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Coke said its unit case volumes were up 1% worldwide. Case
volumes were flat in North America and Latin America and down 1%
in Asia. But they rose 4% in the company’s Europe, Middle East
and Africa region. The company said it raised prices 6% during
the quarter.
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar was a standout in the third quarter, with
unit case volumes up 14% globally, while Diet Coke and Coca-Cola
Light sales grew 2%. Case volumes for water, sports drinks,
coffee and tea rose 3%, while dairy and juice volumes fell 3%.
The company’s net income jumped 30% to $3.69 billion. Adjusted
for one-time items, Coke earned 82 cents per share. That was
also higher than the 78 cents analysts forecast.
Coca-Cola also said Tuesday it is refranchising its bottling
operations in Africa. Coke and Gutsche Family Investments, a
private South African company, have agreed to sell a 75%
controlling interested in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa to
Coca-Cola HBC AG, a major bottler for the company based in
Switzerland. The deal is worth $2.55 billion.
Coca-Cola will retain a 25% stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa is the largest bottler on the
continent, operating in 14 countries and accounting for 40% of
Coke’s product volume in Africa. Coca-Cola HBC operates in 29
countries in Europe and Africa, including Nigeria and Egypt.
The transactions are expected to close by the end of 2026.
Coca-Cola shares rose 2.6% in premarket trading Tuesday.
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