Coca-Cola Sees Global Rise in Unit Case Volume in 2008

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) (Atlanta, Georgia) has reported that its fourth-quarter 2008 net income has dipped 18% to $995 million, compared with $1.21 billion a year ago, though it experienced a 4% increase in global unit case volume for the quarter and a 5% increase for the full year in markets including Lain America and Eurasia and Africa. President and CEO Muhtar Kent said full-year global performance was led by the Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Sprite and Fanta brands.

Volume Growth by Region

• Eurasia and Africa: up 7% for the quarter and the year
• Europe: up 2% in the quarter and 3% for the year
• Latin America: up 6% in the quarter and 8% for the year
• North America: down 3% in the quarter and 1% for the year
• Pacific: up 9% in the quarter and 8% for the year

The company expects to feel continued impact in 2009 from the volatile currency impact it felt in the fourth quarter, Chief Financial Officer Gary Fayard said. "Based on our current hedge position, we are expecting an estimated 10% to 12% headwind from currencies in the first quarter and will provide further updates as we progress through the year," he said.

Capital expenditures for 2009 are expected to be between $1.8 billion and $2 billion, Fayard said. As part of our North American Industrial Database, Industrial Info is tracking 12 active projects involving Coca-Cola worth $298 million. The projects range from a $1 million upgrade to increase manufacturing capacity at a bottling plant to an $80 million grassroot bottling plant.

View Project Report - 02006153

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