Coca-Cola: Company Reports Q2-2020 Results

Atlanta / GA. (ccc) The Coca-Cola Company, since January 2019 parent company of British Costa Limited, reported second quarter 2020 results and provided an update on strategic actions that are positioning the system to emerge stronger from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Coca-Cola system remained agile in the second quarter, with a focus on maintaining a safe environment for employees while also providing necessary products and services to consumers, customers and communities during this unprecedented time.

«I’m proud of the people of the Coca-Cola system as we continue to adjust and accelerate our strategies in this fast-changing landscape,» said James Quincey, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. «We believe the second quarter will prove to be the most challenging of the year; however, we still have work to do as we drive our pursuit of ‘Beverages for Life’ and meet evolving consumer needs.»

Quarterly Performance

  • Revenues: Net revenues declined 28 percent to USD 7.2 billion. Organic revenues (non-GAAP) declined 26 percent. Revenue performance included a 22 percent decline in concentrate sales and a 4 percent decline in price/mix. The revenue declines were primarily driven by pressure in away-from-home channels, which represent approximately half of the company’s revenues.
  • Margin: Operating margin, which included items impacting comparability, was 27.7 percent versus 29.9 percent in the prior year, while comparable operating margin (non-GAAP) was 30.0 percent versus 30.3 percent in the prior year. Operating margin contraction was primarily driven by top-line pressure and currency headwinds, partially offset by effective cost management.
  • Earnings per share: EPS declined 32 percent to USD 0.41, and comparable EPS (non-GAAP) declined 33 percent to USD 0.42.
  • Market share: The company lost value share in total nonalcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverages as an underlying share gain was more than offset by negative channel mix due to pressure in away-from-home channels, where the company has a strong share position.
  • Cash flow: Year-to-date cash from operations was USD 2.8 billion, down 38 percent. Free cash flow (non-GAAP) was USD 2.3 billion, down 40 percent.

Business Environment and Strategic Actions Update

Since the company’s last earnings update in April, global unit case volume trends have improved sequentially, from a decline of approximately 25 percent in April to a decline of approximately 10 percent in June. Unit case volume for July month-to-date was down mid single digits globally. Performance has been driven by improving trends in away-from-home channels, along with sustained, elevated sales in at-home channels.

The improvement in away-from-home trends during the quarter closely correlated with the easing of lockdowns, and the company expects this correlation to continue in the second half of 2020. While the company believes the second quarter will be the most severely impacted quarter of the year, given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and levels of lockdown, the ultimate impact on full year 2020 results is unknown. The company’s balance sheet remains strong, and the company is confident in its liquidity position as it continues to navigate through the crisis.

Despite the high degree of uncertainty, the company is committed to emerging stronger by gaining share and consumers, maintaining strong system economics, strengthening its reputation with stakeholders and positioning the organization to win in the new reality.

The company is accelerating its strategy to accomplish these goals. This includes focusing investments against a defined growth portfolio by prioritizing brands best positioned for consumer reach and share advantage. The company will also streamline the innovation pipeline against initiatives that are scalable regionally or globally as well as maintain a disciplined approach to local experimentation in order to further strengthen the company’s leader, challenger and explorer framework. The portfolio will be supported by a refreshed marketing approach, with a step-change in marketing investment effectiveness and efficiency. The company will also lead the Coca-Cola system in driving system-wide efficiencies to support these investments, and will invest in new capabilities to capitalize on emerging, lasting shifts in consumer behaviors.

Company Updates

  • Refresh the world, make a difference: In the midst of unprecedented challenges, the company remains grounded in its purpose. For example, The Coca-Cola Foundation has partnered with the world’s largest humanitarian network, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, to help provide hospitals with critical medical equipment and supplies; to support community relief programs; and to fund public coronavirus education and awareness campaigns. The partnership has supported programs in more than 60 countries, reaching an estimated 7.5 million people impacted by the pandemic.
  • Driving relevance with loved brands: In the first original ad during the pandemic for brand Coca-Cola, the company celebrates the rediscovered joy in sharing a meal with loved ones. «The Great Meal» features 13 real households in eight countries preparing and sharing home-cooked meals over an ice-cold Coca-Cola, bringing to life the comfort and authenticity of the brand’s connection to food. «The Great Meal» kicks off a global campaign for brand Coca-Cola, «Together Tastes Better,» which is rolling out this month. This modular, digital-first campaign was created for Coca-Cola teams around the world to tailor and localize for their markets and platforms. «Together Tastes Better» is the latest example of how the company is leveraging marketing investments for the highest impact and largest reach.
  • Innovating quickly to address consumer needs: The company recently announced plans to roll out a new pouring option to meet consumer needs with its latest Coca-Cola Freestyle technology innovation – contactless, mobile pouring using a smartphone. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to reshape consumer behaviors, the contactless Coca-Cola Freestyle solution allows consumers to choose and pour drinks in just a few seconds, without creating an account or downloading an app. The mobile experience is rolling out to Coca-Cola Freestyle dispensers across the United States by the end of the year.
  • Addressing social justice concerns: The company is taking a multi-faceted approach to social justice, focusing on listening, leading, investing and advocating. This includes meeting with stakeholders, employees and other business leaders. The company has paused social media activity for July to review policies, including its own, and to hold partners to a higher level of accountability and transparency. The company has committed to spend an incremental USD 500 million with Black-owned suppliers over the next five years in the United States. In support of social justice, The Coca-Cola Foundation has contributed USD 4 million to several initiatives and, to date, the company has contributed an additional USD 1.3 million through brands Coca-Cola and Sprite.

For additional information please read the Company’s PDF file below (273 KB):

20200804-CCC-Q2-2020.