Coca-Cola raises its 2026 earnings forecast

Coca-Cola raised its 2026 profit-per-share growth forecast on October 27 to at least 9%, from 7%–8%, Reuters said. The target uses comparable earnings per share—a measure of profit for each share—and excludes the effects of currency movements.

Demand and costs

The company is counting on soft drink demand in markets including India and Brazil. Coca-Cola said global sales volumes rose about 5% in the third quarter, while North American volumes were flat despite growth in its trademark sodas.

Higher sales of more expensive beverages offset rising input costs in North America. Packaging remains a source of cost pressure: Coca-Cola said in July that aluminium and plastic packaging costs had risen more than it expected this year.

The revised full-year targets

Coca-Cola also changed its organic revenue growth target, a measure of underlying sales growth, from roughly 5% to at least 5%. Both forecasts cover full-year 2026.