Coca-Cola has raised its annual profit forecast, citing strong demand for its zero-sugar sodas and premium beverages like fairlife milk and sparkling soft drinks. The company now anticipates at least 9% growth in comparable currency-neutral earnings per share for 2026, up from its earlier projection of 7% to 8%. This revision comes as the beverage giant reported a 7.4% increase in third-quarter revenue, reaching $13.38 billion, which surpassed analysts' expectations of $12.92 billion.
To counter rising food and fuel prices, Coca-Cola has introduced smaller, more affordable packs while launching higher-priced flavors such as Coca-Cola Cherry Float. The company also saw a sales boost during the July soccer World Cup, particularly for its energy drink brands. These strategies have helped sustain demand despite broader market volatility and consumer spending challenges.
Coca-Cola's performance stands in contrast to rival PepsiCo, which recently lowered its annual targets and announced cost-cutting measures due to weak snack demand in North America. Coca-Cola shares rose nearly 1% in premarket trading, extending a 33% gain for the year and positioning the stock for a third consecutive year of growth.