has ko stock ever split? KO Split History

Coca‑Cola (KO) Stock Split History

Quick answer: has ko stock ever split — yes. The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) has a long history of stock splits and a stock dividend that significantly increased share counts for long‑term holders. This guide explains the timeline, cumulative effect, how to adjust historical prices, and what investors should know today.

Overview

Investors often ask "has ko stock ever split" when tracing the company’s long‑term performance or reconciling older price charts. A stock split is a corporate action that increases the number of outstanding shares by issuing more shares to existing shareholders in proportion to their holdings, while the company’s overall market capitalization remains unchanged. Splits make individual shares more affordable, can improve liquidity, and require price series adjustments when calculating returns.

As of 2026-01-23, according to The Coca‑Cola Company investor relations materials and public market data, KO’s split history includes one early stock dividend and several forward splits between 1927 and 2012. The official investor relations source is the primary reference for record and distribution dates; many financial data vendors reproduce those entries with small date formatting differences.

Note: has ko stock ever split is a core question for investors building long‑term return models or comparing shares across decades. Read on for a chronological table, cumulative math, and practical guidance on adjusting historical prices.

Timeline of Splits and Stock Dividend (chronological)

Below is a consolidated timeline of Coca‑Cola’s official corporate actions relevant to split history. For authoritative dates, refer to The Coca‑Cola Company investor relations split history (company records are the primary source). Different vendors sometimes show record, effective, or distribution dates that vary by a few days.

• April 25, 1927 — 1‑for‑1 stock dividend (effectively a 2-for-1 increase in shares)
• November 15, 1935 — 4‑for‑1 stock split
• January 22, 1960 — 3‑for‑1 stock split
• January 22, 1965 — 2‑for‑1 stock split
• May 13, 1968 — 2‑for‑1 stock split
• May 9, 1977 — 2‑for‑1 stock split
• June 16, 1986 — 3‑for‑1 stock split
• May 1, 1990 — 2‑for‑1 stock split
• May 1, 1992 — 2‑for‑1 stock split
• May 1, 1996 — 2‑for‑1 stock split
• July 2012 (record date shown as July 27, 2012 in some company materials) — 2‑for‑1 stock split

Several vendor tables list the same ratios and years but may show trading‑day adjustments or record vs. distribution date differences. If you need to reconcile specific ledger entries or tax reporting, the company’s investor relations documents and your brokerage statements are the authoritative records.

has ko stock ever split — short chronology recap

Because many readers search for the exact phrase has ko stock ever split, this is the direct recap: yes — KO has split multiple times from 1927 through 2012, with a cumulative multiplier that dramatically increased share counts for early holders.

Cumulative effect and worked example

One of the most common follow‑ups to "has ko stock ever split" is: "How many shares would one original share become after all splits?" Using the listed corporate actions above, multiply the split ratios sequentially to find the cumulative multiplier.

Multipliers by event:

• 1927: 1‑for‑1 stock dividend = 2x
• 1935: 4‑for‑1 split = 4x (cumulative 2 × 4 = 8x)
• 1960: 3‑for‑1 split = 3x (cumulative 8 × 3 = 24x)
• 1965: 2‑for‑1 split = 2x (cumulative 24 × 2 = 48x)
• 1968: 2‑for‑1 split = 2x (cumulative 48 × 2 = 96x)
• 1977: 2‑for‑1 split = 2x (cumulative 96 × 2 = 192x)
• 1986: 3‑for‑1 split = 3x (cumulative 192 × 3 = 576x)
• 1990: 2‑for‑1 split = 2x (cumulative 576 × 2 = 1,152x)
• 1992: 2‑for‑1 split = 2x (cumulative 1,152 × 2 = 2,304x)
• 1996: 2‑for‑1 split = 2x (cumulative 2,304 × 2 = 4,608x)
• 2012: 2‑for‑1 split = 2x (cumulative 4,608 × 2 = 9,216x)

Result: one original share held before the 1927 stock dividend would equal 9,216 shares after the listed splits and stock dividend.

Worked numerical example:

• If an investor owned 1 share in 1927, after the 1927 1‑for‑1 dividend they held 2 shares.
• After the 1935 4‑for‑1 split: 2 × 4 = 8 shares.
• Continue multiplying through each event; after the July 2012 split the holding becomes 9,216 shares.

This cumulative effect is why long‑term historical returns for companies with many splits require split‑adjusted price series to avoid misleading high historical prices.

Official sources and data reconciliation

Primary sources:

• The Coca‑Cola Company investor relations split history and official corporate filings. These materials provide company‑stated record and distribution dates and are the authoritative reference for exact ledger events.

Secondary sources commonly used for cross‑checking:

• Data aggregators and historical databases that publish split tables and adjusted price series.
• Financial media summaries and historical notes that reproduce the company’s split history.

As of 2026-01-23, according to The Coca‑Cola Company investor relations pages, the table above aligns with the company’s official listing. Minor discrepancies across vendors can include showing the ex‑split date, the record date, or the date the additional shares were delivered to brokerage accounts. Always mark the company’s IR as the tie‑breaker when dates differ.

Impact on shareholders and market metrics

When answering "has ko stock ever split", it’s important to clarify what a split materially changes and what it does not:

• Share count: Splits increase the number of shares outstanding in proportion to the split ratio. A 2‑for‑1 split doubles shares held by each shareholder.
• Per‑share price: The market price per share is reduced proportionally, so the split itself does not change the company’s market capitalization at the time of the split.
• Market capitalization: Remains effectively unchanged by the split (barring normal market movements triggered by investor sentiment or liquidity changes).
• Ownership percentage: A split does not change any shareholder’s ownership percentage in the company — each holder retains the same relative claim.

Practical effects:

• Liquidity and trading: Splits can increase apparent affordability for retail investors and may increase share turnover; however, the actual float and institutional ownership can remain similar.
• Record keeping: Brokerages automatically update share counts in accounts for investors; shareholders should check account statements for the distribution date and adjusted balances.

Effect on dividends and total return

Stock splits do not change the total economic value of a shareholder’s holdings. A split adjusts the per‑share dividend accordingly so that the total dividend payment to existing shareholders remains consistent (ignoring declared dividend increases or decreases independent of the split).

When calculating total return or historical dividend yields, all dividends and price series must be adjusted for splits. Data providers typically publish an "adjusted close" series that folds in both splits and dividend distributions to allow apples‑to‑apples comparisons across time.

Example: If KO paid $0.10 per share before a 2‑for‑1 split, after the split the per‑share dividend would usually be adjusted to $0.05 so that a holder with twice as many shares receives the same aggregate cash as before.

How to read and adjust historical prices

For anyone researching the question "has ko stock ever split", using split‑adjusted historical price data is essential. Key guidance:

• Use the "adjusted close" field in financial datasets to see prices that account for splits and dividends.
• When building returns models, apply the same split multipliers to both share counts and historic dividend values.
• If using raw daily closing prices from older print sources, divide by the cumulative split multiplier relevant to the date range to obtain split‑adjusted prices.

Practical steps:

1. Retrieve the split table (company IR or a reputable data vendor).
2. Compute the cumulative adjustment factor for dates prior to each split.
3. Apply the factor to historical prices and per‑share dividends to create an adjusted time series.

This ensures that percentage returns, volatility measures, and valuation multiples are computed consistently across long horizons.

Reasons companies (including Coca‑Cola) split shares

Common motivations behind stock splits include:

• Making shares more affordable to smaller retail investors by lowering the per‑share nominal price.
• Increasing liquidity or perceived tradability by increasing share count.
• Management signaling confidence in continued growth (sometimes used tactically alongside good earnings reports).
• Maintaining a trading price range that the company or its board prefers for marketability.

Coca‑Cola’s historical pattern of splits reflects decades when splits were a common practice among mature consumer companies to keep per‑share prices in a comfortable range for investors. Over recent years some mature companies have chosen to split less frequently or to use other capital allocation tools, but the historical pattern remains an important part of KO’s shareholder record.

Comparison with peers

When readers ask "has ko stock ever split" they often wonder how Coca‑Cola’s split frequency compares with peers in beverages and consumer staples. Some consumer staples and beverage peers also executed multiple splits across the 20th century; the precise frequency and cumulative multipliers vary by company. PepsiCo, for example, has its own split record with several splits in the latter half of the 20th century.

The key takeaway: while split frequency varies, Coca‑Cola’s pattern of repeated forward splits across multiple decades is consistent with many long‑established consumer brands that sought to keep per‑share prices accessible to retail investors.

Common investor questions (FAQs)

Q: has ko stock ever split in recent years? A: Yes — has ko stock ever split most recently in 2012 when the company executed a 2‑for‑1 split (record dates in July 2012 appear in company materials). There were no further forward splits announced through 2026-01-23.

Q: has ko stock ever split more than once? A: Yes — has ko stock ever split multiple times across its history; the company had many splits and a stock dividend between 1927 and 2012.

Q: Does a split change my ownership percentage? A: No. A stock split increases the number of shares you hold but leaves your ownership percentage unchanged.

Q: Do I owe taxes on a stock split? : Typically, stock splits are non‑taxable events in many jurisdictions because they do not change the value of your holding; however, local tax rules vary. Consult a tax professional for your situation.

Q: How will I see split shares in my brokerage account? A: Brokerages automatically reflect split share adjustments on the effective distribution date. If you have questions, check your account statement or contact your broker.

Q: How do splits affect dividend yield calculations? A: Dividend yields must be computed using split‑adjusted per‑share dividends and prices so the yield reflects the aggregate payment relative to the adjusted share price.

How to verify and reconcile dates

When you research "has ko stock ever split", you may encounter slight date differences between sources. To reconcile:

• Prefer The Coca‑Cola Company’s investor relations split table for official record, distribution, and ex‑split dates.
• Cross‑check with brokerage ledger entries to confirm when your account was adjusted.
• For historical price analysis, use data vendors that publish an adjusted price series, then compare their split entries with the company’s IR table.

As of 2026-01-23, the company IR is the most reliable anchor for dates.

Practical notes for long‑term investors and researchers

• Always use split‑adjusted prices when calculating long‑term returns, dividends, or growth rates for KO.
• If you need a complete event table with exact record/effective dates for reconciliation, download the company’s official split history from investor relations or consult your brokerage’s historical notices.
• Keep copies of brokerage statements around split dates if you need to verify share counts for tax or estate purposes.

Why this matters for tracking performance

Because has ko stock ever split repeatedly over nearly a century, failing to account for splits will create misleading impressions: older prices will appear artificially high and dividend series will be inconsistent. Proper adjustments are essential for:

• Computing correct cumulative returns and annualized returns.
• Comparing KO with peers or indices across long timeframes.
• Backtesting dividend reinvestment strategies or total return scenarios.

References and further reading

Primary reference:

• The Coca‑Cola Company investor relations split history and official corporate filings (company records are the authoritative source for record/effective dates).

Secondary references (used for cross‑checking and commonly cited by researchers):

• Historical price databases and split‑history aggregators that reproduce corporate action tables.
• Financial education resources that explain split adjustments and adjusted close methodology.

As of 2026-01-23, according to The Coca‑Cola Company investor relations materials, the split events listed in this article match the company’s official table. For the most current investor‑facing information, consult the company’s investor relations updates and filings.

See also

• Stock split
• Reverse split
• Adjusted closing price
• Dividend reinvestment
• Coca‑Cola corporate history

Notes for editors

• Prefer Coca‑Cola’s investor relations split table as the authoritative source for record and distribution dates.
• If vendor tables show minor date differences, annotate whether the date shown is the record date, ex‑date, or distribution date.
• Update this page promptly if The Coca‑Cola Company announces any future splits.

How Bitget can help

Track live KO prices and manage your portfolio on Bitget’s platform. For secure storage of holdings and on‑the‑go access, consider Bitget Wallet. Use split‑adjusted data feeds from your trading platform to ensure historical returns and dividend calculations reflect company corporate actions correctly. Explore Bitget to monitor quotes and view historical, split‑adjusted charts for KO.

Final guidance

If your research question is specifically "has ko stock ever split", the documented answer is yes — multiple times, most recently in 2012 — and the cumulative multiplier from the listed events equals 9,216. For analytic accuracy, always use split‑adjusted data and the company’s investor relations as the primary source when reconciling historical records.

Further exploration: To obtain full split tables with exact record and distribution dates, consult The Coca‑Cola Company investor relations materials or review split‑adjusted price series available through market data providers and your Bitget market tools.

As of 2026-01-23, the timeline and commentary above reflect company records and common data‑vendor practice for adjusting historical prices. This article is informational and not investment advice.