Finance
Coca-Cola forecasts sluggish revenue growth in 2026 on choppy demand for sodas
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 10, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 10, 2026
Quick Summary
Coca-Cola's Q4 revenue fell short of expectations, reporting $11.82 billion due to weakened demand in North America and Europe.
Coca-Cola Projects Slow Revenue Growth for 2026 Amid Demand Challenges
Coca-Cola's Revenue Forecast and Market Challenges
Feb 10 (Reuters) - Coca-Cola on Tuesday forecast muted revenue growth for 2026 after missing fourth-quarter expectations, as demand for sodas weakened in North America and Asia, sending its shares down about 4% in premarket trading.
Impact of Price Increases on Consumers
The company has been raising prices for its beverages to offset higher input costs, weighing on the budgets of inflation-hit U.S. consumers increasingly looking for cheaper pantry options.
Shift to Health-Conscious Products
Rival PepsiCo said last week it would cut prices on key snacks such as Lay's and Doritos as consumers pushed back against several rounds of price hikes over the last few years.
Regional Performance Insights
Coca-Cola's unit overall case volumes rose 1% in the quarter, in line with the growth it reported in the preceding three months. They were flat for the full year, while price, which was up 4% for the year, helped drive performance.
Coca-Cola has also leaned on growth in zero-sugar sodas, sports drinks and bottled teas as U.S. consumers shift to low-sugar options amid a higher adoption of appetite-suppressing weight-loss drugs.
PepsiCo said it was betting on portion control to drive demand for its snacks. Coca-Cola has invested in products such as its protein-infused Fairlife milk to capture demand from health-conscious consumers.
Volume growth was flat in the Asia-Pacific region in the quarter as the company battles a growing shift to regional brands.
Coca-Cola reported fourth-quarter revenue of $11.82 billion, compared with estimates of $12.03 billion. On an adjusted basis, it earned 58 cents per share, compared with estimates of 56 cents, according to data compiled by LSEG.
The company expects 2026 organic revenue to grow 4% to 5%, compared with estimates of 5.3% growth and a 5% rise in 2025. It forecast annual adjusted profit per share growth of 7% to 8%, compared with expectations of 7.9% rise.
(Reporting by Juveria Tabassum and Angela Christy in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
Key Takeaways
- •Coca-Cola's Q4 revenue was $11.82 billion.
- •Wall Street expected $12.03 billion in revenue.
- •Demand weakened in North America and Europe.
- •LSEG compiled the revenue estimates.
- •Reported by Juveria Tabassum and Angela Christy.
Frequently Asked Questions about Coca-Cola forecasts sluggish revenue growth in 2026 on choppy demand for sodas
1What is revenue analysis?
Revenue analysis is the process of examining a company's income from sales to understand its financial performance, identify trends, and make informed business decisions.
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3What are corporate profits?
Corporate profits refer to the earnings of a company after all expenses, taxes, and costs have been deducted from total revenue.
4What are market conditions?
Market conditions refer to the various factors that influence the performance of a market, including supply and demand, economic indicators, and consumer behavior.
5What is consumer perception?
Consumer perception is how customers view and interpret a brand, product, or service, which can influence their purchasing decisions and overall satisfaction.
