Coke Backs Earnings Targets, Unveils Slogan

Coca-Cola Co. backed its long-term earnings growth target and unveiled a marketing slogan that welcomes consumers to “The Coke Side of Life.”

Atlanta-based Coca-Cola, which has struggled for five years to boost sluggish soft drink sales and meet changing consumer tastes, said it still expected long-term growth in earnings per share in the high-single-digit range, as well as growth in operating earnings of 6% to 8%.

Unit case volumes, a key sales measure in the beverage industry, are still forecast to rise 3% to 4% a year, the company said.

Coca-Cola shares fell 34 cents to $42.20.