Consumer Staples
Beverages - Non-Alcoholic
$269.37B
79.1K
The Coca-Cola Company is a total beverage company that manufactures and sells nonalcoholic beverages globally. Its primary revenue streams come from the sale of concentrates and syrups to independent bottling partners and finished beverages to retailers, wholesalers, and distributors. The company holds a leading market position with strong brand recognition and a wide global distribution network.
Key insights and themes extracted from this filing
Operating income surged by 63% to $4,280 million for the three months ended June 27, 2025, compared to $2,632 million in the prior year. This led to a substantial increase in consolidated operating margin to 34.1% from 21.3%, primarily driven by lower other operating charges and favorable pricing initiatives.
The Company's gross profit margin increased to 62.4% for the three months ended June 27, 2025, up from 61.1% in the prior year. This expansion was primarily attributed to favorable pricing initiatives and the refranchising of certain bottling operations, partially offset by higher commodity costs.
Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 27, 2025, was $1,391 million, a substantial decrease from $4,113 million provided in the prior year. This $5,504 million decrease was primarily driven by the $6,173 million final milestone payment related to the fairlife acquisition.
Consolidated net operating revenues increased by 1% to $12,535 million for the three months ended June 27, 2025, despite a 1% decrease in worldwide unit case volume. This growth was primarily fueled by a 6% favorable impact from price, product, and geographic mix, indicating successful pricing strategies.
The Company generated $973 million in proceeds from disposals of businesses and equity method investments during the six months ended June 27, 2025. This includes the sale of a portion of its ownership interest in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc for $741 million and refranchising bottling operations in India for $218 million, aligning with its asset-light strategy.
Acquisitions of businesses and investments totaled $179 million for the six months ended June 27, 2025, with $148 million specifically allocated to alternative energy limited partnerships. This indicates a strategic focus on diversifying investments and potentially leveraging tax benefits.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by 2% ($79 million) for the three months and 3% ($196 million) for the six months ended June 27, 2025. This reduction was primarily due to the refranchising of bottling operations and favorable timing of marketing expenses, demonstrating effective cost management.
The Company incurred $28 million (three months) and $39 million (six months) in other operating charges related to its productivity and reinvestment program. While most initiatives were substantially completed by the end of 2024, some organizational simplification efforts are delayed but expected to be finalized in 2025.
Management continues to vigorously defend its position in the ongoing IRS tax dispute, having paid $6.0 billion related to the 2007-2009 tax years and appealing the Tax Court's decision. The Company maintains it is 'more likely than not' that its tax positions will be sustained, indicating a firm stance on a material financial challenge.
The Company faces significant financial exposure from an ongoing IRS tax dispute, having paid $6.0 billion for the 2007-2009 tax years and estimating a potential aggregate incremental tax and interest liability of approximately $12 billion for 2010-2024 if the Tax Court Methodology is ultimately upheld. Management acknowledges the possibility that some adjustments could be upheld.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted consolidated net operating revenues by 3% (three months) and 4% (six months), and operating income by 14% (three months) and 16% (six months). A stronger U.S. dollar against key emerging market currencies is expected to continue having an unfavorable impact on full-year 2025 operating income and cash flows.
Following a $760 million impairment charge on the BodyArmor trademark in the prior year, management continues to monitor its fair value. An additional impairment charge is likely if near-term operating results do not meet revised projections or if macroeconomic conditions lead to increased discount rates, highlighting ongoing brand performance risk.
The Company demonstrated significant pricing power, with 'price, product and geographic mix' contributing a 6% favorable impact to net operating revenues for the three months ended June 27, 2025. This ability to raise prices and optimize mix helped revenue growth despite a 1% decline in worldwide unit case volume.
While Europe, Middle East & Africa showed positive unit case volume growth of 3% for the three months ended June 27, 2025, Latin America and Asia Pacific experienced declines of 2% and 3% respectively. This indicates a varied competitive landscape and consumer demand across different international markets.
Unit case volume for Bottling Investments decreased by 5% for the three months and 12% for the six months ended June 27, 2025. This decline is primarily due to the ongoing refranchising of bottling operations in territories like India, which, while a strategic shift, impacts reported volume figures.
The gross margin increased to 62.4% for the three months and 62.5% for the six months ended June 27, 2025, up from 61.1% and 61.8% in the prior year. This improvement was driven by favorable pricing initiatives and the refranchising of bottling operations, which helped manage the impact of higher commodity costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $79 million (2%) for the three months and $196 million (3%) for the six months ended June 27, 2025. This reduction was primarily due to the ongoing refranchising of bottling operations and the timing of marketing expenses, indicating effective cost control measures.
The Company incurred $28 million and $39 million in other operating charges for the three and six months ended June 27, 2025, respectively, related to its productivity and reinvestment program. These ongoing investments aim to simplify and standardize the organization, with remaining initiatives expected to be completed in 2025.
The Company recorded a $31 million impairment charge on a trademark in Latin America for the three and six months ended June 27, 2025, and a $760 million impairment on the BodyArmor trademark in the prior year. This highlights active monitoring and re-evaluation of intellectual property values based on performance and macroeconomic conditions.
Despite overall mixed volume performance, certain segments showed growth in specific categories, such as 5% growth in sparkling flavors and 4% in water, sports, coffee and tea in Europe, Middle East & Africa. This suggests ongoing product innovation and market adaptation efforts.
The 10-Q filing does not provide specific line items or detailed discussions on R&D investments or broader digital transformation efforts. Information regarding technological capabilities and innovation is primarily inferred from product category performance and impairment charges on intellectual property.
The Company's net cash used in operating activities was $1,391 million for the six months ended June 27, 2025, a sharp decline from $4,113 million provided in the prior year. This was primarily due to the $6,173 million final milestone payment for the fairlife acquisition, representing a major capital deployment.
Purchases of stock for treasury decreased to $472 million for the six months ended June 27, 2025, compared to $874 million in the prior year. The Company repurchased 5.4 million shares at an average cost of $66.27 per share, indicating a more conservative approach to buybacks.
Dividends paid increased to $2,283 million for the six months ended June 27, 2025, from $2,184 million in the prior year. The Board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.51 per share, demonstrating a continued commitment to returning capital to shareowners.
The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Baltimore City concerning the environmental impacts of plastic packaging. While some claims were dismissed, the public nuisance claim remains, indicating an ongoing legal and reputational risk related to environmental responsibility.
During the six months ended June 27, 2025, the Company invested $148 million in limited partnerships focused on constructing, owning, and operating alternative energy generation facilities. This demonstrates a commitment to sustainable energy sources and potentially leveraging tax credits for environmental initiatives.
The 10-Q filing provides limited specific details on broader ESG initiatives beyond the environmental litigation and alternative energy investments. Comprehensive reporting on social responsibility programs, supply chain sustainability, or detailed governance practices (beyond standard compliance) is not extensively disclosed.
A stronger U.S. dollar unfavorably impacted consolidated net operating revenues by 3% (three months) and 4% (six months), and operating income by 14% (three months) and 16% (six months). This was particularly pronounced against currencies like the Mexican peso, Brazilian real, and Argentine peso, highlighting significant exposure to currency volatility in key markets.
The Company continues to monitor the evolving global tax landscape, including the OECD's Pillar One and Pillar Two initiatives, which aim to establish a global minimum tax and reallocate taxing rights. While some countries have enacted legislation, the framework is still under discussion, posing ongoing regulatory uncertainty for multinational operations.
Worldwide unit case volume decreased 1% for the three months but increased 1% for the six months ended June 27, 2025. Regional performance varied significantly, with Europe, Middle East & Africa showing 3% growth (3 months), while Latin America and Asia Pacific experienced declines, indicating a heterogeneous global market environment.