Coca-Cola Co reported slightly better-than-expected quarterly result today, helped by strong growth in emerging markets.

The world's largest soft-drink maker, with brands including Sprite, vitaminwater and Powerade, reported net income of $2.80 billion, or $1.20 per share for the second quarter, compared with $2.37 billion, or $1.02 per share, a year earlier.

Excluding one-time items, earnings were $1.17 per share. Analysts on average were expecting $1.16 per share.

Revenue rose to $12.74 billion, with worldwide volume up 6 per cent. North American volume, excluding new cross-licensed brands such as Dr Pepper, was flat in the quarter. That compares with gains of 2 per cent in the first quarter, 3 per cent in the fourth quarter and 2 per cent in the third quarter.

Analysts were expecting revenue of $12.38 billion.

The company does the majority of its business outside the United States, an asset that has kept it in favour with investors despite struggles in its home market, where anaemic jobs growth has kept a lid on sales of soft drinks.

"Employment is a key driver of demand for consumer staples," said Morningstar analyst Philip Gorham. He said he will be keen to know how sales fared late in the quarter, after US jobs growth ground to a near halt in June.

"I think probably what we'll find is the second quarter was a tale of two halves, with the first half seeming to appear bright."

Coke has said it planned to raise prices by 3 per cent to 4 per cent this year at home, following a 1 to 2 per cent increase in the first quarter, to offset higher prices for everything from fuel to packaging.

Reuters