Coca-Cola results pop as consumers turn to Diet Coke, Zero Sugar
Add BT as a preferred source
DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.
[BENGALURU] Coca-Cola Co topped Wall Street estimates for quarterly sales and profit on Wednesday, as more consumers bought its healthier soda options such as Zero Sugar and new flavors of Diet Coke, sending its shares up 2.7 per cent.
Coke and its smaller rival PepsiCo Inc have been focusing on healthier drinks to garner market share as health-conscious consumers shift away from sugary sodas.
The company has launched new flavors of Diet Coke in slimmer packaging and in the quarter introduced no-sugar beverages in smaller markets such as New Zealand.
"We're winning in the marketplace so far this year and our strategy's on track," Chief Executive Officer James Quincey said on a call with analysts.
Organic revenue, or sales from its core beverage business, rose 5 per cent in the quarter, with Diet Coke, Coke Zero and sparkling water contributing the most.
Volumes, a key indicator of demand, grew 2 per cent on strong performance of its trademark Coca-Cola brand, and Fuze Tea. Global volume grew 3 per cent, its strongest in five years.
Navigate Asia in
a new global order
Get the insights delivered to your inbox.
"We're getting strong first half overall revenue growth and volume growth with our Zero, Diet portfolio in the US, which is a part of our strategy to go forward. So good numbers, much better than before," Mr Quincey said.
Organic sales in Europe rose 7 percent after the company reformulated its recipe for a few sodas in response to UK's tax on sugar.
"We were impressed with Coca-cola's ability to deliver a strong and balanced topline," Wells Fargo analyst Bonnie Herzog wrote in a note.
Sales in North America - its biggest revenue generating region - rose 7 per cent to US$3.12 billion, but missed analysts' average estimate of US$3.14 billion, mainly due to weaker demand for juices and plant- based beverages.
Net income attributable to the company's shareholders rose 69 per cent to US$2.32 billion, in the second quarter ended June 29.
Excluding one-time items, Coca-Cola said it earned 61 cents per share, beating analysts' average estimate by a cent.
Revenue fell 8 per cent to US$8.93 billion, hurt by the divestiture of its low-margin bottling operations. Analysts had estimated sales of US$8.54 billion.
Coca-Cola reaffirmed its 2018 profit outlook and said it expects full-year organic revenue to be at least 4 per cent.
The company's shares were up at US$46.49 in morning trading.
REUTERS
Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services
