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

Updated on October 5, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	KO	MS
Company Name	The Coca-Cola Company	Morgan Stanley
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Staples	Financials
GICS Industry	Beverages	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	286.84 billion USD	251.57 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	February 23, 1993
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of KO and MS 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. MS: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	KO	MS
5-Day Price Return	0.92%	-2.22%
13-Week Price Return	-6.59%	9.33%
26-Week Price Return	-6.94%	35.07%
52-Week Price Return	-6.14%	50.78%
Month-to-Date Return	0.50%	-0.86%
Year-to-Date Return	7.05%	25.35%
10-Day Avg. Volume	14.55M	5.11M
3-Month Avg. Volume	15.92M	5.28M
3-Month Volatility	13.15%	17.88%
Beta	0.40	1.23

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.

MS

13.95%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 13.52%
Q1: 8.61%
Min: -4.25%

MS’s Return on Equity of 13.95% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

KO vs. MS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Beverages and Capital Markets 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.

MS

13.06%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 69.91%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.06%
Min: -15.18%

MS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.06% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Capital Markets industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

KO vs. MS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Beverages and Capital Markets 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.

MS

17.07%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 84.86%
Q3: 47.16%
Median: 32.23%
Q1: 18.65%
Min: -21.87%

MS’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.07% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	KO	MS
Return on Equity (TTM)	45.90%	13.95%
Return on Assets (TTM)	11.80%	1.15%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	25.89%	13.06%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	29.32%	17.07%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	61.43%	54.42%

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.

MS

0.29

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.56
Min: 0.04

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

KO vs. MS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Beverages and Capital Markets 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.

MS

7.68

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.52
Q3: 2.79
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

KO vs. MS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Beverages and Capital Markets 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.

MS

1.25

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 107.59
Q3: 48.41
Median: 10.85
Q1: 4.56
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	KO	MS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.21	0.29
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.84	0.29
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.73	7.68
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	67.13	1.25

Growth

Revenue Growth

KO vs. MS: 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. MS: 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.

MS

2.54%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.02%
Q3: 4.54%
Median: 2.55%
Q1: 1.27%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Yield of 2.54% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

KO vs. MS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Beverages and Capital Markets 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.

MS

43.20%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 199.38%
Q3: 99.28%
Median: 60.67%
Q1: 32.00%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.20% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	KO	MS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.95%	2.54%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	69.42%	43.20%

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.

MS

16.98

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 51.69
Q3: 29.42
Median: 17.58
Q1: 12.55
Min: 5.59

MS’s P/E Ratio of 16.98 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets 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 vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Beverages and Capital Markets 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.

MS

2.22

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.65
Q3: 7.29
Median: 4.53
Q1: 2.26
Min: 0.04

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MS’s P/S Ratio of 2.22 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

KO vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Beverages and Capital Markets 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.

MS

2.08

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.83
Q3: 5.12
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.37

MS’s P/B Ratio of 2.08 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	KO	MS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	23.51	16.98
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.09	2.22
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	10.59	2.08
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	43.95	11.40