Bubbling with opportunity

If you’re looking for long-term steady growth and income, look at one of the world’s largest beverage companies, Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO). The company is bubbling with opportunity, in part due to its geographic diversity — it operates in almost every country on Earth. Having its footprint in so many markets allows Coca-Cola to take advantage of higherpaced emerging market growth, as well as predictable developed market sales. Coke touts an unparalleled distribution system, innovative equipment platforms and a diverse customer base. It holds approximately 20 percent of developed market cold beverage market share but just 10 percent of the cold beverage share in developing and emerging markets. The latter account for the vast majority of the global population, giving the company plenty of runway to grow its sales and profits in the years to come. Meanwhile, CocaCola also has at least 21 brands that generate more than $1 billion in annual sales — such as Diet Coke, Coke Zero Sugar, Fanta, Sprite, Dasani, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid and Gold Peak. Its customers consume nearly 2 billion servings of its drinks — each day. Then there’s income. Coca-Cola’s dividend recently yielded 3.4 percent, and it was increased for the 58th consecutive year several months ago. The stock is not a rapid grower, but it’s likely to hold its value better than many. It has delivered value for shareholders for many decades, and is likely to keep on giving.