|
Coca-Cola HBC AG on Tuesday announced higher annual profit and shareholder returns, citing its pricing approach. Shares in the Zug, Switzerland-based soft drinks bottler rose 3.4% to 4,426.00 pence each on Tuesday morning in London. The company reported net profit of €940.4 million for 2025, rising 15% from €820.6 million in 2024, while pretax profit increased 16% to €1.31 billion from €1.13 billion. Net sales revenue climbed to €11.60 billion, up from €10.75 billion, driven by organic revenue growth of 8.1%, with volumes up 2.8% and continued strength in Sparkling and Energy categories. Coca-Cola HBC reported net sales revenue per unit case of €3.87, up from €3.69 the year before. Organic growth in net sales revenue per case was 2.3%, thanks to ‘pricing actions and positive category mix’. Comparable earnings before interest and tax rose 14% on a reported basis to €1.36 billion, with the Ebit margin expanding to 12%. All segments delivered organic revenue growth, led by Emerging markets, where Ebit jumped 23%. Coca-Cola HBC proposed a €1.20 dividend, up 17% from €1.03, reflecting higher earnings, strong free cash flow of €700 million and a balance sheet with net debt at 0.7 times adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. Coca-Cola HBC guided for 2026 organic Ebit growth of 7% to 10%, and expects organic revenue to rise 6% to 7%, in line with its medium-term target range. It expects to make further progress against those targets, though it anticipates macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures to persist in 2026. Chief Executive Officer Zoran Bogdanovic said: ‘In 2025 we also announced the milestone acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa. Having established our business in Nigeria nearly 75 years ago and with our addition of Egypt four years ago, we have a deep understanding of Africa and are very excited about the long-term potential for growth and value creation.’ Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
|
