Atlanta(US), Jul 22 (AP) Coca-Cola reported better-than-expected earnings in the second quarter as higher prices offset weaker sales volumes.

Case volumes fell 1 per cent globally and 1 per cent in North America, but Coke said Tuesday that pricing rose 6 per cent for the April-June period.

Global case volumes of Coca-Cola fell 1 per cent, mostly due to weaker sales in Latin America. One bright spot was Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, which saw volumes grow 14 per cent.

Traditional Coca-Cola still far outsells the zero-sugar variety, but consumer demand for zero-sugar versions is growing much more quickly.

So it was surprising last week when President Donald Trump said in a social media post that Coca-Cola had agreed to use real cane sugar in its flagship product in the US instead of high-fructose corn syrup. Coke has yet to confirm any such change, but promised new offerings soon.

Global case volumes of juice, dairy and plant-based beverages fell 4%, Coke said. Sports drink case volumes were down 3 per cent, as higher demand in North America was offset by declines in Latin America.

Revenue for the Atlanta company rose 1 per cent to USD12.5 billion. Adjusted for one-time items, quarterly revenue was USD 12.6 billion. That was in line with Wall Street's forecast, according to analysts polled by FactSet.

Net income jumped 58 per cent to USD 3.8 billion. Its adjusted net income was 87 cents, which was higher than the 83 cents Wall Street forecast.

Coke said Tuesday it now expects full-year adjusted earnings earnings to grow 8 per cent. At the start of the year, Coke had expected earnings to grow 8 per cent to 10 per cent, but in April it lowered that range to 7 per cent to 9 per cent. Coke earned USD 2.88 per share in 2024.

Shares of Coca-Cola Co were down slightly early Tuesday as were all major US markets. (AP) RD RD

Sales volume decline at Coca Cola offset by price increases; company reports higher-than-expected earnings and raised guidance. Coca Cola experienced modest global volume declines, concentrated in Latin America and across several beverage categories, while Coca Cola Zero Sugar volumes grew. A reported switch to real cane sugar in the US was unconfirmed by the company. Pricing increases offset weaker volumes, producing revenue near forecasts and adjusted net income above expectations, and management adjusted its full year adjusted earnings growth outlook within the prior guidance range.