Coke profit boosted by rising global demand

Coca-Cola reported higher quarterly net income, boosted by the impact of currency changes, lower taxes and a late surge in demand…

Coca-Cola reported higher quarterly net income, boosted by the impact of currency changes, lower taxes and a late surge in demand for soft drinks, juices and other beverages.

Shares of the world's largest soft-drink maker, which has been struggling to boost sluggish sales, rose 2.6 per cent in trading before markets opened.

Coca-Cola reported fourth-quarter earnings of $1.2 billion, or 50 cents a share, compared with $927 million, or 38 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue rose to $5.26 billion from $5.18 billion.

Coca-Cola's unit case volume, a key sales measure in the beverage industry, rose 2 per cent overall.

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Volume in North America, the company's largest and most important market, was down 1 per cent in the period.

Coca-Cola executives said the fourth-quarter results showed the company was back on track to deliver sustained growth in its more than 200 markets around the world.