Compare StocksKO vs VZ

The Coca-Cola Company (KO) vs Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ)

KO
The Coca-Cola Company
$75.55
VS
VZ
Verizon Communications Inc.
$49.48

Rewards

KO
  • The Coca-Cola Company has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • Gross margin of 61.6% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
  • The Coca-Cola Company scores 94/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with margin stability as the strongest competitive dimension.
VZ
  • Free cash flow has grown at a 23.7% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
  • Dividend yield of 5.72% with a consistent or growing payout over the past 4 years.
  • FCF yield of 8.3% is historically attractive — the business generates significant cash relative to its price.

Risks

KO
  • PEG ratio of 6.90 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
  • 10 insider sales totaling $72.0M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
  • Free cash flow has declined at a 17.8% CAGR over the past 4 years — a concerning trend.
VZ
  • Altman Z-Score of 1.24 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.

Key Valuation Metrics

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KO
VZ
Valuation
$-1.46B
Free Cash Flow
$17.24B
-0.45%
FCF Yield
8.26%
24.85
Trailing P/E
12.19
21.80
Forward P/E
9.40
Quality & Moat
11.36%
ROIC
7.89%
38.24%
ROE
16.24%
61.63%
Gross Margin
59.07%
6.90
PEG Ratio
N/A
Balance Sheet Safety
1.40
Debt / Equity
1.75
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
2.00
Net Debt / EBITDA
3.32
2.73%
Dividend Yield
5.72%
KO: 4Ties: 2VZ: 5
KOVZ

Historical Fundamentals

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KO

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

VZ

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

$1 Retained Earnings Test

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KO
$2.72
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$9.36B
Δ Market Cap
+$25.42B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
VZ
$0.50
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Mediocre Allocator
Σ Retained
$12.54B
Δ Market Cap
+$6.29B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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KO
35.7% Overvalued
Price is 35.7% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $75.55
Fair Value: $55.67
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
VZ
11.2% Overvalued
Price is 11.2% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $49.48
Fair Value: $44.50
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued

Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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KO

Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.

VZ

What growth rate is the market pricing in at $49?

+8.9%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +8.8%

The market implies +8.9% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.

Standard FCF implies a demanding +8.8%, reflecting heavy growth investment.

Economic Moat Score

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KO
94/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. Margin Stability is the standout factor.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
VZ
55/100
Narrow Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Narrow moat with margin stability as the key competitive advantage. Improving roic consistency would strengthen the moat.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

Forensic Accounting

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KO
-2.38
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
VZ
-2.69
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Ownership Breakdown

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KO
Insiders 9.9%Institutions 66.7%Retail & Other 23.4%
No. of Institutional Holders4,381
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
VZ
Insiders 0.1%Institutions 68.9%Retail & Other 31.1%
No. of Institutional Holders3,832
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

Insider Buying Activity

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KO
0
Buys (3M)
1
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $998,676
LEVCHIN MAX R
Director
$998,676
@ $70.00 · 2025-10-24
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
VZ
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

Insider Selling Activity

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KO
10
Sells (3M)
19
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $122.47M
DOUGLAS MONICA HOWARD
Officer
$1.85M
@ $77.37 · 2026-03-09
QUINCEY JAMES R.
Chief Executive Officer
$19.84M
@ $79.14 · 2026-03-03
QUAN NANCY W
Officer
$1.87M
@ $79.50 · 2026-03-03
PIETRACCI BRUNO
Divisional Officer
$2.28M
@ $79.41 · 2026-03-03
MURPHY JOHN
President
$5.83M
@ $80.52 · 2026-03-02
PEREZ BEATRIZ R
Officer
$1.73M
@ $81.00 · 2026-02-27
PEREZ BEATRIZ R
Officer
$2.93M
@ $80.69 · 2026-02-26
DOUGLAS MONICA HOWARD
Officer
$1.60M
@ $80.16 · 2026-02-25
MURPHY JOHN
President
$8.00M
@ $80.42 · 2026-02-25
QUINCEY JAMES R.
Chief Executive Officer
$26.05M
@ $77.10 · 2026-02-03
QUAN NANCY W
Officer
$2.25M
@ $71.17 · 2025-11-17
ARROYO MANUEL
Officer
$9.89M
@ $70.80 · 2025-11-14
BRAUN HENRIQUE GNANI
Chief Operating Officer
$2.86M
@ $70.93 · 2025-11-11
DOUGLAS MONICA HOWARD
Officer
$947,464
@ $69.93 · 2025-10-24
KOUMETTIS NIKOLAOS
Divisional Officer
$2.58M
@ $69.10 · 2025-08-05
QUINCEY JAMES R.
Chief Executive Officer
$19.20M
@ $72.06 · 2025-05-30
QUAN NANCY W
Officer
$2.02M
@ $70.81 · 2025-05-09
PEREZ BEATRIZ R
Officer
$4.34M
@ $71.87 · 2025-05-08
MURPHY JOHN
President
$6.39M
@ $72.09 · 2025-05-07
BRAUN HENRIQUE GNANI
Chief Operating Officer
$1.81M
@ $71.47 · 2025-03-11
KOUMETTIS NIKOLAOS
Divisional Officer
$3.94M
@ $71.01 · 2025-03-07
DOUGLAS MONICA HOWARD
Officer
$394,231
@ $70.84 · 2025-02-26
KOUMETTIS NIKOLAOS
Divisional Officer
$3.88M
@ $70.96 · 2025-02-26
QUAN NANCY W
Officer
$3.92M
@ $71.36 · 2025-02-25
CHANG LISA VIRGINIA
Officer
$961,352
@ $71.50 · 2025-02-25
PIETRACCI BRUNO
Divisional Officer
$1.34M
@ $70.56 · 2025-02-24
DOUGLAS MONICA HOWARD
Officer
$697,673
@ $63.71 · 2024-11-22
QUINCEY JAMES R.
Chief Executive Officer
$6.40M
@ $64.03 · 2024-11-08
QUAN NANCY W
Officer
$1.32M
@ $71.50 · 2024-08-27
QUINCEY JAMES R.
Chief Executive Officer
$2.97M
@ $70.02 · 2024-08-26
MANN JENNIFER K
Officer
$8.99M
@ $69.52 · 2024-08-22
QUINCEY JAMES R.
Chief Executive Officer
$7.18M
@ $70.02 · 2024-08-21
CHANG LISA VIRGINIA
Officer
$2.80M
@ $69.54 · 2024-08-21
PEREZ BEATRIZ R
Officer
$2.43M
@ $68.62 · 2024-08-08
ARROYO MANUEL
Officer
$1.88M
@ $68.22 · 2024-08-07
CHANG LISA VIRGINIA
Officer
$3.98M
@ $68.51 · 2024-08-06
QUAN NANCY W
Officer
$1.27M
@ $68.95 · 2024-08-02
PIETRACCI BRUNO
Divisional Officer
$2.67M
@ $69.01 · 2024-08-02
QUAN NANCY W
Officer
$2.53M
@ $66.96 · 2024-07-26
QUAN NANCY W
Officer
$1.25M
@ $64.96 · 2024-07-17
KOUMETTIS NIKOLAOS
Divisional Officer
$5.04M
@ $62.34 · 2024-06-14
QUAN NANCY W
Officer
$1.22M
@ $63.44 · 2024-06-11
BRAUN HENRIQUE GNANI
Officer
$3.61M
@ $63.08 · 2024-05-15
DOUGLAS MONICA HOWARD
Officer
$561,801
@ $63.31 · 2024-05-10
MURPHY JOHN
President
$3.60M
@ $62.91 · 2024-05-09
QUAN NANCY W
Officer
$2.33M
@ $62.28 · 2024-05-07
RANDAZZA MARK
Officer
$1.28M
@ $62.29 · 2024-05-07
PEREZ BEATRIZ R
Officer
$3.55M
@ $61.99 · 2024-05-06
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
VZ
2
Sells (3M)
7
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $2.67M
STILLWELL MARY-LEE
Officer
$428,450
@ $50.00 · 2026-03-02
RUSSO JOSEPH J.
Officer
$429,906
@ $44.88 · 2026-02-02
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$438,101
@ $43.81 · 2025-05-08
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$396,900
@ $44.10 · 2025-05-07
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$329,062
@ $43.87 · 2025-04-30
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$430,240
@ $43.02 · 2025-04-24
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$212,425
@ $42.48 · 2025-04-23
VENKATESH VANDANA
Officer
$437,939
@ $43.79 · 2025-02-25
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$261,623
@ $39.70 · 2025-02-04
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$319,080
@ $39.88 · 2025-02-03
MALADY KYLE
Chief Executive Officer
$453,155
@ $40.88 · 2025-01-29
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$809,800
@ $40.49 · 2025-01-28
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$810,800
@ $40.54 · 2025-01-27
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

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KO
FearGreed
😐Neutral(53/100)

"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
VZ
FearGreed
😏Greed(61/100)

"Market is optimistic — be cautious and ensure you have a margin of safety"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

⚖️ Buffett Signal

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KO
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (53)
VZ
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Greed (61)
View KO Full AnalysisView VZ Full Analysis
The Coca-Cola Company (KO) vs Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) Stock Comparison | SafetyMargin.io