BTI vs. KO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 9, 2025

Here’s a clear look at BTI and KO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

BTI trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, KO is a standard domestic listing.

Symbol	BTI	KO
Company Name	British American Tobacco p.l.c.	The Coca-Cola Company
Country	United Kingdom	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Staples	Consumer Staples
GICS Industry	Tobacco	Beverages
Market Capitalization	111.84 billion USD	284.47 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	April 14, 1980	January 2, 1962
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BTI and KO by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

BTI vs. KO: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BTI	KO
5-Day Price Return	-2.70%	-0.33%
13-Week Price Return	7.68%	-6.91%
26-Week Price Return	19.89%	-8.03%
52-Week Price Return	41.87%	-6.27%
Month-to-Date Return	-3.34%	-0.33%
Year-to-Date Return	32.47%	6.17%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.51M	14.65M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.88M	15.98M
3-Month Volatility	19.84%	13.15%
Beta	-0.63	0.40

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BTI

6.40%

Tobacco Industry

Max: 49.48%
Q3: 49.48%
Median: 13.16%
Q1: 5.02%
Min: 4.04%

BTI’s Return on Equity of 6.40% is on par with the norm for the Tobacco industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

KO

45.90%

Beverages Industry

Max: 45.90%
Q3: 22.74%
Median: 10.10%
Q1: 6.35%
Min: -13.21%

In the upper quartile for the Beverages industry, KO’s Return on Equity of 45.90% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

BTI vs. KO: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Tobacco and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BTI

12.06%

Tobacco Industry

Max: 21.36%
Q3: 16.88%
Median: 10.39%
Q1: 7.51%
Min: 4.74%

BTI’s Net Profit Margin of 12.06% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Tobacco industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

KO

25.89%

Beverages Industry

Max: 21.38%
Q3: 12.24%
Median: 8.43%
Q1: 5.97%
Min: 0.65%

KO’s Net Profit Margin of 25.89% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Beverages industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

BTI vs. KO: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Tobacco and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BTI

13.86%

Tobacco Industry

Max: 18.53%
Q3: 15.03%
Median: 11.76%
Q1: 11.00%
Min: 6.94%

BTI’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.86% is around the midpoint for the Tobacco industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

KO

29.32%

Beverages Industry

Max: 29.32%
Q3: 20.15%
Median: 13.14%
Q1: 10.74%
Min: 1.24%

An Operating Profit Margin of 29.32% places KO in the upper quartile for the Beverages industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

BTI vs. KO: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Tobacco and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	BTI	KO
Return on Equity (TTM)	6.40%	45.90%
Return on Assets (TTM)	2.70%	11.80%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	12.06%	25.89%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	13.86%	29.32%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	83.38%	61.43%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BTI

0.87

Tobacco Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.84
Median: 1.26
Q1: 0.79
Min: 0.39

BTI’s Current Ratio of 0.87 aligns with the median group of the Tobacco industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

KO

1.21

Beverages Industry

Max: 3.52
Q3: 2.00
Median: 1.22
Q1: 0.87
Min: 0.55

KO’s Current Ratio of 1.21 aligns with the median group of the Beverages industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

BTI vs. KO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Tobacco and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BTI

0.75

Tobacco Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 2.19
Median: 0.58
Q1: 0.07
Min: 0.01

BTI’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.75 is typical for the Tobacco industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

KO

1.73

Beverages Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 1.14
Median: 0.74
Q1: 0.37
Min: 0.00

KO’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Beverages industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.73. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

BTI vs. KO: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Tobacco and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BTI

-11.45

Tobacco Industry

Max: 306.04
Q3: 126.21
Median: 9.35
Q1: 6.32
Min: -11.45

BTI has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -11.45. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

KO

67.13

Beverages Industry

Max: 78.96
Q3: 42.68
Median: 10.96
Q1: 3.86
Min: 0.81

KO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 67.13 is in the upper quartile for the Beverages industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

BTI vs. KO: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Tobacco and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	BTI	KO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.87	1.21
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.55	0.84
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.75	1.73
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-11.45	67.13

Growth

Revenue Growth

BTI vs. KO: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

BTI vs. KO: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

BTI

6.27%

Tobacco Industry

Max: 6.77%
Q3: 6.12%
Median: 5.06%
Q1: 3.83%
Min: 0.57%

With a Dividend Yield of 6.27%, BTI offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Tobacco industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

KO

2.98%

Beverages Industry

Max: 7.92%
Q3: 4.37%
Median: 3.32%
Q1: 1.98%
Min: 0.00%

KO’s Dividend Yield of 2.98% is consistent with its peers in the Beverages industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

BTI vs. KO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Tobacco and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BTI

57.82%

Tobacco Industry

Max: 78.29%
Q3: 75.97%
Median: 64.37%
Q1: 50.14%
Min: 49.96%

BTI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 57.82% is within the typical range for the Tobacco industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

KO

69.42%

Beverages Industry

Max: 188.65%
Q3: 104.55%
Median: 72.60%
Q1: 40.31%
Min: 0.00%

KO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 69.42% is within the typical range for the Beverages industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

BTI vs. KO: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Tobacco and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	BTI	KO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	6.27%	2.98%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	57.82%	69.42%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BTI

26.94

Tobacco Industry

Max: 44.17
Q3: 36.23
Median: 27.79
Q1: 11.97
Min: 9.91

BTI’s P/E Ratio of 26.94 is within the middle range for the Tobacco industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

KO

23.32

Beverages Industry

Max: 35.25
Q3: 22.66
Median: 17.17
Q1: 13.65
Min: 4.77

A P/E Ratio of 23.32 places KO in the upper quartile for the Beverages industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

BTI vs. KO: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Tobacco and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BTI

3.25

Tobacco Industry

Max: 7.60
Q3: 5.15
Median: 2.97
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.80

BTI’s P/S Ratio of 3.25 aligns with the market consensus for the Tobacco industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

KO

6.04

Beverages Industry

Max: 4.06
Q3: 2.24
Median: 1.34
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.39

With a P/S Ratio of 6.04, KO trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Beverages industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

BTI vs. KO: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Tobacco and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BTI

1.62

Tobacco Industry

Max: 4.76
Q3: 4.76
Median: 3.34
Q1: 1.97
Min: 1.05

BTI’s P/B Ratio of 1.62 is in the lower quartile for the Tobacco industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

KO

10.59

Beverages Industry

Max: 6.90
Q3: 4.23
Median: 2.20
Q1: 1.51
Min: 0.69

At 10.59, KO’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Beverages industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

BTI vs. KO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Tobacco and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	BTI	KO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	26.94	23.32
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.25	6.04
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.62	10.59
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	9.60	43.60