Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) Q122
February 17, 2022 | Atlanta, GA
The Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola Company has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.44 per common share, an increase of approximately 5% over the previous quarterly dividend.
Year to date, this marks the sixth dividend change for the Washington Crossing Advisors Rising Dividend portfolio. All six changes were increases. The average dividend increase was 5.78% compared with December 31, 2021 indicated levels.
From the press release: “The Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola Company today approved the company’s 60th consecutive annual dividend increase, raising the quarterly dividend approximately 5 percent from 42 cents to 44 cents per common share.
The quarterly dividend is equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.76 per share, up from $1.68 per share in 2021. The first quarter dividend is payable April 1 to shareowners of record as of March 15. The company returned $7.3 billion in dividends to shareowners in 2021, bringing the total amount of dividends paid to shareowners since Jan. 1, 2010, to $69.2 billion.1
Share repurchase program
The company’s capital allocation priorities continue to balance financial flexibility with an efficient capital structure. Based on its positive outlook, the company expects to resume share repurchases in 2022, with net share repurchases (non-GAAP) of approximately $500 million for the year. The ultimate amount and timing of share repurchases will be determined over the course of the year, subject to the company’s discretion based on various factors.
Any share repurchases would occur under the board’s current authorizations, which authorize the repurchase of approximately 160 million shares. The board may modify, extend or terminate the share repurchase program at any time. The company’s initial share repurchase program began in 1984.”1
About the company: “The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.”1
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES: The securities discussed herein do not represent all of the securities held by the WCA Rising Dividend Portfolio as of the date presented and are subject to change at any time, without notice. A complete list of holdings as of the date noted above will be provided upon request. The above is presented to illustrate the application of the strategy only and not intended as personalized recommendations of any particular security. The securities identified and described above do not represent all of the securities purchased, sold, or recommended for client accounts. You should not assume that an investment in any of the securities identified was or will be profitable. Changes in market conditions or a company’s financial condition may impact the company’s ability to continue to pay dividends. Companies may also choose to discontinue dividend payments. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal, and there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met. It is important to review your investment objectives, risk tolerance and liquidity needs before choosing an investment style or manager. Equity investments are subject generally to market, market sector, market liquidity, issuer, and investment style risks, among other factors to varying degrees. Fixed Income investments are subject to market, market liquidity, issuer, investment style, interest rate, credit quality, and call risks, among other factors to varying degrees.