The Coca-Cola Company reported third quarter 2009 operating results with the unit case volume increasing by 2 percent. The third quarter EPS was $0.81
Internationally, the company achieved the broad-based unit case volume growth of 4 percent. Emerging markets showed strong results — 37 percent growth in India, 15 percent growth in China and 3 percent growth in Brazil.
The global «Open Happiness» campaign continued to support the growth of the Coca-Cola brand — the unit case volume increased 2 percent across both developed and emerging markets, including 8 percent growth in Mexico, 6 percent growth in Italy, 27 percent growth in India and 3 percent growth in China. The overall sparkling beverage unit case volume increased by 1 percent in the third quarter and the overall still beverage unit case volume increased by 7 percent.
«I am pleased to report that we have again delivered solid results this quarter. We continue to grow our currency neutral revenues, gain global nonalcoholic ready-to-drink volume and value share, expand our margins and invest in our business, all while generating tremendous cash flow. The fundamentals of our business remain strong and our franchise system is delivering results that keep us on track to achieve our long-term growth expectations. Although we expect the consumer to continue facing economic uncertainties into 2010 and for consumer sentiment to recover slowly, we believe more than ever that we have the right strategies being executed, the right leadership team in place and have taken the right actions this year to drive continued growth and to make the most of the abundant opportunities before us,» said Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive officer, The Coca-Cola Company.