Coca-Cola lifts 2026 profit outlook as premium drinks hold up

what happened

Coca-Cola on Tuesday lifted its full-year profit outlook, counting on steady demand for zero-sugar sodas and higher-priced products, including fairlife milk and sparkling drinks. The company now sees currency-neutral adjusted earnings per share rising at least 9% in 2026, up from its earlier range of 7% to 8%, Reuters reported.

Third-quarter revenue climbed 7.4% to $13.38 billion, well above the $12.92 billion analysts had expected, according to LSEG data. Shoppers are becoming more frugal amid costly food and fuel, so the company is pushing smaller, cheaper packs and launching premium novelties such as Coca-Cola Cherry Float. The July soccer World Cup also helped, with a brief jump in sales of its energy drinks.

The results stand in contrast to PepsiCo, which cut its annual targets earlier this month because of soft snack demand in North America. Before the bell, Coca-Cola shares were up almost 1% and have gained roughly 33% so far this year, even as consumer spending weakens and markets stay choppy over the war in Iran.

why it matters

For investors, the revised outlook suggests pricing and product mix are holding up even as households grow more cautious. The gap with PepsiCo highlights how demand is diverging among major beverage makers.

market impact

Coca-Cola shares: raised outlook and revenue beat support the stock

• ▲Coca-Cola shares pressure up — raised profit forecast and revenue above estimates support demand for the stock

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