Coca-Cola (KO) Stock Eyes 15% Upside as Jefferies Bets Big on Fairlife

TLDR

• Jefferies is bullish on Coca-Cola, citing its fairlife protein brand as a key growth driver
• Fairlife supply is expected to rise 25% in 2026, opening new channels like convenience stores
• Fairlife could add over 2 percentage points to North American organic sales in 2026
• 80% of analysts hold bullish ratings on KO, with a consensus price target of $86
• Berkshire Hathaway collects ~$848 million in annual dividends from its KO position

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Coca-Cola (KO) is trading in the mid-$70s, up roughly 12% over the past year, though it has pulled back about 6% over the past month.

The Coca-Cola Company, KO

Jefferies has flagged Coca-Cola as one of its top picks in the protein space, pointing to the fairlife brand as the main reason. The firm says consumer demand is shifting toward convenient, cost-effective, high-concentration protein formats — and fairlife fits that trend well.

Jefferies estimates that Coca-Cola’s distribution network will support a 25% increase in fairlife supply this year. That extra capacity is expected to help the company push into convenience stores and food service outlets, two channels that could meaningfully expand the brand’s reach.

On the numbers, Jefferies forecasts fairlife will contribute more than 2 percentage points to Coca-Cola’s North American organic sales growth in 2026. That contribution is expected to grow by another percentage point in 2027.

Taken together, the firm believes fairlife will help Coca-Cola hit its stated organic sales growth guidance of 4% to 6% for the year.

Wall Street Lines Up Behind KO

Jefferies isn’t alone. As of March 24, 2026, 80% of analysts covering Coca-Cola hold bullish ratings on the stock. The consensus price target sits at $86, implying more than 15% upside from current levels.

Morgan Stanley analyst Dara Mohsenian recently reiterated Coca-Cola as a top pick with an $87 price target. He pointed to strong 2026 earnings visibility, solid North American demand, and fairlife’s expansion as the key drivers of his view.

Bank of America Securities also holds a Buy rating with an $88 target on the stock.

The stock has dipped roughly 3% to 4% over the past week. Despite that, Wall Street’s overall stance hasn’t shifted.

Buffett’s Dividend Engine Keeps Running

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has held 400 million Coca-Cola shares since the early 1990s. Back in 1994, Berkshire collected about $75 million in annual dividends from that position. Today, that figure sits at roughly $848 million.

Coca-Cola has raised its dividend for 64 consecutive years, earning it Dividend King status. The current yield is near 3%, while Berkshire’s yield on its original cost basis is now around 60%.

That track record is part of why KO remains a go-to name for income-focused investors, especially in a volatile market.

The 15-analyst consensus on the stock is currently a Strong Buy, with an average price target of $85.07.

The post Coca-Cola (KO) Stock Eyes 15% Upside as Jefferies Bets Big on Fairlife appeared first on CoinCentral.