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

Updated on August 22, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	GE	KO
Company Name	GE Aerospace	The Coca-Cola Company
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Consumer Staples
GICS Industry	Industrial Conglomerates	Beverages
Market Capitalization	282.54 billion USD	304.27 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	January 2, 1962
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of GE 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GE	KO
5-Day Price Return	-1.21%	1.65%
13-Week Price Return	13.24%	-1.71%
26-Week Price Return	27.87%	1.73%
52-Week Price Return	55.88%	2.49%
Month-to-Date Return	-1.71%	4.14%
Year-to-Date Return	59.75%	13.56%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.18M	12.59M
3-Month Avg. Volume	6.09M	15.38M
3-Month Volatility	23.66%	13.85%
Beta	1.53	0.44

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

GE

40.51%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 21.93%
Q3: 14.23%
Median: 7.81%
Q1: 5.91%
Min: -3.58%

GE’s Return on Equity of 40.51% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

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.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

GE

18.64%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 18.70%
Q3: 12.58%
Median: 9.26%
Q1: 3.87%
Min: -2.26%

A Net Profit Margin of 18.64% places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

GE

15.53%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 25.69%
Q3: 17.03%
Median: 12.85%
Q1: 8.81%
Min: -0.73%

GE’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.53% is around the midpoint for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GE	KO
Return on Equity (TTM)	40.51%	45.90%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.22%	11.80%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	18.64%	25.89%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	15.53%	29.32%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	35.97%	61.43%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

GE

1.04

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.64
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.13
Min: 0.61

GE’s Current Ratio of 1.04 falls into the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates 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.

GE vs. KO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

GE

0.99

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.27
Q3: 1.47
Median: 0.99
Q1: 0.66
Min: 0.21

GE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.99 is typical for the Industrial Conglomerates 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.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

GE

5.01

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 11.17
Q3: 8.02
Median: 5.88
Q1: 2.73
Min: -2.15

GE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GE	KO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.04	1.21
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.73	0.84
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.99	1.73
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	5.01	67.13

Growth

Revenue Growth

GE 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

GE 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)

GE

0.46%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 10.17%
Q3: 5.53%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 1.88%
Min: 0.00%

GE’s Dividend Yield of 0.46% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

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.

GE vs. KO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Beverages industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

GE

16.78%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 181.91%
Q3: 95.57%
Median: 50.60%
Q1: 35.01%
Min: 1.76%

GE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 16.78% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GE	KO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.46%	2.76%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	16.78%	69.42%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

GE

36.39

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 36.98
Q3: 22.09
Median: 12.18
Q1: 8.93
Min: 5.63

A P/E Ratio of 36.39 places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

GE

6.78

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 3.60
Q3: 2.10
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.42
Min: 0.11

With a P/S Ratio of 6.78, GE trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

GE

14.26

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 4.89
Q3: 2.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.60
Min: 0.27

At 14.26, GE’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial Conglomerates 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.

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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GE	KO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	36.39	25.14
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.78	6.51
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	14.26	10.59
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	51.39	47.00