Coca-Cola overcomes falling demand in North America and puts up strong fourth-quarter sales

Bottles of Coca Cola are shown in a market in Pittsburgh on Jan. 26, 2023. Coca Cola reports results on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Coca-Cola reported higher-than-expected revenue in the fourth quarter as growth in Mexico, Germany and other markets offset lower demand in the U.S.

Revenue rose 7% to $10.8 billion for the October-December period, the Atlanta beverage giant said Tuesday. That topped Wall Street’s forecast of $10.7 billion, according to analysts polled by FactSet.

Coke’s revenue got a 10% boost from higher prices in 2023, but the company said that was partly due to hyperinflationary conditions in a handful of markets like Argentina. The company expects full-year organic revenue to grow at a more moderate pace of 6% to 7% this year, down from last year’s 12% growth.