Stock Update: The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)

[NYTimes] The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), facing sharp shareholder criticism of its executive pay, and announced changes to the compensation plan that set off the squall.The big question that now hangs over the company is whether the adjustments will satisfy the shareholders who had voiced their concerns over the plan, including Warren E. Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway.Stock PerformanceTaking a look at the company’s recent performance, Coca-Cola reported second quarter earnings for fiscal 2014 on July 22^nd. The company reported actual earnings per share of $0.64 against the consensus Street estimate of $0.63. This represents year over year growth of 1.56%. Coca-Cola posted revenue of $12.57 billion against estimates of $12.82 billion.Coca-Cola is currently valued at $179.51 billion and closed the last trading session at $41.03. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $41.61 and a 200-day moving average of $40.78.

Is this a Buying Opportunity?There are currently sixteen analysts that we track that cover the stock. Of those sixteen, nine have a Buy rating, six have a hold rating and one has a Sell rating. On a consensus basis this yields a score of 2.50 and a Buy. The combined price objective of these covering analysts is $45.27, which represents a -5.93% difference to the last closing price.The most recent analyst activity consisted of Cowen and Companyinitiating their coverage on the company. Cowen and Company has a price target of $43 which represents an upside of 0.77% from the last closing price. On the date of the report, the stock closed at $41.50.Another research firm weighing in recently was Brasil Plural who also initiated coverage on the stock. On August 25^th Brasil Plural over-weighted their price target on the stock $46, or a 7.8% upside to the current price. On the day of the report, KO shares closed at $41.41.Company ProfileThe Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), a beverage company, manufactures and distributes coke, diet coke, and other soft drinks worldwide. The company primarily offers nonalcoholic beverages, including sparkling beverages and still beverages. Its sparkling beverages include nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages with carbonation, such as carbonated energy drinks, and carbonated waters and flavored waters. The company’s still beverages comprise nonalcoholic beverages without carbonation, including noncarbonated waters, flavored and enhanced waters, noncarbonated energy drinks, juices and juice drinks, ready-to-drink teas and coffees, and sports drinks.