Coca-Cola tops expectations, strengthening international market share

Beverage behemoth Coca-Cola (KO) released second-quarter earnings this morning. The company raked in 88 cents per share including charges (92 cents per share excluding items), an increase of 44 percent compared to a year ago. On a year-to-date basis, the company's earnings increased 18 percent while comparable earnings fell seven percent. The company noted that earnings per share were negatively impacted by the U.S. dollar's relative strength versus other world currencies.

The company also announced that unit case volume increased four percent, up from three percent in the year-earlier quarter. International volume growth came in at five, matching that from a year ago. Emerging markets performed well for KO, as India saw growth increase 33 percent and China notched 14 percent growth.