Coca-Cola Co. reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit Tuesday, as growth in markets such as India and China helped offset the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar.
The world's largest soft-drink maker earned $2.04-billion (U.S.), or 88 cents per share, in the second quarter that ended July 3, compared with $1.42-billion, or 61 cents per share, a year earlier.
Excluding items, Coke earned 92 cents per share, topping analysts' average forecast of 89 cents per share, according to Reuters Estimates.
Operating revenue fell 9 per cent to $8.27-billion, while sales by volume rose 4 per cent.
Atlanta-based Coca-Cola's broad geographic footprint, especially in developing markets such as India and China, has helped it weather an industry-wide slowdown in the United States. Coke gets the bulk of its revenue from abroad, where soft-drink sales are still growing despite the weak economy.
Coke's shares rose more than 1 per cent to $51.56 in premarket trading.