Beverages giant Coca-Cola Co. (KO) sold more drinks in the first quarter across all geographies, registering an 8 percent growth in profit. Earnings per share topped analysts' estimates, sending the company's shares up by more than a percent in pre-market trading.
Worldwide volumes grew 5 percent, reflecting growth in all five geographic operating groups of the company.
North America volume grew 2 percent, International volume growth was 6 percent and Europe sold 1 percent more in the quarter.
Atlanta, Georgia-based Coca Cola said it continued to see growth in sparkling beverages, with global volume growth of 4 percent. Brand Coca-Cola volume grew 4 percent in the quarter.
Worldwide still beverage volume growth was 9 percent, with growth across most beverage categories, including packaged water, ready-to-drink tea and coffee, energy drinks and sports drinks.
Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Co. said in a statement, "Despite a continued mixed global environment, our hardworking teams achieved broad-based volume and value share gains in nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages globally, with volume growth across every geographic operating group and revenue growth ahead of our long-term growth target."
Coca-Cola's net income for the first quarter was $2.05 billion or $0.89 per share, up from $1.90 billion or $0.82 per share in the prior-year quarter.
On average, 14 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $0.87 per share. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.
Net operating revenues for the quarter increased 6 percent to $11.14 billion, topping analysts' consensus of $10.83 billion.
Looking ahead, the company said that its productivity and reinvestment program with incremental annualized savings of $550 million to $650 million by the end of 2015 is on track.
In mid-February, Coca-Cola said its board of directors approved the company's 50th consecutive annual dividend increase, raising the quarterly dividend 8.5 percent to $0.51 per common share from the previous $0.47 per share.
The company returned $8.6 billion to shareowners in 2011, through $4.3 billion in dividends and $4.3 billion in share repurchases.
KO closed Monday's trading at $72.44. In Tuesday's pre-market, the stock is adding $1.07 or 1.48 percent to $73.51.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Business News
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.