-The Coca-Cola Company today reported third quarter 2023 results, reflecting continued momentum from the first half of the year. “We delivered an overall solid quarter and are raising our full-year topline and bottom-line guidance in light of our year-to-date performance,” said James Quincey, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “Our leading portfolio of brands, coupled with an aligned and motivated system, positions us to win in the marketplace today while also laying the groundwork for the long term.”

• Revenues: Net revenues grew 8% to $12.0 billion, and organic revenues (non-GAAP) grew 11%. Revenue performance included 9% growth in price/mix and 2% growth in concentrate sales. Concentrate sales were in line with unit case volume.

• Operating margin: Operating margin was 27.4% versus 27.9% in the prior year, while comparable operating margin (non-GAAP) was 29.7% versus 29.5% in the prior year. Operating margin decline was primarily driven by items impacting comparability and currency headwinds. Comparable operating margin (non-GAAP) expansion was primarily driven by strong topline growth and the impact of refranchising bottling operations, partially offset by an increase in marketing investments versus the prior year, as well as currency headwinds.

• Earnings per share: EPS grew 9% to $0.71, and comparable EPS (non-GAAP) grew 7% to $0.74. Comparable EPS (non-GAAP) performance included the impact of a 4-point currency headwind.

• Market share: The company gained value share in total nonalcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverages.

• Cash flow: Cash flow from operations was $8.9 billion year-to-date, an increase of $861 million versus the prior year, driven by strong business performance and working capital initiatives, partially offset by the transition tax payment made during the second quarter. Free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $7.9 billion year-to-date, an increase of $636 million versus the prior year.

• Leveraging consumer passion points on a global stage: Around the world, the company continues to link consumption occasions with consumer passion points to build deeper brand connections. For the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, the biggest female sporting event in history, the company activated a system-wide campaign in Australia and New Zealand that focused equally on the business, society and people. The company used the reach and relevance of its brands, including Trademark Coca-Cola® and Powerade®, to connect to the global soccer phenomenon by engaging with fans and players through digital storytelling and on-the-ground brand experiences. The campaign contributed to Asia Pacific gaining both value and volume share for the quarter. The campaign was also activated on a global scale in markets where soccer is a loved sport, such as in Latin America, where fans received real-time messages while watching matches. During the quarter, the company announced a long-term partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation, showing the company’s commitment to continue using its brands to support the sport.

• Scaling packaging innovations to continue progress toward a circular economy: The company, in close alignment with its global partners, continues to pursue its World Without Waste packaging goals by designing and increasing availability of packages that include a combination of recycled materials or reusable containers. During the quarter, Coca-Cola HBC AG unveiled a new, state-of-the-art line for refillable glass bottles in Austria, boosting refillable packaging capacity. In the United States, the system expanded the availability of Trademark Coca-Cola 20-ounce bottles made from 100% recycled PET plastic material (rPET), excluding cap and label. With this expansion, these bottles are now available in 11 major U.S. markets. Following authorization for the use of rPET in several markets over the past year, including India in February, at least one of the company’s beverages is now available in 100% rPET, excluding cap and label, in India, Indonesia, Thailand and Türkiye.

• Building a stronger system while strengthening the balance sheet: The company continues to evaluate its fit-for-purpose balance sheet and the needs required to support its growth agenda. Recently, the company entered into a letter of intent to refranchise company-owned bottling operations in the Philippines to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) and Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV). The combination of CCEP, a strong and experienced bottler, and AEV, a leading Philippines conglomerate with more than 100 years of experience in the market, provides a great opportunity to unlock long-term system growth. The remaining assets in the Bottling Investments segment include operations in India, Africa and several smaller locations primarily in Asia Pacific. The company remains committed to successfully listing Coca-Cola Beverages Africa as a public company via an initial public offering once market conditions become more favorable.