Coca-Cola's 3Q profits up 14 percent

[October 15, 2008]  ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) -- The Coco-Cola Co., the nation's biggest drink maker, is reporting a 14 percent gain in profit for the third quarter, as business in emerging markets offset U.S. weakness.

The company says that it earned $1.89 billion, or 81 cents per share, in the quarter ended Sept. 26. That compares with $1.65 billion, or 71 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding certain charges, earnings per share were 83 cents.

Revenue was $8.39 billion, up 9 percent.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters were expecting 77 cents per share on revenue of $8.53 billion.

[Associated Press]

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