This story was originally published on Food Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Food Dive newsletter. Editor's note: This story has been updated with analyst commentary. Dive Brief: Coca-Cola COO Henrique Braun will replace James Quincey as CEO starting March 31, the company announced Wednesday. Braun and Quincey both joined Coca-Cola in 1996. Quincey, who has served as CEO for nine years, will transition to the role of executive chairman. During his tenure, he shed ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Third quarter consolidated net sales revenue decreased by 3.3% [19] - Underlying pre-tax income fell by 11.9% [19] - Underlying earnings per share declined by 7.2% [19] - A non-cash partial goodwill impairment charge of $3.6 billion was recorded [21] - Non-cash intangible asset impairment charges amounted to $274 million [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. beer industry volume was down by 4.7% based on internal estimates [19] - U.S. volume share decreased by 40 basis points [19] - Contract brewing negatively impacted Americas financial volume by 450,000 hectoliters, equating to a 3 percentage point headwind [19] - EMEA and APAC volumes continued to be pressured due to soft market demand [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The macro environment has pressured demand across regions, particularly affecting lower-income and Hispanic consumers in the U.S. [8][9] - The company anticipates lower year-end U.S. distributor inventory levels compared to year-end 2024 [23] - The Midwest premium pricing has remained elevated, with costs expected to exceed the prior year by $40-$55 million [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on building strong and scalable brands in both beer and beyond beer [10] - There is a commitment to premiumization, particularly in the above-premium segment, where the company is underindexed in the U.S. [12] - The company plans to implement structural changes to enhance agility and decision-making at the local level [16] - A corporate restructuring plan is in place to create a leaner organization, reducing salaried headcount by approximately 400 positions [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes the current industry softness is cyclical rather than structural, with expectations for recovery as macro issues subside [9][44] - The company is committed to returning to growth, supported by a healthy balance sheet and strong free cash flow [9] - Future results are expected to take time, but there is confidence in the brand portfolio and strategic plans [18] Other Important Information - The company remains committed to its dividend and share repurchase program, viewing its stock as a compelling investment [18] - The guidance for 2025 has been reaffirmed, with expectations to come in at the low end of prior ranges for key metrics [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the biggest opportunities and challenges ahead for the new CEO? - The new CEO highlighted the need to strengthen core brands and address share losses in the economy and flavor categories, while also focusing on premiumization opportunities [30] Question: Can you provide insights on the fourth quarter's top-line guidance? - The CFO indicated expectations for better performance in EMEA, APAC, and Canada, along with softer comps from contract brewing in the U.S. [32] Question: What are the pressures facing the beer category, and why is it considered cyclical? - Management noted that while there are structural issues, current pressures are largely due to macroeconomic factors, and they expect recovery as these issues are resolved [44] Question: How does the company plan to balance investments between beer and beyond beer? - The CEO emphasized the importance of supporting core beer brands while also seeking growth in the beyond beer segment, indicating a balanced approach to capital allocation [78] Question: What is the expected impact of the restructuring on the organization? - The restructuring aims to enhance agility and speed in decision-making, allowing for a more localized approach to market execution [76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Third quarter consolidated net sales revenue decreased by 3.3% [19] - Underlying pre-tax income fell by 11.9% [19] - Underlying earnings per share declined by 7.2% [19] - The U.S. beer industry volume was down by 4.7% based on internal estimates [19] - A non-cash partial goodwill impairment charge of $3.6 billion was recorded [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. volume share decreased by 40 basis points, with better performance in the on-premise channel compared to off-premise [19] - Contract brewing negatively impacted Americas financial volume by 450,000 hectoliters, equating to a 3 percentage point headwind [19] - EMEA and APAC volumes continued to be pressured due to soft market demand and heightened competition [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The macro environment has pressured demand across regions, particularly affecting lower-income and Hispanic consumers in the U.S. [8][9] - The company believes the current industry softness is cyclical rather than structural [9][44] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on building strong and scalable brands in both Beer and Beyond Beer [10] - There is a commitment to premiumization, particularly in the U.S. market where the company is underindexed in above-premium segments [12][44] - The company plans to implement structural changes to enhance agility and decision-making at the local level [16][76] - A corporate restructuring plan is in place to create a leaner organization, reducing salaried headcount by approximately 400 positions or 9% [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the challenges posed by macroeconomic factors but remains confident in the company's ability to return to growth [5][9] - The company expects to reaffirm its 2025 guidance but anticipates results at the low end of prior ranges for key metrics [22] - Management emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy balance sheet and strong free cash flow while investing in growth opportunities [18] Other Important Information - The company is committed to its dividend and share repurchase program, viewing its stock as a compelling investment [18] - The company plans to redeploy savings from restructuring to invest in key brands and commercial capabilities [17][70] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: What are the biggest opportunities and challenges ahead for the new CEO? - The new CEO highlighted the need to strengthen core brands and address share losses in the economy and flavor categories while capitalizing on opportunities in above-premium segments [30] Question: Can you provide insights on the implied improvement for the fourth quarter? - The company expects better top-line performance in EMEA, APAC, and Canada, along with softer comps from contract brewing in the U.S. [32] Question: What pressures are facing the beer category, and why is it believed to be cyclical? - Management noted that the beer category has faced structural issues but believes current challenges are cyclical due to macroeconomic factors [44] Question: How does the company plan to balance investments between Beer and Beyond Beer? - The company intends to maintain a strong focus on beer while also investing in Beyond Beer to ensure it becomes a significant growth driver [78]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated net sales revenue decreased by 3.3% in Q3 2025 [18] - Underlying pre-tax income declined by 11.9% [18] - Underlying earnings per share fell by 7.2% [18] - The U.S. beer industry volume was down by 4.7% based on internal estimates [18] - A non-cash partial goodwill impairment charge of $3.6 billion was recorded [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. volume share decreased by 40 basis points, with better performance in the on-premise channel compared to off-premise [18] - Contract brewing was a 450,000 hectoliter headwind to the Americas financial volume [18] - Volume in the Americas and APAC continued to be pressured across all regions due to soft market demand [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The macro environment in Europe contributed to continued industry softness, impacting demand [7] - The Midwest premium pricing remained elevated, with marketing expenses increasing while G&A decreased due to lower incentive compensation [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on building strong and scalable brands in both beer and beyond beer [8] - There is a commitment to premiumization, particularly in the above-premium segment, where the company is underindexed in the U.S. [10] - The company plans to invest in core and economy beer portfolios while transforming above-premium and beyond beer portfolios [8][10] - A corporate restructuring plan is being implemented to create a leaner organization and reinvest in key brands and capabilities [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes the current industry softness is cyclical and expects a return to growth as macro issues are resolved [7][42] - The company is committed to returning cash to shareholders while also looking for scalable and accretive M&A opportunities [16][48] - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate near-term challenges and return to top and bottom-line growth [7][17] Other Important Information - The company expects to reaffirm its 2025 guidance but anticipates coming in at the low end of prior ranges for key metrics [20] - Year-end U.S. distributor inventory levels are expected to be lower compared to year-end 2024 [21] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: What are the biggest opportunities and challenges ahead for the new CEO? - The new CEO highlighted the need to strengthen core brands and address share losses in the economy and flavor categories while recognizing the strong foundation of the company [28] Question: Can you provide insights on the implied improvement for Q4? - Management expects better top-line performance in the Americas, APAC, and Canada, driven by lapping softer comps from contract brewing [31] Question: How do you view the pressures facing the beer category? - Management believes the current pressures are cyclical, influenced by macroeconomic factors, and expects a return to pre-2025 levels once these issues are resolved [42] Question: What is the company's approach to capital deployment and M&A? - The company aims to be disciplined in capital deployment, focusing on accretive deals that fill portfolio gaps while maintaining a strong balance sheet [48] Question: How will the restructuring improve agility and speed? - The restructuring is designed to bring leadership closer to market execution, enabling quicker decision-making and resource allocation [70]

Core Insights - Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. reported strong financial performance for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2025, with notable increases in net sales and gross profit [3][4][5]. Financial Performance - In the third quarter of 2025, net sales increased by 6.9% to $1.888 billion, while for the first nine months, net sales rose by 3.3% to $5.324 billion [5][20]. - Gross profit for the third quarter was $748.5 million, reflecting a 7.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024, with a gross margin of 39.6% [5][7]. - Income from operations for the third quarter was $246.6 million, an increase of 8.6% year-over-year, resulting in an operating margin of 13.1% [9][20]. Volume and Sales Breakdown - Total volume in the third quarter increased by 3.3%, while the first nine months saw a decline of 1.2% due to two fewer selling days compared to the previous year [4][26]. - Sparkling beverage sales in the third quarter rose by 4.7%, while still beverage sales increased by 9.9% [6][20]. Earnings and Shareholder Returns - Earnings per share for the third quarter increased by 24% to $1.64, with adjusted earnings per share rising by 10% to $2.06 [5][10]. - The company returned over $211 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends during 2025 [4][12]. Cost Management - Selling, delivery, and administrative expenses increased by 6.6% in the third quarter, primarily due to labor costs, but as a percentage of net sales, these expenses decreased to 26.6% [8][20]. - The company effectively managed commodity cost increases through annual price adjustments implemented earlier in the year [7][8]. Cash Flow and Investments - Cash flows from operations for the first nine months of 2025 were $722.9 million, compared to $707.9 million in the same period of 2024 [12][23]. - The company invested approximately $210 million in capital expenditures to optimize its supply chain and support future growth [12][23]. Balance Sheet Highlights - As of September 26, 2025, total assets were $5.669 billion, with stockholders' equity amounting to $1.636 billion [22]. - Current assets increased to $2.848 billion, while total liabilities rose to $4.033 billion [22].

Group 1 - The S&P 500 has increased by 14.5% year to date and over 35% from its April lows, raising questions about the sustainability of the market rally [1] - Investors seeking reliable dividend stocks may find opportunities in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which consists of 30 industry-leading companies [1] Group 2 - Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Coca-Cola are highlighted as strong dividend stocks, with P&G having a 21.8 forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio compared to a 10-year median of 25.7, and Coca-Cola at 23.9 versus a median of 27.7 [6] - Both companies have maintained impressive dividend growth, with P&G raising its dividend for 69 consecutive years and Coca-Cola for 63 years, qualifying them as Dividend Kings [5] Group 3 - McDonald's is noted for its recession-resistant business model, providing affordable food options even amid inflationary pressures [7] - Chevron continues to increase its dividend payouts despite low oil prices, indicating strong financial management [8] - Visa is positioned to return significant cash to shareholders without relying on a booming economy [8]

Core Insights - The Coca-Cola Company (KO) demonstrated a resilient performance in Q3 2025, particularly in North America, despite mixed global results [1][10] - The company achieved 6% organic revenue growth and 6% comparable EPS growth, driven by disciplined pricing, marketing transformation, and innovation [4][10] North America Performance - North America was a bright spot for Coca-Cola, showing sequential volume improvement for the second consecutive quarter [1][10] - The region's performance was supported by the company's focus on affordability through smaller packs and premium segments, contributing to value share gains [2][4] Global Market Dynamics - Global performance was uneven, with Latin America and Asia Pacific facing macroeconomic and weather-related challenges, particularly in Mexico, India, and parts of ASEAN [3][10] - Despite these challenges, Coca-Cola continued to gain value share in most markets and maintained or expanded share across all geographic segments [3][4] Competitive Landscape - Coca-Cola's key rivals, PepsiCo and Monster Beverage, are experiencing distinct paths in North America, with both companies showing improvements in beverage volumes and innovation [6][7][8] - The competitive landscape is evolving as consumer spending and pricing strategies shift, raising questions about the sustainability of growth for these companies [6][7][8] Financial Metrics - Coca-Cola's shares have increased by 12.4% year-to-date, outperforming the industry growth of 7.1% [9] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 22.07X, which is higher than the industry's 18.36X [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates year-over-year earnings growth of 3.1% for 2025 and 8.2% for 2026, with recent estimates for 2025 remaining unchanged [13][14]

Core Insights - The company reported better than expected earnings for both revenue and adjusted earnings, leading to a stock price increase of approximately 2.7% in pre-market trading [2] Financial Performance - There was a slight miss on revenue, but adjusted earnings exceeded expectations, contributing to positive market momentum [2] - Global unit volume grew by about 1% in the third quarter, significantly lower than the 4% growth seen in the same quarter of 2022 [6] - North America volume remained flat, contrasting with previous years when home consumption drove growth [5] Consumer Trends - Growth was noted in Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, which saw a 14% increase, indicating a shift in consumer preferences towards lower sugar options [7][22] - The company is focusing on higher-income consumers who are more resilient to price increases, while also adapting strategies to retain lower-income consumers [12][13] Strategic Initiatives - The company plans to continue offering diverse packaging options to cater to different price points and consumer needs [14][15] - There is an ongoing strategy to reintroduce real cane sugar in select markets, with plans for broader rollout in the coming months [17] Market Dynamics - The company is aware of external factors such as inflation, trade dynamics, and geopolitical issues affecting consumer demand [7] - The company is committed to innovation and adapting to consumer trends, including a focus on lower-calorie and lower-sugar products [21][22] Future Outlook - The company is making significant investments in its Fairlife dairy brand, with plans for the largest investment in a single production facility to meet growing demand [24][25]

Core Insights - Coca-Cola reported earnings and revenue that exceeded estimates, with a stock increase of nearly 4% and organic revenue growth of 6%, which is higher than the industry average [1][2] - The company maintains its full-year forecast despite acknowledging challenges in the macroeconomic environment [1] Consumer Behavior - Coca-Cola is experiencing strong results due to its leadership in the industry and ability to adapt to varying consumer dynamics globally [2] - In the U.S., higher-income consumers continue to spend, while lower-income consumers are exhibiting value-seeking behavior [3] - Economic sluggishness is noted in parts of Asia, but overall consumer demand remains strong [4] Volume Growth Challenges - Overall volume growth in North America was flat at 1%, with expectations for more growth from emerging markets [4][5] - Specific markets like India and China underperformed, impacting expected volume growth [6] Pricing and Product Mix - The growth in North America is attributed to a 6% price mix, with 4% coming from price increases closely aligned with inflation [7][8] - Premium products are driving growth, particularly among higher-income consumers, contributing to a favorable product mix [9][11] Market Share and Brand Performance - Coca-Cola is gaining market share globally, particularly in premium segments and strong brand categories [13][14] - The company acknowledges the need for improvement in certain areas while remaining optimistic about industry growth [15] Economic Conditions in China - Economic pressures in China are affecting consumer growth, with a shift towards non-consumer sectors impacting overall performance [16][17]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has shown strong and steady results despite a dynamic operating backdrop, indicating resilience in financial performance [1] - Volume growth has been slower than expected, with a slight negative trend in Q2 for key markets like Mexico and parts of APAC [9][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The focus on volume is critical for long-term growth, emphasizing the importance of quality volume and positive price mix [8] - The company has seen a consistent drive for sharper execution within current operations, which is essential for growth [4][5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Emerging markets present significant growth opportunities, with commercial beverages gaining market share, although still below developed market levels [14][15] - The company is actively working to expand its footprint in developing markets, which account for 80% of the global population [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to unlock future growth through investments in both developed and emerging markets, focusing on digital transformation [5][6] - There is a strong emphasis on consumer-centric marketing and innovation tailored to local markets, leveraging global brands while maintaining local intimacy [16][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the challenges posed by weather, geopolitical tensions, and macroeconomic impacts but remains aligned with bottlers to ensure long-term value creation [10][11] - The company is committed to a long-term strategy in India, recognizing the competitive risks from local players while focusing on foundational growth [22][24] Other Important Information - The company is leveraging digital transformation to enhance operational efficiency and consumer engagement, with a focus on tech, data, and AI [41][42] - The refranchising strategy has been successful, allowing the company to partner with bottlers who share a long-term vision for market development [38][39] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the top priorities for the company? - The company is focused on continuing momentum and unlocking future growth through collaboration with bottlers [2][3] Question: How are volume trends currently? - Volume growth has been slower than expected, with some key markets showing slight negative trends [9][10] Question: Are pricing strategies impacting volume? - Management believes pricing strategies are not negatively impacting volume, as market share continues to expand [11][12] Question: What are the key learnings in developing the industry internationally? - The company emphasizes consumer-centric marketing and innovation tailored to local needs as key drivers for growth in emerging markets [16][18] Question: How does the company approach competition from local players in India? - The company welcomes competition but remains focused on long-term strategy and foundational growth [22][24] Question: How is the company leveraging digital transformation? - The company is focused on tech, data, and AI to enhance operational efficiency and consumer engagement [41][42]