10-QPeriod: Q1 FY2006

COCA COLA CO Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2006

Filed April 27, 2006For Securities:KO

Summary

The Coca-Cola Company reported its first-quarter results for the period ending March 31, 2006. The company demonstrated steady revenue growth, with net operating revenues increasing slightly to $5.226 billion from $5.206 billion in the prior year's comparable period. Net income rose to $1.106 billion ($0.47 per diluted share) from $1.002 billion ($0.42 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2005, indicating improved profitability. The company also saw a notable increase in its gross profit margin, rising to 67.0% from 65.1%, driven by strategic changes in its business model, particularly in Spain, and favorable price adjustments, partially offset by acquisition-related costs. Despite some regional volume challenges, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia, the company reported positive unit case volume growth globally (5%) and in key international markets. Significant growth was observed in Latin America and North Asia, Eurasia, and the Middle East, with China and Russia showing particularly strong performance. The company continued its robust share repurchase program, underscoring its commitment to returning value to shareholders, and also announced an anticipated increase in its full-year dividend.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income increased by 10.4% to $1.106 billion, with diluted EPS rising to $0.47 from $0.42 in the prior year.
  • 2Net operating revenues saw a modest increase of 0.4% to $5.226 billion, influenced by a strategic business model shift in Spain that reduced reported revenue but improved gross margin.
  • 3Gross profit margin improved to 67.0% from 65.1% year-over-year, driven by price increases and the Spain business model change.
  • 4Global unit case volume grew by 5%, with strong performance in Latin America (up 7%) and North Asia, Eurasia, and the Middle East (up 15%).
  • 5The company repurchased approximately 11.8 million shares of common stock in the first quarter of 2006 for $509 million, reflecting continued capital return to shareholders.
  • 6The company anticipates a full-year 2006 dividend of $1.24 per share, an increase from $1.12 in 2005.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver for the increase in net income was a combination of overall volume growth, favorable price and product mix, and improved operational efficiencies. Additionally, the company benefited from a lower effective tax rate in Q1 2006 compared to Q1 2005, partly due to deferred tax benefits related to stock-based compensation and tax benefits from asset impairment and restructuring charges in Asia.

The change in the business model in Spain, shifting from a finished product to a concentrate model for certain can packages, reduced reported net operating revenues by an estimated $154 million for Q1 2005 if it had been in effect then, and an estimated $775 million for the full year 2006. While this structural change negatively impacted net revenue, it did not materially affect gross profit for the first quarter of 2006 and contributed to the increase in the overall gross profit margin.

The company faced volume challenges in Africa, primarily due to poor weather in South Africa and pricing impacts and civil unrest in Nigeria. In East, South Asia and Pacific Rim, volume was impacted by price increases and operational efficiency drives in India, and affordability and availability issues in the Philippines. Unseasonably cold weather and the shift of the Easter holiday also affected volume in the European Union, specifically Germany.

The company generated $707 million in cash from operating activities in Q1 2006, although this was a decrease from the prior year due to increased marketing accruals and tax payments related to foreign earnings repatriation. Investing activities saw outflows of $503 million, including $256 million in capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment, and $243 million for acquisitions, notably the purchase of a bottling company in South Africa. The company plans approximately $1.3 billion in capital expenditures for the full year 2006.