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

Updated on August 28, 2025

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

Company Profile

BUD 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	BUD	KO
Company Name	Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV	The Coca-Cola Company
Country	Belgium	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Staples	Consumer Staples
GICS Industry	Beverages	Beverages
Market Capitalization	122.99 billion USD	296.65 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	July 1, 2009	January 2, 1962
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BUD 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BUD	KO
5-Day Price Return	2.11%	-1.71%
13-Week Price Return	-11.78%	-3.11%
26-Week Price Return	7.41%	-1.63%
52-Week Price Return	-1.85%	-0.58%
Month-to-Date Return	5.53%	1.53%
Year-to-Date Return	12.41%	10.71%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.06M	12.55M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.71M	15.23M
3-Month Volatility	28.07%	14.28%
Beta	0.90	0.44

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BUD

3.64%

Beverages Industry

Max: 49.46%
Q3: 24.91%
Median: 11.13%
Q1: 5.27%
Min: -5.93%

BUD’s Return on Equity of 3.64% is in the lower quartile for the Beverages industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

KO

45.90%

Beverages Industry

Max: 49.46%
Q3: 24.91%
Median: 11.13%
Q1: 5.27%
Min: -5.93%

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.

BUD vs. KO: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Beverages industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BUD

12.16%

Beverages Industry

Max: 21.86%
Q3: 12.24%
Median: 8.70%
Q1: 5.33%
Min: -4.40%

BUD’s Net Profit Margin of 12.16% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Beverages industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

KO

25.89%

Beverages Industry

Max: 21.86%
Q3: 12.24%
Median: 8.70%
Q1: 5.33%
Min: -4.40%

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.

BUD vs. KO: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Beverages industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BUD

27.17%

Beverages Industry

Max: 29.32%
Q3: 18.25%
Median: 13.42%
Q1: 10.58%
Min: 0.71%

An Operating Profit Margin of 27.17% places BUD 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.

KO

29.32%

Beverages Industry

Max: 29.32%
Q3: 18.25%
Median: 13.42%
Q1: 10.58%
Min: 0.71%

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.

BUD vs. KO: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Beverages industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	BUD	KO
Return on Equity (TTM)	3.64%	45.90%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.39%	11.80%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	12.16%	25.89%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	27.17%	29.32%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	55.70%	61.43%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BUD

0.64

Beverages Industry

Max: 3.38
Q3: 1.97
Median: 1.21
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.53

BUD’s Current Ratio of 0.64 falls into the lower quartile for the Beverages industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

KO

1.21

Beverages Industry

Max: 3.38
Q3: 1.97
Median: 1.21
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.53

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.

BUD vs. KO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Beverages industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BUD

0.94

Beverages Industry

Max: 2.11
Q3: 1.23
Median: 0.79
Q1: 0.32
Min: 0.00

BUD’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.94 is typical for the Beverages 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: 2.11
Q3: 1.23
Median: 0.79
Q1: 0.32
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.

BUD vs. KO: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Beverages industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BUD

3.55

Beverages Industry

Max: 78.96
Q3: 40.67
Median: 9.62
Q1: 3.59
Min: 0.81

In the lower quartile for the Beverages industry, BUD’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.55 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

KO

67.13

Beverages Industry

Max: 78.96
Q3: 40.67
Median: 9.62
Q1: 3.59
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.

BUD vs. KO: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Beverages industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	BUD	KO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.64	1.21
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.45	0.84
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.94	1.73
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	3.55	67.13

Growth

Revenue Growth

BUD 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

BUD 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)

BUD

2.98%

Beverages Industry

Max: 6.93%
Q3: 4.51%
Median: 3.09%
Q1: 2.03%
Min: 0.00%

BUD’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.

KO

2.76%

Beverages Industry

Max: 6.93%
Q3: 4.51%
Median: 3.09%
Q1: 2.03%
Min: 0.00%

KO’s Dividend Yield of 2.76% is consistent with its peers in the Beverages industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

BUD vs. KO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Beverages industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BUD

126.97%

Beverages Industry

Max: 143.36%
Q3: 99.22%
Median: 67.03%
Q1: 40.31%
Min: 0.00%

BUD’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 126.97% is in the upper quartile for the Beverages industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

KO

69.42%

Beverages Industry

Max: 143.36%
Q3: 99.22%
Median: 67.03%
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.

BUD vs. KO: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Beverages industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	BUD	KO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.98%	2.76%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	126.97%	69.42%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BUD

17.36

Beverages Industry

Max: 41.48
Q3: 28.35
Median: 19.09
Q1: 15.36
Min: 3.14

BUD’s P/E Ratio of 17.36 is within the middle range for the Beverages 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

25.14

Beverages Industry

Max: 41.48
Q3: 28.35
Median: 19.09
Q1: 15.36
Min: 3.14

KO’s P/E Ratio of 25.14 is within the middle range for the Beverages industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

BUD vs. KO: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Beverages industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BUD

2.11

Beverages Industry

Max: 3.90
Q3: 2.38
Median: 1.54
Q1: 0.84
Min: 0.41

BUD’s P/S Ratio of 2.11 aligns with the market consensus for the Beverages industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

KO

6.51

Beverages Industry

Max: 3.90
Q3: 2.38
Median: 1.54
Q1: 0.84
Min: 0.41

With a P/S Ratio of 6.51, 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.

BUD vs. KO: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Beverages industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BUD

1.50

Beverages Industry

Max: 6.29
Q3: 3.58
Median: 2.19
Q1: 1.68
Min: 0.91

BUD’s P/B Ratio of 1.50 is in the lower quartile for the Beverages 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: 6.29
Q3: 3.58
Median: 2.19
Q1: 1.68
Min: 0.91

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.

BUD vs. KO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Beverages industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	BUD	KO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	17.36	25.14
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.11	6.51
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.50	10.59
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	10.59	47.00