Insider Trading February 27, 2026

Coca-Cola CFO Executes $8 Million Stock Sale, Exercises Options; New Grants Vest Next Year

John Murphy sold nearly 100,000 shares as the stock traded near its 52-week high while receiving new option awards that begin vesting in 2027

By Avery Klein KO
Coca-Cola CFO Executes $8 Million Stock Sale, Exercises Options; New Grants Vest Next Year
KO

Coca-Cola President and Chief Financial Officer John Murphy sold 99,437 shares of company stock on February 25, 2026, for about $7.99 million at an average price of $80.4181, and concurrently exercised options to acquire the same number of shares at $40.89. Murphy later received a separate option grant of 226,595 options on February 26, 2026, exercisable beginning February 26, 2027. The transactions leave Murphy with substantial direct and indirect holdings. The company also reported quarterly results that beat consensus on organic sales and EPS, announced a leadership transition effective March 31, 2026, and raised the quarterly dividend by 4 percent.

Key Points

  • CFO John Murphy sold 99,437 Coca-Cola shares on February 25, 2026, for about $7.99 million at a weighted average price of $80.4181, with trades between $80.355 and $80.535.
  • Murphy exercised options to acquire 99,437 shares at $40.89 on February 25, 2026, totaling $4,065,978; he received a separate grant of 226,595 options on February 26, 2026, exercisable at $80.455 with vesting beginning February 26, 2027.
  • The company reported Q4 organic sales and EPS above consensus, saw multiple analysts raise price targets, announced Henrique Braun as incoming CEO effective March 31, 2026, and increased its quarterly dividend by 4 percent.

Coca-Cola Co. President and Chief Financial Officer John Murphy reported a stock sale and related option activity late in February 2026, marking a set of transactions that included an immediate disposition, an exercise of previously held options and the receipt of a new option grant.

On February 25, 2026, Murphy sold 99,437 shares of Coca-Cola common stock for approximately $7.99 million. The sale was executed at a weighted average price of $80.4181 per share, with individual trades occurring within a narrow band from $80.355 to $80.535. At the time of the sale, Coca-Cola shares were trading near their 52-week high of $81.09 and were priced at $81.64.

That same day Murphy exercised options to acquire 99,437 shares at a strike price of $40.89, a transaction that required payment of $4,065,978. Following these moves, Murphy directly owns 410,550 shares of company stock. He additionally has indirect holdings of 2,407 shares held through his wife and 1,102 shares held in a 401(k) plan.

On February 26, 2026, Murphy was granted 226,595 options that are exercisable to purchase Coca-Cola common stock at an exercise price of $80.455. Those options vest in installments, with the first tranche becoming exercisable on February 26, 2027. Murphy also indirectly holds 8,944 hypothetical shares through a supplemental 401(k) plan.


The insider activity comes amid a string of company developments reported in recent weeks. Coca-Cola disclosed fourth-quarter results showing organic sales and earnings per share that topped consensus estimates. In response to the quarterly report, several analysts adjusted their valuations upward: UBS raised its price target on the stock to $87 and maintained a Buy rating; TD Cowen increased its price target to $85 and kept a Buy rating; and Piper Sandler reiterated an Overweight rating with a $87 price target, citing comments from incoming CEO Henrique Braun regarding maintaining business momentum.

Coca-Cola also publicized an executive succession plan. Henrique Braun is slated to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2026, while current CEO James Quincey will move into the position of Executive Chairman. The company announced a 4 percent increase to its quarterly dividend, marking the 64th consecutive year of dividend growth.

The sequence of transactions for Murphy includes an immediate sale at a weighted average price of $80.4181, an option exercise that required $4,065,978 in payment, and the acceptance of a new option grant with vesting beginning one year later. Together, the direct shareholdings, indirect holdings and outstanding option awards outline Murphy's current economic interest in Coca-Cola.

Investors and observers have access to the reported figures regarding share counts, option strike prices, exercise dates and analyst reactions as disclosed by the company and reflected in these filings.

Risks

  • Timing of the CFO's sale coincided with the stock trading near its 52-week high, which may create market attention around insider transactions - this can influence investor sentiment in the consumer staples sector.
  • New option awards granted to the CFO vest in installments beginning February 26, 2027, introducing future exercisability and potential dilution depending on future exercises - relevant to equity holders and market capitalization.
  • Executive leadership transition effective March 31, 2026, introduces near-term management change that market participants may view as an uncertainty for company strategy and execution in the consumer staples sector.

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