Coca-Cola Earnings Rise 14% as Sales Jump

Coca-Cola (KO Quote) reported third-quarter earnings of $1.9 billion, or 81 cents a share, an increase of 14% from year-earlier earnings of $1.7 billion, or 71 cents a share, as sales rose 9% to $8.4 billion.

Excluding items, earnings in the quarter were 83 cents a share, above the estimate of 77 cents a share of analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Coca-Cola said Wednesday its international operations, particularly in emerging markets, continue to drive its growth offsetting challenges in North America. The company said it anticipates the operating environment, especially in North America, will continue to be challenging through 2008 and into 2009. ...