India and China gave earnings at Coca-Cola (IW 1000/112) a solid boost in the first quarter, the company reported on April 17.
Net income for the quarter to March 30 was up 8% to $2.07 billion from $1.92 billion in the year-earlier quarter.
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% in India and 9% in China, while in mature markets it was steady -- 2% in North America, and 3% 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% 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.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2012
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