The Coca-Cola Co’s Q3/YTD 2016 results – Preview

On Wednesday, The Coca-Cola Co will release its results for the third quarter – and year to date – of 2016. Here, just-drinks takes a closer look at the company’s performance in the three months to the end of September:

• After months of regulatory hurdles, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa – a JV between Coca-Cola Sabco, The Coca-Cola Co and then-SABMiller, opened for business
• In the UK, Coca-Cola unveiled its first TV ad campaign for Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, the reformulated and rebranded no-sugar Coke. The move was followed in the market with the launch of a YouTube channel – Coke TV
• Later in July, The Coca-Cola Co confirmed that its Vietnam operations were back online after missing certification halted the production of four non-core brands in the country
• Next, the company moved into the coffee bean market in Brazil, announcing the roll-out of  Café Leão, roasted arabica beans available in 500g and 250g bags
• At the beginning of August, Coca-Cola Co reported new agreements with bottlers as it continues its strategy to refranchise its bottling system in the US
• In September, the company announced the roll-out of its Freestyle self-service drinks system to Europe
• Later in the month, the firm announced plans to launch an RTD tea and coffee under its Gold Peak brand
• At the same time, Coca-Cola said its bottler refranchising programme would cut its global workforce numbers by two-thirds
• Also in September, the company agreed to acquire Coca-Cola HBC’s 50% stake in Lithuanian bottled water company Neptuno Vandenys
• At the end of the quarter, Coca-Cola Life rolled out to Canada before being relegated to ‘niche’ status in Western Europe.

Half-year and Q2 highlights: 

• First-half net profits were up by 6% to US$4.95bn
• Sales in six months to end of June declined by 4.6% to $21.82bn
• Operating profits were up by 3.5% to $5bn
• Q2 net profits jumped by 11.2% to $3.46bn
• Sales in second quarter down 5% to $11.54bn
• Volumes inched up 1% in half-year, flat in Q2
• Full-year sales forecast to rise by 3%

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