Coca-Cola on Tuesday raised its annual profit forecast, supported by strong demand for its beverages in markets such as India, China, Mexico and Brazil. Global unit case volumes increased around 5% in the third quarter, while higher sales of premium products, including fairlife milk, helped offset rising input costs in North America. The company’s performance contrasts with rival PepsiCo, which has faced weaker snack demand in the United States.
The beverage giant now expects comparable currency-neutral earnings per share to grow by at least 9% in 2026, up from its earlier forecast of 7% to 8%. It also targets annual organic revenue growth of at least 5%. Revenue for the quarter ended October 2 rose 7.4% to $13.38 billion, beating analysts’ expectations of $12.92 billion, while adjusted earnings reached 91 cents per share against estimates of 88 cents.
Despite rising packaging costs driven by higher commodity prices, Coca-Cola’s operating margin improved to 33.4% during the quarter. The company has been attracting price-conscious consumers with smaller, more affordable packs while expanding its premium beverage offerings. Although its shares remained largely unchanged in premarket trading, the stock has gained approximately 33% in 2026, reflecting investor confidence in its growth strategy amid broader economic uncertainty.
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