Coca-Cola profits jump on emerging markets sales

Surging sales in emerging markets like India, China and Brazil gave earnings at Coca-Cola a solid boost in the first quarter, the company reported Tuesday. Net income for the quarter to March 30 was up 8 percent to $2.07 billion from $1.92 billion in the year-earlier quarter. Earnings per share jumped nine percent to 89 cents from 82 cents. The Atlanta, Georgia-based company said global volume and value share grew across its entire range of non-alcoholic drinks. Volume growth was a hot 20 percent in India and 9 percent in China, while in mature markets it was steady -- 2 percent in North America, and 3 percent in both Germany and Japan. The growth was strongest in its still beverage divisions, which include bottled water, bottled and canned coffee and tea, and sports and energy drinks. "Packaged water volume grew 15 percent in the quarter, with strong growth across all geographic operating groups as we continue to focus on innovative and sustainable packaging and immediate consumption occasions." The world's leading producer of non-alcoholic popular beverages includes the brands Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, and Del Valle.