If You Bought 1 Share of Coca-Cola at Its IPO, Here's How Many Shares You'd Own Now

Key Points

• Stock splits in influential businesses have excited investors.

• Inclusive of stock dividends, Coca-Cola's shareholders have been privy to 11 stock-split events in 106 years.

• Coca-Cola's competitive advantages -- and its 63-year (and counting) dividend growth streak -- are here to stay.

• 10 stocks we like better than Coca-Cola ›

Wall Street typically has at least one next-big-thing trend to captivate the attention and wallets of investors. Stock-split euphoria certainly fits the bill.

A stock split provides a way for public companies to alter their share price and outstanding share count while having no impact on their market cap or operating performance. Forward splits, which are designed to make a company's shares more affordable for retail investors, are especially popular.

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One brand-name company that's made stock splits part of its corporate culture for nearly a century is consumer staples giant Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO).

Image source: Getty Images.

Coca-Cola's stock-split history spans almost 100 years

Coca-Cola's initial public offering (IPO) occurred on Sept. 5, 1919, at $40 per share. Since 1927, it's navigated its way through one stock dividend and 10 forward splits:

• April 1927: 1-for-1 stock dividend
• November 1935: 4-for-1 stock split
• January 1960: 3-for-1
• January 1965: 2-for-1
• May 1968: 2-for-1
• May 1977: 2-for-1
• June 1986: 3-for-1
• May 1990: 2-for-1
• May 1992: 2-for-1
• May 1996: 2-for-1
• July 2012: 2-for-1

If you had, hypothetically, purchased one share of Coca-Cola for $40 at its IPO in 1919, you'd have 9,216 shares presently worth $639,222, not including dividends, as of the closing bell on July 15.

Coca-Cola's competitive advantages are here to stay

Coca-Cola's eye-popping long-term outperformance is a reflection of its geographic diversity and top-tier marketing. With regard to the former, it has ongoing operations in all but three countries and is moving the organic growth needle thanks to emerging markets.

Meanwhile, it's relying on its over 100 years of history to engage mature consumers, and is leaning on artificial intelligence and social media to interact with younger audiences. Coca-Cola's phenomenal marketing is why its brand has been the most-chosen from retail shelves for 12 consecutive years, per Kantar's "Brand Footprint" report.

With a 63-year streak of annual dividend raises in its sails, it's safe to say Coca-Cola stock is as rock-solid as they come.

Should you invest $1,000 in Coca-Cola right now?

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Sean Williams has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.