how much coke stock does buffett own

Warren Buffett’s stake in The Coca‑Cola Company

Lead (short answer): As of Berkshire Hathaway’s most recent public filings for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 (filed in February 2024), and as reported by major financial press, Berkshire Hathaway — led by Warren Buffett — held approximately 400,000,000 shares of The Coca‑Cola Company. Market value and percentage stakes fluctuate with KO’s share price and quarterly SEC filings; readers should consult the latest Berkshire 13F and company filings for up‑to‑date figures.

Within the first 100 words, we answered the central question of how much coke stock does buffett own and provided readers a clear pointer to primary sources for verification.

Background

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is widely known for a value‑oriented, buy‑and‑hold approach to equity investing. His public letters and interviews emphasize buying businesses with durable competitive advantages, predictable cash flows, and management integrity. Iconic consumer brands figure prominently in Buffett’s portfolio because they combine pricing power, strong brand recognition, and steady demand.

The Coca‑Cola Company fits Buffett’s checklist: it operates a global brand with high consumer loyalty, recurrent pricing power, and a simple, predictable business model centered on beverage sales and distribution. Berkshire’s Coca‑Cola position has become one of the most cited examples of Buffett’s long‑term investing philosophy.

This background answers the broader context for readers searching for how much coke stock does buffett own and why he chose to hold that stake for decades.

Acquisition history

Berkshire’s initial purchases of Coca‑Cola stock trace back to the late 1980s. According to historical accounts and Buffett’s own commentary, Berkshire began accumulating Coca‑Cola shares in 1988 and continued purchases through the early 1990s.

• Between 1988 and 1994, Berkshire invested approximately $1.3 billion to build its position, according to retrospective descriptions in investor letters and financial histories. Those purchases occurred when Coca‑Cola shares traded at a fraction of today’s prices and when the company was expanding global distribution.

• After the early accumulation period, Berkshire generally held the bulk of its Coca‑Cola shares rather than trading aggressively. Over the following decades, Buffett described Coca‑Cola as part of Berkshire’s “forever” holdings: a durable brand that would generate steady cash flows and dividends.

• There have been occasional small trims and tax‑ or portfolio‑management driven sales reported in quarterly 13F filings over the years, but no documented major divestment event that materially changed Berkshire’s core stake until recent decades when the position has remained largely intact.

The acquisition history explains the timing and scale of Berkshire’s original investment and sets the stage for the stake size readers typically ask about when they search how much coke stock does buffett own.

Timeline of major transactions

Below is a concise timeline constructed from public SEC filings, Berkshire’s shareholder communications, and historical financial reporting. Exact share counts and dollar amounts are taken from the filings and press summaries for each period; readers should verify with primary documents for transaction‑level detail.

• Late 1988: Initial purchases begin as Berkshire accumulates shares.
• 1989–1994: Primary build‑out period; cumulative investment in Coca‑Cola reported historically at roughly $1.3 billion.
• 1995–2000: Position largely held; occasional portfolio rebalancing but no major change to the core stake.
• 2000s–2010s: Continued long‑term holding; Berkshire collects dividends and taxes any minor adjustments against broader portfolio needs.
• 2020–2023: Position reported consistently in Berkshire’s 13F filings as one of the company’s largest legacy equity positions.

Sources used to reconstruct this timeline include Berkshire Hathaway SEC filings (13F), Berkshire annual reports and shareholder letters, and major financial press summaries that have compiled the trading history. For transaction‑level granularity, the SEC filings and 13F archives are the authoritative record.

Current holdings and reported figures

As noted at the top, Berkshire’s reported Coca‑Cola position appears in public filings as approximately 400,000,000 shares. To put that figure in context, and to make it verifiable for readers asking how much coke stock does buffett own, consider these related, quantifiable metrics and the caveats that accompany them:

• Share count: ~400,000,000 shares (reported in Berkshire’s most recent 13F for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, filed in February 2024).

• Percent of Coca‑Cola’s outstanding shares: At typical outstanding share figures (Coca‑Cola’s total diluted shares outstanding has historically been in the ~4.2–4.4 billion range), 400 million shares correspond to roughly a 9–10% ownership stake. The exact percentage varies by Coca‑Cola’s reported outstanding shares at the time of calculation.

• Market value: Market value of Berkshire’s stake equals shares × KO share price on a given date. For example, if KO trades at $60 per share, 400,000,000 × $60 = $24,000,000,000 (about $24 billion). If KO trades at $55, the value would be $22 billion. Because KO’s price moves intraday, all market‑value figures are snapshots tied to a specific market date and time.

• Percent of Berkshire’s listed equity portfolio: Berkshire’s total publicly disclosed equity portfolio value changes with market moves and new positions (for example, large holdings in technology, financials, and consumer names). At a multi‑hundred‑billion‑dollar equity portfolio scale, Coca‑Cola typically represents a significant legacy holding but a single‑digit share of the total marketable equity portfolio. Exact percentages require using the market‑value snapshot for both Berkshire’s total equity holdings and Coca‑Cola’s price on the same date.

Because readers searching how much coke stock does buffett own want a fast, verifiable answer, the most transparent approach is to quote the share count as reported in Berkshire’s 13F and then demonstrate how to translate that number into market value and percent ownership using contemporaneous stock price and share‑count disclosures.

Dividends and income from the stake

A central attraction of Coca‑Cola for long‑term holders is recurring dividends. Berkshire’s stake has been a steady income stream over the years. Here’s how to estimate dividend receipts and how the press often frames those headline calculations.

• Dividend per share (illustrative anchor): As of December 31, 2023, Coca‑Cola’s trailing annual dividend was approximately $1.84 per share (company investor communications and dividend history). Readers should verify the current dividend rate with Coca‑Cola’s investor relations for precise numbers.

• Annual dividend income (illustrative): Using 400,000,000 shares × $1.84 annual dividend = $736,000,000 in annual dividend cash flow to Berkshire (roughly $736 million). This calculation is straightforward and often cited by media when describing “how much Buffett pockets” from Coca‑Cola each year. The actual annual figure shifts with any dividend increases and with precise share counts reported at the time dividends are paid.

• Quarterly receipts: If dividends are paid quarterly, Berkshire’s receipt per quarter would be ~400,000,000 × ($1.84/4) = ~400,000,000 × $0.46 = $184,000,000 per quarter, using the same dividend assumptions.

• Media framing: Popular press stories often convert these large totals into consumer‑friendly analogies (for example, “dividend income per bottle” or “dollars per serving”) by dividing annual dividend income by global unit sales or by comparing to retail prices per serving. Those analogies illuminate scale but simplify corporate cash flows for readers.

All dividend and income estimates should be anchored to a date and the dividend rate in effect at that time. As described above, the dividend calculation method remains constant: annual dividend per share × number of shares held = annual cash receipts.

Rationale for the investment

Buffett’s publicly stated reasons for owning Coca‑Cola consistently include the following themes:

• Brand strength and consumer loyalty: Coca‑Cola is one of the world’s most recognized consumer brands, creating a high‑margin, sticky revenue base.

• Simple, understandable business model: Beverage production and distribution are straightforward compared with some high‑tech or regulatory businesses. Predictable unit economics make future cash flow modeling easier.

• Durable competitive advantages: Intangible assets like brand, distribution networks, and bottler partnerships create barriers to rapid competitive displacement.

• Predictable cash flows and reliable dividends: The company’s long history of stable earnings and dividend increases aligns with Berkshire’s desire for recurring income and reinvestment optionality.

Buffett has also framed some of the investment in personal terms—his appreciation for the Coca‑Cola brand and product—but he consistently emphasizes the economic attributes above as the primary reasons for the stake.

These reasons explain why investors and researchers repeatedly ask how much coke stock does buffett own: the size of the stake reflects his confidence in those competitive and financial characteristics.

Performance and portfolio context

Coca‑Cola’s long‑term total return since Berkshire’s initial purchases has been positive and has produced dividend income in addition to share‑price appreciation. Comparing Coca‑Cola’s performance to other major Berkshire holdings illustrates why Buffett has maintained the stake despite relative under‑ or over‑performance at various times.

• Relative performance: Over multi‑decade horizons, Coca‑Cola has delivered solid returns but has been outpaced in some periods by higher‑growth holdings (for example, tech‑oriented investments in more recent years). Dividend yield and stability were an intentional trade‑off against the higher growth potential of other names.

• Portfolio role: Coca‑Cola serves as a defensive, income‑generating, brand‑heavy holding. Berkshire’s portfolio includes a mix of high‑growth and steady‑income investments; Coca‑Cola typifies the latter.

• Ranking among holdings: Historically, Coca‑Cola has been one of Berkshire’s largest legacy holdings by value. The exact ranking fluctuates with market moves and with Berkshire’s trading in other positions.

This performance context helps readers understand not only how much coke stock does buffett own, but also why it remains strategically important inside a diversified holding company like Berkshire.

Influence and corporate governance

A roughly 9–10% stake in a large public company like Coca‑Cola confers meaningful voting power but does not automatically imply active control. Berkshire’s approach toward governance for Coca‑Cola has historically been non‑activist and supportive:

• Voting power: Berkshire’s share count gives it a material voice at shareholder meetings and a credible block of votes on corporate governance matters.

• Board influence: Berkshire has not pursued activist board takeovers at Coca‑Cola; instead, it has generally acted as a long‑term steward and collaborator. This is consistent with Buffett’s tendency to back competent management teams and refrain from public activism unless necessary.

• Passive vs. active posture: Berkshire’s posture has been largely passive — collecting dividends, voting its shares, and maintaining a long‑term investment horizon — rather than pressing for radical operational changes.

Disclosures in proxy filings and shareholder communications are the transparent records to see how Berkshire votes and whether it seeks changes to corporate governance.

Media coverage and public perception

Buffett’s Coca‑Cola stake has generated enduring media interest for both economic and cultural reasons. Several recurring narratives appear in coverage:

• The “Buffett drinks Coke” anecdote: Journalists often link Buffett’s fondness for Coca‑Cola beverages to his investment, creating an approachable human element in finance stories.

• Headline‑friendly math: Media outlets routinely calculate how much dividend income Berkshire receives and convert it to accessible frames (e.g., income per bottle or “how many bottles per year” equivalents). These stories use the simple arithmetic explained earlier—shares × dividend per share—to create relatable headlines.

• Legacy investment story: Many articles portray Coca‑Cola as emblematic of Buffett’s long‑term, brand‑focused investment playbook and use the stake to explain value investing to broader audiences.

Taken together, the media coverage explains why queries such as how much coke stock does buffett own continue to appear in search trends: the intersection of a famous investor, a beloved consumer brand, and easily digestible dividend math creates sustained public interest.

Sources of data and how to verify current figures

Primary sources are essential for verifying any headline about holdings or dividend income. For readers seeking to confirm how much coke stock does buffett own, the authoritative sources are:

• Berkshire Hathaway SEC filings (Form 13F): Quarterly filings list U.S. equity holdings and share counts for institutional investment managers. These filings are filed with the SEC and timestamped for each quarter.

• Berkshire Hathaway annual reports and shareholder letters: Buffett’s annual letter and Berkshire’s annual report provide narrative context and sometimes confirm holdings or strategic rationale.

• The Coca‑Cola Company investor relations and SEC filings: For up‑to‑date dividend rates, shares outstanding, and corporate disclosures, refer to Coca‑Cola’s periodic reports (10‑Q, 10‑K) and investor pages.

• Major financial press and data providers: Reputable outlets and financial databases compile and summarize 13F holdings and company metrics. Use them as secondary sources and cross‑check against primary SEC filings.

How to verify quickly:

1. Locate Berkshire’s most recent Form 13F for the relevant quarter and find the KO entry to see the reported share count.
2. Check Coca‑Cola’s latest 10‑Q/10‑K for current shares outstanding and the declared dividend per share.
3. Multiply reported shares × dividend per share to estimate annual cash flow and multiply reported shares × KO share price at a specific market close to estimate market value.

All numeric assertions in this article are anchored to the filing cycle for quarter‑end December 31, 2023 (with the 13F filed in February 2024) unless otherwise dated. For the freshest numbers, consult the latest 13F or Coca‑Cola disclosures.

See also

• Berkshire Hathaway portfolio
• Warren Buffett
• The Coca‑Cola Company
• SEC Form 13F
• Dividend investing basics

References

(References below indicate the types of documents and reporting dates readers should consult. Specific filings and press articles for the figures cited above are available in the SEC EDGAR database and on company investor relations pages.)

• Berkshire Hathaway Form 13F (quarter ended Dec 31, 2023; filed Feb 2024) — primary source for the ~400,000,000 share count.
• The Coca‑Cola Company investor relations — dividend history and shares outstanding (as reported through Dec 31, 2023).
• Berkshire Hathaway annual reports and Warren Buffett shareholder letters — historical context on the original Coca‑Cola investment and investment philosophy.
• Major financial press summaries and analyses (reporting through Feb 2024) — compiled press tallies that reiterate the 400‑million‑share figure and present dividend income estimates.

Note on dates: where this article cites SEC filings or press reporting, it explicitly anchors the numeric values to filings for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and to press reporting filed/issued in February 2024. Readers should refer to the most recent filings to confirm current numbers.

Notes on currency and verification

All numeric values (share count, market value, percent ownership, dividend totals) are anchored to a specific reporting date when published. Market values change with KO’s share price; ownership percentages change with Coca‑Cola’s outstanding share count and Berkshire’s quarter‑end report. For the most up‑to‑date figures, consult the latest SEC filings (Berkshire’s 13F) and company disclosures.

Further exploration and next steps

If you’d like to track major institutional holdings and dividend income over time, consider these practical next steps:

• Check the latest Berkshire 13F each quarter to see any change in the KO share count.
• Review Coca‑Cola’s investor relations updates for dividend changes and shares outstanding.
• For traders and investors exploring markets and diversified instruments, Bitget offers a platform to explore equities‑linked products and educational materials on income investing and portfolio construction.

Want to learn more about dividend investing, portfolio tracking, or how legacy positions like Coca‑Cola fit into large institutional portfolios? Explore Bitget’s educational resources and Bitget Wallet for secure asset management and deeper market insights.

Further reading: search Berkshire Hathaway’s 13F filings and Coca‑Cola SEC reports to confirm figures and follow quarter‑to‑quarter changes in holdings and dividend policy.