Form 4: Coca-Cola EVP Perez Exercises Options, Sells Shares

Coca-Cola Executive Vice President Beatriz R. Perez exercised stock options and subsequently sold shares, while also having shares withheld for tax liabilities.

Summary

• Beatriz R. Perez, Executive Vice President of The Coca-Cola Company, engaged in multiple transactions involving common stock on February 27, 2026.
• Exercised employee stock options to acquire 21,326 shares at an exercise price of $44.475 per share.
• Sold 21,326 shares of common stock at a price of $81 per share.
• Had 13,300 shares withheld to cover tax liabilities upon the vesting of performance share units from the 2023-2025 program, at a deemed price of $80.5 per share.
• Following these transactions, direct beneficial ownership stands at 160,428 shares.
• Indirectly owns 24,200 shares through The Coca-Cola Company 401(k) Plan and 12,462 hypothetical shares through a Supplemental 401(k) Plan, as of February 26, 2026.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral to slightly positive event. While an executive sold shares, it was in conjunction with an option exercise, indicating a realization of previously granted compensation rather than a discretionary sale of existing holdings, which is a common and expected part of executive compensation.

Positives

• Exercised employee stock options at a significantly lower price ($44.475) compared to the market price at which shares were sold ($81), indicating a profitable realization of compensation for the insider.

Negatives

• A significant number of shares (13,300) were withheld to satisfy tax liabilities, representing a non-discretionary reduction in direct beneficial ownership.
• The sale of 21,326 shares by an executive, even in conjunction with an option exercise, reduces the executive's direct equity exposure to the company.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that insider transactions, such as option exercises and subsequent sales, are common occurrences in publicly traded companies, particularly for long-tenured executives. These transactions often reflect personal financial planning and diversification rather than a direct signal about the company's immediate prospects, especially when executed under a Rule 10b5-1 plan.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The sale of shares by an executive could be perceived as a slight negative, but the context of option exercise mitigates this. The overall impact is likely minimal as it's a routine compensation event.
• Employees: No direct impact mentioned.
• Customers: No direct impact mentioned.
• Suppliers: No direct impact mentioned.
• Creditors: No direct impact mentioned.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The transactions reported in this Form 4 are routine insider activities related to executive compensation, specifically the exercise of stock options and subsequent sale of shares, along with tax withholding. These actions do not provide new fundamental information about The Coca-Cola Company's operational performance or strategic direction that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. Investors should consider these transactions as part of normal executive compensation realization rather than a signal for future stock performance.

Keywords

Coca-Cola, KO, Insider Trading, Form 4, Stock Options, Share Sale, Executive Compensation, Beatriz R. Perez, Equity Plan