Coke Set To Meet Long-term Targets

Coca-Cola yesterday defied the recessionary gloom, saying it would stick to its long-term growth targets despite what Muhtar Kent, chief executive, called an “incredibly challenging economic environment”.

While other branded goods companies have suffered falling sales as consumers switch to cheaper alternatives, the world's largest soft drinks company is proving resilient in the face of the global economic downturn.

Coke yesterday reported a 4 per cent increase in sales volumes in the last three months of 2008 and a 10 per cent increase in comparable earnings.

The shares were up almost 6 per cent at $43.74 in late-morning trading in New York.

The results marked Coke's third straight year of meeting annual targets that include 3 to 4 per cent volume sales growth, although Mr Kent warned of possible volatility ahead.

Coke's volume increases were supported by strong growth in emerging markets, with case volumes up 29 per cent in China and 28 per cent in India.

可口可乐(Coca-Cola)昨日未理会衰退低迷气氛，表示将坚持其长期增长目标。不过该公司首席执行官穆泰康(Muhtar Kent)称这是一个“极为具有挑战性的经济环境”。

尽管消费者转向廉价商品，使得其它品牌公司的销售一直下滑，但这家全球最大的软饮料公司证明了面对全球经济低迷时的弹性。

可口可乐昨日公布，2008年第四季度，该公司销量增长4%，可比收益增长10%。

纽约早盘后段交易时段，该公司股价上涨近6%，至43.74美元。

尽管穆泰康警告未来可能出现波动，但这一业绩标志着可口可乐连续第三年实现年度目标，其中包括销量增长3%至4%。

新兴市场的强劲增长支撑了可口可乐销量的增长，中国和印度按箱计算的销量分别增长29%和28%。

coke is a kind of beverage,I guess it would influence little in the economy recession

I like it,thinks

呵呵,谢谢楼主分享!