsiCo?
PepsiCo has the higher yield at 4.65%, compared with 2.42% for Coca-Cola.
Are Coca-Cola and PepsiCo in the same industry?
No. Coca-Cola is in the Consumer Staples sector, while PepsiCo is in Consumer Defensive.