Key Takeaways:
Coca-Cola HBC raised its 2026 organic operating profit growth forecast to 8%-10% after first-half comparable profit of €760.1 million beat analyst estimates.
"Strong partnerships are at the heart of our business, and successful FIFA World Cup activations with our customers, including unique fan experiences and special-edition Coca-Cola and Powerade packs, were among the highlights of the period," CEO Zoran Bogdanovic said.
Net sales revenue rose 11% to €6.23 billion from €5.62 billion a year earlier, with organic revenue growth of 9.6%. Volumes climbed 7.5% to 1.57 billion unit cases, driven by a 6.4% increase in the sparkling segment and more than 26% growth in energy. Revenue per case rose 1.9% organically to €3.96, while the comparable EBIT margin improved to 12.0% from 11.5%.
The Switzerland-based bottler for Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta now expects organic revenue growth around the top end of its 6%-7% guidance range. Comparable operating profit of €760.1 million ($876.70 million) for the six months ended July 3 topped company-provided analyst estimates of €731.1 million, while pretax profit climbed 12% to €723.3 million and net profit rose 11% to €524.4 million.
Shares in the London- and Athens-listed company rose 3.4% in London trading Wednesday. The bottler, which also sells energy drinks, coffee and sparkling drinks, said it aims to manage exposure to sugar, aluminium, aluminium premium, gas oil, corn and plastics price volatility as rising inflation and commodity costs tied to the Iran war pressure margins across the sector.
The company said it remains on track to complete its acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in the second half, having secured antitrust clearance in four of the six required jurisdictions. The deal, announced in October 2025, extends Coca-Cola HBC's footprint across the continent and adds scale to its emerging-market portfolio.
The guidance raise signals management expects beverage demand to hold through the second half, supported by World Cup promotions and innovation across Sparkling, Monster and Powerade. Investors will watch the completion of the Africa acquisition and third-quarter volumes for confirmation that growth momentum persists into 2027.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
