How Much Coca-Cola Stock You'd Need to Generate $10,000 in Annual Passive Income

The Dividend Powerhouse Behind KO

Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) stands as one of the market’s most reliable dividend payers, with a remarkable track record. The beverage giant has now increased its dividend payout for 63 consecutive years—a testament to the company’s consistent profitability. Earlier this year in February, the board approved another increase, bringing the current quarterly dividend to $0.51 per share.

For income-focused investors, this stability raises an important question: what’s the math behind building a meaningful dividend stream from KO stock?

The Numbers: What It Takes to Hit $10,000 Yearly

Here’s where the calculation gets concrete. If you’re targeting $10,000 in yearly dividends from Coca-Cola at its current payout level, you’d need to own approximately 4,902 shares. At the recent stock price of $70.50, this position would require an investment of nearly $346,000.

Breaking this down further: with a quarterly dividend of $0.51 per share, an annual payout reaches roughly $2.04 per share. This means nearly 4,900 shares are required to cross the $10,000 annual income threshold. The math is straightforward, but the capital requirement is substantial—something dividend seekers need to plan for carefully.

Why Coca-Cola Remains a Safe Core Holding

The reason income investors keep coming back to KO is clear: this is a fortress of a business. The company commands an extraordinary global presence with 2.2 billion servings consumed daily across over 200 different beverage offerings. This level of demand reflects tremendous pricing power.

From a financial perspective, Coca-Cola demonstrates impressive operational efficiency with a third-quarter operating margin of 32%—among the best in the consumer staples sector. The stock trades at a P/E ratio of 23, offering reasonable valuation for a business with such durable competitive advantages. Demand for Coca-Cola’s products remains stable regardless of economic conditions, making it a defensive holding during market turbulence.

The Trade-Off: Stability Over Growth

There’s an important caveat worth considering. While Coca-Cola’s dividend reliability is unmatched, the stock has underperformed the broader market over the past decade. KO isn’t built for capital appreciation—it’s built for consistent, predictable income. For investors seeking long-term total returns that include stock price appreciation, other opportunities may offer more dynamic growth trajectories.

The choice ultimately depends on your investment objectives. If $10,000 in yearly dividends appeals to you, Coca-Cola delivers that income stream with minimal risk. But if you’re chasing market-beating returns, you’ll need to look beyond this beverage stalwart.