Coca-Cola raises profit forecast as premium drinks, sodas hold strong

What happened

Coca-Cola raised its yearly profit forecast. It now expects comparable currency-neutral earnings per share to grow at least 9% in 2026, up from 7% to 8% before. Third-quarter revenue rose 7.4% to $13.38 billion, beating the $12.92 billion analysts expected.

Confirmed

Global impact / market context

A higher profit forecast signals Coca-Cola expects steady demand for its drinks, even as shoppers watch spending. That supports its share price, which has gained about 33% in 2026. It also contrasts with PepsiCo, which cut its targets as North American snack demand weakened.

Analyst inference

Coca-Cola shares rose nearly 1% before the market opened. The article notes broader weakness in consumer spending and market volatility tied to the war in Iran. Investors appear to favor Coca-Cola's steadier drink business over PepsiCo, which is dealing with softer snack sales.

Analyst inference

What to watch

1. Coca-Cola's 2026 profit growth target of at least 9% and its third-quarter revenue of $13.38 billion are the key figures to track in later reports, since they set the bar for future updates. Confirmed
2. Watch whether smaller, cheaper packs and pricier new flavours such as Coca-Cola Cherry Float keep drawing buyers, because the company is relying on this mix to hold demand as shoppers become more selective. Proposed
3. Compare Coca-Cola's results with PepsiCo's coming updates, since PepsiCo lowered targets and increased cost cuts. A widening gap could shift investor money toward Coca-Cola and away from PepsiCo. Analyst inference

Evidence

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