Coca Cola Profits Climbs On Higher Sales

Coca Cola, Inc. (KO) fourth quarter profits rose more than analyst expected due to higher sales. The company sales of soda and Vitaminwater increased in Asia, Latin America and the United States. Income rose 52 cents a share or 79 percent to $1.12 billion from 29 cents or $678 million in the same quarter last year. The company earned 58 cents a share excluding the cost of restructuring. Coca Cola benefited from the decline of the U.S. dollar. Analyst was looking for earning s of 55 cents and predicted sales of $6.88 billion. Sales at the soda giant climbed 24 percent to $7.33 billion.

The company has been putting a lot of cash behind its Vitaminwater and non calorie Coca Cola Zero to keep up with Pepsi, Nestle and other companies in the non carbonated drink market worldwide. The company bought Energy Brands Inc. Glaceau Vitaminwater for $4.1 billion last year and agreed last week to pay $43 million for 40 percent of Honest Tea Inc., the maker of a low calorie organic tea.

Coca Cola ended the day yesterday at the close of the market up +0.42 at $59.92 +0.71% on volume of 11,912,418. The company is up 26% in the in the past 52 weeks with a high in price at $65.59.

By: Marlin Rolle