Coca-Cola's Quarterly Net Revenue Grew 10% to $9.5 Billion

Coca-Cola Shares Rose 2% in Premarket Trading. Coca-Cola's quarterly net revenue grew 10% to $9.5 billion, EPS grew 65% to $0.56.Revenues: For the quarter, net revenues grew 10% to $9.5 billion, resulting in net revenues ahead of 2019, and organic revenues (non-GAAP) grew 9%. Revenue performance included 10% growth in price/mix and a decline of 1% in concentrate sales. The quarter included six fewer days, which resulted in an approximate 6-point headwind to revenue growth. The quarter was also impacted by the timing of concentrate shipments. For the full year, net revenues grew 17% to $38.7 billion, and organic revenues (non-GAAP) grew 16%. This performance was driven by 9% growth in concentrate sales and 6% growth in price/mix.

Margin: For the quarter, operating margin, which included items impacting comparability, was 17.7% versus 27.2% in the prior year, while comparable operating margin (non-GAAP) was 22.1% versus 27.3% in the prior year. For the full year, operating margin, which included items impacting comparability, was 26.7% versus 27.3% in the prior year, while comparable operating margin (non-GAAP) was 28.7% versus 29.6% in the prior year. For both the quarter and the full year, operating margin compression was primarily driven by a significant increase in marketing investments versus the prior year. Additionally, fourth quarter operating margin was impacted by topline pressure from six fewer days in the quarter along with the timing of concentrate shipments.

Earnings per share: For the quarter, EPS grew 65% to $0.56, and comparable EPS (non-GAAP) declined 5% to $0.45. For the full year, EPS grew 26% to $2.25, and comparable EPS (non-GAAP) grew 19% to $2.32. Both fourth quarter and full-year comparable EPS (non-GAAP) performance included the impact of a 2-point currency tailwind.

Market share: For both the quarter and the full year, the company gained value share in total nonalcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverages, which included share gains in both at-home and away-from-home channels. The company’s value share in total NARTD beverages, and in both at-home and away-from-home channels, remains ahead of 2019.

Cash flow: Cash flow from operations for the year was $12.6 billion, up $2.8 billion versus the prior year, driven by strong business performance and working capital initiatives. Full-year free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $11.3 billion, up $2.6 billion versus the prior year, driven by strong cash flow from operations.