News Release
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2008 RESULTS
- First quarter EPS increased 19 percent to $0.64; increased 20
percent to $0.67 after considering items impacting comparability.
- Worldwide unit case volume up 6 percent for the first quarter
and International unit case volume up 7 percent.
- Solid growth with sparkling beverage unit case volume up 3 percent,
led by 5 percent growth in International, and still beverage unit
case volume up 17 percent.
- Strong cash generation with cash from operations increasing 18
percent.
Atlanta,
April 16, 2008 - The Coca-Cola Company
today reported first quarter earnings per share of $0.64, an increase
of 19 percent versus the prior year on a reported basis, and $0.67
after considering items impacting comparability, an increase of 20
percent. Earnings per share for the quarter included a net charge
of $0.03 per share primarily related to restructuring charges and
asset write-downs. Earnings per share for the first quarter of 2007
were $0.54, which included a net charge of $0.02 per share primarily
related to an asset write-off in the Philippines bottler, partially
offset by gains on the sales of the equity interest in a Brazilian
bottler and real estate in Spain.
"We have begun 2008 successfully,
with another solid quarter consistent with our overriding objective
of creating long-term sustainable growth," said Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer Neville Isdell. "Our systems success
in executing our strategies -- from marketing and beverage innovation
to effective execution at the point of sale -- continues to drive
our growth. Importantly, our growth was again balanced, proving our
ability to manage our portfolio of brands and geographies over time
to deliver results. As Muhtar assumes executive leadership of our
Company, I am confident that the strategies and programs that we together
have put in place will continue to deliver long-term sustainable growth
and value to our shareowners."
President and Chief Operating
Officer Muhtar Kent said, "Our performance in the first quarter
further builds on our success in 2007 in every respect. Our international
business once again led the way, with both sparkling and still beverages
contributing to our results. We do recognize there is still much more
work to be done, especially in our flagship North America market with
its challenging economic environment.
"I remain optimistic
about the progress we are making and committed to continued improvement
in the execution of our strategies. Even in the face of a difficult
macroeconomic climate, I believe that by continuing to collaborate
with our bottling partners and maintaining an unrelenting focus on
integrated consumer marketing and commercial and franchise leadership,
we will achieve another successful year for The Coca-Cola
Company."
(All references to growth rate percentages and share compare the
results of the period to those of the prior year comparable period.)
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