Coca-Cola Income Jumps 19% in Quarter

Coca-Cola Co., the nation’s largest soft-drink company, said Thursday that its third-quarter net income jumped 19% on a 30% surge in revenue.

The company attributed the profit increase to strong operating earnings, which benefited from a weaker dollar.

Coca-Cola said net income for the three months ended Sept. 30 came to $233.1 million, compared to $195.7 million in the same period a year ago. Revenue for the quarter came to $2.75 billion, compared to $2.11 billion.

The company said Coca-Cola USA, its domestic soft-drink business, reported a 7% increase in shipments for the third quarter.

Sales of sugar colas--Coca-Cola Classic, Coke and Cherry Coke--were particularly strong, increasing about 11% in the first nine months of the year, the company said.

International sales were up about 11% for the quarter, with the largest growth in Europe, Africa and Latin America, it said.

Coca-Cola said its entertainment business sector had record operating income for the three months, while operating income from its foods sector was down slightly because of higher marketing investments and operating expenses.