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

Updated on October 3, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	KO	LIN
Company Name	The Coca-Cola Company	Linde plc
Country	United States	United Kingdom
GICS Sector	Consumer Staples	Materials
GICS Industry	Beverages	Chemicals
Market Capitalization	287.40 billion USD	222.46 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	June 17, 1992
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of KO and LIN 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	KO	LIN
5-Day Price Return	1.21%	0.18%
13-Week Price Return	-6.82%	1.24%
26-Week Price Return	-5.60%	2.94%
52-Week Price Return	-7.07%	-0.94%
Month-to-Date Return	0.69%	-0.69%
Year-to-Date Return	7.26%	13.45%
10-Day Avg. Volume	16.78M	1.87M
3-Month Avg. Volume	15.89M	1.75M
3-Month Volatility	13.32%	12.74%
Beta	0.40	0.93

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

LIN

17.46%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 29.52%
Q3: 13.18%
Median: 6.53%
Q1: 1.35%
Min: -11.86%

In the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, LIN’s Return on Equity of 17.46% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

LIN

20.20%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 20.20%
Q3: 9.15%
Median: 3.94%
Q1: 0.60%
Min: -10.43%

A Net Profit Margin of 20.20% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

LIN

26.75%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 27.33%
Q3: 13.82%
Median: 7.98%
Q1: 3.60%
Min: -7.61%

An Operating Profit Margin of 26.75% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	KO	LIN
Return on Equity (TTM)	45.90%	17.46%
Return on Assets (TTM)	11.80%	8.10%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	25.89%	20.20%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	29.32%	26.75%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	61.43%	48.45%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

LIN

0.93

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.72
Q3: 2.38
Median: 1.69
Q1: 1.42
Min: 0.75

LIN’s Current Ratio of 0.93 falls into the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

LIN

0.67

Chemicals Industry

Max: 1.53
Q3: 1.00
Median: 0.69
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

LIN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 is typical for the Chemicals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

LIN

33.09

Chemicals Industry

Max: 56.43
Q3: 26.33
Median: 8.84
Q1: 2.54
Min: -9.39

LIN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 33.09 is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	KO	LIN
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.21	0.93
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.84	0.70
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.73	0.67
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	67.13	33.09

Growth

Revenue Growth

KO vs. LIN: 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

KO vs. LIN: 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)

KO

2.95%

Beverages Industry

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

KO’s Dividend Yield of 2.95% is consistent with its peers in the Beverages industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

LIN

1.25%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 6.59%
Q3: 3.67%
Median: 2.44%
Q1: 1.36%
Min: 0.00%

LIN’s Dividend Yield of 1.25% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

LIN

40.71%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 192.00%
Q3: 108.95%
Median: 57.38%
Q1: 27.28%
Min: 0.00%

LIN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 40.71% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	KO	LIN
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.95%	1.25%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	69.42%	40.71%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

KO

23.51

Beverages Industry

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

A P/E Ratio of 23.51 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.

LIN

32.60

Chemicals Industry

Max: 49.43
Q3: 32.03
Median: 21.32
Q1: 14.93
Min: 8.66

A P/E Ratio of 32.60 places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

KO

6.09

Beverages Industry

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

With a P/S Ratio of 6.09, 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.

LIN

6.58

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.90
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.00
Q1: 0.55
Min: 0.15

With a P/S Ratio of 6.58, LIN trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Chemicals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

LIN

5.73

Chemicals Industry

Max: 5.01
Q3: 2.59
Median: 1.50
Q1: 0.95
Min: 0.30

At 5.73, LIN’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Chemicals 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 vs. LIN: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Beverages and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	KO	LIN
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	23.51	32.60
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.09	6.58
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	10.59	5.73
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	43.95	43.18