Indeed you can! At least in a way.
You see, if you own shares in The Coca-Cola Company, in the KO stock listed on NYSE, you are a part owner of the business and you are entitled to its earnings. At least in relation to your ownership stake in the company.
It’s no surprise that the company has been earning lots of money every year for a long time. Part of the earnings have been reinvested in the company for further growth or share buybacks, the rest has been paid out as a dividend for its shareholders. That’s where you come in!
You can be an owner of The Coca-Cola Company because it is a public company. At least you can be a part owner. However large or small, each shareholder is treated equal in terms of ownership benefits per share.
Free Cokes you said? How?
We’ll they’re not really free, but if you were an owner of the business, you would earn dividends, and the dividends could cover your Coke consumption for a lifetime. That is to say if you have enough shares in relation to your consumption.
If you’re a US citizen a Coke serving of 16 oz costs about $1.20. Depending on your tax situation you’d need to have an incoming share income, dividend, of a bit more than that. Let’s say $1.50 of dividend income should be enough to be able to buy one serving of Coke.
The Coca-Cola Company pays a quarterly dividend of 40 cents per share and growing. That means one share currently pays you an annual dividend of $1.60, enough to cover the cost of a Coke after tax, and perhaps it also leaves you with some pocket change too!
I’m a big fan of the company (why else would I be blogging about it). Not only am I a consumer of its products, but I’m a part owner of the business too. I like to see that my ownership is big enough to cover my consumption of the products that I love. It’s not there yet, but it can be, and it could for you too.
Imagine having “free” Cokes for a lifetime consumption. You can build your Coke Earning Power over time, by gradually acquiring shares. And once you have enough ownership to cover your consumption, it doesn’t end there. It can be passed on. Your grandchildren can enjoy free Cokes as well. A form of generational wealth!