Companies and Brands

Coca-Cola’s Results Hit by Currency Headwinds

Coca-Cola logo
courtesy of The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 results before markets opened this morning.

For the quarter, the soft-drink maker posted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.41 on revenues of $11.46 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported adjusted EPS of $0.36 on revenues of $11.04 billion. Fourth-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $0.44 and $11.54 billion in revenues.

For the full year, EPS totaled $1.97 on revenues of $48.02 billion, compared with a consensus estimate for EPS of $2.00 on revenues of $48.14 billion.

Currency exchange rates cost the company 3% on comparable net revenues and 5% on operating income for the full year. On a constant currency basis, fourth-quarter operating income rose 14% and full-year income rose 6%.

The company’s CEO said:

In a year marked by continued uncertainty in the global economy, we delivered solid volume, revenue and profit growth, and we realized further volume and value share gains in nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages. … As we enter 2013 in what is still an uncertain global economy, we know that it is critical to seize the opportunity to keep leading and succeeding in any environment.

Operationally, cost of goods rose 5% compared with the same period a year ago. The company expects to commodity costs to rise by $100 million in 2013, less than half the increase the company forecast for the just-ended year.

Coca-Cola’s shares are down about 0.3% in premarket trading, at $38.61 in a 52-week range is $33.71 to $40.67. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of around $42.20 before today’s report.

Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)

Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Get started right here.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.