Coca-Cola(US:KO) Benzingaยท2025-10-20 19:59Core Viewpoint - The Coca-Cola Company is expected to report strong international sales growth and focus on new products and marketing initiatives in its upcoming third-quarter financial results [1] Earnings Estimates - Analysts predict Coca-Cola will report third-quarter revenue of $12.39 billion, an increase from $11.85 billion in the same period last year [2] - Expected earnings per share for the third quarter is 78 cents, up from 77 cents a year earlier [2] - The company has beaten earnings per share estimates in six consecutive quarters and nine of the last ten quarters [3] Key Items to Watch - Coca-Cola's results follow PepsiCo's recent earnings report, which exceeded analyst expectations for both earnings per share and revenue, potentially raising expectations for Coca-Cola [4] - In the second quarter, Coca-Cola's net revenue increased by 1% to $12.5 billion, driven by higher prices and product mix [4] - Analysts are looking for strength in international markets, particularly after Coca-Cola reported growth in China and Central Asia, despite unit case volume declines in several key regions [5] - The Coca-Cola Zero Sugar brand continues to show growth across all geographic segments [5] - Non-carbonated beverages, including water, sports drinks, coffee, and tea, are also areas of interest, with mixed growth trends across regions [6] - The company plans to launch a new U.S. cane sugar-based beverage, which could impact future sales [6] Investor Interest - Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is closely monitoring Coca-Cola's report, as Berkshire holds approximately 9.3% of the company [8] - Coca-Cola has narrowed its earnings per share outlook while maintaining its organic revenue growth target of 5% to 6% for the full year, which will be closely watched by investors and analysts [9] Stock Performance - Coca-Cola's stock traded at $68.41, with a year-to-date increase of 10.6% in 2025, outperforming PepsiCo, which is up 2.1% year-to-date [10]