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

Oct 27 (Reuters) - Coca-Cola KO.N on Tuesday raised its annual profit forecast, betting on resilient demand for its zero-sugar sodas and pricier beverages such as fairlife milk and sparkling soft drinks.

The company now expects comparable currency-neutral earnings per share to grow at least 9% in 2026, up from its previous forecast of 7% to 8%.

Coca-Cola's third-quarter revenue rose 7.4% to $13.38 billion, beating analysts’ estimate of $12.92 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

As high food and fuel prices make consumers more selective, Coca-Cola has sought to sustain demand by offering smaller, cheaper packs while rolling out pricier new flavours such as Coca-Cola Cherry Float.

The company also benefited from demand during the soccer World Cup in July, including a brief sales boost for its energy drink brands.

Its performance contrasts with rival PepsiCo, which lowered its annual targets earlier this month and stepped up cost cuts as it grapples with weak demand for snacks in North America.

Coca-Cola shares rose nearly 1% in premarket trading. The stock has jumped about 33% in 2026 and is on track for a third straight year of gains, despite broader weakness in consumer spending and market volatility stemming from the war in Iran.