Coca-Cola 4Q profit drops

Cases of Coca-Cola are seen on a counter at a... — Cases of Coca-Cola are seen on a counter at a local store in August 2011 in West Bath, Maine, in this photo illustration. (Aug. 8, 2011) Credit: AP

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSFebruary 7, 2012

Coca-Cola Co.'s fourth-quarter net income dropped 71 percent, weighed down by restructuring charges and other costs. But the beverage maker's adjusted results topped Wall Street's expectations.

Its stock added 62 cents to $68.65 in Tuesday premarket trading.

Coca-Cola, whose brands include Sprite and Minute Maid, earned $1.65 billion, or 72 cents per share, for the period ended Dec. 31. That's down sharply from $5.77 billion, or $2.46 per share, a year earlier.

Removing restructuring charges and other items, earnings were 79 cents per share. Analysts forecast 77 cents for the company, based in Atlanta.

Revenue increased 5 percent to $11.04 billion. It was helped by higher prices, strength overseas and solid results from the Coca-Cola brand, juices and teas.

Revenue just topped Wall Street's $11 billion estimate.

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