* Coca-Cola Co. reported a 20.4% gain...
* Coca-Cola Co. reported a 20.4% gain in second-quarter earnings, reflecting a strong performance by its European and African divisions that offset weakness in the United States and Latin America.
Earnings for the Atlanta-based soft-drink giant totaled $580.9 million, or 44 cents a share, up from the year-earlier period, when it reported earning $482.4 million, or 36 cents a share.
Second-quarter revenue totaled $3.6 billion, an increase of 16.8% over the $3.04 billion in the same period last year.
The improvement was led by Coke’s European Community division, which had a 14% increase in unit case sales. Coca-Cola has been intensifying its marketing in the region, and the company said it was also aided by good weather.
Coca-Cola Chairman Roberto C. Goizueta said the company’s strong worldwide presence allowed it to overcome soft sales in some markets with an overall positive quarter.
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