Warren Buffett, the legendary investor who currently serves as chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) (BRK.A), has built a fortune on bold, long-term bets. Among his most iconic and profitable investments is his decades-long ownership of Coca-Cola (KO) stock. The quarterly dividend checks flowing from this one holding have become the stuff of financial legend. But just how much does Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway make from Coca-Cola dividends every single hour?
The Numbers: Over $93,000 Every Hour
Currently, Berkshire Hathaway owns 400 million shares of The Coca-Cola Company. According to their latest numbers, Coca-Cola is paying an annual dividend of $2.04 per share, paid out on a quarterly basis. That means Coca-Cola sends Berkshire roughly $816 million every year in dividends — without Buffett having to lift a finger.
Breaking it down even further:
- Per Year: $816,000,000
- Per Day: $2,235,616
- Per Hour: $93,150
This staggering sum means Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway earns more every hour in dividends from just one stock investment than the majority of Americans earn every year.
The Backstory: Buffett’s Coca-Cola Stock Acquisition
Buffett’s love affair with Coca-Cola began in 1988. Reeling in the aftermath of the 1987 market crash, Buffett identified the company as a classic value opportunity — a dominant brand with global reach, steady profits, and the ability to weather economic storms.
Between 1988 and 1994, Berkshire Hathaway steadily accumulated approximately 400 million shares at a total cost of about $1.3 billion, a position that amounted to over 7% of Coca-Cola’s outstanding stock at the time. Berkshire has never sold a single share. That $1.3 billion investment is worth tens of billions today, not to mention the cash earned through decades of rising dividends.
Why Buffett Loves Coca-Cola
Buffett’s rationale for buying — and holding — Coca-Cola stock reads like an investing masterclass:
- Durable Brand “Moat”: Coca-Cola’s global presence and brand loyalty make it nearly impossible to displace. Buffett once quipped: “If you gave me $100 billion and said ‘take away the soft drink leadership of Coca-Cola in the world,’ I’d give it back to you and say it can't be done.”
- Consistent Profits & Dividends: Coca-Cola has increased its annual dividend for over 60 consecutive years, making it a “dividend king.” This perpetual stream of growing income is precisely the kind of reliable return Buffett covets.
- Simplicity and Predictability: Buffett favors businesses he can easily understand, with products that are universally in demand regardless of economic cycles.
- Shareholder Friendly Management: When Buffett invested, Coca-Cola’s leadership was focused on profitability, share buybacks, and steady dividend increases — a combination that signaled alignment with long-term investors.
A Model for Patient Wealth Creation
Berkshire Hathaway’s Coke stake has been a symbol of Buffett’s investment philosophy: buy outstanding businesses at fair prices, then let time and compounding work their magic. Through market booms, busts, and the ever-evolving business landscape, Coca-Cola’s checks have rolled in, providing a living example of the power of holding great companies for decades.
What started as a $1.3 billion bet is now one of the most effective dividend cash machines in history. As of 2025, Warren Buffett is earning more than $93,000 every single hour from Coca-Cola alone — a testament to discipline, patience, and the timeless allure of a cold Coke.
