The Coca-Cola Company Reports Second Quarter and Year-to-Date 2011 Results

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Coca-Cola Company reports strong second quarter and year-to-date 2011 operating results, meeting or exceeding our long-term growth targets and gaining volume and value share in total NARTD beverages. Reported worldwide volume grew 6% in both the quarter and year-to-date. Excluding new cross-licensed brands in North America, primarily Dr Pepper brands, worldwide volume grew 5% in the quarter and year-to-date. We achieved broad-based volume growth in the quarter across each of our five geographic operating groups, with growth of 7% in Eurasia and Africa, 7% in Pacific, 6% in Latin America, 5% in Europe and 4% in North America. Excluding new cross-licensed brands, North America volume was even in the quarter and grew 1% year-to-date.

In the quarter and year-to-date, we grew global volume and value share in NARTD beverages, with share gains across most beverage categories. We continued to see growth in sparkling beverages, with worldwide brand Coca-Cola volume growth of 4% in the quarter driven by a number of global markets, including 24% in China, 17% in Russia, 7% in Mexico, 7% in France, 6% in Germany and 2% in Japan. Worldwide sparkling beverage volume grew 5% in the quarter (4% excluding new cross-licensed brands in North America), with international sparkling beverage volume growing 5%.

Worldwide still beverage volume grew 7% in the quarter, led by growth across the portfolio, including juices and juice drinks, sports drinks, ready-to-drink teas, energy drinks and water brands. Still beverage volume in the quarter grew 10% internationally and 1% in North America. Minute Maid Pulpy continues to expand globally and achieved 35% growth in the quarter. Water grew 10% in the quarter with a focus on innovative and sustainable immediate consumption packaging like our PlantBottle™ in the U.S. and our Eco Crush bottle for the I LOHAS brand in Japan.

Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, said, “We are pleased with our second quarter performance results. We completed the second quarter of 2011, and the sixth quarter of our 2020 Vision, by delivering results ahead of our long-term growth targets. Importantly, we are delivering these strong results at a time when global macroeconomic conditions are at best mixed. This serves to underscore how, together with our global bottling partners, we are decisively investing in the future and executing our 2020 Vision from a position of real strength.

“Even as consumers around the world continue to feel the impact of a slow economic recovery, they increasingly choose our brands to refresh themselves at a rate of over 1.7 billion servings each and every day. Our strong revenue and profit results, combined with our worldwide share gains and positive price/mix, attest to the strength of our global system. With our 2020 Vision as our roadmap, we continue to sharpen our focus on execution by getting very clear on those priority actions we need to take to deliver in the near term while also preparing for 2020 today.

“During this past quarter, we officially celebrated Coca-Cola’s 125^th anniversary. And while it is wonderfully rewarding to celebrate our past, we remain constructively discontent and resolutely focused on our future. Our proven track record of creating value over time is a testament to this dynamic commercial enterprise and business that has just begun to reach its potential. That is why, as we look ahead to 2020 and beyond, we remain confident in our ability to achieve our long-term targets and to deliver sustainable profitable growth and value for our shareowners.”

OPERATING REVIEW

Eurasia & Africa

• Our Eurasia and Africa Group’s volume increased 7% in the quarter, with year-to-date volume up 8%. Reported net revenue for the quarter increased 15%, reflecting a 6% increase in concentrate sales, positive price/mix of 6% and a currency benefit of 3%. Concentrate sales in the quarter slightly lagged unit case volume due to timing of shipments and the cycling of a prior year change in supply point. Reported operating income increased 8% in the quarter. Comparable currency neutral operating income increased 10% in the quarter driven by the increase in revenue and improved gross margin due to business mix, partially offset by increased investments in the business.
• In Eurasia and Africa, sparkling beverages grew 6% in the quarter, with brand Coca-Cola growing 8%, and still beverages grew 14%. Eurasia and Africa grew volume share and maintained value share in total NARTD beverages. Excluding the acquired Nidan juice volume, still beverages grew 9% in the quarter. Volume in Russia, including Nidan, was up 9% in the quarter and 16% year-to-date, and we gained volume and value share in total NARTD beverages. Brand Coca-Cola posted its sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in Russia, up 17% in the second quarter and led by a fully integrated marketing campaign. Despite geopolitical challenges in the region, volume in our Middle East and North Africa business unit grew 8% in the quarter. Sub-Saharan Africa volume grew 6%. Volume in Turkey was up 12% driven by 5% growth in brand Coca-Cola. India volume grew 8% in the quarter, our 20^th consecutive quarter of growth, while cycling 22% volume growth in the prior year quarter.

Europe

• Our Europe Group’s volume in the quarter grew 5%, with year-to-date volume up 3%. Reported net revenue for the quarter grew 10%, with 4% concentrate sales growth and a 7% currency benefit partially offset by unfavorable price/mix. Revenue and price/mix this quarter continued to be impacted by a change in the system value split with our wholly owned bottler in Germany, implemented in third quarter 2010. The system value split unfavorably impacted price/mix by 1% in the second quarter. Reported operating income was up 4% in the quarter. Comparable currency neutral operating income declined 1% in the quarter due to the change in the system value split and the cycling of prior year marketing expenses, partially offset by positive volume growth and pricing in Northwest Europe and Nordics.
• Volume growth in the quarter was positive across all business units, driven by 7% growth in Germany, mid single-digit growth in Central and Southern Europe as well as in Northwest Europe and Nordics and 3% growth in Iberia. Volume this quarter benefited from the Easter holiday and favorable weather. Sparkling beverage volume grew 5% in the quarter. Brand Coca-Cola grew 6% and Coca-Cola Zero grew 17% in the quarter as we leveraged Coca-Cola’s 125^th anniversary campaign as well as our continued focus on driving revenue growth management. Our still beverages in Europe continued to grow, up 5%, driven by tea, energy drinks and water. We realized NARTD share gains across Europe including France, Germany and Great Britain.

Latin America

• Our Latin America Group’s volume grew 6% in the quarter, with year-to-date volume up 7%. Reported net revenue for the quarter increased 13%, reflecting concentrate sales growth of 5%, a 7% currency benefit and positive price/mix of 4%. This growth in reported net revenue was partially offset by the effect of structural changes as a result of the sale of our 50% ownership in Leao Junior resulting in its deconsolidation effective third quarter 2010. Reported operating income was up 17% in the quarter, with comparable currency neutral operating income up 8%, primarily reflecting favorable volume growth and pricing, partially offset by continued investments in the business.
• Strong volume growth in the quarter was led by 10% growth in Mexico and 7% growth in the South Latin Region. Brazil volume was up 1% in the quarter. Sparkling beverages grew 5% in both the quarter and year-to-date, driven by continued growth of brand Coca-Cola, up 4% in the quarter in Latin America and up 7% in Mexico. Trademark Sprite was up 8% in the quarter and 7% year-to-date. Still beverages grew 13% in the quarter and 15% year-to-date. This growth was driven by a strong focus on immediate consumption transactions through continued investments in cold drink equipment and refillable packaging.
• During the quarter, the Latin America Group gained volume and value share in total NARTD beverages, driven by volume and value share gains in both sparkling and still beverages. In a quarter marked by poor weather and rising food inflation, Brazil’s focus on single-serve and returnable packaging resulted in continued volume and value share gains in both sparkling and still beverages, including strong gains in juices and juice drinks and sports drinks. Mexico also posted strong volume and value share growth in the quarter in total NARTD, sparkling and still beverages. Still beverage gains were driven by juices and juice drinks, sports drinks and ready-to-drink teas.

North America

• Our North America Group’s volume grew 4% in the quarter and 5% year-to-date. Excluding new cross-licensed brands, primarily Dr Pepper brands, North America organic volume was even in the quarter and up 1% year-to-date, with continued volume and value share gains across total NARTD beverages. Reported net revenue for the quarter increased 141%, primarily reflecting the acquisition of CCE’s North American operations. Concentrate sales growth was 3% (including new cross-licensed brands). We achieved 1% to 2% positive retail pricing in the quarter and remain committed to achieving 3% to 4% retail pricing in the second half of the year to help offset higher commodity costs. Second quarter reported operating income grew 46%. Comparable currency neutral operating income grew 62% in the quarter, primarily reflecting the acquisition of CCE’s North American operations and growth in the underlying business, partially offset by higher commodity costs and the timing of marketing expenses as we conformed the newly acquired North American bottling business to our accounting policies.
• Sparkling volume was up 6% in both the quarter and year-to-date. Excluding new cross-licensed brands, principally Dr Pepper, organic volume for sparkling beverages declined 1% in the quarter and year-to-date, impacted by the cycling of prior year customer-funded promotional activity and a continued challenging economic environment. We gained sparkling beverage volume and value share in the quarter. Coca-Cola Zero delivered double-digit volume growth for the 21^st consecutive quarter, up 12%, driven by strong marketing and continuing growth in foodservice. Fanta grew for the fourth consecutive quarter, up 7%, with strong retail activation.
• North America still beverage volume grew 1% in the quarter and 4% year-to-date, led by Powerade growth of 9% and Gold Peak tea growth of 38% in the quarter. During the quarter, we gained volume share and maintained value share in total still beverages, with volume and value share gains across multiple still beverage categories, including sports drinks, energy drinks, ready-to-drink teas and coffees, and packaged water. Overall the juice category was soft in the quarter as we led industry pricing to offset commodity costs, while still growing Simply and expanding the availability of single-serve packaging. Both vitaminwater zero and smartwater continued to grow double digits in the quarter.

Pacific

• Our Pacific Group’s volume grew 7% in the quarter, with year-to-date volume up 6%. Second quarter results were driven by 21% growth in China and 16% growth in South Korea. Concentrate sales for the quarter reflect bottler inventory growth in China and Japan in advance of the peak summer selling season as well as Japan bottlers replenishing inventory losses experienced as a result of the natural disasters earlier this year. This was partially offset by a reduction in concentrate sales as a result of the transition to a new supply point in Southeast Asia. Reported net revenue for the quarter grew 21%, primarily reflecting 13% concentrate sales growth and an 11% currency benefit partially offset by unfavorable 3% price/mix. Reported net revenue includes the positive impact of Japan bottlers replenishing inventory in the quarter after the natural disasters earlier this year. Reported operating income increased 21% in the quarter. Comparable currency neutral operating income grew 10% in the quarter, reflecting higher concentrate sales due to the Japan inventory replenishment and timing of marketing expenses.
• Japan volume grew 1% in the quarter, reflecting the progress our Japan business has made in recovering from the earthquake and tsunami. Brand Coca-Cola was up 2% in the quarter on continued solid momentum for the brand, driving share gains in core sparkling beverages. Single-serve I LOHAS water has become the leader in overall value in packaged water, driving strong volume and value share gains in the quarter, and Ayataka green tea was up 72% in the quarter as a result of the brand’s renewal in March. We still anticipate challenges in the remainder of the year as we continue to execute our Japan business plan to ensure we are meeting evolving customer and consumer needs.
• China volume grew 21% in the second quarter, driven by a renewed focus on core brands, continued distribution gains and expansion of cooler facings. Sparkling beverages achieved strong volume growth of 23%, driven by growth in brand Coca-Cola. In addition, Minute Maid Pulpy grew 36% in the quarter, supported by the “Burst of China Joy” integrated marketing campaign. As a result, we gained volume and value share in sparkling beverages and juices and juice drinks. As our business and the industry in China continue to evolve, we are introducing a wider variety of packages to promote affordability and enhance the consumer experience with our brands, all with a focus to drive increased transactions and profitable growth and to continue building brand equity with consumers.

Bottling Investments

• Our Bottling Investments Group’s volume grew 5% in the quarter on a comparable basis after adjusting for the effect of structural changes, principally the sale of the Norway and Sweden bottlers. Reported volume was even in the quarter. The growth in comparable volume was primarily driven by China, Germany and India. Reported net revenue for the quarter grew 5%. This reflects the 5% growth in unit case volume, positive price/mix of 4% and a currency benefit of 7%, partially offset by the effect of the structural changes. Reported operating income in the quarter declined 23%. Comparable currency neutral operating income declined 21% in the quarter. Excluding the impact of structural changes, comparable currency neutral operating income declined 2%. This reflects the increase in revenues and change in the system value split in Germany as well as the benefits of disciplined capital investments and expense management, offset by higher commodity costs and continued investments in our in-market capabilities.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Second quarter reported net revenue was up 47%, with comparable net revenue also up 47%. This reflects a 6% increase in concentrate sales, a 6% currency benefit, positive price/mix and the acquisition of CCE’s North American operations, partially offset by the effect of structural changes. Concentrate sales in the quarter were broadly in line with unit case volume. The positive price/mix in the quarter reflects international and Bottling Investments Group price/mix of 2%. In addition, we achieved 1% to 2% positive retail pricing in North America, with additional incremental pricing programs in place for the second half of 2011 that will enable us to deliver 2% to 3% positive retail pricing for the full year in North America. This reflects our fundamental belief in executing pricing within a disciplined commercial framework that considers rate increases in concert with occasion-based package mix levers, balancing overall category health with volume, value and pricing growth. As a result, we grew global NARTD value share for the 16^th consecutive quarter, driven by global share growth across sparkling and still beverages.

Reported cost of goods sold was up 69% in the quarter. Comparable cost of goods sold was up 68% in the quarter, driven by a 6% increase in concentrate sales, a 6% currency impact and the acquisition of CCE’s North American operations, partially offset by the impact of structural changes, principally the sale of the Norway and Sweden bottlers. Higher commodity costs, particularly in our finished goods businesses in the Bottling Investments Group and Coca-Cola Refreshments, continue to impact cost of goods sold as well. Items affecting comparability primarily included gains on commodities hedging.

Reported SG&A expenses increased 54% in the quarter. Comparable SG&A expenses increased 53% in the quarter. This increase reflects a 6% currency impact and was primarily driven by the acquisition of CCE’s North American operations, including the timing of marketing expenses, which will primarily reverse in the fourth quarter, as we conformed the newly acquired North American business to our accounting policies. The increase also reflects our continued investment behind our bottling operations. Structural changes, principally the sale of the Norway and Sweden bottlers, reduced comparable currency neutral SG&A expenses by 5%.

The Company has expanded certain commodity hedging programs as a result of our acquisition of CCE’s North American business. The Company uses derivatives as economic hedges to mitigate such risks as those associated with commodities and currency exposure. As a result of the expansion of our commodity hedging programs, in the fourth quarter of 2010 we began to exclude the impact of the net mark-to-market adjustments related to these economic hedges from our non-GAAP financial information until the period in which the underlying exposure being hedged impacts our consolidated statement of income. This quarter we included $26 million of previously excluded net gains, primarily related to commodities hedging. These gains are reflected in the Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures schedule.

Second quarter reported operating income increased 15%, with comparable operating income up 18%. Items affecting comparability reduced second quarter operating income by $177 million in 2011 and by $78 million in 2010. In both years these items included restructuring charges and costs related to global productivity initiatives as well as costs related to the CCE transaction. Currency had a 6% benefit on comparable operating income in the quarter partially offsetting the impact of increased commodity costs. Including our hedge positions and the cycling of our prior year rates, we estimate currencies will have a mid single-digit positive benefit on operating income for the full year.

On a year-to-date basis, our share repurchases now stand at $1.1 billion, although some of these repurchases have been offset by other treasury stock activity, primarily related to the exercise of employee stock options. We were not buying shares under our share repurchase program for most of the quarter as we considered strategic alternatives. However, we are planning to purchase at least $2.5 billion in shares under our existing share repurchase program by year end.

Second quarter reported EPS was $1.20, an increase of 18%, with comparable EPS at $1.17, up 10% and ahead of our long-term growth target. Items affecting comparability increased second quarter 2011 reported EPS by $0.03 and decreased second quarter 2010 reported EPS by $0.04. In both years these items included restructuring charges and costs related to global productivity initiatives as well as the CCE transaction. Second quarter 2011 reported EPS also included a one-time non-cash gain of $0.09 on the adjustment to fair value of our investment in Mexican bottler Grupo Continental S.A.B. (Contal). As a result of the merger between Contal and Embotelladoras Arca, S.A.B. de C.V. (Arca), our shares of Contal were converted into shares of the new entity Arca Continental, S.A.B de C.V. (Arca Contal). Accounting standards required that we adjust the carrying value of our investment to fair value, and the non-cash gain can be found on the Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures schedule. We continue to hold our shares in Arca Contal; however, since our ownership percentage in the combined company has been reduced, we no longer apply the equity method of accounting.

We estimate that the sale of the Company’s stake in Chilean bottler Coca-Cola Embonor S.A. in first quarter 2011 and the change in accounting resulting from the merger of Arca and Contal in the second quarter will decrease equity income by approximately $0.01 on a full-year basis. Additionally, we continue to anticipate challenges in the remainder of the year in Japan as a result of the natural disasters earlier this year that we estimate will have a dilutive $0.03 to $0.05 impact on full-year comparable EPS. This impact will be primarily observed in the third and fourth quarter.

Cash from operations was $3.6 billion for the first six months of the year as compared to $4.3 billion in the prior year, a decrease of 15%. This difference primarily reflects additional pension funding made in the first quarter as well as the effect of the acquisition of CCE’s North American operations, which historically use a larger proportion of working capital in the first half of the year. After adjusting for the impact of the additional pension contribution in the first quarter, cash from operations would have increased 2%.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $30 million year-to-date, while net cash used in financing activities was $1,875 million in the prior year. This fluctuation primarily represents proceeds from net debt issuances year-to-date, partially offset by share repurchases.

Effective Tax Rate

The reported effective tax rate for the quarter was 26.1%. The underlying effective tax rate on operations for the quarter was 24.0%. The variance between the reported tax rate and the underlying tax rate was due to the tax effect of various items impacting comparability, separately presented in this document in the Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures schedule.

Our underlying effective tax rate does not reflect the impact of significant or unusual items and discrete events, which, if and when they occur, are separately recognized in the appropriate period.

For 2011, we expect our underlying effective tax rate on operations to be 24.0%.

Items Impacting Prior Year Results

First quarter 2010 results included a net charge of $0.11 per share primarily related to restructuring charges and costs related to global productivity initiatives as well as the impact of the Venezuela currency devaluation.

Second quarter 2010 results included a net charge of $0.04 per share primarily related to restructuring charges and costs related to global productivity initiatives as well as costs related to the CCE transaction.

NOTES

• All references to growth rate percentages, share and cycling of growth rates compare the results of the period to those of the prior year comparable period.
• “Concentrate sales” represents the amount of concentrates, syrups, beverage bases and powders sold by, or used in finished beverages sold by, the Company to its bottling partners or other customers.
• “Sparkling beverages” means NARTD beverages with carbonation, including energy drinks and carbonated waters and flavored waters.
• “Still beverages” means nonalcoholic beverages without carbonation, including noncarbonated waters, flavored waters and enhanced waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees and sports drinks.
• All references to volume and volume percentage changes indicate unit case volume. All volume percentage changes are computed based on average daily sales. “Unit case” means a unit of measurement equal to 24 eight-ounce servings of finished beverage. “Unit case volume” means the number of unit cases (or unit case equivalents) of Company beverages directly or indirectly sold by the Company and its bottling partners to customers.
• Year-to-date 2011 financial results were impacted by one fewer selling day, which will be offset by the impact of one additional selling day in fourth quarter 2011 results. Unit case volume results are not impacted by the variance in selling days due to the average daily sales computation referenced above.
• The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide users with additional meaningful financial information that should be considered when assessing our ongoing performance. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company's performance. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial information does not represent a comprehensive basis of accounting.
• Our long-term revenue and operating income growth targets are on a comparable currency neutral basis and exclude structural changes. Our long-term volume growth target is on a comparable basis, excluding the effect of structural changes. Our long-term EPS growth target is on a comparable basis.

CONFERENCE CALL

We are hosting a conference call with investors and analysts to discuss our second quarter and year-to-date 2011 results today at 9:30 a.m. (EDT). We invite investors to listen to the live audiocast of the conference call at our website, http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com in the “Investors” section. A replay in downloadable MP3 format will also be available within 24 hours after the audiocast on our website. Further, the “Investors” section of our website includes a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures that may be used periodically by management when discussing our financial results with investors and analysts to our results as reported under GAAP.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements, estimates or projections that constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from The Coca-Cola Company’s historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks include, but are not limited to, obesity and other health concerns; scarcity and quality of water; changes in the nonalcoholic beverages business environment, including changes in consumer preferences based on health and nutrition considerations and obesity concerns, shifting consumer tastes and needs, changes in lifestyles and competitive product and pricing pressures; risks related to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition, as well as the integration, of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.’s North American business; continuing uncertainty in the credit and equity market conditions; increased competition; our ability to expand our operations in developing and emerging markets; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; increases in interest rates; our ability to maintain good relationships with our bottling partners; the financial condition of our bottling partners; increases in income tax rates or changes in income tax laws; increases in indirect taxes or new indirect taxes; our ability and the ability of our bottling partners to maintain good labor relations, including the ability to renew collective bargaining agreements on satisfactory terms and avoid strikes, work stoppages or labor unrest; increase in the cost, disruption of supply or shortage of energy; increase in cost, disruption of supply or shortage of ingredients or packaging materials; changes in laws and regulations relating to beverage containers and packaging, including container deposit, recycling, eco-tax and/or product stewardship laws or regulations; adoption of significant additional labeling or warning requirements; unfavorable general economic conditions in the United States or other major markets; unfavorable economic and political conditions in international markets, including civil unrest and product boycotts; litigation uncertainties; adverse weather conditions; our ability to maintain brand image and corporate reputation as well as other product issues such as product recalls; changes in, or our failure to comply with, laws and regulations applicable to our products or our business operations; changes in accounting standards and taxation requirements; our ability to achieve overall long-term goals; our ability to protect our information technology infrastructure; additional impairment charges; our ability to successfully manage Company-owned or controlled bottling operations; the impact of climate change on our business; global or regional catastrophic events; and other risks discussed in our Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which filings are available from the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Coca-Cola Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

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