The Coca-Cola Company (KO), And Building a Watch List From Your Kitchen

Whether you’re just getting started in stock market investing or you’ve been doing it for 20 years you may be at a loss for ideas. Building a watch list represents a good way to compile investment ideas and test them to see whether those companies will perform up to your expectations before investing. The Motley Fool Watch List helps you do just that. In addition, you can see news feeds based upon the tickers you enter, enabling you to make better and more informed decisions about each publicly traded business. Performing an exercise as simple as walking around your kitchen to look in the refrigerator and cupboard can help you start a powerful watch list.

Looking in your refrigerator you may see a container of Minute Maid Orange Juice or Apple Juice, or even a liter of Sprite. These three products represent just a small part of beverage giant The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s brand portfolio.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) sells a variety of “sparkling” beverages comprised of its iconic The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) brand, Fanta, Sprite, and lesser known sodas such as Mr. Pibb and Mello Yello. Increasing perception of soda unhealthiness serves as a friction point for growth in this category; however, Coca-Cola still managed to grow sparkling beverage volume 3% in its most recent quarter according to its latest earnings announcement.

In response to changes in consumer preference for healthier drinks, Coca-Cola constantly innovates in the area of “non-sparkling” beverages. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s commonly known non-sparkling brands consist of Dasani bottled water, PowerAde energy drink, and the Fuze drink line. Coca-Cola’s still beverage volume increased 6% in its most recent quarter.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s revenue and free cash flow increased 66% and 40% respectively over the past five years giving investors a return of 44% versus an S&P 500 return of 15%, not including dividends, according to the company’s investor relations website.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s strength lies in its diverse portfolio of products. Its broad line of non-sparkling beverages from bottled water to tea will enable the company to maintain its supremacy in the beverage markets.

Moving on to the cupboard, you may see Ortega taco seasoning or a box of Cream of Wheat made by food conglomerate B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE:BGS). In addition, the company also makes many other brands you may be familiar with such as Accent food flavoring and Joan of Arc beans.

B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE:BGS) increased revenue and free cash flow 34% and 354% respectively over the past five years translating into a return of 281% versus a 15% return for the S&P 500, not including dividends, according to its investor relations website.

In the most recent quarter, B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE:BGS) paid down some debt reducing its interest expense. It’s a plus anytime a company wants to pay down debt. B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE:BGS) is worthy of your research time.

You may also notice some Jif peanut butter, Folger’s coffee or The J.M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM)’s jelly. In operation for over 100 years, food conglomerate J.M. Smucker built and acquired long-lasting, recognizable brands building a rich history in the process.