Coca-Cola sales fall on strong dollar, weak Europe demand

[LONDON] Coca-Cola Co's sales fell for the fourth straight quarter as demand for its fizzy drinks declined in Europe and a strong dollar eroded the value of sales in markets outside the United States, including Latin America.

Shares of the maker of Sprite soda and Minute Maid juices fell about 1 per cent to US$46 in premarket trading on Wednesday.

Coke and rival PepsiCo Inc have been hurt as consumers increasingly turn health-conscious, cutting back on fizzy drinks and turning to teas, fruit juices and smoothies.

The rise in the dollar has also hit the companies, which have a sizeable presence in markets outside the United States, including China, Europe and Brazil.

The average value of the dollar rose 2.6 per cent in the first quarter from a year earlier. The U.S. currency had risen 18 per cent gain in the first three months of 2015.

Coke's sales in Europe declined 1 per cent to US$1.20 billion in the quarter ended April 1, accounting for nearly 12 per cent of total revenue.

The net income attributable to Coke's shareholders fell 4.5 per cent to US$1.48 billion, or 34 cents per share.

Excluding items, Coke earned 45 cents per share, beating the average analyst estimate of 44 cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Net operating revenue fell 4 per cent to US$10.28 billion.

Excluding the impact of acquisitions, divestitures and currency movements, total revenue rose 2 per cent.

REUTERS