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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 |
OR |
o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period
from to
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Commission File No. 1-2217
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
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58-0628465
(IRS Employer
Identification No.) |
One Coca-Cola Plaza
Atlanta, Georgia
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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30313
(Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (404) 676-2121
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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| COMMON STOCK, $0.25 PAR VALUE |
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NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be
contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to
this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of
"accelerated filer" or "large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer ý |
|
Accelerated filer o |
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Non-accelerated filer o |
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No ý
The aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant (assuming for these purposes, but without conceding, that all
executive officers and Directors are "affiliates" of the Registrant) as of June 30, 2006, the last business day of the Registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was
$95,705,925,512 (based on the closing sale price of the Registrant's Common Stock on that date as reported on the New York Stock Exchange).
The
number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock as of February 20, 2007 was 2,315,288,508.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareowners to be held on April 18, 2007, are incorporated by
reference in Part III.
Table of Contents
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Page
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Forward-Looking Statements |
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1 |
Part I |
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Item 1. |
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Business |
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1 |
| Item 1A. |
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Risk Factors |
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12 |
| Item 1B. |
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Unresolved Staff Comments |
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19 |
| Item 2. |
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Properties |
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19 |
| Item 3. |
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Legal Proceedings |
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20 |
| Item 4. |
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Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
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24 |
| Item X. |
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Executive Officers of the Company |
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24 |
Part II |
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Item 5. |
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Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
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28 |
| Item 6. |
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Selected Financial Data |
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31 |
| Item 7. |
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Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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32 |
| Item 7A. |
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
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65 |
| Item 8. |
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Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
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66 |
| Item 9. |
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Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
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131 |
| Item 9A. |
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Controls and Procedures |
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131 |
| Item 9B. |
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Other Information |
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131 |
Part III |
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Item 10. |
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Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance |
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132 |
| Item 11. |
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Executive Compensation |
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132 |
| Item 12. |
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
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132 |
| Item 13. |
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
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132 |
| Item 14. |
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Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
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132 |
Part IV |
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Item 15. |
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Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
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133 |
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Signatures |
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139 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains information that may constitute "forward-looking statements." Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend,"
"estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. All statements that address operating
performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the futureincluding statements relating to volume growth, share of sales and earnings per share growth, and
statements expressing general views about future operating resultsare forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when
made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made. Our Company undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our Company's historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to, those described in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this report and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
The Coca-Cola Company is the largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of nonalcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups in the world. Finished
beverage products bearing our trademarks, sold in the United States since 1886, are now sold in more than 200 countries. Along with Coca-Cola, which is recognized as the world's most valuable brand,
we market four of the world's top five nonalcoholic sparkling brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite. In this report, the terms "Company," "we," "us" or "our" mean The Coca-Cola
Company and all entities included in our consolidated financial statements.
Our
business is nonalcoholic beveragesprincipally sparkling beverages, but also a variety of still beverages. We manufacture beverage concentrates and syrups, which we sell
to bottling and canning operations, fountain wholesalers and some fountain retailers, as well as some finished beverages, which we sell primarily to distributors. Our Company owns or licenses more
than 400 brands, including diet and light beverages, waters, juice and juice drinks, teas, coffees, and energy and sports drinks. In addition, we have ownership interests in numerous bottling and
canning operations, although most of these operations are independently owned and managed.
We
were incorporated in September 1919 under the laws of the State of Delaware and succeeded to the business of a Georgia corporation with the same name that had been organized in
1892.
Our
Company is one of numerous competitors in the commercial beverages market. Of the approximately 52 billion beverage servings of all types consumed worldwide every day,
beverages bearing trademarks owned by or licensed to us account for more than 1.4 billion.
We
believe that our success depends on our ability to connect with consumers by providing them with a wide variety of choices to meet their desires, needs and lifestyle choices. Our
success further depends on the ability of our people to execute effectively, every day.
Our
goal is to use our Company's assetsour brands, financial strength, unrivaled distribution system, and the strong commitment of management and employeesto
become more competitive and to accelerate growth in a manner that creates value for our shareowners.
1
Operating Segments
The Company's operating structure is the basis for our Company's internal financial reporting. As of December 31, 2006, our operating structure included
the following operating segments, the first seven of which are sometimes referred to as "operating groups" or "groups:"
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- Africa
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- East,
South Asia and Pacific Rim
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- European
Union
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- Latin
America
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- North
America
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- North
Asia, Eurasia and Middle East
-
- Bottling
Investments
-
- Corporate
Our
operating structure as of December 31, 2006, reflected changes we made during the first quarter of 2006, primarily to establish a separate internal organization for our
consolidated bottling operations and our
unconsolidated bottling investments. As a result of such changes, we began reporting Bottling Investments as a new operating segment beginning with the first quarter of 2006.
Effective
January 1, 2007, we combined the Eurasia and Middle East Division, and the Russia, Ukraine and Belarus Division, both of which were previously included in the North
Asia, Eurasia and Middle East operating segment, with the India Division, previously included in the East, South Asia and Pacific Rim operating segment, to form the Eurasia operating segment; and we
combined the China Division and the Japan Division, previously included in the North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East operating segment, with the remaining East, South Asia and Pacific Rim operating
segment to form the Pacific operating segment. As a result, beginning with the first quarter of 2007, we will report the following operating segments: Africa; Eurasia; European Union; Latin America;
North America; Pacific; Bottling Investments; and Corporate.
Except
to the extent that differences among operating segments are material to an understanding of our business taken as a whole, the description of our business in this report is
presented on a consolidated basis.
For
financial information about our operating segments and geographic areas, refer to Note 6 and Note 20 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in
Part II, "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this report, incorporated herein by reference. For certain risks attendant to our non-U.S. operations, refer
to "Item 1A. Risk Factors," below.
Products and Distribution
Our Company manufactures and sells beverage concentrates, sometimes referred to as "beverage bases," and syrups, including fountain syrups, and some finished
beverages.
As
used in this report:
-
- "concentrates"
means flavoring ingredients and, depending on the product, sweeteners used to prepare syrups or finished beverages;
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- "syrups"
means the beverage ingredients produced by combining concentrates and, depending on the product, sweeteners and added water;
2
-
- "fountain
syrups" means syrups that are sold to fountain retailers, such as restaurants, that use dispensing equipment to mix the syrups with sparkling or still water at the
time of purchase to produce finished beverages that are served in cups or glasses for immediate consumption;
-
- "sparkling
beverages" means nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages with carbonation, including energy drinks and waters and flavored waters with
carbonation;
-
- "still
beverages" means nonalcoholic beverages without carbonation, including waters and flavored waters without carbonation, juice and juice drinks, teas, coffees and
sports drinks; and
-
- "Company
Trademark Beverages" means beverages bearing our trademarks and certain other beverage products licensed to us for which we provide marketing support and from the
sale of which we derive income.
We
sell the concentrates and syrups for bottled and canned beverages to authorized bottling and canning operations. In addition to concentrates and syrups for sparkling beverages and
flavored still beverages, we also sell concentrates (in powder form) for purified water products such as Dasani to authorized bottling operations.
Authorized
bottlers and canners either combine our syrups with sparkling water or combine our concentrates with sweeteners (depending on the product), water and sparkling water to
produce finished sparkling beverages. The finished sparkling beverages are packaged in authorized containers bearing our trademarkssuch as cans and refillable and nonrefillable glass and
plastic bottles ("bottle/can products")and are then sold to retailers ("bottle/can retailers") or, in some cases, wholesalers.
For
our fountain products in the United States, we manufacture fountain syrups and sell them to authorized fountain wholesalers and some fountain retailers. The wholesalers are
authorized to sell the Company's fountain syrups by a nonexclusive appointment from us that neither restricts us in setting the prices at which we sell fountain syrups to the wholesalers, nor
restricts the territory in which the wholesalers may resell in the United States. Outside the United States, fountain syrups typically are manufactured by authorized bottlers from concentrates sold to
them by the Company. The bottlers then typically sell the fountain syrups to wholesalers or directly to fountain retailers.
Finished
beverages manufactured by us include a variety of sparkling and still beverages. We sell most of these beverages to authorized bottlers or distributors, who in turn sell these
products to retailers or, in some cases, wholesalers. We manufacture and sell juice and juice-drink products and certain water products to retailers and wholesalers in the United States and numerous
other countries, both directly and through a network of business partners, including certain Coca-Cola bottlers.
Our
beverage products include Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Classic, caffeine free Coca-Cola, caffeine free Coca-Cola Classic, Cherry Coke, Diet
Coke (sold under the trademark Coca-Cola Light in many countries other than the United States), caffeine free Diet Coke, Diet Coke Sweetened with Splenda, Diet Coke with Lime, Diet Cherry
Coke, Black Cherry Vanilla Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero (sold under the trademark Coke Zero in some countries), Fanta brand sparkling beverages, Sprite, Diet Sprite/Sprite Zero (sold under
the trademark Sprite Light in many countries other than the United States), Sprite Remix, Pibb Xtra, Mello Yello, Tab, Fresca brand sparkling beverages, Barq's, Powerade, Minute Maid brand sparkling
beverages, Aquarius, Sokenbicha, Ciel, Bonaqa/Bonaqua, Dasani, Dasani brand flavored waters, Lift, Thums Up, Kinley, Eight O'Clock, Qoo, Vault, Full Throttle and other products developed for specific
countries (including Georgia brand ready-to-drink coffees). In many countries (excluding the United States, among others), our Company's beverage products also include
Schweppes, Canada Dry, Dr Pepper and Crush. Our Company produces, distributes and markets juice and juice-drink products including Minute Maid Premium juice and juice drinks, Simply juices and juice
drinks, Odwalla nourishing health beverages, Five Alive refreshment beverages, Bacardi mixers concentrate (manufactured and marketed under license agreements from Bacardi & Company Limited) and
Hi-C ready-to-serve juice drinks. We have a license to manufacture and sell concentrates for Seagram's mixers, a line of sparkling drinks, in the United States and
certain other countries. Our Company is the exclusive master
3
distributor
of Evian bottled water in the United States and Canada, and of Rockstar, an energy drink, in most of the United States and in Canada. Multon, a Russian juice business ("Multon") operated
as a joint venture with Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. ("Coca-Cola HBC"), markets juice products under various trademarks, including Dobriy, Rich and Nico, in Russia, Ukraine and
Belarus. Beverage Partners Worldwide ("BPW"), the Company's joint venture with Nestlé S.A. ("Nestlé") and certain of its subsidiaries, markets
ready-to-drink tea products under the trademarks Enviga, Gold Peak, Nestea, Belté, Yang Guang, Nagomi, Heaven and Earth, Frestea, Ten Ren, Modern Tea Workshop,
Café Zu, Shizen and Tian Tey, and ready-to-drink coffee products under the trademarks Nescafé, Taster's Choice and Georgia Club.
Consumer
demand determines the optimal menu of Company product offerings. Consumer demand can vary from one locale to another and can change over time within a single locale. Employing
our business strategy, and with special focus on core brands, our Company seeks to build its existing brands and, at the same time, to broaden its historical family of brands, products and services in
order to create and satisfy consumer demand locale by locale.
Our
Company introduced a variety of new brands, brand extensions and new beverage products in 2006. Among numerous examples, in North America, the Company launched Coca-Cola
Blak, a new Coca-Cola and coffee fusion beverage designed to appeal to adult consumers, Black Cherry Vanilla Coca-Cola and Black Cherry Vanilla Diet Coke, Vault Zero, Tab
Energy, Full Throttle Fury, Simply Lemonade and Limeade. In collaboration with Godiva Chocolatier, Inc., the Company also launched a new line of premium blended indulgent beverages called Godiva
Belgian Blends. BPW, our joint venture with Nestlé, launched both Enviga, a sparkling green tea product, and Gold Peak, a premium ready-to-drink iced tea in five
flavors. The Company introduced Dasani Sparkling in Kenya and Mauritius; Five Alive and Coca-Cola Light in Kenya; Powerade Balance, Five Alive, Fanta Free and Bonaqua flavored waters in
South Africa; and Burn in Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco. We introduced Karada Meguri Cha in Japan and Healthworks in China. Multon, our joint venture with Coca-Cola HBC, introduced new Diva juice
in Russia. In addition, we launched Coke Zero in Australia and Korea, Haru Tea in Korea, and Schweppes Clear Lemonade in Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. In Europe, the Company launched
Coca-Cola Zero/Coke Zero in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg; Burn in Norway; and Chaudfontaine (a still and sparkling water) in Belgium,
the Netherlands and Luxembourg. In Latin America, the products launched included Minute Maid Forte, Ciel Naturae (a sparkling flavored water) and Coca-Cola Light Caffeine Free. The Company
unveiled Far Coast, a new brand of premium brewed beverages, and Chaqwa, a line of brewed beverages for quick service restaurants and convenience stores, in Canada and Singapore.
Our
Company measures the volume of products sold in two ways: (1) unit cases of finished products and (2) gallons. As used in this report, "unit case" means a unit of
measurement equal to 192 U.S. fluid ounces of finished beverage (24 eight-ounce servings); and "unit case volume" means the number of unit cases (or unit case equivalents) of Company beverage products
directly or indirectly sold by the Company and its bottling partners ("Coca-Cola system") to customers. Unit case volume primarily consists of beverage products bearing Company trademarks. Also
included in unit case volume are certain products licensed to, or distributed by, our Company, and brands owned by Coca-Cola system bottlers for which our Company provides marketing
support and from the sale of which it derives income. Such products licensed to, or distributed by, our Company or owned by Coca-Cola system bottlers account for a minimal portion of total
unit case volume. In addition, unit case volume includes sales by joint ventures in which the Company is a partner. Although most of our Company's revenues are not based directly on unit case volume,
we believe unit case volume is one of the measures of the underlying strength of the Coca-Cola system because it measures trends at the consumer level. The unit case volume numbers used in
this report are based on estimates received by the Company from its bottling partners and distributors. As used in this report, "gallon" means a unit of measurement for concentrates (sometimes
referred to as "beverage bases"), syrups, finished beverages and powders (in all cases, expressed in equivalent gallons of syrup) sold by our Company to its bottling partners or other customers. Most
of our revenues are based on gallon sales, a primarily "wholesale" activity. Unit case volume and gallon sales growth
4
rates
are not necessarily equal during any given period. Items such as seasonality, bottlers' inventory practices, supply point changes, timing of price increases, new product introductions and
changes in product mix can impact unit case volume and gallon sales and can create differences between unit case volume and gallon sales growth rates.
In
2006, concentrates and syrups for beverages bearing the trademark "Coca-Cola" or including the trademark "Coke" ("Coca-Cola Trademark Beverages") accounted for
approximately 55 percent of the Company's total gallon sales.
In
2006, gallon sales in the United States ("U.S. gallon sales") represented approximately 26 percent of the Company's worldwide gallon sales. Approximately 54 percent of
U.S. gallon sales for 2006 was attributable to sales of beverage concentrates and syrups to 76 authorized bottler ownership groups in 393 licensed territories. Those bottlers prepare and sell finished
beverages bearing our trademarks for the food store and vending machine distribution channels and for other distribution channels supplying products for home and immediate consumption. Approximately
34 percent of 2006 U.S. gallon sales was attributable to fountain syrups sold to fountain retailers and to 507 authorized fountain wholesalers, some of which are authorized bottlers. The
remaining approximately 12 percent of 2006 U.S. gallon sales was attributable to sales by the Company of finished beverages, including juice and juice-drink products and certain water products.
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., including its bottling subsidiaries and divisions ("CCE"), accounted for approximately 51 percent of the Company's U.S. gallon sales in 2006. At
December 31, 2006, our Company held an ownership interest of approximately 35 percent in CCE, which is the world's largest bottler of Company Trademark Beverages.
In
2006, gallon sales outside the United States represented approximately 74 percent of the Company's worldwide gallon sales. The countries outside the United States in which our
gallon sales were the largest in 2006 were Mexico, Brazil, China and Japan, which together accounted for approximately 27 percent of our worldwide gallon sales. Approximately 90 percent
of non-U.S. unit case volume for 2006 was attributable to sales of beverage concentrates and syrups to authorized bottlers together with sales by the Company of finished beverages other
than juice and juice-drink products, in 535 licensed territories. Approximately 5 percent of 2006 non-U.S. unit case volume was attributable to fountain syrups. The remaining
approximately 5 percent of 2006 non-U.S. unit case volume was attributable to juice and juice-drink products.
In
addition to conducting our own independent advertising and marketing activities, we may provide promotional and marketing services or funds to our bottlers. In most cases, we do this
on a discretionary basis under the terms of commitment letters or agreements, even though we are not obligated to do so under the terms of the bottling or distribution agreements between our Company
and the bottlers. Also, on a discretionary basis in most cases, our Company may develop and introduce new products, packages and equipment to assist its bottlers. Likewise, in many instances, we
provide promotional and marketing services and/or funds and/or dispensing equipment and repair services to fountain and bottle/can retailers, typically pursuant to marketing agreements. The aggregate
amount of funds provided by our Company to bottlers, resellers or other customers of our Company's products, principally for participation in promotional and marketing programs was approximately
$3.8 billion in 2006.
Most of our products are manufactured and sold by our bottling partners. We typically sell concentrates and syrups to our bottling partners who convert them into
finished packaged products which they sell to distributors and other customers. Separate contracts ("Bottler's Agreements") exist between our Company and each of our bottling partners regarding the
manufacture and sale of Company products. Subject to specified terms and conditions and certain variations, the Bottler's Agreements generally authorize the bottlers to prepare specified Company
Trademark Beverages, to package the same in authorized containers, and to distribute and sell the same in (but, subject to applicable local law, generally only in) an identified territory. The bottler
is obligated to
5
purchase
its entire requirement of concentrates or syrups for the designated Company Trademark Beverages from the Company or Company-authorized suppliers. We typically agree to refrain from selling or
distributing, or from authorizing third parties to sell or distribute, the designated Company Trademark Beverages throughout the identified territory in the particular authorized containers; however,
we typically reserve for ourselves or our designee the right (1) to prepare and package such beverages in such containers in the territory for sale outside the territory, and (2) to
prepare, package, distribute and sell such beverages in the territory, in any other manner or form. Territorial restrictions on bottlers vary in some cases in accordance with local law.
The
Bottler's Agreements between us and our authorized bottlers in the United States differ in certain respects from those in the other countries in which Company Trademark Beverages are
sold. As further discussed below, the principal differences involve the duration of the agreements; the inclusion or exclusion of canned beverage production rights; the inclusion or exclusion of
authorizations to manufacture and distribute fountain syrups; in some cases, the degree of flexibility on the part of the Company to determine the pricing of syrups and concentrates; and the extent,
if any, of the Company's obligation to provide marketing support.
The Bottler's Agreements between us and our authorized bottlers outside the United States generally are of stated duration, subject in some cases to possible
extensions or renewals of the term of the contract. Generally, these contracts are subject to termination by the Company following the occurrence of certain designated events. These events include
defined events of default and certain changes in ownership or control of the bottler.
In
certain parts of the world outside the United States, we have not granted comprehensive beverage production rights to the bottlers. In such instances, we or our authorized suppliers
sell Company Trademark Beverages to the bottlers for sale and distribution throughout the designated territory, often on a nonexclusive basis. A majority of the Bottler's Agreements in force between
us and bottlers outside the United States authorize the bottlers to manufacture and distribute fountain syrups, usually on a nonexclusive basis.
Our
Company generally has complete flexibility to determine the price and other terms of sale of the concentrates and syrups we sell to bottlers outside the United States. In some
instances, however, we have agreed or may in the future agree with the bottler with respect to concentrate pricing on a prospective basis for specified time periods. Outside the United States, in most
cases, we have no obligation to provide marketing support to the bottlers. Nevertheless, we may, at our discretion, contribute toward bottler expenditures for advertising and marketing. We may also
elect to undertake independent or cooperative advertising and marketing activities.
In the United States, with certain very limited exceptions, the Bottler's Agreements for Coca-Cola Trademark Beverages and other
cola-flavored beverages have no stated expiration date. Our standard contracts for other sparkling beverage flavors and for still beverages are
of stated duration, subject to bottler renewal rights. The Bottler's Agreements in the United States are subject to termination by the Company for nonperformance or upon the occurrence of certain
defined events of default that may vary from contract to contract. The "1987 Contract," described below, is terminable by the Company upon the occurrence of certain events, including:
-
- the
bottler's insolvency, dissolution, receivership or the like;
-
- any
disposition by the bottler or any of its subsidiaries of any voting securities of any bottler subsidiary without the consent of the Company;
-
- any
material breach of any obligation of the bottler under the 1987 Contract; or
6
-
- except
in the case of certain bottlers, if a person or affiliated group acquires or obtains any right to acquire beneficial ownership of more than 10 percent of any
class or series of voting securities of the bottler without authorization by the Company.
Under
the terms of the Bottler's Agreements, bottlers in the United States are authorized to manufacture and distribute Company Trademark Beverages in bottles and cans. However, these
bottlers generally are not authorized to manufacture fountain syrups. Rather, as described above, our Company manufactures and sells fountain syrups to authorized fountain wholesalers (including
certain authorized bottlers) and some fountain retailers. These wholesalers in turn sell the syrups or deliver them on our behalf to restaurants and other retailers.
In
the United States, the form of Bottler's Agreement for cola-flavored sparkling beverages that covers the largest amount of U.S. gallon sales (the "1987 Contract") gives us
complete flexibility to determine the price and other terms of sale of concentrates and syrups for Company Trademark Beverages. In some instances, we have agreed or may in the future agree with the
bottler with respect to concentrate pricing on a prospective basis for specified time periods. Bottlers operating under the 1987 Contract accounted for approximately 90 percent of our Company's
total U.S. gallon sales for bottled and canned beverages in 2006, excluding direct sales by the Company of juice and juice-drink products and other finished beverages ("U.S. bottle/can gallon sales").
Certain other forms of U.S. Bottler's Agreements, entered into prior to 1987, provide for concentrates or syrups for certain Coca-Cola Trademark Beverages
and other cola-flavored Company Trademark Beverages to be priced pursuant to a stated formula. Bottlers accounting for approximately 9.8 percent of U.S. bottle/can gallon sales in
2006 have contracts for certain Coca-Cola Trademark Beverages and other cola-flavored Company Trademark Beverages with pricing formulas that generally provide for a baseline
price. This baseline price may be adjusted periodically by the Company, up to a maximum indexed ceiling price, and is adjusted quarterly based upon changes in certain sugar or sweetener prices, as
applicable. Bottlers accounting for the remaining approximately 0.2 percent of U.S. bottle/can gallon sales in 2006 operate under our oldest form of contract, which provides for a fixed price
for Coca-Cola syrup used in bottles and cans. This price is subject to quarterly adjustments to reflect changes in the quoted price of sugar.
We
have standard contracts with bottlers in the United States for the sale of concentrates and syrups for non-cola-flavored sparkling beverages and certain still
beverages in bottles and cans; and, in certain cases, for the sale of finished still beverages in bottles and cans. All of these standard contracts give the Company complete flexibility to determine
the price and other terms of sale.
Under
the 1987 Contract and most of our other standard beverage contracts with bottlers in the United States, our Company has no obligation to participate with bottlers in expenditures
for advertising and marketing. Nevertheless, at our discretion, we may contribute toward such expenditures and undertake independent or cooperative advertising and marketing activities. Some U.S.
Bottler's Agreements that predate the 1987 Contract impose certain marketing obligations on us with respect to certain Company Trademark Beverages.
As
a practical matter, our Company's ability to exercise its contractual flexibility to determine the price and other terms of sale of its syrups, concentrates and finished beverages
under various agreements described above is subject, both outside and within the United States, to competitive market conditions.
Our Company maintains business relationships with three types of bottlers:
-
- bottlers
in which the Company has no ownership interest;
-
- bottlers
in which the Company has invested and has a noncontrolling ownership interest; and
-
- bottlers
in which the Company has invested and has a controlling ownership interest.
7
In
2006, bottling operations in which we had no ownership interest produced and distributed approximately 25 percent of our worldwide unit case volume. We have equity positions in
52 unconsolidated bottling, canning and distribution operations for our products worldwide. These cost or equity method investees produced and distributed approximately 58 percent of our
worldwide unit case volume in 2006. Controlled and consolidated bottling operations produced and distributed approximately 7 percent of our worldwide unit case volume in 2006. The remaining
approximately 10 percent of our worldwide unit case volume in 2006 was produced and distributed by our fountain operations and our juice and juice drink, sports drink and other finished
beverage operations.
We
make equity investments in selected bottling operations with the intention of maximizing the strength and efficiency of the Coca-Cola system's production, distribution and
marketing systems around the world. These investments are intended to result in increases in unit case volume, net revenues and profits at the bottler level, which in turn generate increased gallon
sales for our Company's concentrate and syrup business. When this occurs, both we and our bottling partners benefit from long-term growth in volume, improved cash flows and increased
shareowner value.
The
level of our investment generally depends on the bottler's capital structure and its available resources at the time of the investment. Historically, in certain situations, we have
viewed it as advantageous to acquire a controlling interest in a bottling operation, often on a temporary basis. Owning such a controlling interest has allowed us to compensate for limited local
resources and has enabled us to help focus the bottler's sales and marketing programs and assist in the development of the bottler's business and information systems and the establishment of
appropriate capital structures.
In
line with our long-term bottling strategy, we may periodically consider options for reducing our ownership interest in a bottler. One such option is to combine our
bottling interests with the bottling interests of others to form strategic business alliances. Another option is to sell our interest in a bottling operation to one of our equity method investee
bottlers. In both of these situations, our Company continues to participate in the bottler's results of operations through our share of the strategic business alliances' or equity method investees'
earnings or losses.
In
cases where our investments in bottlers represent noncontrolling interests, our intention is to provide expertise and resources to strengthen those businesses.
Significant
investees in which we have noncontrolling ownership interests include the following:
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. ("CCE"). Our ownership interest in CCE was approximately 35 percent at
December 31, 2006. CCE is the world's largest bottler of the Company's beverage products. In 2006, sales of concentrates, syrups and finished products by the Company to CCE were approximately
$5.4 billion. CCE estimates that the territories in which it markets beverage products to retailers (which include portions of 46 states and the District of Columbia in the United States, the
United States Virgin Islands, Canada, Great Britain, continental France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium and Monaco) contain approximately 79 percent of the United States population,
98 percent of the population of Canada, and 100 percent of the populations of Great Britain, continental France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium and Monaco. In 2006, CCE's net
operating revenues were approximately $19.8 billion. Excluding fountain products, in 2006, approximately 60 percent of the unit case volume of CCE consisted of Coca-Cola
Trademark Beverages, 33 percent of its unit case volume consisted of other Company Trademark Beverages and 7 percent of its unit case volume consisted of beverage products of other
companies.
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. ("Coca-Cola HBC"). At December 31, 2006, our
ownership interest in Coca-Cola HBC was approximately 23 percent. Coca-Cola HBC has bottling and distribution rights, through direct ownership or joint ventures, in
Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova,
Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Russia,
8
Serbia
and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Ukraine. Coca-Cola HBC estimates that the territories in which it markets beverage products contain approximately
67 percent of the population of Italy and 100 percent of the populations of the other countries named above in which Coca-Cola HBC has bottling and distribution rights. In
2006, Coca-Cola HBC's net sales of beverage products were approximately $7 billion. In 2006, approximately 44 percent of the unit case volume of Coca-Cola HBC
consisted of Coca-Cola Trademark Beverages, approximately 49 percent of its unit case volume consisted of other Company Trademark Beverages and approximately 7 percent of its
unit case volume consisted of beverage products of Coca-Cola HBC or other companies.
Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. ("Coca-Cola FEMSA"). Our ownership interest in Coca-Cola
FEMSA was approximately 32 percent at December 31, 2006. Coca-Cola FEMSA is a Mexican holding company with bottling subsidiaries in a substantial part of central Mexico,
including Mexico City and southeastern Mexico; greater São Paulo, Campinas, Santos, the state of Matto Grosso do Sul and part of the state of Goias in Brazil; central Guatemala; most of
Colombia; all of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Venezuela; and greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. Coca-Cola FEMSA estimates that the territories in which it markets beverage products
contain approximately 48 percent of the population of Mexico, 16 percent of the population of Brazil, 98 percent of the population of Colombia, 47 percent of the population
of Guatemala, 100 percent of the
populations of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Venezuela and 30 percent of the population of Argentina. In 2006, Coca-Cola FEMSA's net sales of beverage products were
approximately $5.2 billion. In 2006, approximately 62 percent of the unit case volume of Coca-Cola FEMSA consisted of Coca-Cola Trademark Beverages,
34 percent of its unit case volume consisted of other Company Trademark Beverages and 4 percent of its unit case volume consisted of beverage products of Coca-Cola FEMSA or
other companies.
Coca-Cola Amatil Limited ("Coca-Cola Amatil"). At December 31, 2006, our Company's ownership
interest in Coca-Cola Amatil was approximately 32 percent. Coca-Cola Amatil has bottling and distribution rights, through direct ownership or joint ventures, in
Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and South Korea. Coca-Cola Amatil estimates that the territories in which it markets beverage products contain 100 percent
of the populations of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, South Korea and Papua New Guinea, and 98 percent of the population of Indonesia. In 2006, Coca-Cola Amatil's net sales of
beverage products were approximately $3 billion. In 2006, approximately 50 percent of the unit case volume of Coca-Cola Amatil consisted of Coca-Cola Trademark
Beverages, approximately 40 percent of its unit case volume consisted of other Company Trademark Beverages and approximately 10 percent of its unit case volume consisted of beverage
products of Coca-Cola Amatil.
Other Interests. BPW, our joint venture with Nestlé and certain of its subsidiaries, is focused upon the
ready-to-drink tea and coffee businesses. BPW products were sold in the United States and 63 other countries during the year ended December 31, 2006. BPW serves as the
exclusive vehicle through which our Company and Nestlé participate in the ready-to-drink tea and coffee businesses worldwide, except in Japan. In
November 2006, our Company and Nestlé jointly announced an agreement to refocus BPW's activities on black tea beverages and Enviga. The implementation of this agreement, which is
subject to certain regulatory approvals, would allow our Company and Nestlé to independently develop, produce and market ready-to-drink coffee and
non-black tea-based beverages, other than Enviga. Multon, a Russian juice business operated as a joint venture with Coca-Cola HBC, generated revenues from sales of
juice products in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus in 2006.
9
Seasonality
Sales of our ready-to-drink nonalcoholic beverages are somewhat seasonal, with the second and third calendar quarters accounting for the
highest sales volumes. The volume of sales in the beverages business may be affected by weather conditions.
Competition
Our Company competes in the nonalcoholic beverages segment of the commercial beverages industry. Based on internally available data and a variety of industry
sources, we believe that, in 2006, worldwide sales of Company products accounted for approximately 10 percent of total worldwide sales of nonalcoholic beverage products. The nonalcoholic
beverages segment of the commercial beverages industry is highly competitive, consisting of numerous firms. These include firms that, like our Company, compete in multiple geographic areas as well as
firms that are primarily local in operation. Competitive products include numerous nonalcoholic sparkling beverages; various water products, including packaged water; juices and nectars; fruit drinks
and dilutables (including syrups and powdered drinks); coffees and teas; energy and sports drinks; and various other nonalcoholic beverages. These competitive beverages are sold to consumers in both
ready-to-drink and not-ready-to-drink form. In many of the countries in which we do business, including the United States,
PepsiCo, Inc. is one of our primary competitors. Other significant competitors include, but are not limited to, Nestlé, Cadbury Schweppes plc, Groupe Danone and Kraft
Foods Inc. We also compete against numerous local firms in various geographic areas in which we operate.
Competitive
factors impacting our business include pricing, advertising, sales promotion programs, product innovation, increased efficiency in production techniques, the introduction of
new packaging, new vending and dispensing equipment, and brand and trademark development and protection.
Our
competitive strengths include powerful brands with a high level of consumer acceptance; a worldwide network of bottlers and distributors of Company products; sophisticated marketing
capabilities; and a talented group of dedicated employees. Our competitive challenges include strong competition in all geographic regions and, in many countries, a concentrated retail sector with
powerful buyers able to freely choose among Company products, products of competitive beverage suppliers and individual retailers' own store-brand beverages.
Raw Materials
The principal raw materials used by our business are nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners. In the United States, the principal nutritive sweetener
is high fructose corn syrup, a form of sugar, which is available from numerous domestic sources and is historically subject to fluctuations in its market price. The principal nutritive sweetener used
by our business outside the United States is sucrose, another form of sugar, which is also available from numerous sources and is historically subject to fluctuations in its market price. Our Company
generally has not experienced any difficulties in obtaining its requirements for nutritive sweeteners. In the United States, we purchase high fructose corn syrup to meet our and our bottlers'
requirements with the assistance of Coca-Cola Bottlers' Sales & Services Company LLC ("CCBSS"). CCBSS is a limited liability company that is owned by authorized
Coca-Cola bottlers doing business in the United States. Among other things, CCBSS provides procurement services to our Company for the purchase of various goods and services in the United
States, including high fructose corn syrup.
The
principal non-nutritive sweeteners we use in our business are aspartame, acesulfame potassium, saccharin, cyclamate and sucralose. Generally, these raw materials are
readily available from numerous sources. However, our Company purchases aspartame, an important non-nutritive sweetener that is used alone or in combination with other important
non-nutritive sweeteners such as saccharin or acesulfame potassium in our low-calorie sparkling beverage products, primarily from The NutraSweet Company and Ajinomoto
Co., Inc., which we consider to be our only viable sources for the supply of this product. We currently purchase acesulfame potassium from Nutrinova Nutrition Specialties & Food
Ingredients GmbH, which we consider to be our only
10
viable
source for the supply of this product. Our Company generally has not experienced any difficulties in obtaining its requirements for non-nutritive sweeteners.
Our
Company sells a number of products sweetened with sucralose, a non-nutritive sweetener. We work closely with Tate & Lyle, our sucralose supplier, to maintain
continuity of supply. Although Tate & Lyle is our single source for sucralose, we do not anticipate difficulties in obtaining our requirements for sucralose.
With
regard to juice and juice-drink products, citrus fruit, particularly orange juice concentrate, is our principal raw material. The citrus industry is subject to the variability of
weather conditions. In particular, freezing weather or hurricanes in central Florida may result in shortages and higher prices for orange juice concentrate throughout the industry. Due to our ability
to also source orange juice concentrate from the Southern Hemisphere (particularly from Brazil), we normally have an adequate supply of orange juice concentrate that meets our Company's standards.
Patents, Copyrights, Trade Secrets and Trademarks
Our Company owns numerous patents, copyrights and trade secrets, as well as substantial know-how and technology, which we collectively refer to in
this report as "technology." This technology generally relates to our Company's products and the processes for their production; the packages used for our products; the design and operation of various
processes and equipment used in our business; and certain quality assurance software. Some of the technology is licensed to suppliers and other parties. Our sparkling beverage and other beverage
formulae are among the important trade secrets of our Company.
We
own numerous trademarks that are very important to our business. Depending upon the jurisdiction, trademarks are valid as long as they are in use and/or their registrations are
properly maintained. Pursuant to our Bottler's Agreements, we authorize our bottlers to use applicable Company trademarks in connection with their manufacture, sale and distribution of Company
products. In addition, we grant licenses to third parties from time to time to use certain of our trademarks in conjunction with certain merchandise and food products.
Governmental Regulation
Our Company is required to comply, and it is our policy to comply, with applicable laws in the numerous countries throughout the world in which we do business. In
many jurisdictions, compliance with competition laws is of special importance to us, and our operations may come under special scrutiny by competition law authorities due to our competitive position
in those jurisdictions.
The
production, distribution and sale in the United States of many of our Company's products are subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act,
the Lanham Act, state consumer protection laws, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, various environmental statutes; and various other federal, state and local statutes and regulations applicable
to the production, transportation, sale, safety, advertising, labeling and ingredients of such products. Outside the United States, the production, distribution and sale of our many products are also
subject to numerous statutes and regulations.
A
California law requires that a specific warning appear on any product that contains a component listed by the state as having been found to cause cancer or birth defects. The law
exposes all food and beverage producers to the possibility of having to provide warnings on their products. This is because the law recognizes no generally applicable quantitative thresholds below
which a warning is not required. Consequently, even trace amounts of listed components can expose affected products to the prospect of warning labels. Products containing listed substances that occur
naturally or that are contributed to such products solely by a municipal water supply are generally exempt from the warning requirement. No Company beverages produced for sale in California are
currently required to display warnings under this law. However, we are unable to predict whether a component found in a Company product might be added to the California list in the future.
Furthermore, we are also unable to predict when or whether the increasing sensitivity of detection methodology that may become applicable
11
under
this law and related regulations as they currently exist, or as they may be amended, might result in the detection of an infinitesimal quantity of a listed substance in a Company beverage
produced for sale in California.
Bottlers
of our beverage products presently offer nonrefillable, recyclable containers in the United States and various other markets around the world. Some of these bottlers also offer
refillable containers, which are also recyclable. Legal requirements have been enacted in jurisdictions in the United States and overseas requiring that deposits or certain ecotaxes or fees be charged
for the sale, marketing and use of certain nonrefillable beverage containers. The precise requirements imposed by these measures vary. Other beverage containerrelated deposit, recycling,
ecotax and/or product stewardship proposals have been introduced in various jurisdictions in the United States and overseas. We anticipate that similar legislation or regulations may be proposed in
the future at local, state and federal levels, both in the United States and elsewhere.
All
of our Company's facilities in the United States and elsewhere around the world are subject to various environmental laws and regulations. Compliance with these provisions has not
had, and we do not expect such compliance to have, any material adverse effect on our Company's capital expenditures, net income or competitive position.
Employees
As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, our Company had approximately 71,000 and 55,000 employees, respectively, of which 13,600 and 9,800, respectively, were
employed by entities that we have consolidated under the Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities"
("Interpretation No. 46(R)"). At the end of 2006 and 2005, our Company had approximately 12,200 and 10,400 employees, respectively, located in the United States, of which approximately 1,200
and none, respectively, were employed by entities that we have consolidated
under Interpretation No. 46(R). The increase in the number of employees in 2006 was primarily due to the acquisitions and the consolidation of certain bottling operations, mainly in China and
the United States.
Our
Company, through its divisions and subsidiaries, has entered into numerous collective bargaining agreements. We currently expect that we will be able to renegotiate such agreements
on satisfactory terms when they expire. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are generally satisfactory.
Securities Exchange Act Reports
The Company maintains an internet website at the following address: www.thecoca-colacompany.com. The information on the Company's website is not
incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 10-K.
We
make available on or through our website certain reports and amendments to those reports that we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") in
accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These include our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, and Section 16 filings. We make this information available on our website free of charge as soon as reasonably
practicable after we electronically file the information with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the following factors, which could materially affect our business,
financial condition or future results. The risks described below are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be
immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
12
Obesity concerns may reduce demand for some of our products.
Consumers, public health officials and government officials are becoming increasingly aware of and concerned about the public health consequences associated with
obesity, particularly among young people. In addition, press reports indicate that lawyers and consumer advocates have publicly threatened to instigate litigation against companies in our industry,
including us, alleging unfair and/or deceptive practices related to contracts to sell sparkling and other beverages in schools. Increasing public awareness about these issues and negative publicity
resulting from actual or threatened legal actions may reduce demand for our sparkling beverages, which could affect our profitability.
Water scarcity and poor quality could negatively impact the Coca-Cola system's production costs and capacity.
Water is the main ingredient in substantially all of our products. It is also a limited resource in many parts of the world, facing unprecedented challenges from
overexploitation, increasing pollution and poor management. As demand for water continues to increase around the world and as the quality of available water deteriorates, our system may incur
increasing production costs or face capacity constraints which could adversely affect our profitability or net operating revenues in the long run.
Changes in the nonalcoholic beverages business environment could impact our financial results.
The nonalcoholic beverages business environment is rapidly evolving as a result of, among other things, changes in consumer preferences, including changes based
on health and nutrition considerations and obesity concerns, shifting consumer tastes and needs, changes in consumer lifestyles, increased consumer information and competitive product and pricing
pressures. In addition, the industry is being affected by the trend toward consolidation in the retail channel, particularly in Europe and the United States. If we are unable to successfully adapt to
this rapidly changing environment, our net income, share of sales and volume growth could be negatively affected.
Increased competition could hurt our business.
The nonalcoholic beverages segment of the commercial beverages industry is highly competitive. We compete with major international beverage companies that, like
our Company, operate in multiple geographic areas, as well as numerous firms that are primarily local in operation. In many countries in which we do business, including the United States,
PepsiCo, Inc. is a primary competitor. Other significant competitors include, but are not limited to, Nestlé, Cadbury Schweppes plc, Groupe Danone and Kraft Foods Inc. Our
ability to gain or
maintain share of sales or gross margins in the global market or in various local markets may be limited as a result of actions by competitors.
If we are unable to expand our operations in developing and emerging markets, our growth rate could be negatively affected.
Our success depends in part on our ability to grow our business in developing and emerging markets, which in turn depends on economic and political conditions in
those markets and on our ability to acquire or form strategic business alliances with local bottlers and to make necessary infrastructure enhancements to production facilities, distribution networks,
sales equipment and technology. Moreover, the supply of our products in developing and emerging markets must match customers' demand for those products. Due to product price, limited purchasing power
and cultural differences, there can be no assurance that our products will be accepted in any particular developing or emerging market.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates could affect our financial results.
We earn revenues, pay expenses, own assets and incur liabilities in countries using currencies other than the U.S. dollar, including the euro, the Japanese yen,
the Brazilian real and the Mexican peso. In 2006, we used 63
13
functional
currencies in addition to the U.S. dollar and derived approximately 72 percent of our net operating revenues from operations outside of the United States. Because our consolidated
financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, we must translate revenues, income and expenses, as well as assets and liabilities, into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect during or at the
end of each reporting period. Therefore, increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies will affect our net operating revenues, operating income and the value of
balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies. Because of the geographic diversity of our operations, weaknesses in some currencies might be offset by strengths in others over time. We also
use derivative financial instruments to further reduce our net exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations. However, we cannot assure you that fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates,
particularly the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against major currencies, would not materially affect our financial results. In addition, we are exposed to adverse changes in interest rates. When
appropriate, we use derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to interest rate risks. We cannot assure you, however, that our financial risk management program will be successful in
reducing the risks inherent in exposures to interest rate fluctuations.
We rely on our bottling partners for a significant portion of our business. If we are unable to maintain good relationships with our bottling partners,
our business could suffer.
We generate a significant portion of our net operating revenues by selling concentrates and syrups to bottlers in which we do not have any ownership interest or
in which we have a noncontrolling ownership interest. In 2006, approximately 83 percent of our worldwide unit case volume was produced and distributed by bottling partners in which the Company
did not have controlling interests. As independent companies, our bottling partners, some of which are publicly traded companies, make their own business decisions that may not always align with our
interests. In addition, many of our bottling partners have the right to manufacture or distribute their own products or certain products of other beverage companies. If we are unable to provide an
appropriate mix of incentives to our bottling partners through a combination of pricing and marketing and advertising support, they may take actions that, while maximizing their own
short-term profits, may be detrimental to our Company or our brands, or they may devote more of their energy and resources to business opportunities or products other than those of the
Company. Such actions could, in the long run, have an adverse effect on our profitability. In addition, the loss of one or more major customers by one of our major bottling partners, or disruptions of
bottling operations that may be caused by strikes, work stoppages or labor unrest affecting such bottlers, could indirectly affect our results.
If our bottling partners' financial condition deteriorates, our business and financial results could be affected.
The success of our business depends on the financial strength and viability of our bottling partners. Our bottling partners' financial condition is affected in
large part by conditions and events that are beyond our control, including competitive and general market conditions in the territories in which they operate and the availability of capital and other
financing resources on reasonable terms. While under our bottlers' agreements we generally have the right to unilaterally change the prices we charge for our concentrates and syrups, our ability to do
so may be materially limited by the financial condition of the applicable bottlers and their ability to pass price increases along to their customers. In addition, because we have investments in
certain of our bottling partners, which we account for under the equity method, our operating results include our proportionate share of such bottling partners' income or loss. Also, a deterioration
of the financial condition of bottling partners in which we have investments could affect the carrying values of such investments and result in write-offs. Therefore, a significant
deterioration of our bottling partners' financial condition could adversely affect our financial results.
14
If we are unable to renew collective bargaining agreements on satisfactory terms or we experience strikes or work stoppages, our business could suffer.
Many of our employees at our key manufacturing locations are covered by collective bargaining agreements. If we are unable to renew such agreements on
satisfactory terms, our labor costs could increase, which would affect our profit margins. In addition, strikes or work stoppages at any of our major manufacturing plants could impair our ability to
supply concentrates and syrups to our customers, which would reduce our revenues and could expose us to customer claims.
Increase in the cost of energy could affect our profitability.
Our Company-owned bottling operations and our bottling partners operate a large fleet of trucks and other motor vehicles. In addition, we and our bottlers use a
significant amount of electricity, natural gas and other energy sources to operate our concentrate and bottling plants. An increase in the price of fuel and other energy sources would increase our and
the Coca-Cola system's operating costs and, therefore, could negatively impact our profitability.
Increase in cost, disruption of supply or shortage of raw materials could harm our business.
We and our bottling partners use various raw materials in our business including high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame potassium,
sucralose and orange juice concentrate. The prices for these raw materials fluctuate depending on market conditions. Substantial increases in the prices for our raw materials, to the extent they
cannot be recouped through increases in the prices of finished beverage products, would increase our and the Coca-Cola system's operating costs and could reduce our profitability.
Increases in the prices of our finished products resulting from higher raw material costs could affect affordability in some markets and reduce Coca-Cola system sales. In addition, some of
these raw materials, such as aspartame, acesulfame potassium and sucralose, are available from a limited number of suppliers. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain favorable
arrangements and relationships with these suppliers. An increase in the cost or a sustained interruption in the supply or shortage of some of these raw materials that may be caused by a deterioration
of our relationships with suppliers or by events such as natural disasters, power outages, labor strikes or the like, could negatively impact our net revenues and profits.
Changes in laws and regulations relating to beverage containers and packaging could increase our costs and reduce demand for our products.
We and our bottlers currently offer nonrefillable, recyclable containers in the United States and in various other markets around the world. Legal requirements
have been enacted in various jurisdictions in the United States and overseas requiring that deposits or certain ecotaxes or fees be charged for the sale, marketing and use of certain nonrefillable
beverage containers. Other beverage container-related deposit, recycling, ecotax and/or product stewardship proposals have been introduced in various jurisdictions in the United States and overseas
and we anticipate that similar legislation or regulations may be proposed in the future at local, state and federal levels, both in the United States and elsewhere. If these types of requirements are
adopted and implemented on a large scale in any of the major markets in which we operate, they could affect our costs or require changes in our distribution model, which could reduce our net operating
revenues or profitability. In addition, container-deposit laws, or regulations that impose additional burdens on retailers, could cause a shift away from our products to retailer-proprietary brands,
which could impact the demand for our products in the affected markets.
Significant additional labeling or warning requirements may inhibit sales of affected products.
Various jurisdictions may seek to adopt significant additional product labeling or warning requirements relating to the chemical content or perceived adverse
health consequences of certain of our products. These types of requirements, if they become applicable to one or more of our major products under current or future
15
environmental
or health laws or regulations, may inhibit sales of such products. In California, a law requires that a specific warning appear on any product that contains a component listed by the
state as having been found to cause cancer or birth defects. This law recognizes no generally applicable quantitative thresholds below which a warning is not required. If a component found in one of
our products is added to the list, or if the increasing sensitivity of detection methodology that may become available under this law and related regulations as they currently exist, or as they may be
amended, results in the detection of an infinitesimal quantity of a listed substance in one of our beverages produced for sale in California, the resulting warning requirements or adverse publicity
could affect our sales.
Unfavorable economic and political conditions in international markets could hurt our business.
We derive a significant portion of our net operating revenues from sales of our products in international markets. In 2006, our operations outside of the United
States accounted for approximately 72 percent of our
net operating revenues. Unfavorable economic and political conditions in certain of our international markets, including civil unrest and governmental changes, could undermine consumer confidence and
reduce the consumers' purchasing power, thereby reducing demand for our products. In addition, product boycotts resulting from political activism could reduce demand for our products, while
restrictions on our ability to transfer earnings or capital across borders that may be imposed or expanded as a result of political and economic instability could impact our profitability. Without
limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the current unstable economic and political conditions and civil unrest and political activism in the Middle East, India or the Philippines, the
unstable situation in Iraq, or the continuation or escalation of terrorist activities could adversely impact our international business.
Changes in commercial and market practices within the European Economic Area may affect the sales of our products.
We and our bottlers are subject to an Undertaking, rendered legally binding in June 2005 by a decision of the European Commission, pursuant to which we
committed to make certain changes in our commercial and market practices in the European Economic Area Member States. The Undertaking potentially applies in 27 countries and in all channels of
distribution where our sparkling beverages account for over 40 percent of national sales and twice the nearest competitor's share. The commitments we and our bottlers made in the Undertaking
relate broadly to exclusivity, percentagebased purchasing commitments, transparency, target rebates, tying, assortment or range commitments, and agreements concerning products of other
suppliers. The Undertaking also applies to shelf space commitments in agreements with take-home customers and to financing and availability agreements in the on-premise
channel. In addition, the Undertaking includes commitments that are applicable to commercial arrangements concerning the installation and use of technical equipment (such as coolers, fountain
equipment and vending machines). Adjustments to our business model in the European Economic Area Member States as a result of these commitments or of future interpretations of European Union
competition laws and regulations could adversely affect our sales in the European Economic Area markets.
Litigation or legal proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and damage our reputation.
We are party to various litigation claims and legal proceedings. We evaluate these litigation claims and legal proceedings to assess the likelihood of unfavorable
outcomes and to estimate, if possible, the amount of potential losses. Based on these assessments and estimates, we establish reserves and/or disclose the relevant litigation claims or legal
proceedings, as appropriate. These assessments and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant amount of management judgment. We caution you
that actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from those envisioned by our current assessments and estimates. In addition, we have bottling and other business operations in emerging or
developing markets with high risk legal compliance environments. Our policies and procedures require strict
16
compliance
by our employees and agents with all United States and local laws and regulations applicable to our business operations, including those prohibiting improper payments to government
officials. Nonetheless, we cannot assure you that our policies, procedures and related training programs will always ensure full compliance by our employees and agents with all applicable legal
requirements. Improper conduct by our employees or agents could damage our reputation in the United States and internationally or lead to litigation or legal proceedings that could result in civil or
criminal penalties, including substantial monetary fines, as well as disgorgement of profits.
Adverse weather conditions could reduce the demand for our products.
The sales of our products are influenced to some extent by weather conditions in the markets in which we operate. Unusually cold weather during the summer months
may have a temporary effect on the demand for our products and contribute to lower sales, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations for those periods.
If we are unable to maintain brand image and product quality, or if we encounter other product issues such as product recalls, our business may suffer.
Our success depends on our ability to maintain brand image for our existing products and effectively build up brand image for new products and brand extensions.
We cannot assure you, however, that additional expenditures and our renewed commitment to advertising and marketing will have the desired impact on our products' brand image and on consumer
preferences. Product quality issues, real or imagined, or allegations of product contamination, even when false or unfounded, could tarnish the image of the affected brands and may cause consumers to
choose other products. In addition, because of changing government regulations or
implementation thereof, allegations of product contamination or lack of consumer interest in certain products, we may be required from time to time to recall products entirely or from specific
markets. Product recalls could affect our profitability and could negatively affect brand image. Also, adverse publicity surrounding obesity concerns, water usage, labor relations and the like could
negatively affect our Company's overall reputation and our products' acceptance by consumers.
Changes in the legal and regulatory environment in the countries in which we operate could increase our costs or reduce our net operating revenues.
Our Company's business is subject to various laws and regulations in the numerous countries throughout the world in which we do business, including laws and
regulations relating to competition, product safety, advertising and labeling, container deposits, recycling or stewardship, the protection of the environment, and employment and labor practices. In
the United States, the production, distribution and sale of many of our products are subject to, among others, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Lanham
Act, state consumer protection laws, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, various environmental statutes, as well as various state and local statutes and regulations. Outside the United States, the
production, distribution, sale, advertising and labeling of many of our products are also subject to various laws and regulations. Changes in applicable laws or regulations or evolving interpretations
thereof could, in certain circumstances result in increased compliance costs or capital expenditures, which could affect our profitability, or impede the production or distribution of our products,
which could affect our net operating revenues.
Changes in accounting standards and taxation requirements could affect our financial results.
New accounting standards or pronouncements that may become applicable to our Company from time to time, or changes in the interpretation of existing standards and
pronouncements, could have a significant effect on our reported results for the affected periods. We are also subject to income tax in the numerous jurisdictions in which we generate net operating
revenues. In addition, our products are subject to import and excise duties
17
and/or
sales or value-added taxes in many jurisdictions in which we operate. Increases in income tax rates could reduce our after-tax income from affected jurisdictions, while increases in
indirect taxes could affect our products' affordability and therefore reduce demand for our products.
If we are not able to achieve our overall long term goals, the value of an investment in our Company could be negatively affected.
We have established and publicly announced certain long-term growth objectives. These objectives were based on our evaluation of our growth prospects,
which are generally based on volume and sales potential of many product types, some of which are more profitable than others, and on an assessment of potential level or mix of product sales. There can
be no assurance that we will achieve the required volume or revenue growth or mix of products necessary to achieve our growth objectives.
If we are unable to protect our information systems against data corruption, cyber-based attacks or network security breaches, our operations could be
disrupted.
We are increasingly dependent on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet, to process, transmit and store electronic information. In
particular, we depend on our information technology infrastructure for digital marketing activities and electronic communications among our locations around the world and between Company personnel and
our bottlers and other customers and suppliers. Security breaches of this infrastructure can create system disruptions, shutdowns or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. If we are
unable to prevent such breaches, our operations could be disrupted or we may suffer financial damage or loss because of lost or misappropriated information.
We may be required to recognize additional impairment charges.
We assess our goodwill, trademarks and other intangible assets and our long-lived assets as and when required by generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States to determine whether they are impaired. In 2006, we recorded a charge of approximately $602 million to equity income resulting from the impact of our
proportionate share of an impairment charge recorded by CCE, and impairment charges of approximately $41 million primarily related to trademarks for beverages sold in the Philippines and
Indonesia; in 2005, we recorded impairment charges of approximately $89 million primarily related to our operations and investments in the Philippines; and in 2004, we recorded impairment
charges of approximately $374 million primarily related to franchise rights at Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetraenke AG ("CCEAG"). If market conditions in North America, India, Indonesia
or the Philippines do not improve or deteriorate further, we may be required to record additional impairment charges. In addition, unexpected declines in our operating results and structural changes
or divestitures in these and other markets may also result in impairment charges. Additional impairment charges would reduce our reported earnings for the periods in which they are recorded.
If we do not successfully manage our Company-owned bottling operations, our results could suffer.
While we primarily manufacture, market and sell concentrates and syrups to our bottling partners, from time to time we do acquire or take control of bottling
operations. Often, though not always, these bottling operations are in underperforming markets where we believe we can use our resources and expertise to improve performance. We may incur unforeseen
liabilities and obligations in connection with acquiring, taking control of or managing such bottling operations and may encounter unexpected difficulties and costs in restructuring and integrating
them into our Company's operating and internal control structures. In addition, our financial performance and the strength and efficiency of the Coca-Cola system depend in part on how well
we can manage and improve the performance of Company-owned or controlled bottling operations. We cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to achieve our strategic and financial objectives for
such bottling operations.
18
Global or regional catastrophic events could impact our operations and financial results.
Because of our global presence and worldwide operations, our business can be affected by large-scale terrorist acts, especially those directed against the United
States or other major industrialized countries; the outbreak or escalation of armed hostilities; major natural disasters; or widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases such as avian influenza or
severe acute respiratory syndrome (generally known as SARS). Such events could impair our ability to manage our business around the world, could disrupt our supply of raw materials, and could impact
production, transportation and delivery of concentrates, syrups and finished products. In addition, such events could cause disruption of regional or global economic activity, which can affect
consumers' purchasing power in the affected areas and, therefore, reduce demand for our products.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our worldwide headquarters is located on a 35-acre office complex in Atlanta, Georgia. The complex includes the approximately 621,000 square foot
headquarters building, the approximately 870,000 square foot Coca-Cola North America building and the approximately 264,000 square foot Coca-Cola Plaza building. The complex
also includes several other buildings, including technical and engineering facilities, a learning center and a reception center. Our Company leases approximately 250,000 square feet of office space at
10 Glenlake Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia, which we currently sublease to third parties. In addition, we lease approximately 218,000 square feet of office space at Northridge Business Park,
Dunwoody, Georgia. The North America operating segment owns and occupies an office building located in Houston, Texas, that contains approximately 330,000 square feet. The Company has facilities for
administrative operations, manufacturing, processing, packaging, packing, storage and warehousing throughout the United States.
As
of December 31, 2006, our Company owned and operated 32 principal beverage concentrate and/or syrup manufacturing plants located throughout the world. In addition, we own, hold
a majority interest in or otherwise consolidate under applicable accounting rules 37 operations with 95 principal beverage bottling and canning plants located outside the United States. We also
own four bottled water production facilities and lease one such facility in the United States.
Our
North America operating segment operates nine still beverage production facilities, in addition to the bottled water facilities mentioned above, located throughout the United States
and Canada. It also utilizes a system of contract packers to produce and/or distribute certain products where appropriate. In addition, our North America operating segment owns a facility that
manufactures juice concentrates for foodservice use.
We
own or lease additional real estate, including a Company-owned office and retail building at 711 Fifth Avenue in New York, New York, and approximately 315,000 square feet of
Company-owned office and technical space in Brussels, Belgium. Additional owned or leased real estate located throughout the world is used by the Company as office space; for bottling operations,
warehouse or retail operations; or, in the case of some owned property, is leased to others.
19
Management believes that our Company's facilities for the production of our products are suitable and adequate, that they are being appropriately utilized in line with past experience,
and that they have sufficient production capacity for their present intended purposes. The extent of utilization of such facilities varies based upon seasonal demand for our products. It is not
possible to measure with any degree of certainty or uniformity the productive capacity and extent of utilization of these facilities. However, management believes that additional production can be
obtained at the existing facilities by adding personnel and capital equipment and, at some facilities, by adding shifts of personnel or expanding the facilities. We continuously review our anticipated
requirements for facilities and, on the basis of that review, may from time to time acquire additional facilities and/or dispose of existing facilities.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On October 27, 2000, a class action lawsuit (Carpenters Health & Welfare Fund of Philadelphia & Vicinity v. The
Coca-Cola Company, et al.) was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia alleging that the Company, M. Douglas Ivester, Jack L.
Stahl and James E. Chestnut violated antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws by making misrepresentations or material omissions relating to the Company's financial condition and prospects
in late 1999 and early 2000. A second, largely identical lawsuit (Gaetan LaValla v. The Coca-Cola Company, et al.) was filed in the same
court on November 9, 2000. The complaints allege that the Company and the individual named officers: (1) forced certain Coca-Cola system bottlers to accept "excessive,
unwanted and unneeded" sales of concentrate during the third and fourth quarters of 1999, thus creating a misleading sense of improvement in our Company's performance in those quarters;
(2) failed to write down the value of impaired assets in Russia, Japan and elsewhere on a timely basis, again resulting in the presentation of misleading interim financial results in the third
and fourth quarters of 1999; and (3) misrepresented the reasons for Mr. Ivester's departure from the Company and then misleadingly reassured the financial community that there would be
no changes in the Company's core business strategy or financial outlook following that departure. Damages in an unspecified amount are sought in both complaints.
On
January 8, 2001, an order was entered by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia consolidating the two cases for all purposes. The Court also
ordered the plaintiffs to file a Consolidated Amended Complaint. On July 25, 2001, the plaintiffs filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint,
which largely repeated the allegations made in the original complaints and added Douglas N. Daft as an additional defendant.
On
September 25, 2001, the defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss all counts of the Consolidated Amended Complaint. On August 20, 2002, the Court granted in part and denied
in part the defendants' Motion to Dismiss. The Court also granted the plaintiffs' Motion for Leave to Amend the Complaint. On September 4, 2002, the defendants filed a Motion for Partial
Reconsideration of the Court's August 20, 2002 ruling. The motion was denied by the Court on April 15, 2003.
On
June 2, 2003, the plaintiffs filed an Amended Consolidated Complaint. The defendants moved to dismiss the Amended Complaint on June 30, 2003. On March 31, 2004,
the Court granted in part and denied in part the defendants' Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint. In its order, the Court dismissed a number of the plaintiffs' allegations, including the claim
that the Company made knowingly false statements to financial analysts. The Court permitted the remainder of the allegations to proceed to discovery. The Court denied the plaintiffs' request for leave
to further amend and replead their complaint. Discovery commenced on May 14, 2004, and is ongoing. The fact discovery cutoff currently is March 23, 2007.
The
Company believes it has substantial legal and factual defenses to the plaintiffs' claims.
On
December 20, 2002, the Company filed a lawsuit (The Coca-Cola Company v. Aqua-Chem, Inc., Civil Action
No. 2002CV631-50) in the Superior Court, Fulton County, Georgia (the "Georgia Case"), seeking a declaratory judgment that the Company has no obligation to
its former subsidiary, Aqua-Chem, Inc., now known as Cleaver-Brooks, Inc. ("Aqua-Chem"), for any past, present or future liabilities or expenses in connection with any
claims or lawsuits against Aqua-Chem. Subsequent to the Company's filing but on the same day,
20
Aqua-Chem
filed a lawsuit (Aqua-Chem, Inc. v. The Coca-Cola Company, Civil Action No. 02CV012179) in
the Circuit Court, Civil Division of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (the "Wisconsin Case"). In the Wisconsin Case, Aqua-Chem sought a declaratory judgment that the Company is responsible for
all liabilities and expenses not covered by insurance in connection with certain of Aqua-Chem's general and product liability claims arising from occurrences prior to the Company's sale of
Aqua-Chem in 1981, and a judgment for breach of contract in an amount exceeding $9 million for costs incurred by Aqua-Chem to date in connection with such claims. The
Wisconsin Case initially was stayed, pending final resolution of the Georgia Case, and later was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice by Aqua-Chem.
The
Company owned Aqua-Chem from 1970 to 1981. During that time, the Company purchased over $400 million of insurance coverage, of which approximately
$350 million is still available to
cover Aqua-Chem's costs for certain product liability and other claims. The Company sold Aqua-Chem to Lyonnaise American Holding, Inc. in 1981 under the terms of a stock
sale agreement. The 1981 agreement, and a subsequent 1983 settlement agreement, outlined the parties' rights and obligations concerning past and future claims and lawsuits involving
Aqua-Chem. Cleaver Brooks, a division of Aqua-Chem, manufactured boilers, some of which contained asbestos gaskets. Aqua-Chem was first named as a defendant in
asbestos lawsuits in or around 1985 and currently has more than 100,000 claims pending against it.
The
parties agreed in 2004 to stay the Georgia Case pending the outcome of insurance coverage litigation filed by certain Aqua-Chem insurers on March 26, 2004. In the
coverage action, five plaintiff insurance companies filed suit (Century Indemnity Company, et al. v. Aqua-Chem, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, et
al., Case No. 04CV002852) in the Circuit Court, Civil Division of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, against the Company, Aqua-Chem and 16 insurance companies.
Several of the policies that are the subject of the coverage action were issued to the Company during the period (1970 to 1981) when the Company owned Aqua-Chem. The complaint seeks a
determination of the respective rights and obligations under the insurance policies issued with regard to asbestos-related claims against Aqua-Chem. The action also seeks a monetary
judgment reimbursing any amounts paid by the plaintiffs in excess of their obligations. Two of the insurers, one with a $15 million policy limit and one with a $25 million policy limit,
have asserted cross-claims against the Company, alleging that the Company and/or its insurers are responsible for Aqua-Chem's asbestos liabilities before any obligation is triggered on the
part of that cross-claimant insurers to pay for those costs under their policies.
Aqua-Chem
and the Company filed and obtained a partial summary judgment determination in the coverage action that the insurers for Aqua-Chem and the Company were
jointly and severally liable for coverage amounts, but reserving judgment on other defenses that might apply. Aqua-Chem and the Company subsequently reached settlements with six of the
insurers in the Wisconsin insurance coverage litigation, and those insurers will pay funds into an escrow account for payment of costs arising from the asbestos claims against Aqua-Chem.
Aqua-Chem also has reached a settlement with an additional insurer regarding payment of that insurer's policy proceeds for Aqua-Chem's asbestos claims. Aqua-Chem
and the Company continue to negotiate their claims for coverage with the remaining insurers that are parties to the Wisconsin insurance coverage case. To the extent that these negotiations do not
result in settlements, the Company believes that there are substantial legal and factual arguments supporting the position that the insurance policies at issue provide coverage for the
asbestos-related claims against Aqua-Chem, and both the Company and Aqua-Chem have asserted these arguments in response to the complaint. The Company also believes it has
substantial legal and factual defenses to the claims of the cross-claimant insurer.
The
Company is discussing with the Competition Directorate of the European Commission (the "European Commission") issues relating to parallel trade within the European Union arising out
of comments received by the European Commission from third parties. The Company is fully cooperating with the European Commission and is providing information on these issues and the measures taken
and to be taken to address any issues raised. The Company is unable to predict at this time with any reasonable degree of certainty what action, if any, the European Commission will take with respect
to these issues.
21
In
May and July 2005, two putative class action lawsuits (Selbst v. The Coca-Cola Company and Douglas N. Daft and Amalgamated Bank, et al. v. The Coca-Cola Company, Douglas N.
Daft, E. Neville Isdell, Steven J. Heyer and Gary P. Fayard) alleging
violations of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws were filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against the Company and certain
current and former executive officers. These cases were subsequently consolidated, and an amended and consolidated complaint was filed in September 2005. The purported class consists of
persons, except the defendants, who purchased Company stock between January 30, 2003, and September 15, 2004, and were damaged thereby. The amended and consolidated complaint alleges,
among other things, that during the class period the defendants made false and misleading statements about (a) the Company's new business strategy/model, (b) the Company's execution of
its new business strategy/model, (c) the state of the Company's critical bottler relationships, (d) the Company's North American business, (e) the Company's European operations,
with a particular emphasis on Germany, (f) the Company's marketing and introduction of new products, particularly Coca-Cola C2, and (g) the Company's forecast for growth
going forward. The plaintiffs claim that as a result of these allegedly false and misleading statements, the price of the Company stock increased dramatically during the purported class period. The
amended and consolidated complaint also alleges that in September and November of 2004, the Company and E. Neville Isdell acknowledged that the Company's performance had been below expectations, that
various corrective actions were needed, that the Company was lowering its forecasts, and that there would be no quick fixes. In addition, the amended and consolidated complaint alleges that the charge
announced by the Company in November 2004 should have been taken early in 2003 and that, as a result, the Company's financial statements were materially misstated during 2003 and the first
three quarters of 2004. The plaintiffs, on behalf of the putative class, seek compensatory damages in an amount to be proved at trial, extraordinary, equitable and/or injunctive relief as permitted by
law to assure that the class has an effective remedy, award of reasonable costs and expenses, including counsel and expert fees, and such other further relief as the Court may deem just and proper. On
November 21, 2005, the Company and the individual parties filed a motion to dismiss the amended and consolidated complaint. The plaintiffs filed their response to that motion on
January 27, 2006. On September 29, 2006, the Court entered its order granting the Company's motion to dismiss the amended complaint in its entirety and granted the plaintiffs
20 days from its date of entry within which to seek leave to file a second amended complaint to attempt to correct deficiencies noted therein. On October 23, 2006, plaintiffs
advised the court that they would not seek leave to file a second amended complaint thereby concluding this matter.
On
June 30, 2005, Maryann Chapman filed a purported shareholder derivative action (Chapman v. Isdell, et al.) in the Superior Court
of Fulton County, Georgia, alleging violations of state law by certain individual current and former members of the Board of Directors of the Company and senior management, including breaches of
fiduciary duties, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets and unjust enrichment, between January 2003 and the date of filing of the complaint that have caused
substantial losses to the Company and other damages, such as to its reputation and goodwill. The defendants named in the lawsuit include Neville Isdell, Douglas Daft, Gary Fayard, Ronald Allen,
Cathleen Black, Warren Buffett, Herbert Allen, Barry Diller, Donald McHenry, Sam Nunn, James Robinson, Peter Ueberroth, James Williams, Donald Keough, Maria Lagomasino, Pedro Reinhard, Robert Nardelli
and Susan Bennett King. The Company is also named a nominal defendant. The complaint further alleges that the September 2004 earnings warning issued by the Company resulted from factors known
by the individual defendants as early as January 2003 that were not adequately disclosed to the investing public until the earnings warning. The factors cited in the complaint include
(i) a flawed business strategy and a business model that was not working; (ii) a workforce so depleted by layoffs that it was unable to properly react to changing market conditions;
(iii) impaired relationships with key bottlers; and (iv) the fact that the foregoing conditions would lead to diminished earnings. The plaintiff, purportedly on behalf of the Company,
seeks damages in an unspecified amount, extraordinary equitable and/or injunctive relief, restitution and disgorgement of profits, reimbursement for costs and disbursements of the action, and such
other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper. The Company's motion to dismiss the complaint and the plaintiff's response were filed and fully briefed. The Court heard oral argument on
the
22
Company's
motion to dismiss on June 6, 2006. Following the hearing, the Court took the matter under advisement and the parties are awaiting a ruling. The Company intends to vigorously defend
its interests in this matter.
During
May, June and July 2005, three similar putative class action lawsuits (Pedraza v. The Coca-Cola Company, et al., Shamrey, et al. v. The
Coca-Cola Company, et al. and Jackson v. The Coca-Cola Company, et al.) were filed in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of Georgia by participants in the Company's Thrift & Investment Plan (the "Plan") alleging breach of fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 by the Company, certain current and former executive officers, and the Company's Benefits Committee. The purported class in each of these cases consists of the Plan and
persons who were participants in or beneficiaries of the Plan between May 13, 1997 and April 18, 2005 and whose accounts included investments in Company stock. The complaints allege
that, among other things, the defendants failed to exercise the required care, skill, prudence and diligence in managing the Plan and its assets; take steps to eliminate or reduce the amount of
Company stock in the Plan; adequately diversify the Plan's investments in Company stock, appoint qualified administrators and properly monitor their and the Plan's performance; and disclose accurate
information about the Company. The plaintiffs, on behalf of the putative class, seek, among other things, declaratory relief, damages for Plan losses and lost profits, imposition of constructive trust
as a remedy for unjust enrichment, injunctive relief, costs and attorneys' fees, equitable restitution and other appropriate equitable and monetary relief. By order of the Court, an amended complaint
was filed in the Jackson case on September 16, 2005. The amended complaint supplements the detailed allegations of the original complaint and
names specific individual defendants who served on the Benefits Committee. Identical amended complaints were also filed in Pedraza and Shamrey. In each of
the three cases, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed three individual defendants. The Company filed motions to dismiss all claims in
each case.
On
September 29, 2006, the Court dismissed all but one claim against the Benefits Committee and its members. The Court ordered plaintiffs to replead the remaining claim against
the Benefits Committee with specificity within 20 days. On November 14, 2006, the Court entered a stipulation and order to dismiss the remaining claim with prejudice thereby concluding
this matter.
In
February 2006, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a purported shareholder of CCE, filed a derivative suit (International Brotherhood of
Teamsters v. The Coca-Cola Company, et al.) in the Delaware Court of Chancery for New Castle County naming the Company and current and former CCE board members,
including certain current and former Company officers who serve or served on CCE's board, as defendants. The plaintiff alleged that the Company breached fiduciary duties owed to CCE shareholders based
upon alleged control of CCE by the Company. The complaint also alleged that the Company had actual control over CCE and that the Company abused its control by maximizing its own financial condition at
the expense of CCE's financial condition. Subsequently, two lawsuits virtually identical to Teamsters were filed in the same court: Lang v. The Coca-Cola Company, et al.,
filed March 30, 2006, and Gordon v. The Coca-Cola Company,
et al., filed April 10, 2006. On April 6, 2006, the Company moved to dismiss Teamsters or, in the alternative, for
a stay of discovery (the "Dismissal Motion"). On May 19, 2006, the Chancery Court entered an order consolidating Teamsters, Lang and Gordon under the
caption In re Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. Shareholders Litigation
and requiring the plaintiffs to file an amended consolidated complaint in the consolidated action as soon as practicable.
On
September 29, 2006, plaintiffs filed their Consolidated Amended Shareholders' Derivative Complaint (the "Amended Complaint"). The Amended Complaint omits certain former Company
officers from the group of individual defendants and defines the "relevant time period" for purposes of the claims as October 15, 2003, through the date of the filing. The original complaint
did not identify any specific dates. The Amended Complaint also includes additional allegations about the conduct of the Company and certain of its executive officers, including new allegations about
the Company's purported control over CCE and allegations of improper conduct in connection with the establishment of a warehouse delivery system to supply Powerade to a major customer. On
December 7, 2006, the Company filed its motion to dismiss the amended complaint and accompanying brief. The plaintiffs' reply brief was filed on January 22, 2007.
23
The
Company believes it has substantial factual and legal defenses to the plaintiffs' claims and intends to defend itself vigorously.
In
February 2006, two largely identical cases were filed against the Company and CCE, one in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama
(Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, et al. v. The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.), and the
other in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Southern Division (Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company, et al. v. The
Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.) by bottlers that collectively represented approximately 10 percent of
the Company's U.S. unit case volume for 2005. The plaintiffs in these lawsuits allege, among other things, that the Company and CCE are acting in concert to establish a warehouse delivery system to
supply Powerade to a major customer, which the plaintiffs contend would be detrimental to their interests as authorized distributors of this product. The plaintiffs claim that the alleged conduct
constitutes breach of contract, implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and expressed covenant of good faith by the Company and CCE. In addition, the plaintiffs seek remedies against the
Company and CCE on a promissory estoppel theory. The plaintiffs seek actual and punitive damages, interest, and costs and attorneys' fees, as well as permanent injunctive relief, in the Alabama case,
and preliminary and permanent injunctive relief in the federal case. The Company and CCE filed motions to dismiss the plaintiffs' complaint in the Alabama case, and the Court scheduled a hearing on
these motions for early May 2006. In the federal case, the Court granted the Company's and CCE's motion to change venue to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Shortly thereafter, the plaintiffs in the federal case withdrew their request for preliminary injunctive relief. The Company and CCE also filed motions to dismiss the plaintiffs' complaint in the
federal case.
During
the third quarter of 2006, a motion by Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated ("Consolidated") to intervene in the federal case was granted, and the plaintiffs in both
cases amended their pleadings to add claims challenging warehouse delivery programs for Dasani and Minute Maid juices. Also, during the fourth quarter of 2006, the parties engaged in a temporary
"slow-down" of the litigation in order to explore business discussions that might lead to resolution of the issues in the case. As a result of these discussions, the parties have agreed to
work together to develop and test new customer service and distribution systems to supplement their direct store delivery system. Pursuant to that agreement, as of February 13, 2007, all but
five of the plaintiffs in these lawsuits have signed settlement agreements and will dismiss their lawsuits without prejudice. CCE and Consolidated have also signed agreements in which they have
committed to participate in the new customer service and delivery systems as part of the settlement arrangements.
In
the event settlement is not reached with the remaining plaintiffs in these lawsuits, the Company believes that it has substantial factual and legal defenses to the remaining
plaintiffs' claims and intends to defend the cases vigorously.
The
Company is involved in various other legal proceedings. Management of the Company believes that any liability to the Company that may arise as a result of these proceedings,
including the proceedings specifically discussed above, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
ITEM X. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The following are the executive officers of our Company as of February 20, 2007:
Ahmet Bozer, 46, is President of the Eurasia Group. Mr. Bozer joined the Company in 1990 as a Financial Control Manager for
Coca-Cola USA and held a number of other roles in the finance organization. In 1994, he joined Coca-Cola Bottlers of Turkey (now Coca-Cola Icecek A.S.), a joint
venture between the Company, The
24
Anadolu
Group and Özgörkey Companies, as Chief Financial Officer and was later named Managing Director in 1998. In 2000, Mr. Bozer was named President of the
Eurasia Division of the Company. During the period 2000 until 2006, the Eurasia & Middle East Division was expanded to include 34 countries and, in 2006, he was given the additional leadership
responsibility for the Russia, Ukraine and Belarus Division. He was appointed to his current position, effective January 1, 2007.
Alexander B. Cummings, 50, is President of the Africa Group. Mr. Cummings joined the Company in 1997 as Deputy Region Manager,
Nigeria, based in Lagos, Nigeria. In 1998, he was made Managing Director/Region Manager, Nigeria. In 2000, Mr. Cummings became President of the North West Africa Division based in Morocco and
in 2001 became President of the Africa Group overseeing the entire African continent. Mr. Cummings started his career in 1982 with The Pillsbury Company and held various positions within
Pillsbury, the last position being Vice President of Finance for all of Pillsbury's international businesses. Mr. Cummings was appointed to his current position in March 2001.
J. Alexander M. Douglas, Jr., 45, is Senior Vice President and President of the North America Group. Mr. Douglas joined the Company
in January 1988 as a District Sales Manager for the Foodservice Division of Coca-Cola USA. In May 1994, he was named Vice President of Coca-Cola USA, initially
assuming leadership of the CCE Sales & Marketing Group and eventually assuming leadership of the entire North American Field Sales and Marketing Groups. In January 2000,
Mr. Douglas was appointed President of the North American Division within the North America operating group. He served as Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer of the Company from
February 2003 until August 2006. Mr. Douglas was elected to his current position in August 2006.
Gary P. Fayard, 54, is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Fayard joined the Company in
April 1994. In July 1994, he was elected Vice President and Controller. In December 1999, he was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Fayard was
elected Executive Vice President of the Company in February 2003.
Irial Finan, 49, is Executive Vice President of the Company and President, Bottling Investments and Supply Chain. Mr. Finan joined
the Coca-Cola system in 1981 with Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland, Ltd., where for several years he held a variety of accounting positions. From 1987 until 1990,
Mr. Finan served as Finance Director of Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland, Ltd. From 1991 to 1993, he served as Managing Director of Coca-Cola Bottlers
Ulster, Ltd. He was Managing Director of Coca-Cola Bottlers in Romania and Bulgaria until late 1994. From 1995 to 1999, he served as Managing Director of Molino Beverages, with
responsibility for expanding markets including the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Romania, Moldova, Russia and Nigeria. Mr. Finan served from May 2001 until 2003 as Chief
Executive Officer of Coca-Cola HBC. In August 2004, Mr. Finan joined the Company and was named President, Bottling Investments. He was elected Executive Vice President of the
Company in October 2004.
E. Neville Isdell, 63, is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Isdell joined the
Coca-Cola system in 1966 with the local bottling company in Zambia. In 1972, he became General Manager of Coca-Cola Bottling of Johannesburg, the largest Coca-Cola
bottler in South Africa at the time. Mr. Isdell was named Region Manager for Australia in 1980. In 1981, he became President of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc., the
bottling joint venture between the Company and San Miguel Corporation in the Philippines. Mr. Isdell was appointed President of the Central European Division of the Company in 1985. In
January 1989, he was elected Senior Vice President of the Company and was appointed President of the Northeast Europe/Africa Group, which was renamed the Northeast Europe/Middle East Group in
1992. In 1995, Mr. Isdell was named President of the Greater Europe Group. From July 1998 to September 2000, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola
Beverages Plc in Great Britain, where he oversaw that company's merger with Hellenic Bottling and the formation of Coca-Cola HBC, one of the Company's largest bottlers. Mr. Isdell
served as Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola HBC from September 2000 until May 2001 and served as Vice Chairman of Coca-Cola HBC from May 2001 until
December 2001. From January 2002 to
25
May 2004,
Mr. Isdell was an international consultant to the Company. He was elected to his current positions on June 1, 2004.
Glenn G. Jordan S., 50, is President of the Pacific Group. Mr. Jordan joined the Company in 1978 as a field representative for
Coca-Cola de Colombia where, for several years, he held various positions, including Region Manager from 1985 to 1989. Mr. Jordan served as Marketing Operations Manager, Pacific
Group from 1989 to 1990 and as Vice President of Coca-Cola International and Executive Assistant to the Pacific Group President from 1990 to 1991. Mr. Jordan served as Senior Vice
President, Marketing and Operations, for the Brazil Division from 1991 to 1995, as President of the River Plate Division, which comprised Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay from 1995 to 2000, and as
President of the South Latin America Division, comprising Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay from 2000 to 2003. In February 2003, Mr. Jordan was appointed
Executive Vice President and Director of Operations for the Latin America Group and served in that capacity until February 2006. Mr. Jordan was appointed President of the East, South
Asia and Pacific Rim Group in February 2006. The East, South Asia and Pacific Rim Group was reconfigured and renamed the Pacific Group, effective January 1, 2007.
Geoffrey J. Kelly, 62, is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company. Mr. Kelly joined the Company in 1970 in
Australia as manager of the Legal Department for the Australasia Area. Since then he has held a number of key roles, including Senior Counsel for the Pacific Group and subsequently for the Middle and
Far East Group. In 2000, Mr. Kelly was appointed Senior Counsel for International Operations. He became Chief Deputy General Counsel in 2003 and was elected Senior Vice President in 2004. In
January 2005, he assumed the role of Acting General Counsel to the Company, and in July 2005, he was elected General Counsel of the Company.
Muhtar Kent, 54, is President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Mr. Kent joined the Company in 1978 and held a variety of
marketing and operations roles throughout his career with the Company. In 1985, he was appointed General Manager of Coca-Cola Turkey and Central Asia. From 1989 to 1995, Mr. Kent
served as President of the East Central Europe Division and Senior Vice President of Coca-Cola International. Between 1995 and 1998, he served as Managing Director of Coca-Cola
Amatil-Europe, and from 1999 until 2005, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Efes Beverage Group and as a board member of Coca-Cola Icecek. Mr. Kent rejoined the
Company in May 2005 as President, North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East Group, was appointed President, Coca-Cola International in January 2006 and was elected Executive Vice
President in February 2006. He was elected to his current positions in December 2006.
Thomas G. Mattia, 58, is Senior Vice President of the Company and Director of Worldwide Public Affairs and Communications. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Mattia served since 2000 as Vice President of Global Communications at technology services leader EDS, where he was responsible for a wide range of activities from
brand management and media relations to advertising and on-line marketing and communications. From 1995 to 2000, Mr. Mattia held a variety of executive positions with Ford Motor
Company, including head of International Public Affairs, Vice President of Lincoln Mercury and Director of North American Public Affairs. Mr. Mattia was appointed Director of Worldwide Public
Affairs and Communications effective January 20, 2006, and was elected Senior Vice President of the Company in February 2006.
Cynthia P. McCague, 56, is Senior Vice President of the Company and Director of Human Resources. Ms. McCague initially joined the
Company in 1982, and since then has worked across the Coca-Cola business system in a variety of human resources and business roles in Europe and the United States. In 1998, she was
appointed to lead the human resources function for Coca-Cola Beverages Plc in Great Britain, which in 2000 became Coca-Cola HBC, a large publicly traded Coca-Cola
bottler. Ms. McCague rejoined the Company in June 2004 as Director of Human Resources. She was elected Senior Vice President in July 2004.
Mary E. Minnick, 47, is Executive Vice President of the Company and President, Marketing, Strategy and Innovation. Ms. Minnick
joined the Company in 1983 and spent 10 years working in Fountain Sales and the Bottle/Can Division of Coca-Cola USA. In 1993, she joined Corporate Marketing. In 1996, she was
appointed
26
Vice
President and Director, Middle and Far East Marketing, and served in that capacity until 1997 when she was appointed President of the South Pacific Division. In 2000, she was named President of
Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, Limited. Ms. Minnick served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Asia-Pacific Group from January 2002 until May 2005.
She was elected Executive Vice President of the Company in February 2002 and was appointed President, Marketing, Strategy and Innovation in May 2005. On January 18, 2007, the
Company announced that Ms. Minnick will be leaving the Company, effective February 28, 2007.
Dominique Reiniche, 51, is President of the European Union Group. Ms. Reiniche joined the Company in May 2005 and was
appointed to her current position at that time. Prior to joining the Company, she held a number of marketing, sales and general management positions with CCE. From May 1998 until
December 2002, she served as General Manager of France for CCE, and from January 2003 until May 2005, Ms. Reiniche was President of CCE Europe. Before joining the
Coca-Cola system, she was Director of Marketing and Strategy with Kraft Jacobs-Suchard.
José Octavio Reyes, 54, is President of the Latin America Group. He began his career with The Coca-Cola Company
in 1980 at Coca-Cola de México as Manager of Strategic Planning. In 1987, he was appointed Manager of the Sprite and Diet Coke brands at Corporate Headquarters. In 1990, he
was appointed Marketing Director for the Brazil Division, and later became Marketing and Operations Vice President for the Mexico Division. Mr. Reyes assumed the role of Deputy Division
President for the Mexico Division in January 1996 and was named Division President for the Mexico Division in May 1996. He assumed his position as President of the Latin America Group in
December 2002.
Danny L. Strickland, 58, is Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation/Research and Development Officer of the Company.
Mr. Strickland joined the Company in April 2003 and was elected Senior Vice President in June 2003. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Strickland served as Senior Vice
President, Innovation, Technology & Quality at General Mills, Inc. from January 1997 until March 2003. There he was responsible for building a strong product pipeline,
innovation culture and organization. Prior to his position with General Mills, Mr. Strickland held several research and development, innovation, engineering, quality and strategy roles in the
United States and abroad with Johnson & Johnson from March 1993 until December 1996, Kraft Foods Inc. from February 1988 until March 1993, and the
Procter & Gamble Company from June 1970 until February 1988.
All
executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. There is no family relationship between any of the directors or executive officers of the Company.
27
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
In the United States, the Company's common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the principal market for our common stock) and is traded on
the Boston, Chicago, National and Philadelphia stock exchanges.
The
following table sets forth, for the calendar periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share for the Company's common stock, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
composite tape, and dividend per share information:
| |
|
Common Stock Market Price
|
|
|
| |
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
Dividends
Declared
|
| 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Fourth quarter |
|
$ 49.35 |
|
$ 43.72 |
|
$ 0.31 |
| |
Third quarter |
|
45.40 |
|
42.37 |
|
0.31 |
| |
Second quarter |
|
44.76 |
|
40.86 |
|
0.31 |
| |
First quarter |
|
42.99 |
|
39.36 |
|
0.31 |
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Fourth quarter |
|
$ 43.60 |
|
$ 40.31 |
|
$ 0.28 |
| |
Third quarter |
|
44.75 |
|
41.39 |
|
0.28 |
| |
Second quarter |
|
45.26 |
|
40.74 |
|
0.28 |
| |
First quarter |
|
44.15 |
|
40.55 |
|
0.28 |
As of February 20, 2007, there were approximately 315,505 shareowner accounts of record.
The
information under the principal heading "EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareowners to be held on
April 18, 2007, to be filed with the SEC (the "Company's 2007 Proxy Statement"), is incorporated herein by reference.
During
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, no equity securities of the Company were sold by the Company that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
28
The
following table presents information with respect to purchases of common stock of the Company made during the three months ended December 31, 2006, by the Company or any
"affiliated purchaser" of the Company as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act.
| Period |
|
Total Number of
Shares Purchased |
1 |
Average
Price Paid
Per Share |
|
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs |
2 |
Maximum Number of
Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Publicly Announced Plans
or Programs |
3 |
|
|
| September 30, 2006 through October 27, 2006 |
|
0 |
|
$ 0.00 |
|
0 |
|
35,444,540 |
|
| October 28, 2006 through November 24, 2006 |
|
6,530,640 |
|
$ 46.91 |
|
6,530,640 |
|
293,469,360 |
|
| November 25, 2006 through December 31, 2006 |
|
20,586,137 |
|
$ 48.09 |
|
20,586,137 |
|
272,883,223 |
|
|
|
| Total |
|
27,116,777 |
|
$ 47.81 |
|
27,116,777 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
The total number of shares purchased includes (i) shares purchased pursuant to the 1996 Plan prior to October 31, 2006 and pursuant to the 2006 Plan thereafter (the 1996 Plan and 2006 Plan are described in
footnote 2 below); and (ii) shares surrendered to the Company to pay the exercise price and/or to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with so-called stock swap exercises of employee stock options and/or the vesting of
restricted stock issued to employees, of which there were none for the months of October, November and December 2006. |
2 |
On October 17, 1996, we publicly announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a plan (the "1996 Plan") for the Company to purchase up to 206 million shares of the Company's common stock prior to October 31, 2006. This was in addition to
approximately 44 million shares authorized for purchase under a previous plan, which shares had not been purchased by the Company as of October 16, 1996, but were purchased by the Company prior to the commencement of purchases under the 1996 Plan in
1998. On July 20, 2006, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program (the "2006 Plan") of up to 300 million shares of the Company's common stock. The 2006 Plan took effect upon the expiration of the 1996 Plan. This column
discloses the number of shares purchased pursuant to the 1996 Plan prior to October 31, 2006 and pursuant to the 2006 Plan thereafter. |
3 |
Shares authorized for purchase under the 1996 Plan but not purchased prior to its expiration were not carried over to the 2006 Plan. |
29
Performance Graph
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return Among
The Coca-Cola Company, the Peer Group Index and the S&P 500 Index
Total Return
Stock Price Plus Reinvested Dividends
The total return assumes that dividends were reinvested quarterly and is based on a $100 investment on December 31, 2001.
The
Peer Group Index is a self-constructed peer group of companies included in the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Groups of companies as published in The
Wall Street Journal, from which the Company has been excluded.
The
Peer Group Index consists of the following companies: Altria Group, Inc., Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Brown-Forman Corporation,
Bunge Limited, Campbell Soup Company, Loews Corporation (Carolina Group tracking stock), Chiquita Brands International, Inc., Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., ConAgra
Foods, Inc., Constellation Brands, Inc., Corn Products International, Inc., Dean Foods Company, Del Monte Foods Company, Flowers Foods, Inc., General Mills, Inc.,
Hansen Natural Corporation, Herbalife Ltd., H.J. Heinz Company, Hormel Foods Corporation, Kellogg Company, Kraft Foods Inc., Lancaster Colony Corporation, Martek Biosciences Corporation,
McCormick & Company, Incorporated, Molson Coors Brewing Company, NBTY, Inc., Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Nutrisystem, Inc., PepsiAmericas, Inc., PepsiCo, Inc.,
Ralcorp Holdings, Inc., Reynolds American Inc., Sara Lee Corporation, Smithfield Foods, Inc., The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., The Hershey Company, The J.M. Smucker Company,
The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc., Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., TreeHouse Foods, Inc., Tyson Foods, Inc., Universal Corporation, UST Inc., Weight Watchers
International, Inc. and Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. The Wall Street Journal periodically changes the companies reported as a part of the Food,
Beverage and Tobacco Groups of companies. This year, the Groups include Hansen Natural Corporation, Herbalife Ltd., Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. and Nutrisystem, Inc., which were not
included in the Groups last year. Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream Holdings, Inc., which was included in the Groups last year, is not included in the Groups this year.
30
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations" and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this report.
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
1 |
2005 |
2 |
2004 |
2,3 |
2003 |
|
2002 |
4,5 |
|
(In millions except per share data) |
|
|
| SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net operating revenues |
|
$ 24,088 |
|
$ 23,104 |
|
$ 21,742 |
|
$ 20,857 |
|
$ 19,394 |
|
|
| Cost of goods sold |
|
8,164 |
|
8,195 |
|
7,674 |
|
7,776 |
|
7,118 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Gross profit |
|
15,924 |
|
14,909 |
|
14,068 |
|
13,081 |
|
12,276 |
|
|
| Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
9,431 |
|
8,739 |
|
7,890 |
|
7,287 |
|
6,818 |
|
|
| Other operating charges |
|
185 |
|
85 |
|
480 |
|
573 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Operating income |
|
6,308 |
|
6,085 |
|
5,698 |
|
5,221 |
|
5,458 |
|
|
| Interest income |
|
193 |
|
235 |
|
157 |
|
176 |
|
209 |
|
|
| Interest expense |
|
220 |
|
240 |
|
196 |
|
178 |
|
199 |
|
|
| Equity income net |
|
102 |
|
680 |
|
621 |
|
406 |
|
384 |
|
|
| Other income (loss) net |
|
195 |
|
(93 |
) |
(82 |
) |
(138 |
) |
(353 |
) |
|
| Gains on issuances of stock by equity investees |
|
|
|
23 |
|
24 |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Income before income taxes and changes in accounting principles |
|
6,578 |
|
6,690 |
|
6,222 |
|
5,495 |
|
5,499 |
|
|
| Income taxes |
|
1,498 |
|
1,818 |
|
1,375 |
|
1,148 |
|
1,523 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Net income before changes in accounting principles |
|
$ 5,080 |
|
$ 4,872 |
|
$ 4,847 |
|
$ 4,347 |
|
$ 3,976 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Net income |
|
$ 5,080 |
|
$ 4,872 |
|
$ 4,847 |
|
$ 4,347 |
|
$ 3,050 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Average shares outstanding |
|
2,348 |
|
2,392 |
|
2,426 |
|
2,459 |
|
2,478 |
|
|
| Average shares outstanding assuming dilution |
|
2,350 |
|
2,393 |
|
2,429 |
|
2,462 |
|
2,483 |
|
|
PER SHARE DATA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net income before changes in accounting principles basic |
|
$ 2.16 |
|
$ 2.04 |
|
$ 2.00 |
|
$ 1.77 |
|
$ 1.60 |
|
|
| Net income before changes in accounting principles diluted |
|
2.16 |
|
2.04 |
|
2.00 |
|
1.77 |
|
1.60 |
|
|
| Basic net income |
|
2.16 |
|
2.04 |
|
2.00 |
|
1.77 |
|
1.23 |
|
|
| Diluted net income |
|
2.16 |
|
2.04 |
|
2.00 |
|
1.77 |
|
1.23 |
|
|
| Cash dividends |
|
1.24 |
|
1.12 |
|
1.00 |
|
0.88 |
|
0.80 |
|
|
| Market price on December 31 |
|
48.25 |
|
40.31 |
|
41.64 |
|
50.75 |
|
43.84 |
|
|
TOTAL MARKET VALUE OF COMMON STOCK |
|
$ 111,857 |
|
$ 95,504 |
|
$ 100,325 |
|
$ 123,908 |
|
$ 108,328 |
|
|
BALANCE SHEET DATA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash, cash equivalents and current marketable securities |
|
$ 2,590 |
|
$ 4,767 |
|
$ 6,768 |
|
$ 3,482 |
|
$ 2,345 |
|
|
| Property, plant and equipment net |
|
6,903 |
|
5,831 |
|
6,091 |
|
6,097 |
|
5,911 |
|
|
| Depreciation |
|
763 |
|
752 |
|
715 |
|
667 |
|
614 |
|
|
| Capital expenditures |
|
1,407 |
|
899 |
|
755 |
|
812 |
|
851 |
|
|
| Total assets |
|
29,963 |
|
29,427 |
|
31,441 |
|
27,410 |
|
24,470 |
|
|
| Long-term debt |
|
1,314 |
|
1,154 |
|
1,157 |
|
2,517 |
|
2,701 |
|
|
| Shareowners' equity |
|
16,920 |
|
16,355 |
|
15,935 |
|
14,090 |
|
11,800 |
|
|
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
$ 5,957 |
|
$ 6,423 |
|
$ 5,968 |
|
$ 5,456 |
|
$ 4,742 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. |
| 1 |
In 2006, we adopted SFAS No.158, "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plansan amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)." |
| 2 |
We adopted FSP No. 109-2, "Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004" in 2004. FSP No. 109-2 allowed the Company to record the
tax expense associated with the repatriation of foreign earnings in 2005 when the previously unremitted foreign earnings were actually repatriated. |
| 3 |
We adopted FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities," effective April 2, 2004. |
| 4 |
In 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." |
| 5 |
In 2002, we adopted the fair value method provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," and we adopted SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based CompensationTransition and
Disclosure." |
31
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is intended to help the reader understand The
Coca-Cola Company, our operations and our present business environment. MD&A is provided as a supplement toand should be read in conjunction withour consolidated
financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto contained in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this report. This overview summarizes the MD&A, which includes the
following sections:
-
- Our Business a general description of our business and the nonalcoholic beverages segment of the commercial
beverages industry; our objective; our areas of focus; and challenges and risks of our business.
-
- Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates a discussion of accounting policies that require critical judgments
and estimates.
-
- Operations Review an analysis of our Company's consolidated results of operations for the three years presented
in our consolidated financial statements. Except to the extent that
differences among our operating segments are material to an understanding of our business as a whole, we present the discussion in the MD&A on a consolidated basis.
-
- Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position an analysis of cash flows; offbalance sheet
arrangements and aggregate contractual obligations; foreign exchange; an overview of financial position; and the impact of inflation and changing prices.
Our Business
We are the largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of nonalcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups in the world. Along with Coca-Cola, which
is recognized as the world's most valuable brand, we market four of the world's top five nonalcoholic sparkling brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite. Our Company owns or licenses more than
400 brands, including diet and light beverages, waters, juice and juice drinks, teas, coffees, and energy and sports drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more
than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1.4 billion servings each day. Our Company generates revenues, income and cash flows by selling beverage concentrates and
syrups as well as some finished beverages. We generally sell these products to bottling and canning operations, fountain wholesalers and some fountain retailers and, in the case of finished products,
to distributors. Our bottlers sell our branded products to businesses and institutions including retail chains, supermarkets, restaurants, small neighborhood grocers, sports and entertainment venues,
and schools and colleges. We continue to expand our marketing presence and increase our unit case volume in most developing and emerging markets. Our strong and stable system helps us to capture
growth by manufacturing, distributing and marketing existing, enhanced and new innovative products to our consumers throughout the world.
We
have three types of bottling relationships: bottlers in which our Company has no ownership interest, bottlers in which our Company has a noncontrolling ownership interest and bottlers
in which our Company has a controlling ownership interest. We authorize our bottling partners to manufacture and package products made from our concentrates and syrups into branded finished products
that they then distribute and sell. In 2006, bottling partners in which our Company has no ownership interest or a noncontrolling ownership interest produced and distributed approximately
83 percent of our worldwide unit case volume.
32
We
make significant marketing expenditures in support of our brands, including expenditures for advertising, sponsorship fees and special promotional events. As part of our marketing
activities, we, at our discretion, provide retailers and distributors with promotions and point-of-sale displays; our bottling partners with advertising support and funds
designated for the purchase of cold-drink equipment; and our consumers with coupons, discounts and promotional incentives. These marketing expenditures help to enhance awareness of and
increase consumer preference for our brands. We believe that greater awareness and preference promotes long-term growth in unit case volume, per capita consumption and our share of
worldwide nonalcoholic beverage sales.
We operate in the highly competitive nonalcoholic beverages segment of the commercial beverages industry. We face strong competition from numerous other general
and specialty beverage companies. We, along with other beverage companies, are affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, cost to manufacture and distribute products, consumer
spending, economic conditions, availability and quality of water, consumer preferences, inflation, political climate, local and national laws and regulations, foreign currency exchange fluctuations,
fuel prices and weather patterns.
Our objective is to use our formidable assetsbrands, financial strength, unrivaled distribution system, global reach, and a strong commitment by our
management and employees worldwideto achieve long-term sustainable growth. Our vision for sustainable growth includes the following:
-
- People:
Being a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be.
-
- Portfolio:
Bringing to the world a portfolio of beverage brands that anticipates and satisfies people's desires and needs.
-
- Partners:
Nurturing a winning network of partners and building mutual loyalty.
-
- Planet:
Being a responsible global citizen that makes a difference.
-
- Profit:
Maximizing return to shareowners while being mindful of our overall responsibilities.
We intend to continue to strengthen our capabilities in consumer marketing, customer and commercial leadership, and franchise leadership to create
long-term sustainable growth for our Company and the Coca-Cola system and value for our shareowners.
Marketing investments are designed to enhance consumer awareness and increase consumer preference for our brands. This produces long-term growth in
unit case volume, per capita consumption and our share of worldwide nonalcoholic beverage sales. We heighten consumer awareness of and product appeal for our brands using integrated marketing
programs. Through our relationships with our bottling partners and those who sell our products in the marketplace, we create and implement marketing programs both globally and locally. In developing a
strategy for a Company brand, we conduct product and packaging research, establish brand positioning, develop precise consumer communications and solicit consumer feedback. Our integrated global and
local marketing programs include activities such as advertising, point-of-sale merchandising and sales promotions.
33
The Coca-Cola system has millions of customers around the world who sell or serve our products directly to consumers. We focus on enhancing value for
our customers and providing solutions to grow their beverage businesses. Our approach includes understanding each customer's business and needs, whether that customer is a sophisticated retailer in a
developed market or a kiosk owner in an emerging market. We focus on ensuring that our customers have the right product and package offerings and the right promotional tools to deliver enhanced value
to themselves and the Company. We are constantly looking to build new beverage consumption occasions in our customers' outlets through unique and innovative consumer experiences, product availability
and delivery systems, and beverage merchandising and displays.
We are renewing our franchise leadership to give our Company and our bottling partners the ability to grow together through shared values, aligned incentives and
a sense of urgency and flexibility that supports consumers' always changing needs and tastes. The financial health and success of our bottling partners are critical components of the Company's
success. We work with our bottling partners to continuously look for ways to improve system economics, and we share best practices throughout the bottling system. We also design business models for
still beverages in specific markets to ensure that we appropriately share the value
created by these beverages with our bottling partners. We will continue to build a supply chain network that leverages the size and scale of the Coca-Cola system to gain a competitive
advantage.
Being a global company provides unique opportunities for our Company. Challenges and risks accompany those opportunities.
Our
management has identified certain challenges and risks that demand the attention of the nonalcoholic beverages segment of the commercial beverages industry and our Company. Of these,
four key challenges and risks are discussed below.
Obesity and Inactive Lifestyles. Increasing awareness among consumers, public health professionals and government agencies of
the potential health problems associated with obesity and inactive lifestyles represents a significant challenge to our industry. We recognize that obesity is a complex public health problem. Our
commitment to consumers begins with our broad product line, which includes a wide selection of diet and light beverages, juice and juice drinks, sports drinks and water products. Our commitment also
includes adhering to responsible policies in schools and in the marketplace; supporting programs to encourage physical activity and promote nutrition education; and continuously meeting changing
consumer needs through beverage innovation, choice and variety. We are committed to playing an appropriate role in helping address this issue in cooperation with governments, educators and consumers
through science-based solutions and programs.
Water Quality and Quantity. Water quality and quantity is an issue that increasingly requires our Company's attention and
collaboration with the nonalcoholic beverages segment of the commercial beverages industry, governments, nongovernmental organizations and communities where we operate. Water is the main ingredient in
substantially all of our products. It is also a limited natural resource facing unprecedented challenges from overexploitation, increasing pollution and poor management. Our Company is in an excellent
position to share the water-related knowledge we have developed in the communities we servewater-resource management, water treatment, wastewater treatment systems, and models for working
with communities and partners in addressing water and sanitation needs. We are actively engaged in assessing the specific water-related risks that we and many of our bottling partners face and have
implemented a formal water risk management program. We are working with our global partners to develop water sustainability projects. We are actively encouraging improved water efficiency and
conservation efforts throughout our system. As demand for water
34
continues
to increase around the world, we expect commitment and continued action on our part will be crucial in the successful long-term stewardship of this critical natural resource.
Evolving Consumer Preferences. Consumers want more choices. We are impacted by shifting consumer demographics and needs,
on-the-go lifestyles, aging populations in developed markets and consumers who are empowered with more information than ever. We are committed to generating new avenues for
growth through our core brands with a focus on diet and light products. We are also committed to continuing to expand the variety of choices we provide to consumers to meet their needs, desires and
lifestyle choices.
Increased Competition and Capabilities in the Marketplace. Our Company is facing strong competition from some
well-established global companies and many local players. We must continue to selectively expand into other profitable segments of the nonalcoholic beverages segment of the commercial
beverages industry and strengthen our capabilities in marketing and innovation in order to maintain our brand loyalty and market share.
All
four of these challenges and risksobesity and inactive lifestyles, water quality and quantity, evolving consumer preferences and increased competition and capabilities
in the marketplacehave the potential to have a material adverse effect on the nonalcoholic beverages segment of the commercial beverages industry and on our Company; however, we believe
our Company is well positioned to appropriately address these challenges and risks.
See
also "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I of this report for additional information about risks and uncertainties facing our Company.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, which require management to
make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We believe that our most critical accounting policies and
estimates relate to the following:
-
- Basis
of Presentation and Consolidation
-
- Recoverability
of Noncurrent Assets
-
- Revenue
Recognition
-
- Income
Taxes
-
- Contingencies
Management
has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. While our
estimates and assumptions are based on our knowledge of current events and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates and assumptions. For a
discussion of the Company's significant accounting policies, refer to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Interpretation No. 46(R). We adopted Interpretation No. 46(R)
effective April 2, 2004. Refer to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our
Company consolidates all entities that we control by ownership of a majority voting interest as well as variable interest entities for which our Company is the primary beneficiary.
Our judgment in determining if we are the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entities includes assessing our Company's level of involvement in setting up the entity, determining if the
activities of the entity are substantially conducted on
35
behalf
of our Company, determining whether the Company provides more than half of the subordinated financial support to the entity, and determining if we absorb the majority of the entity's expected
losses or returns.
We
use the equity method to account for investments for which we have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. Our consolidated net income
includes our Company's share of the net earnings of these companies. Our judgment regarding the level of influence over each equity method investment includes considering key factors such as our
ownership interest, representation on the board of directors, participation in policy-making decisions and material intercompany transactions.
We
use the cost method to account for investments in companies that we do not control and for which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and
financial policies. In accordance with the cost method, these investments are recorded at cost or fair value, as appropriate. We record dividend income when applicable dividends are declared.
Our
Company eliminates from financial results all significant intercompany transactions, including the intercompany portion of transactions with equity method investees.
Management's assessments of the recoverability of noncurrent assets involve critical accounting estimates. These assessments reflect management's best
assumptions, which, when appropriate, are consistent with the assumptions that we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use. Factors that management must estimate when performing
recoverability and impairment tests include, among others, sales volume, prices, inflation, cost of capital, marketing spending, foreign currency exchange rates, tax rates and capital spending. These
factors are often interdependent and therefore do not change in isolation. These factors include inherent uncertainties, and significant management judgment is involved in estimating their impact.
However, when appropriate, the assumptions we use for financial reporting purposes are consistent with those we use in our internal planning and we believe are consistent with those that a
hypothetical marketplace participant would use. Management periodically evaluates and updates the estimates based on the conditions that influence these factors. The variability of these factors
depends on a number of conditions, including uncertainty about future events, and thus our accounting estimates may change from period to period. If other assumptions and estimates had been used in
the current period, the balances for noncurrent assets could have been materially impacted. Furthermore, if management uses different assumptions or if different conditions occur in future periods,
future operating results could be materially impacted.
Our
Company faces many uncertainties and risks related to various economic, political and regulatory environments in the countries in which we operate. Refer to the heading "Our
BusinessChallenges and Risks," above, and "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I of this report. As a result, management must make numerous assumptions which involve a
significant amount of judgment when determining the recoverability of noncurrent assets in various regions around the world.
For
the noncurrent assets listed in the table below, we perform tests of impairment as appropriate. For applicable assets, we perform these tests when certain conditions exist that
indicate the carrying value may not
36
be
recoverable. For other applicable assets, we perform these tests at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an asset may be impaired:
| December 31, 2006 |
|
Carrying
Value |
|
Percentage
of Total
Assets |
|
(In millions except percentages) |
|
Tested for impairment when conditions exist that indicate carrying value may be impaired: |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Equity method investments |
|
$ 6,310 |
|
21 |
% |
| |
Cost method investments, principally bottling companies |
|
473 |
|
2 |
|
| |
Other assets |
|
2,701 |
|
9 |
|
| |
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
6,903 |
|
23 |
|
| |
Amortized intangible assets, net (various, principally trademarks) |
|
198 |
|
0 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Total |
|
$ 16,585 |
|
55 |
% |
|
|
Tested for impairment at least annually or when events indicate that an asset may be impaired: |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Trademarks with indefinite lives |
|
$ 2,045 |
|
7 |
% |
| |
Goodwill |
|
1,403 |
|
5 |
|
| |
Bottlers' franchise rights |
|
1,359 |
|
5 |
|
| |
Other intangible assets not subject to amortization |
|
130 |
|
0 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Total |
|
$ 4,937 |
|
17 |
% |
|
|
Many of the noncurrent assets listed above are located in markets that we consider to be developing or to have changing political environments.
These markets include, but are not limited to, the Middle East and Egypt, where political and civil unrest continues; the Philippines, where affordability and availability of beverages in the
marketplace continue to impact operating results; India, where affordability issues remain; and certain markets in Latin America, Asia and Africa, where local economic and political conditions are
unstable. We have bottling assets and investments in many of these markets. The table below reflects the Company's carrying value of noncurrent assets in these markets.
| December 31, 2006 |
|
Carrying
Value |
|
Percentage of
Applicable
Line Item
Above |
|
(In millions except percentages) |
|
Tested for impairment when conditions exist that indicate carrying value may be impaired: |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Equity method investments |
|
$ 533 |
|
8 |
% |
| |
Cost method investments, principally bottling companies |
|
123 |
|
26 |
|
| |
Other assets |
|
83 |
|
3 |
|
| |
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
2,150 |
|
31 |
|
| |
Amortized intangible assets, net (various, principally trademarks) |
|
11 |
|
6 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Total |
|
$ 2,900 |
|
17 |
|
|
|
Tested for impairment at least annually or when events indicate that an asset may be impaired: |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Trademarks with indefinite lives |
|
$ 394 |
|
19 |
% |
| |
Goodwill |
|
|
|
0 |
|
| |
Bottlers' franchise rights |
|
52 |
|
4 |
|
| |
Other intangible assets not subject to amortization |
|
23 |
|
18 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Total |
|
$ 469 |
|
9 |
|
|
|
37
We review our equity and cost method investments in every reporting period to determine whether a significant event or change in circumstances has occurred that
may have an adverse effect on the fair value of each investment. When such events or changes occur, we evaluate the fair value compared to the carrying value of the related investment. We also perform
this evaluation every reporting period for each investment for which the carrying value has exceeded the fair value in the prior period. The fair values of most of our Company's investments in
publicly traded companies are often readily available based on quoted market prices. For investments in nonpublicly traded companies, management's assessment of fair value is based on valuation
methodologies including discounted cash flows, estimates of sales proceeds and external appraisals, as appropriate. We consider the assumptions that we believe hypothetical marketplace participants
would use in evaluating estimated future cash flows when employing the discounted cash flow or estimate of sales proceeds valuation methodologies. The ability to accurately predict future cash flows,
especially in developing and unstable markets, may impact the determination of fair value.
In
the event a decline in fair value of an investment occurs, management may be required to determine if the decline in fair value is other than temporary. Management's assessment as to
the nature of a decline in fair value is based on the valuation methodologies discussed above, our ability and intent to hold the investment, and whether evidence indicating the cost of the investment
is recoverable within a reasonable period of time outweighs evidence to the contrary. We consider most of our equity method investees to be strategic long-term investments. If the fair
value of an investment is less than its carrying value and the decline in value is considered to be other than temporary, a write-down is recorded. Management's assessments of fair value
represent our best estimates as of the time of the impairment review and are consistent with the assumptions that we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use. If different assessments
were made, this could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
The
following table presents the difference between calculated fair values, based on quoted closing prices of publicly traded shares, and our Company's carrying values for significant
investments in publicly traded bottlers accounted for as equity method investees (in millions):
| December 31, 2006 |
|
Fair
Value |
|
Carrying
Value |
|
Difference |
|
| Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. |
|
$ 3,450 |
|
$ 1,312 |
1 |
$ 2,138 |
| Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. |
|
2,247 |
|
1,251 |
|
996 |
| Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. |
|
2,172 |
|
835 |
|
1,337 |
| Coca-Cola Amatil Limited |
|
1,456 |
|
817 |
|
639 |
| Coca-Cola Icecek A.S. |
|
372 |
|
110 |
|
262 |
| Grupo Continental, S.A. |
|
327 |
|
165 |
|
162 |
| Coca-Cola Embonor S.A. |
|
228 |
|
189 |
|
39 |
| Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated |
|
170 |
|
68 |
|
102 |
| Embotelladoras Polar S.A. |
|
93 |
|
59 |
|
34 |
|
| |
|
$ 10,515 |
|
$ 4,806 |
|
$ 5,709 |
|
| 1 |
In 2006, our carrying value of CCE was reduced by our proportionate share of an impairment charge recorded by CCE. Refer to Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
Our Company invests in infrastructure programs with our bottlers that are directed at strengthening our bottling system and increasing unit case volume.
Additionally, our Company advances payments to certain customers to fund future marketing activities intended to generate profitable volume and expenses such payments over the periods benefited.
Advance payments are also made to certain customers for distribution rights. Payments under these programs are generally capitalized and reported as other assets in our consolidated
38
balance
sheets. Management evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of these assets when facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable by
preparing estimates of sales volume and the resulting gross profit and cash flows. If the carrying value of these assets is assessed to be recoverable, it is amortized over the periods benefited. If
the carrying value of these assets is considered to be not recoverable, an impairment is recognized, resulting in a write-down of assets.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Certain events or changes in circumstances may indicate that the recoverability of the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment should be assessed. Such
events or changes may include a significant decrease in market value, a significant change in the business climate in a particular market, or a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with
historical losses or projected future losses. If an event occurs or changes in circumstances are present, we estimate the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its
eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount, we recognize an impairment loss. The impairment loss
recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value.
Goodwill, Trademarks and Other Intangible Assets
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," classifies intangible assets into three categories:
(1) intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization; (2) intangible assets with indefinite lives not subject to amortization; and (3) goodwill. For intangible assets
with definite lives, tests for impairment must be performed if conditions exist that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. For intangible assets with indefinite lives and goodwill, tests
for impairment must be performed at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that assets might be impaired. Our equity method investees also perform such tests for
impairment for intangible assets and/or goodwill. If an impairment charge was recorded by one of our equity method investees, the Company would record its proportionate share of such charge.
In
2006, our Company recorded a charge of approximately $602 million in the line item equity incomenet resulting from the impact of our proportionate share of an
impairment charge recorded by CCE, which impacted Bottling Investments. Refer to the heading "Operations ReviewEquity IncomeNet" and Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Our
trademarks and other intangible assets determined to have definite lives are amortized over their useful lives. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, if conditions exist that
indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable, we review such trademarks and other intangible assets with definite lives for impairment to ensure they are appropriately valued. Such conditions
may include an economic downturn in a market or a change in the assessment of future operations. Trademarks and other intangible assets determined to have indefinite useful lives are not amortized. We
test such trademarks and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that assets might be impaired. Goodwill is
not amortized. We also perform tests for impairment of goodwill annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it might be impaired. All goodwill is assigned to reporting units,
which are one level below our operating segments. Goodwill is assigned to the reporting unit that benefits from the synergies arising from each business combination. We perform our impairment tests of
goodwill at our reporting unit level. Impairment tests for goodwill include comparing the fair value of the respective reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. We use a variety of
methodologies in conducting these impairment assessments, including cash flow analyses that, when appropriate, are consistent with the assumptions we believe hypothetical marketplace participants
would use, estimates of sales proceeds and independent appraisals. Where applicable, we use an appropriate discount rate based on the Company's cost of capital rate or location-specific economic
factors.
39
In
2006, our Company recorded impairment charges of approximately $41 million primarily related to trademarks for beverages sold in the Philippines and Indonesia. The Philippines
and Indonesia are
components of East, South Asia and Pacific Rim. The amount of these impairment charges was determined by comparing the fair values of the intangible assets to their respective carrying values. The
fair values were determined using discounted cash flow analyses. Because the fair values were less than the carrying values of the assets, we recorded impairment charges to reduce the carrying values
of the assets to their respective fair values. These impairment charges were recorded in the line item other operating charges in the consolidated statement of income.
In
December 2006, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with San Miguel Corporation and two of its subsidiaries (collectively, "SMC") to acquire all of the shares of
capital stock of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. ("CCBPI") held by SMC, representing 65 percent of all the issued and outstanding capital stock of CCBPI. CCBPI is the
Company's authorized bottler in the Philippines. The transaction is subject to certain conditions. Upon the closing of this transaction, the Company will own 100 percent of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of CCBPI. Management will continue to monitor the Philippines and conduct impairment reviews as required.
In
2005, our Company recorded impairment charges of approximately $84 million related to intangible assets. These intangible assets related to trademarks for beverages sold in the
Philippines. The carrying value of our trademarks in the Philippines, prior to the recording of the impairment charges in 2005, was approximately $268 million. The impairments were the result
of our revised outlook for the Philippines, which had been unfavorably impacted by declines in volume and income before income taxes resulting from the continued lack of an affordable package offering
and the continued limited availability of these trademark beverages in the marketplace. We determined the amounts of the impairment charges by comparing the fair values of the intangible assets to
their then carrying values. Fair values were derived using discounted cash flow analyses with a number of scenarios that were weighted based on the probability of different outcomes. Because the fair
values were less than the carrying values of the assets, we recorded impairment charges to reduce the carrying values of the assets to fair values. In addition, in 2005, we recorded an impairment
charge of approximately $4 million in the line item equity incomenet related to our proportionate share of a write-down of intangible assets recorded by our equity
method investee bottler in the Philippines.
In
2004, our Company recorded impairment charges related to intangible assets of approximately $374 million, primarily related to franchise rights at CCEAG. CCEAG is a component
of Bottling Investments. The CCEAG impairment charges were the result of our revised outlook for the German market, which was unfavorably impacted by volume declines resulting from market shifts
related to the deposit law on nonrefillable beverage packages and the corresponding lack of availability of our products in the discount retail channel. The deposit law in Germany had led to discount
chains creating proprietary nonrefillable packages that could only be returned to their own stores. We determined the amount of the impairment by comparing the fair value of the intangible assets to
its then carrying value. Fair values were derived using discounted cash flow analyses with a number of scenarios that were weighted based on the probability of different outcomes. Because the fair
value was less than the carrying value of the assets, we recorded an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of the assets to fair value. These impairment charges were recorded in the line item
other operating charges in our consolidated statement of income for 2004. At the end of 2004, the German government passed an amendment to the mandatory deposit legislation that requires retailers,
including discount chains, to accept returns of each type of nonrefillable beverage package they sell, regardless of where the beverage package type was purchased. In addition, the mandatory deposit
requirement was expanded to other beverage categories.
In
August 2006, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement in principle with its independent bottlers in Germany regarding the creation of a single bottler. A
non-binding letter of intent was signed containing the financial framework and the key conditions under which CCEAG and the seven independent bottlers will become one bottler. We currently
expect that this consolidation will occur in 2007. The Company will be the majority owner of the consolidated bottling operation in Germany. The Company has
40
considered
and will continue to consider the effect of these future structural changes on the recoverability of noncurrent assets and investments in bottling operations in Germany.
We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of products has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and
collectibility is reasonably assured. For our Company, this generally means that we recognize revenue when title to our products is transferred to our bottling partners, resellers or other customers.
In particular, title usually transfers upon shipment to or receipt at our customers' locations, as determined by the specific sales terms of each transaction.
In
addition, our customers can earn certain incentives, which are included in deductions from revenue, a component of net operating revenues in the consolidated statements of income.
These incentives include, but are not limited to, cash discounts, funds for promotional and marketing activities, volume-based incentive programs and support for infrastructure programs. Refer to
Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The aggregate deductions from revenue recorded by the Company in relation to these programs, including amortization expense on
infrastructure programs, was approximately $3.8 billion, $3.7 billion and $3.6 billion for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" ("Interpretation No. 48").
Interpretation No. 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, "Accounting
for Income Taxes." Interpretation No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected
to be taken in a tax return. Interpretation No. 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties,
accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. For our Company, Interpretation No. 48 was effective beginning January 1, 2007, and the cumulative effect adjustment will be
recorded in the first quarter of 2007. We believe that the adoption of Interpretation No. 48 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Our
annual tax rate is based on our income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant judgment is
required in determining our annual tax expense and in evaluating our tax positions. We establish reserves at the time we determine it is probable we will be liable to pay additional taxes related to
certain matters. We adjust these reserves, including any impact on the related interest and penalties, in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit.
A
number of years may elapse before a particular matter for which we have established a reserve is audited and finally resolved. The number of years with open tax audits varies depending
on the tax jurisdiction. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, we record a reserve when we determine the likelihood of loss
is probable. Such liabilities are recorded in the line item accrued income taxes in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Settlement of any particular issue would usually require the use of cash.
Favorable resolutions of tax matters for which we have previously established reserves are recognized as a reduction to our income tax expense when the amounts involved become known.
Tax
law requires items to be included in the tax return at different times than when these items are reflected in the consolidated financial statements. As a result, the annual tax rate
reflected in our consolidated financial statements is different than that reported in our tax return (our cash tax rate). Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not
deductible in our tax return, and some differences reverse over time, such as depreciation expense. These timing differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax
41
bases
of assets and liabilities. The tax rates used to determine deferred tax assets or liabilities are the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.
Based on the evaluation of all available information, the Company recognizes future tax benefits, such as net operating loss carryforwards, to the extent that realizing these benefits is considered
more likely than not.
We
evaluate our ability to realize the tax benefits associated with deferred tax assets by analyzing our forecasted taxable income using both historical and projected future operating
results, the reversal of existing temporary differences, taxable income in prior carryback years (if permitted) and the availability of tax planning strategies. A valuation allowance is required to be
established unless management determines that it is more likely than not that the Company will ultimately realize the tax benefit associated with a deferred tax asset.
Additionally,
undistributed earnings of a subsidiary are accounted for as a temporary difference, except that deferred tax liabilities are not recorded for undistributed earnings of a
foreign subsidiary that are deemed to be indefinitely reinvested in the foreign jurisdiction. The Company has formulated a specific plan for reinvestment of undistributed earnings of its foreign
subsidiaries which demonstrates that such earnings will be indefinitely reinvested in the applicable tax jurisdictions. Should we change our plans, we would be required to record a significant amount
of deferred tax liabilities.
The
American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the "Jobs Creation Act") was enacted in October 2004. Among other things, it provided a one-time benefit related to foreign tax
credits generated by equity investments in prior years. In 2004, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $50 million as a result of this new law. The Jobs Creation Act also
included a temporary incentive for U.S. multinationals to repatriate foreign earnings at an approximate 5.25 percent effective tax rate. During 2005, the Company repatriated approximately
$6.1 billion in previously unremitted foreign earnings, with an associated tax liability of approximately $315 million. The reinvestment requirements of this repatriation are expected to
be fulfilled by 2008 and are not expected to require any material change in the nature, amount or timing of future expenditures from what was otherwise expected. Refer to Note 1 and
Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The
Company's effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 23 percent in 2007. This estimated tax rate does not reflect the impact of any unusual or special items that may
affect our tax rate in 2007.
Our Company is subject to various claims and contingencies, mostly related to legal proceedings. Due to their nature, such legal proceedings involve inherent
uncertainties including, but not limited to, court rulings, negotiations between affected parties and governmental actions. Management assesses the probability of loss for such contingencies and
accrues a liability and/or discloses the relevant circumstances, as appropriate. Management believes that any liability to the Company that may arise as a result of currently pending legal proceedings
or other contingencies will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company taken as a whole. Refer to Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Refer to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recent accounting standards and pronouncements.
Operations Review
We manufacture, distribute and market nonalcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups. We also manufacture, distribute and market some finished beverages. Our
organizational structure as of December 31, 2006 consisted of the following operating segments, the first seven of which are sometimes referred to as "operating groups" or "groups": Africa;
East, South Asia and Pacific Rim; European Union; Latin America; North America; North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East; Bottling Investments; and Corporate. For further information regarding our
operating segments, including a discussion of changes made to our operating segments during 2006, refer to Note 20 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
42
We measure our sales volume in two ways: (1) unit cases of finished products and (2) gallons. A "unit case" is a unit of measurement equal to 192
U.S. fluid ounces of finished beverage (24 eight-ounce servings). Unit case volume represents the number of unit cases of Company beverage products directly or indirectly sold by the Company and its
bottling partners ("Coca-Cola system") to consumers. Unit case volume primarily consists of beverage products bearing Company trademarks. Also included in unit case volume are certain
products licensed to, or distributed by, our Company, and brands owned by Coca-Cola system bottlers for which our Company provides marketing support and from the sale of which it derives
income. Such products licensed to, or distributed by, our Company or owned by Coca-Cola system bottlers account for a minimal portion of total unit case volume. In addition, unit case
volume includes sales by joint ventures in which the Company is a partner. Unit case volume is derived based on estimates supplied by our bottling partners and distributors. A "gallon" is a unit of
measurement for concentrates, syrups, beverage bases, finished beverages and powders (in all cases expressed in equivalent gallons of syrup) sold by the Company to its bottling partners or other
customers. Most of our revenues are based on gallon sales, a primarily wholesale activity, as discussed under "Item 1. Business" in Part I of this report and the heading "Net Operating
Revenues," below. Unit case volume and gallon sales growth rates are not necessarily equal during any given period. Items such as seasonality, bottlers' inventory practices, supply point changes,
timing of price increases and new product introductions and changes in product mix can impact unit case volume and gallon sales and can create differences between unit case volume and gallon sales
growth rates.
Information
about our volume growth by operating segment is as follows:
| |
|
Percentage Change
|
|
| |
|
2006 vs. 2005
|
|
2005 vs. 2004
|
|
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
Unit Cases |
1,2 |
Gallons |
|
Unit Cases |
1,2 |
Gallons |
|
|
|
| Worldwide |
|
4 |
% |
4 |
% |
4 |
% |
3 |
% |
International |
|
6 |
|
5 |
|
5 |
|
4 |
|
Africa |
|
4 |
|
3 |
|
6 |
|
7 |
|
| East, South Asia and Pacific Rim |
|
(5 |
) |
(4 |
) |
(4 |
) |
(6 |
) |
| European Union |
|
6 |
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Latin America |
|
7 |
|
7 |
|
6 |
|
6 |
|
| North America |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
1 |
|
| North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East |
|
11 |
|
7 |
|
15 |
|
10 |
|
Bottling Investments |
|
16 |
|
N/A |
|
6 |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
| 1 |
Bottling Investments segment data reflects unit case volume growth for consolidated bottlers only. |
2 |
Geographic segment data reflects unit case volume growth for all bottlers in the applicable geographic areas, both consolidated and unconsolidated. |
Although most of our Company's revenues are not based directly on unit case volume, we believe unit case volume is one of the measures of the underlying strength
of the Coca-Cola system because it measures our product trends at the consumer level. The Coca-Cola system sold approximately 21.4 billion unit cases of our products in
2006, approximately 20.6 billion unit cases in 2005, and approximately 19.8 billion unit cases in 2004.
In
Africa, unit case volume increased 4 percent in 2006 compared to 2005, reflecting growth across the majority of divisions, which was partially offset by a slight decline in
Nigeria primarily related to affordability issues and competitive and economic pressure. The unit case volume increase in Africa was also partially offset
43
by
an industrywide temporary shortage in the supply of carbon dioxide in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Unit
case volume in East, South Asia and Pacific Rim decreased 5 percent in 2006 versus 2005, primarily due to a double-digit decline in the Philippines, which was mainly driven
by the continued impact of affordability and availability issues. In December 2006, the Company and SMC entered into an agreement for the Company to acquire, subject to the fulfillment of
certain conditions, the 65 percent ownership interest in CCBPI held by SMC. Upon the closing of the acquisition, the Company will own 100 percent of the issued and outstanding capital
stock of CCBPI. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2007. The Company expects performance in the Philippines to remain weak during 2007. Performance in this operating
segment was also impacted by a 5 percent decline in India primarily due to price increases in the second half of 2005 and steps taken to drive revenue growth and improve operating and working
capital efficiency. The results in India reflected high single-digit declines in sparkling beverages which was partially offset by growth in still beverages. Continued investment in marketing
initiatives around the quality and safety of our products and focus on execution in the consolidated bottling operations delivered positive results during the second half of 2006, despite the renewed
unfounded allegations of unsafe pesticide levels in the Company's products.
Unit
case volume in the European Union increased 6 percent in 2006 compared to 2005, primarily due to solid growth across all divisions driven by successful marketing campaigns,
launches of Coca-Cola Zero in nine countries and favorable weather in the second half of 2006. In addition, the acquisition of Apollinaris GmbH, a German premium source water brand
("Apollinaris"), and the joint acquisition of Fonti del Vulture S.r.l., also known as Traficante, an Italian mineral water company, with Coca-Cola HBC during 2006 contributed approximately
2 percentage points of unit case volume growth in 2006. Unit case volume in Germany increased 5 percent in 2006 versus 2005, and reflected strong growth of Trademark Coca-Cola in
2006 compared to 2005. The results were driven by improved marketplace execution capabilities, the launch of Coca-Cola Zero in July 2006, increased availability in the discounter
channel and generally favorable weather. As mentioned above, the acquisition of Apollinaris also contributed to unit case volume growth in Germany. The Company expects stabilizing trends in Germany to
continue during 2007. Unit case volume in Northwest Europe increased 3 percent in 2006 versus 2005 as performance stabilized. The results reflected 3 percent unit case volume growth in
sparkling beverages, led by growth of Trademark Coca-Cola, and solid growth in still beverages. In addition, the successful launch of Coca-Cola Zero in Great Britain at the end
of June 2006 and generally favorable weather during the second half of the year contributed to the performance. Unit case volume in Iberia increased 6 percent in 2006 versus 2005, led by
strong growth in Spain.
In
Latin America, unit case volume increased 7 percent in 2006 versus 2005, primarily due to growth in sparkling beverages led by growth of Trademark Coca-Cola. This
performance was seen in all key markets, especially Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. In Mexico, the increase in unit case volume was driven by strong growth in Trademark Coca-Cola. In Brazil,
strong marketing and bottler execution led to unit case volume growth in sparkling beverages. In Argentina, consumer marketing activities and bottler execution drove unit case volume growth.
Additionally, in December 2006, the Company and Coca-Cola FEMSA entered into an agreement to jointly acquire Jugos del Valle, S.A.B. de C.V., the second largest producer of packaged
juices, nectars and fruit-flavored beverages in Mexico and the largest producer of such products in Brazil.
Unit
case volume in North America was even in 2006 versus 2005. Foodservice and Hospitality unit case volume increased 1 percent in 2006, reflecting growth in all key beverage
categories. Unit case volume in Retail decreased 1 percent primarily driven by weak sparkling beverage trends in the second half of 2006, declines in the warehouse-delivered water business
resulting from the strategic decision to refocus resources behind the more profitable Dasani business and declines in the warehouse-delivered juice business as a result of price increases to cover
higher ingredient costs. These declines in Retail were partially offset by the continued success of Dasani, Coca-Cola Zero and Powerade, as well as the introduction of Black Cherry Vanilla
Coca-Cola and the national rollout of Vault. In February 2007, our Company entered into an agreement to purchase Fuze
44
Beverage,
LLC, maker of Fuze enhanced juices, teas, waters and energy drinks. The Company expects performance in North America to be weak during 2007.
In
North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East, unit case volume grew 11 percent in 2006 compared to 2005, led by double-digit growth in China, Russia and Turkey, partially offset by a
3 percent decline in Japan. The increase in unit case volume in China was led by significant growth in both sparkling and still beverages. The unit case volume growth in Russia and Turkey was
the result of improving macroeconomic trends, strong bottler execution and successful marketing programs. Unit case volume in Russia also benefited from the full-year impact of the joint
acquisition of Multon, compared to a partial year in 2005. The Company and Coca-Cola HBC jointly acquired Multon, a Russian juice company, in April 2005. The decrease in unit case volume
in Japan was primarily due to weakness across core brands including Trademark Coca-Cola, Georgia Coffee and our green tea brands. However, results in Japan gradually improved during 2006
and position Japan for growth in 2007.
Unit
case volume for Bottling Investments increased 16 percent in 2006 versus 2005, primarily due to the acquisition of Kerry Beverages Limited, which was subsequently renamed
Coca-Cola China Industries Limited ("CCCIL"), and the acquisitions of TJC Holdings (Pty) Ltd., a South African bottling company ("TJC"), and Apollinaris. The Company
intends to sell a portion of its investment in TJC to Black Economic Empowerment entities at a future date. Unit case volume for Bottling Investments also increased due to the consolidation of
Brucephil, Inc. ("Brucephil"), the parent company of The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company. In the third quarter of 2006, our Company signed agreements with J. Bruce Llewellyn
and Brucephil for the potential purchase of the remaining shares of Brucephil not currently owned by the Company. The agreements provide for the Company's purchase of the shares upon
the election of Mr. Llewellyn or the election of the Company. Based on the terms of these agreements, the Company concluded that it must consolidate Brucephil under Interpretation
No. 46(R). Brucephil's financial statements were consolidated effective September 29, 2006. The acquisition of the German bottling company Bremer Erfrischungsgetraenke GmbH ("Bremer")
during the third quarter of 2005 also contributed to unit case volume increases in 2006, reflecting the impact of full-year unit case volume in 2006 for Bremer compared to a partial year
in 2005. The unit case volume increase was partially offset by a decline in India.
In
Africa, unit case volume increased 6 percent in 2005 compared to 2004. This increase was driven by growth in core sparkling beverages as well as still beverages across all
divisions in this operating segment.
In
East, South Asia and Pacific Rim, unit case volume decreased 4 percent in 2005 compared to 2004, primarily due to declines in India and the Philippines. The decline in India
was related to the impact of price increases to cover rising raw material and distribution costs and the lingering effects of the 2003 pesticide allegations. The decline in the Philippines was
primarily related to affordability and availability issues.
Unit
case volume in the European Union was even in 2005 versus 2004, primarily due to strong growth in Spain and Central Europe partially offset by declines primarily in Germany and
Northwest Europe. Unit case volume in Germany declined 2 percent in 2005 due to the continued impact of the mandatory deposit legislation on the availability of nonrefillable packages and the
corresponding limited availability of our products in the discount retail channel, along with overall industry weakness. In the second half of 2005, the Company achieved availability of a limited
range of its products in most discounters. Results in Germany stabilized in the second half of 2005. Unit case volume in Northwest Europe declined 3 percent in 2005, primarily due to the soft
economic environment and declines in sparkling beverages, which was associated with a decrease in competitors' prices at retailers, and the discount channel becoming a larger part of the retail
market, together with a shift in consumer preferences away from regular sparkling beverages driven by health and wellness trends and the associated public opinion, media and government attention.
Unit
case volume for Latin America increased 6 percent in 2005 versus 2004, reflecting strong growth in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, primarily due to growth in sparkling
beverages. The increase in Brazil and Mexico was primarily due to strong marketing, execution and package innovation.
45
In
North America, unit case volume in Retail increased 2 percent in 2005 versus 2004, reflecting improved performance in the bottler-delivered business primarily related to
Dasani, Coca-Cola Zero and still beverages, along with growth in the warehouse juice and warehouse water operations. Foodservice and Hospitality had a 1 percent increase in 2005
compared to 2004, reflecting improved trends in restaurant
traffic and the impact of a new customer conversion partially offset by the impact of higher fuel costs and Hurricane Katrina on consumer restaurant spending.
In
North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East, unit case volume grew 15 percent in 2005 versus 2004, led by 22 percent growth in China, 2 percent growth in Japan,
54 percent growth in Russia and 14 percent growth in Turkey. The increase in unit case volume in China was led by significant growth in both sparkling and still beverages. Japan's growth
was primarily due to new product introductions. The unit case volume growth in Turkey was largely due to improving macroeconomic trends, strong bottler execution and successful marketing programs. The
unit case volume growth in Russia was the result of the joint acquisition of Multon as well as improving macroeconomic trends, strong bottler execution and successful marketing programs.
Unit
case volume for Bottling Investments increased 6 percent in 2005 versus 2004, primarily related to the acquisitions and full-year impact of consolidation of certain bottling
operations under Interpretation No. 46(R). The unit case volume increase in 2005 was partially offset by a decline in India bottling operations and dispositions of certain bottling operations.
Company-wide gallon sales and unit case volume both grew 4 percent in 2006 when compared to 2005. In Africa, the gallon sales increase was
lower than the unit case volume increase mostly due to planned inventory reductions in Nigeria. In East, South Asia and Pacific Rim, the gallon sales decline was lower than the unit case volume
decline due to demand for Coca-Cola Zero in Australia and timing of gallon sales in India. In the European Union, unit case volume increased ahead of gallon sales volume due to timing of
gallon sales. Both in Latin America and North America, gallon sales and unit case volume were approximately equal. In North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East, unit case volume increased ahead of gallon
sales primarily due to inventory reductions in Russia. Unit case volume growth also reflected the impact of a full-year of unit case volume compared to a partial year in 2005 due to the
joint acquisition of Multon with Coca-Cola HBC in the second quarter of 2005. The Company only reports unit case volume related to Multon, as the Company does not sell concentrates or
syrups to Multon.
Company-wide
gallon sales grew 3 percent while unit case volume grew 4 percent in 2005 compared to 2004. In Africa, gallon sales growth of 7 percent
exceeded unit case volume growth of 6 percent in 2005 compared to 2004, primarily due to timing of gallon shipments. In East, South Asia and Pacific Rim, the gallon sales decline was higher
than the unit case volume decline primarily due to timing of gallon sales in India and the impact of 2005 planned inventory reductions in Australia. Both in the European Union and in Latin America,
gallon sales growth and unit case volume growth were even in 2005 versus 2004. In North America, gallon sales increased 1 percent while unit case volume increased 2 percent, primarily
due to the impact of higher gallon sales in 2004 related to the launch of Coca-Cola C2 and a change in shipping routes in 2004. In North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East, unit case volume
increased ahead of gallon sales volume due to the joint acquisition of Multon, which contributed to unit case volume in 2005, along
with timing of 2004 gallon sales, which impacted most of the remaining divisions in the operating segment. Multon had full-year unit case volume of approximately 80 million unit cases in 2004.
46
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent Change
|
|
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2006 vs. 2005 |
|
2005 vs. 2004 |
|
(In millions except per share data and percentages) |
|
| NET OPERATING REVENUES |
|
$ 24,088 |
|
$ 23,104 |
|
$ 21,742 |
|
4 |
% |
6 |
% |
| Cost of goods sold |
|
8,164 |
|
8,195 |
|
7,674 |
|
0 |
|
7 |
|
|
|
| GROSS PROFIT |
|
15,924 |
|
14,909 |
|
14,068 |
|
7 |
|
6 |
|
| GROSS PROFIT MARGIN |
|
66.1 |
% |
64.5 |
% |
64.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
| Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
9,431 |
|
8,739 |
|
7,890 |
|
8 |
|
11 |
|
| Other operating charges |
|
185 |
|
85 |
|
480 |
|
* |
|
* |
|
|
|
| OPERATING INCOME |
|
6,308 |
|
6,085 |
|
5,698 |
|
4 |
|
7 |
|
| OPERATING MARGIN |
|
26.2 |
% |
26.3 |
% |
26.2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
| Interest income |
|
193 |
|
235 |
|
157 |
|
(18 |
) |
50 |
|
| Interest expense |
|
220 |
|
240 |
|
196 |
|
(8 |
) |
22 |
|
| Equity income net |
|
102 |
|
680 |
|
621 |
|
(85 |
) |
10 |
|
| Other income (loss) net |
|
195 |
|
(93 |
) |
(82 |
) |
* |
|
* |
|
| Gains on issuances of stock by equity investees |
|
|
|
23 |
|
24 |
|
* |
|
* |
|
|
|
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
|
6,578 |
|
6,690 |
|
6,222 |
|
(2 |
) |
8 |
|
| Income taxes |
|
1,498 |
|
1,818 |
|
1,375 |
|
(18 |
) |
32 |
|
| Effective tax rate |
|
22.8 |
% |
27.2 |
% |
22.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NET INCOME |
|
$ 5,080 |
|
$ 4,872 |
|
$ 4,847 |
|
4 |
% |
1 |
% |
|
|
| PERCENTAGE OF NET OPERATING REVENUES |
|
21.1 |
% |
21.1 |
% |
22.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NET INCOME PER SHARE: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Basic |
|
$ 2.16 |
|
$ 2.04 |
|
$ 2.00 |
|
6 |
% |
2 |
% |
|
|
| |
Diluted |
|
$ 2.16 |
|
$ 2.04 |
|
$ 2.00 |
|
6 |
% |
2 |
% |
|
|
* Calculation is not meaningful.
47
Net operating revenues increased by $984 million or 4 percent in 2006 versus 2005. Net operating revenues increased by $1,362 million or
6 percent in 2005 versus 2004.
The
following table indicates, on a percentage basis, the estimated impact of key factors resulting in significant increases (decreases) in net operating revenues:
| |
|
Percent Change
|
|
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 vs. 2005 |
|
2005 vs. 2004 |
|
|
|
| Increase in gallon sales |
|
4 |
% |
3 |
% |
| Structural changes |
|
(2 |
) |
0 |
|
| Price and product/geographic mix |
|
2 |
|
1 |
|
| Impact of currency fluctuations versus the U.S. dollar |
|
0 |
|
2 |
|
|
|
| Total percentage increase |
|
4 |
% |
6 |
% |
|
|
Refer to the heading "Volume" for a detailed discussion on gallon sales.
"Structural
changes" refers to acquisitions or dispositions of bottling or canning operations and consolidation or deconsolidation of bottling entities for accounting purposes. In 2006,
structural changes decreased net
operating revenues by 2 percent compared to 2005, primarily due to the change of the business model in Spain, partially offset by the acquisitions of Bremer in the third quarter of 2005, TJC in
the first quarter of 2006, CCCIL in the third quarter of 2006 and the consolidation of Brucephil under Interpretation No. 46(R) effective September 29, 2006. Refer to Note 19 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company granted our bottling partners in Spain the rights to manufacture and distribute Company trademarked products
in can packages. Prior to granting these rights to our bottling partners, the Company held the manufacturing and distribution rights for these can packages in Spain. In connection with granting these
rights, the Company reduced our planned future annual marketing support payments to our bottling partners in Spain. These changes resulted in a reduction of net operating revenues and cost of goods
sold. This change did not materially impact gross profit for 2006. If the change had occurred as of January 1, 2005, net operating revenues for 2005 would have been reduced by approximately
$779 million.
Price
and product/geographic mix increased net operating revenues by 2 percent in 2006 compared to 2005, primarily due to price increases across the majority of the operating
segments and improved pricing and product/package mix in Bottling Investments partially offset by unfavorable product mix primarily in Japan.
In
2005, structural changes reflect the impact of a full year of revenue in 2005 for variable interest entities compared to a partial year in 2004. Under Interpretation No. 46(R),
the results of operations of variable interest entities in which the Company was determined to be the primary beneficiary were included in our consolidated results beginning April 2, 2004.
Refer to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The acquisition of Bremer during the third quarter of 2005 also favorably impacted net operating revenues. Refer to Note 19
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. These increases in net operating revenues were offset by the dispositions of certain bottling and canning operations which were not material individually
or in aggregate.
The
favorable impact of foreign currency fluctuations in 2005 versus 2004 resulted from the strength of most key foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar, especially a stronger euro,
which favorably impacted the European Union and Bottling Investments, and a stronger Brazilian real and Mexican peso, that favorably impacted Latin America and Bottling Investments. The favorable
impact of fluctuation in these currencies was partially offset by a weaker Japanese yen, which unfavorably impacted North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East. Refer to the heading "Liquidity, Capital
Resources and Financial PositionForeign Exchange."
Price
and product/geographic mix increased net operating revenues by 1 percent in 2005 compared to 2004, primarily due to price increases across the majority of the operating
segments and improved product/package mix in Bottling Investments, partially offset by unfavorable country mix.
48
Information
about our net operating revenues by operating segment as a percentage of Company net operating revenues is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
|
| Africa |
|
4.6 |
% |
4.8 |
% |
4.4 |
% |
| East, South Asia and Pacific Rim |
|
3.3 |
|
3.1 |
|
3.2 |
|
| European Union |
|
14.6 |
|
17.8 |
|
18.0 |
|
| Latin America |
|
10.3 |
|
8.9 |
|
8.2 |
|
| North America |
|
29.1 |
|
28.9 |
|
29.5 |
|
| North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East |
|
16.5 |
|
17.7 |
|
17.9 |
|
| Bottling Investments |
|
21.2 |
|
18.4 |
|
18.3 |
|
| Corporate |
|
0.4 |
|
0.4 |
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
| |
|
100.0 |
% |
100.0 |
% |
100.0 |
% |
|
|
The percentage contribution of each operating segment has changed due to net operating revenues in certain segments growing at a faster rate
compared to the other operating segments, the impact of foreign currency fluctuations; and the acquisitions of CCCIL and TJC, and the consolidation of Brucephil under Interpretation No. 46(R),
which impacted Bottling Investments. The acquisition of Bremer during the third quarter of 2005 also increased net operating revenues in 2006, reflecting the impact of full-year net
operating revenues in 2006 for Bremer compared to a partial year in 2005.
The
size and timing of structural changes, including acquisitions or dispositions of bottling and canning operations, do not occur consistently from period to period. As a result,
anticipating the impact of such events on future increases or decreases in net operating revenues (and other financial statement line items) usually is not possible. However, we expect to continue to
buy and sell bottling interests in limited circumstances and, as a result, structural changes will continue to affect our consolidated financial statements in future periods.
Our gross profit margin increased to 66.1 percent in 2006 from 64.5 percent in 2005. Our gross margin was favorably impacted by the change in the
business model in Spain, as discussed above. Other structural changes, which included the consolidation of Brucephil under Interpretation No. 46(R) in 2006, the acquisitions of CCCIL and TJC in
2006, and the acquisition of Bremer in 2005, unfavorably impacted our gross profit margin. Generally, bottling and finished product operations produce higher net operating revenues but lower gross
profit margins compared to concentrate and syrup operations. Our gross margin in 2006 was also impacted favorably by price increases, partially offset by increases in the cost of raw materials and
freight, primarily in North America, and by an unfavorable product mix, primarily in Japan. Gross profit margin in 2005 was favorably impacted by the receipt of approximately $109 million in
proceeds related to a class action lawsuit settlement concerning price-fixing in the sale of high fructose corn syrup ("HFCS") purchased by the Company during the years 1991 to 1995. Subsequent to the
receipt of this settlement, the Company distributed approximately $62 million to certain bottlers in North America. From 1991 to 1995, the Company purchased HFCS on behalf of those bottlers.
Therefore, those bottlers ultimately were entitled to a portion of the proceeds. The Company's portion of the settlement was approximately $47 million, which was recorded as a reduction of cost
of goods sold and impacted Corporate. Refer to Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
In
2007, the Company expects the cost of raw materials to increase, primarily in North America. We will attempt to mitigate the overall impact on our business through appropriate pricing
and other strategies.
Our
gross profit margin decreased to 64.5 percent in 2005 from 64.7 percent in 2004, primarily due to higher raw material and freight costs driven by rising oil prices.
This decrease was partially offset by the receipt of net settlement proceeds of approximately $47 million, as discussed above. Our gross margin was also impacted by the consolidation of certain
bottling operations under Interpretation No. 46(R) as of April 2, 2004. Refer to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
49
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
The following table sets forth the significant components of selling, general and administrative expenses (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
| Selling expenses |
|
$ 3,924 |
|
$ 3,453 |
|
$ 3,031 |
| Advertising expenses |
|
2,553 |
|
2,475 |
|
2,165 |
| General and administrative expenses |
|
2,630 |
|
2,487 |
|
2,349 |
| Stock-based compensation expense |
|
324 |
|
324 |
|
345 |
|
| Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
$ 9,431 |
|
$ 8,739 |
|
$ 7,890 |
|
Total selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately 8 percent higher in 2006 versus 2005. The increases in selling and
advertising expenses were primarily related to increased investments in marketing activities, including World Cup and Winter Olympics promotions in the European Union, combined with new product
innovation activities and increased costs in our consolidated bottling investments as a result of acquisitions and consolidation of certain bottling operations. General and administrative expenses
increased due to higher costs in Bottling Investments related to the acquisitions of CCCIL and TJC and the consolidation of Brucephil under Interpretation No. 46(R). The acquisition of Bremer
during the third quarter of 2005 also increased general and administrative expenses in 2006, reflecting a full-year impact in 2006 for Bremer compared to a partial year in 2005. General
and administrative expenses in 2006 also reflected the impact of a $100 million donation made to The Coca-Cola Foundation, which impacted Corporate. Stock-based compensation expense
was flat in 2006 compared to 2005. Stock-based compensation expense in 2005 included approximately $50 million of expense due to a change in our estimated service period for retirement-eligible
participants in our plans. This amount was offset primarily by the impact of the timing of stock-based compensation grants in prior years.
As
of December 31, 2006, we had approximately $376 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under
our plans. This cost is expected to be recognized as stock-based compensation expense over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years. This expected cost does not include the impact of any future
stock-based compensation awards. Refer to Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Total
selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately 11 percent higher in 2005 versus 2004. Approximately 1 percentage point of this increase was due to an
overall weaker U.S. dollar (especially compared to the Brazilian real, the Mexican peso and the euro). The increase in selling, advertising and general and administrative expenses was primarily
related to increased marketing and innovation expenses and the full-year impact of the consolidation of certain bottling operations under Interpretation No. 46(R). The decrease in
stock-based compensation expense was primarily related to the lower average fair value per share of stock options expensed in 2005 compared to the average fair value per share expensed in 2004. This
decrease was partially offset by approximately $50 million of accelerated amortization of compensation expense related to a change in our estimated service period for retirement-eligible
participants when the terms of their stock-based compensation awards provided for accelerated vesting upon early retirement. Refer to Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
50
The other operating charges incurred by operating segment were as follows (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
| Africa |
|
$ 3 |
|
$ |
|
$ |
| East, South Asia and Pacific Rim |
|
44 |
|
85 |
|
|
| European Union |
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
| Latin America |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| North America |
|
|
|
|
|
18 |
| North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East |
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
| Bottling Investments |
|
84 |
|
|
|
398 |
| Corporate |
|
1 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
| Total |
|
$ 185 |
|
$ 85 |
|
$ 480 |
|
During 2006, our Company recorded other operating charges of $185 million. Of these charges, approximately $108 million were
primarily related to the impairment of assets and investments in our bottling operations, approximately $53 million were for contract termination costs related to production capacity
efficiencies and approximately $24 million were related to other restructuring costs. None of these charges was individually significant. The impairment charges were primarily the result of a
revised outlook for certain assets and bottling operations in Asia, which have been impacted by unfavorable market conditions and declines in volume. Refer to the discussion under "Critical Accounting
Policies and EstimatesGoodwill, Trademarks and Other Intangible Assets," above.
Other
operating charges in 2005 reflected the impact of approximately $84 million of expenses related to impairment charges for intangible assets and approximately
$1 million related to impairments of other assets. These intangible assets primarily relate to trademark beverages sold in the Philippines, which is part of East, South Asia and Pacific Rim.
Refer to the heading "Critical Accounting Policies and EstimatesGoodwill, Trademarks and Other Intangible Assets."
Other
operating charges in 2004 reflected the impact of approximately $480 million of expenses primarily related to impairment charges for franchise rights and certain
manufacturing assets. Bottling Investments accounted for approximately $398 million of the impairment charges, which were primarily related to the impairment of franchise rights at CCEAG. For a
discussion of the operating environment in Germany, refer to the heading "Critical Accounting Policies and EstimatesGoodwill, Trademarks and Other Intangible Assets." Corporate accounted
for approximately $64 million of impairment charges, which were primarily related to the impairment of certain manufacturing assets.
51
Information about our operating income contribution by operating segment on a percentage basis is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
|
| Africa |
|
6.7 |
% |
6.5 |
% |
5.9 |
% |
| East, South Asia and Pacific Rim |
|
5.7 |
|
4.6 |
|
7.7 |
|
| European Union |
|
35.7 |
|
36.5 |
|
37.3 |
|
| Latin America |
|
23.0 |
|
19.3 |
|
18.5 |
|
| North America |
|
26.7 |
|
25.5 |
|
28.2 |
|
| North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East |
|
24.7 |
|
29.0 |
|
29.3 |
|
| Bottling Investments |
|
|
|
(1.0 |
) |
(8.0 |
) |
| Corporate |
|
(22.5 |
) |
(20.4 |
) |
(18.9 |
) |
|
|
| |
|
100.0 |
% |
100.0 |
% |
100.0 |
% |
|
|
Information about our operating margin on a consolidated basis and by operating segment is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
|
| Consolidated |
|
26.2 |
% |
26.3 |
% |
26.2 |
% |
|
|
| Africa |
|
38.4 |
% |
35.8 |
% |
35.0 |
% |
| East, South Asia and Pacific Rim |
|
45.0 |
|
39.5 |
|
62.2 |
|
| European Union |
|
64.3 |
|
54.1 |
|
54.3 |
|
| Latin America |
|
57.9 |
|
57.0 |
|
59.2 |
|
| North America |
|
24.0 |
|
23.3 |
|
25.0 |
|
| North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East |
|
39.1 |
|
42.4 |
|
43.0 |
|
| Bottling Investments |
|
|
|
(1.0 |
) |
(11.4 |
) |
| Corporate |
|
* |
|
* |
|
* |
|
|
|
| * |
|
Calculation is not meaningful. |
As
demonstrated by the tables above, the percentage contribution to operating income and operating margin by each operating segment fluctuated from year to year. Operating income and
operating margin by operating segment were influenced by a variety of factors and events including the following:
-
- In
2006, foreign currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted operating income by approximately 1 percent, primarily related to a weaker Japanese yen, which impacted
North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East. The unfavorable impact from the weaker Japanese yen was partially offset by favorable foreign currency exchange rate changes primarily related to the euro, which
impacted the European Union and Bottling Investments, and the Brazilian real, which impacted Latin America and Bottling Investments.
-
- In
2006, price increases across the majority of operating segments favorably impacted both operating income and operating margins.
-
- In
2006, increased spending on marketing and innovation activities impacted the majority of the operating segments' operating income and operating margins. Refer to the
heading "Selling, General and Administrative Expenses."
-
- In
2006, operating income was reduced by approximately $3 million for Africa, $44 million for East, South Asia and Pacific Rim, $36 million for the
European Union, $17 million for North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East, $88 million for Bottling Investments and $1 million for Corporate primarily due to contract termination costs
related to production capacity efficiencies, asset impairments and other restructuring costs. Refer to Note 20 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
52
-
- In
2006, the increase in operating margin for the European Union was primarily due to a change in the business model in Spain. Refer to the headings "Net Operating Revenues"
and "Gross Profit," above.
-
- In
2006, the decrease in operating income and operating margin for North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East was primarily due to unfavorable product mix in Japan, which was
partially offset by increased operating income in Russia and Turkey. Operating margins in Japan are higher than the operating margins in Russia and Turkey.
-
- In
2006, the increase in operating income and operating margin for Bottling Investments was primarily due to price increases, favorable package mix and actions to improve
efficiency.
-
- In
2006, operating income was reduced by $100 million for Corporate as a result of a donation made to The Coca-Cola Foundation.
-
- In
2005, operating income increased approximately 7 percent. Of this amount, 4 percent was due to favorable foreign currency exchange primarily related to the
Brazilian real and the Mexican peso, which impacted Latin America and Bottling Investments, and the euro, which impacted the European Union and Bottling Investments.
-
- In
2005, operating income was impacted by an increase in net operating revenues and gross profit, partially offset by increased spending on marketing and innovation
activities in each operating segment. Refer to the headings "Net Operating Revenues" and "Selling, General and Administrative Expenses."
-
- In
2005, as a result of impairment charges totaling approximately $85 million related to the Philippines, operating margins in the East, South Asia and Pacific Rim
operating segment decreased. Refer to the heading "Other Operating Charges."
-
- In
2005, operating income in Corporate decreased $146 million, primarily due to increased marketing and innovation expenses, which were partially offset by our
receipt of a net settlement of approximately $47 million related to a class action lawsuit concerning the purchase of HFCS. Refer to the headings "Gross Profit" and "Selling, General and
Administrative Expenses."
-
- In
2004, operating income was reduced by approximately $18 million for North America, $398 million for Bottling Investments and $64 million for
Corporate as a result of impairment charges. Refer to the heading "Other Operating Charges."
-
- In
2004, operating income increased approximately 9 percent. Of this amount, 8 percent was due to favorable foreign currency exchange primarily related to the
euro, which impacted the European Union, and the Japanese yen, which impacted North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East.
-
- In
2004, as a result of the creation of a nationally integrated supply chain management company in Japan, operating margins in North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East increased.
Effective October 1, 2003, the Company and all of our bottling partners in Japan created a nationally integrated supply chain management company to centralize procurement, production and
logistics operations for the entire Coca-Cola system in Japan. As a result, a portion of our Company's business was essentially converted from a finished product business model to a
concentrate business model. This shift of certain products to a concentrate business model resulted in reductions in our revenues and cost of goods sold, each in the same amount. This change in the
business model did not impact gross profit. Generally, concentrate and syrup operations produce lower net revenues but higher operating margins compared to finished product operations.
-
- In
2004, as a result of the consolidation of certain bottling operations that are considered variable interest entities under Interpretation No. 46(R), operating
margin for Bottling Investments was reduced. Generally, bottling operations produce higher net revenues but lower operating margins compared to concentrate and syrup operations.
53
-
- In
2004, operating income in Corporate increased $75 million due to the receipt of an insurance settlement related to the class action lawsuit which was settled in
2000.
-
- In
2004, operating income in Corporate decreased $75 million due to a donation to The Coca-Cola Foundation.
We monitor our mix of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt as well as our mix of short-term debt versus long-term debt. From time
to time we enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage our mix of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt.
In
2006, interest income decreased by $42 million compared to 2005, primarily due to lower average short-term investment balances, partially offset by higher average
interest rates. Interest expense in 2006 decreased by $20 million compared to 2005. This decrease is primarily the result of lower average balances on commercial paper borrowings, partially
offset by higher average interest rates. We expect 2007 net interest expense to increase due to forecasted lower cash balances and higher debt balances.
In
2005, interest income increased by $78 million compared to 2004, primarily due to higher average short-term investment balances and higher average interest rates on
U.S. dollar denominated deposits. Interest expense in 2005 increased by $44 million compared to 2004, primarily due to higher average interest rates on commercial paper borrowings in the United
States, partially offset by lower interest expense at CCEAG due to the repayment of current maturities of long-term debt in 2005.
Our Company's share of income from equity method investments for 2006 totaled $102 million, compared to $680 million in 2005, a decrease of
$578 million. Equity income in 2006 was reduced by approximately $602 million resulting from the impact of our proportionate share of an impairment charge recorded by CCE. CCE recorded a
$2.9 billion pretax ($1.8 billion after tax) impairment of its North American franchise rights. The decline in the estimated fair value of CCE's North American franchise rights was the
result of several factors, including but not limited to (1) CCE's revised outlook on 2007 raw material costs driven by significant increases in aluminum and HFCS; (2) a challenging
marketplace environment with increased pricing pressures in several high-growth beverage categories; and (3) increased interest rates contributing to a higher discount rate and
corresponding capital charge. Our 2006 equity incomenet also reflected a net decrease of approximately $37 million primarily related to other impairment and restructuring charges
recorded by CCE and certain other equity method investees, partially offset by approximately $33 million related to our proportionate share of favorable changes in certain of CCE's state and
Canadian federal and provincial tax rates. In addition, our 2006 equity income was slightly impacted by the Company's sale of shares representing 8 percent of the capital stock of
Coca-Cola FEMSA. The Company sold these shares to Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. ("FEMSA"), the major shareowner of Coca-Cola FEMSA, in November 2006. As a result
of this sale, our ownership interest in Coca-Cola FEMSA was reduced from approximately 40 percent to approximately 32 percent. The decrease in 2006 equity income was also the
result
of the sale of a portion of our investment in Coca-Cola Icecek A.S. ("Coca-Cola Icecek") in an initial public offering during the second quarter of 2006. As a result of this
public offering, our Company's interest in Coca-Cola Icecek decreased from approximately 36 percent to approximately 20 percent. These reductions in ownership of
Coca-Cola FEMSA and Coca-Cola Icecek will reduce our future equity income related to these equity method investees. Refer to Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements. The decrease in equity income for 2006 was partially offset by our Company's proportionate share of increased net income from certain of the equity method investees and our proportionate
share of the net income of the Multon juice joint venture in Russia.
In
February 2007, CCE announced that it would restructure segments of its Corporate, North America and European operations. As a part of the restructuring, CCE expects a net job
reduction of approximately 3,500
54
positions,
or 5 percent of its total workforce. CCE expects this restructuring will result in a charge of approximately $300 million, with the majority to be recognized in 2007 and 2008.
The Company's equity income in 2007 and 2008 will reflect our proportionate share of the restructuring charges recorded by CCE.
Our
Company's share of income from equity method investments for 2005 totaled $680 million compared to $621 million in 2004, an increase of $59 million or
10 percent, primarily due to the overall improving health of the Coca-Cola bottling system in most of the world and the joint acquisition of Multon in April 2005. The
increase was offset by approximately $33 million related to our proportionate share of certain charges recorded by CCE. These charges included approximately $51 million, primarily
related to the tax liability resulting from the repatriation of previously unremitted foreign earnings under the Jobs Creation Act, and approximately $18 million due to restructuring charges
recorded by CCE. These charges were offset by approximately $37 million from CCE's HFCS lawsuit settlement and changes in certain of CCE's state and provincial tax rates.
Other income (loss)net was a net income of $195 million for 2006 compared to a net loss of $93 million for 2005, a difference of
$288 million. In 2006, other income (loss)net included a gain of approximately $175 million resulting from the sale of a portion of our Coca-Cola FEMSA shares to
FEMSA and a gain of approximately $123 million resulting from the sale of a portion of our investment in Coca-Cola Icecek shares in an initial public offering. Refer to
Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. This line item in 2006 also included $15 million in foreign currency exchange losses, the accretion of $58 million for the
discounted value of our liability to purchase CCEAG shares (refer to Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and the minority shareowners' proportional share of net income of
certain consolidated subsidiaries.
Other
income (loss)net amounted to a net loss of $93 million for 2005 compared to a net loss of $82 million for 2004, a difference of $11 million. The
difference was primarily related to a reduction in foreign exchange losses. This line item in 2005 primarily consisted of $23 million in foreign currency exchange losses, the accretion of
$60 million for the discounted value of our liability to purchase CCEAG shares (refer to Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and the minority shareowners' proportional
share of net income of certain consolidated subsidiaries.
When one of our equity method investees issues additional shares to third parties, our percentage ownership interest in the investee decreases. In the event the
issuance price per share is higher or lower than our average carrying amount per share, we recognize a noncash gain or loss on the issuance, when appropriate. This noncash gain or loss, net of any
deferred taxes, is recognized in our net income in the period the change of ownership interest occurs.
In
2006, our equity method investees did not issue any additional shares to third parties that resulted in our Company recording any noncash pretax gains.
In
2005, our Company recorded approximately $23 million of noncash pretax gains on the issuances of stock by equity method investees. The issuances primarily related to
Coca-Cola Amatil's issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of SPC Ardmona Pty. Ltd., an Australian packaged fruit company. These issuances of common stock
reduced our ownership interest in the total outstanding shares of Coca-Cola Amatil from approximately 34 percent to approximately 32 percent.
In
2004, our Company recorded approximately $24 million of noncash pretax gains on issuances of stock by CCE. The issuances primarily related to the exercise of CCE stock options
by CCE employees at amounts greater than the book value per share of our investment in CCE. These issuances of stock reduced our
55
ownership
interest in the total outstanding shares of CCE common stock from approximately 37 percent to approximately 36 percent.
Our effective tax rate reflects tax benefits derived from significant operations outside the United States, which are generally taxed at rates lower than the U.S.
statutory rate of 35 percent.
Our
effective tax rate of approximately 22.8 percent for the year ended December 31, 2006, included the following:
-
- a
tax benefit of approximately 1.8 percent primarily related to the sale of a portion of our investments in Coca-Cola Icecek and Coca-Cola
FEMSA. The tax benefit was a result of the reversal of a valuation allowance that covered certain deferred tax assets recorded on capital loss carryforwards. The reversal of the valuation allowance
was offset by a reduction of deferred tax assets due to the utilization of these capital loss carryforwards. These capital loss carryforwards offset the taxable gain on the sale of a portion of our
investments in Coca-Cola Icecek and Coca-Cola FEMSA. Also included in this tax benefit is the reversal of the deferred tax liability recorded for the differences between the
financial reporting and tax bases in the stock sold;
-
- an
income tax benefit primarily related to the impairment of assets and investments in our bottling operations, contract termination costs related to production capacity
efficiencies and other restructuring charges at a rate of approximately 16 percent;
-
- a
tax charge of approximately $24 million related to the resolution of certain tax matters; and
-
- an
income tax benefit related to our proportionate share of CCE's charges recorded at a rate of approximately 8.8 percent. Refer to Note 3 and Note 18
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our
effective tax rate of approximately 27.2 percent for the year ended December 31, 2005, included the following:
-
- an
income tax benefit primarily related to the Philippines impairment charges at a rate of approximately 4 percent;
-
- an
income tax benefit of approximately $101 million related to the reversal of previously accrued taxes resulting from the favorable resolution of various tax
matters; and
-
- a
tax provision of approximately $315 million related to repatriation of previously unremitted foreign earnings under the Jobs Creation Act.
Our
effective tax rate of approximately 22.1 percent for the year ended December 31, 2004, included the following:
-
- an
income tax benefit of approximately $128 million related to the reversal of previously accrued taxes resulting from the favorable resolution of various tax
matters;
-
- an
income tax benefit on "Other Operating Charges," discussed above, at a rate of approximately 36 percent;
-
- an
income tax provision of approximately $75 million related to the recording of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of CCEAG; and
-
- an
income tax benefit of approximately $50 million as a result of the realization of certain tax credits related to the Jobs Creation Act.
56
Based
on current tax laws, the Company's effective tax rate in 2007 is expected to be approximately 23 percent before considering the effect of any unusual or special items that
may affect our tax rate in future years.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position
We believe our ability to generate cash from operating activities is one of our fundamental financial strengths. We expect cash flows from operating activities to
be strong in 2007 and in future years. Accordingly, our Company expects to meet all of our financial commitments and operating needs for the foreseeable future. We expect to use cash generated from
operating activities primarily for dividends, share repurchases, acquisitions and aggregate contractual obligations.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was approximately $6.0 billion, $6.4 billion
and $6.0 billion, respectively.
Cash
flows from operating activities decreased 7 percent in 2006 compared to 2005. This decrease was primarily the result of payments in 2006 of marketing accruals recorded in
2005 related to increased marketing and innovation activities and increased tax payments made in the first quarter of 2006 related to the 2005 repatriation of foreign earnings under the Jobs Creation
Act. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in cash receipts in 2006 from customers, which was driven by a 4 percent growth in net operating revenues. Our cash flows from operating
activities in 2006 also decreased versus 2005 as a result of a contribution of approximately $216 million to a U.S. Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association ("VEBA"), a
tax-qualified trust to fund retiree medical benefits (refer to Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and a $100 million donation made to The
Coca-Cola Foundation.
Cash
flows from operating activities increased 8 percent in 2005 compared to 2004. The increase was primarily related to an increase in cash receipts from customers, which was
driven by a 6 percent growth in net operating revenues. These higher cash collections were offset by increased payments to suppliers and vendors, including payments related to our increased
marketing spending. Our cash flows from operating activities in 2005 also improved versus 2004 as a result of a $137 million reduction in payments related to our 2003 streamlining initiatives.
Cash flows from operating activities in 2005 were unfavorably impacted by a $176 million increase in income tax payments primarily related to payment of a portion of the tax provision
associated with the repatriation of previously unremitted foreign earnings under the Jobs Creation Act.
Our cash flows used in investing activities are summarized as follows (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
|
| Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Acquisitions and investments, principally trademarks and bottling companies |
|
$ (901 |
) |
$ (637 |
) |
$ (267 |
) |
| |
Purchases of other investments |
|
(82 |
) |
(53 |
) |
(46 |
) |
| |
Proceeds from disposals of other investments |
|
640 |
|
33 |
|
161 |
|
| |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
|
(1,407 |
) |
(899 |
) |
(755 |
) |
| |
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment |
|
112 |
|
88 |
|
341 |
|
| |
Other investing activities |
|
(62 |
) |
(28 |
) |
63 |
|
|
|
| Net cash used in investing activities |
|
$ (1,700 |
) |
$ (1,496 |
) |
$ (503 |
) |
|
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment accounted for the most significant cash outlays for investing activities in each of the three years
ended December 31, 2006. Our Company currently estimates that purchases of property, plant and equipment in 2007 will be approximately $1.5 billion.
57
Total capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment (including our investments in information technology) and the percentage of such totals by operating segment for 2006, 2005
and 2004 were as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
|
| Capital expenditures (in millions) |
|
$ 1,407 |
|
$ 899 |
|
$ 755 |
|
|
|
| Africa |
|
2.7 |
% |
2.5 |
% |
2.3 |
% |
| East, South Asia and Pacific Rim |
|
0.7 |
|
0.8 |
|
0.9 |
|
| European Union |
|
6.6 |
|
8.6 |
|
5.1 |
|
| Latin America |
|
3.1 |
|
2.7 |
|
3.4 |
|
| North America |
|
29.9 |
|
29.5 |
|
32.7 |
|
| North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East |
|
9.2 |
|
9.9 |
|
6.0 |
|
| Bottling Investments |
|
29.7 |
|
29.4 |
|
34.1 |
|
| Corporate |
|
18.1 |
|
16.6 |
|
15.5 |
|
|
|
Acquisitions and investments represented the next most significant investing activity, accounting for $901 million in 2006,
$637 million in 2005 and $267 million in 2004.
In
2006, our Company acquired a controlling interest in CCCIL and acquired Apollinaris and TJC. Refer to Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The remaining
amount of cash used for acquisitions and investments was primarily related to the acquisition of various trademarks and brands, none of which were individually significant.
Investing
activities in 2006 also included proceeds of approximately $198 million received from the sale of shares in connection with the initial public offering of
Coca-Cola Icecek and proceeds of approximately $427 million received from the sale of a portion of Coca-Cola FEMSA shares to FEMSA. Refer to Note 3 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
In
April 2005, our Company and Coca-Cola HBC jointly acquired Multon for a total purchase price of approximately $501 million, split equally between the Company
and Coca-Cola HBC. During the third quarter of 2005, our Company acquired the German bottling company Bremer for approximately $160 million from InBev SA. Also in 2005, the Company
acquired Sucos Mais, a Brazilian juice company, and completed the acquisition of the remaining 49 percent interest in the business of CCDA Waters L.L.C. not previously owned by our Company.
Refer to Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
In
2004, proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment of approximately $341 million related primarily to the sale of production assets in Japan. Refer to Note 3
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. In 2004, cash payments for acquisitions and investments were primarily related to the purchase of trademarks in Latin America.
Our cash flows used in financing activities were as follows (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
|
| Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Issuances of debt |
|
$ 617 |
|
$ 178 |
|
$ 3,030 |
|
| |
Payments of debt |
|
(2,021 |
) |
(2,460 |
) |
(1,316 |
) |
| |
Issuances of stock |
|
148 |
|
230 |
|
193 |
|
| |
Purchases of stock for treasury |
|
(2,416 |
) |
(2,055 |
) |
(1,739 |
) |
| |
Dividends |
|
(2,911 |
) |
(2,678 |
) |
(2,429 |
) |
|
|
| |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
$ (6,583 |
) |
$ (6,785 |
) |
$ (2,261 |
) |
|
|
58
Our Company maintains debt levels we consider prudent based on our cash flows, interest coverage ratio and percentage of debt to capital. We use debt financing to
lower our overall cost of capital, which increases our return on shareowners' equity.
As
of December 31, 2006, our long-term debt was rated "A+" by Standard & Poor's and "Aa3" by Moody's, and our commercial paper program was rated
"A-1" and "P-1" by Standard & Poor's and Moody's, respectively. In assessing our credit strength, both Standard & Poor's and Moody's consider our capital
structure and financial policies as well as the aggregated balance sheet and other financial information for the Company and certain bottlers, including CCE and Coca-Cola HBC. While the
Company has no legal obligation for the debt of these bottlers, the rating agencies believe the strategic importance of the bottlers to the Company's business model provides the Company with an
incentive to keep these bottlers viable. If our credit ratings were reduced by the rating agencies, our interest expense could increase. Additionally, if certain bottlers' credit ratings were to
decline, the Company's share of equity income could be reduced as a result of the potential increase in interest expense for these bottlers.
We
monitor our interest coverage ratio and, as indicated above, the rating agencies consider our ratio in assessing our credit ratings. However, the rating agencies aggregate financial
data for certain bottlers along with our Company when assessing our debt rating. As such, the key measure to rating agencies is the aggregate interest coverage ratio of the Company and certain
bottlers. Both Standard & Poor's and Moody's employ different aggregation methodologies and have different thresholds for the aggregate interest coverage ratio. These thresholds are not
necessarily permanent, nor are they fully disclosed to our Company.
Our
global presence and strong capital position give us access to key financial markets around the world, enabling us to raise funds at a low effective cost. This posture, coupled with
active management of our mix of short-term and long-term debt and our mix of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt, results in a lower overall cost of
borrowing. Our debt management policies, in conjunction with our share repurchase programs and investment activity, can result in current liabilities exceeding current assets.
Issuances
and payments of debt included both short-term and long-term financing activities. On December 31, 2006, we had $1,952 million in lines of
credit and other short-term credit facilities available, of which approximately $225 million was outstanding. The outstanding amount of $225 million was primarily related to
our international operations.
The
issuances of debt in 2006 primarily included approximately $484 million of issuances of commercial paper and short-term debt with maturities of greater than
90 days. The payments of debt in 2006
primarily included approximately $580 million related to commercial paper and short-term debt with maturities of greater than 90 days and approximately $1,383 million
of net repayments of commercial paper and short-term debt with maturities of 90 days or less.
The
issuances of debt in 2005 primarily included approximately $144 million of issuances of commercial paper with maturities of 90 days or more. The payments of debt
primarily included approximately $1,037 million related to net repayments of commercial paper with maturities of less than 90 days, repayments of commercial paper with maturities greater
than 90 days of approximately $32 million and repayment of approximately $1,363 million of long-term debt.
The
issuances of debt in 2004 primarily included approximately $2,109 million of net issuances of commercial paper with maturities of 90 days or less, and approximately
$818 million of issuances of commercial paper with maturities of more than 90 days. The payments of debt in 2004 primarily included approximately $927 million related to
commercial paper with maturities of more than 90 days and $367 million of long-term debt.
59
In October 1996, our Board of Directors authorized a plan ("1996 Plan") to repurchase up to 206 million shares of our Company's common stock through
2006. On July 20, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a new share repurchase program of up to 300 million shares of the Company's common stock. The new program took
effect upon the expiration of the 1996 Plan on October 31, 2006. The table below presents annual shares repurchased and average price per share:
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
| Number of shares repurchased (in millions) |
|
55 |
|
46 |
|
38 |
| Average price per share |
|
$ 45.19 |
|
$ 43.26 |
|
$ 46.33 |
|
Since the inception of our initial share repurchase program in 1984 through our current program as of December 31, 2006, we have purchased
more than 1.2 billion shares of our Company's common stock at an average price per share of $17.53.
As
strong cash flows are expected to continue in the future, the Company currently expects 2007 share repurchases to be in the range of $2.5 billion to $3.0 billion.
At its February 2007 meeting, our Board of Directors increased our quarterly dividend by 10 percent, raising it to $0.34 per share, equivalent to a
full-year dividend of $1.36 per share in 2007. This is our 45th consecutive annual increase. Our annual common stock dividend was $1.24 per share, $1.12 per share and $1.00
per share in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The 2006 dividend represented a 10 percent increase from 2005, and the 2005 dividend represented a 12 percent increase from 2004.
OffBalance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
OffBalance Sheet Arrangements
In accordance with the definition under SEC rules, the following qualify as offbalance sheet arrangements:
-
- any
obligation under certain guarantee contracts;
-
- a
retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to that
entity for such assets;
-
- any
obligation under certain derivative instruments; and
-
- any
obligation arising out of a material variable interest held by the registrant in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk
support to the registrant, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with the registrant.
As
of December 31, 2006, our Company was contingently liable for guarantees of indebtedness owed by third parties in the amount of approximately $270 million. Management
concluded that the likelihood of any material amounts being paid by our Company under these guarantees is not probable. As of December 31, 2006, we were not directly liable for the debt of any
unconsolidated entity, and we did not have any retained or contingent interest in assets as defined above.
Our
Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
In
December 2003, we granted a $250 million standby line of credit to Coca-Cola FEMSA with normal market terms. This standby line of credit expired in
December 2006.
60
As of December 31, 2006, the Company's contractual obligations, including payments due by period, were as follows (in millions):
| |
|
Payments Due by Period
|
| |
|
Total |
|
2007 |
|
2008-2009 |
|
2010-2011 |
|
2012 and
Thereafter |
|
| Short-term loans and notes payable1: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Commercial paper borrowings |
|
$ 1,942 |
|
$ 1,942 |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
| |
Lines of credit and other short-term borrowings |
|
225 |
|
225 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Liability to CCEAG shareowners2 |
|
1,068 |
|
1,068 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Current maturities of long-term debt3 |
|
33 |
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Long-term debt, net of current maturities3 |
|
1,314 |
|
|
|
611 |
|
576 |
|
127 |
| Estimated interest payments4 |
|
993 |
|
80 |
|
135 |
|
73 |
|
705 |
| Purchase obligations5 |
|
8,401 |
|
4,815 |
|
1,237 |
|
636 |
|
1,713 |
| Marketing obligations6 |
|
3,925 |
|
1,579 |
|
832 |
|
583 |
|
931 |
| Lease obligations |
|
545 |
|
141 |
|
193 |
|
127 |
|
84 |
|
| |
Total contractual obligations |
|
$ 18,446 |
|
$ 9,883 |
|
$ 3,008 |
|
$ 1,995 |
|
$ 3,560 |
|
| 1 |
Refer to Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding short-term loans and notes payable. Upon payment of outstanding commercial paper, we typically issue new commercial paper. Lines of
credit and other short-term borrowings are expected to fluctuate depending upon current liquidity needs, especially at international subsidiaries. |
| 2 |
Refer to Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our liability to CCEAG shareowners as of December 31, 2006. We paid the amount due to CCEAG shareowners in January 2007 to discharge
our liability. |
| 3 |
Refer to Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding long-term debt. We will consider several alternatives to settle this long-term debt, including the use of cash flows from operating
activities, issuance of commercial paper or issuance of other long-term debt. |
| 4 |
We calculated estimated interest payments for long-term debt as follows: for fixed-rate debt and term debt, we calculated interest based on the applicable rates and payment dates; for variable-rate debt and/or non-term
debt, we estimated interest rates and payment dates based on our determination of the most likely scenarios for each relevant debt instrument. We typically expect to settle such interest payments with cash flows from operating activities and/or
short-term borrowings. |
| 5 |
The purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including long-term contractual obligations, open purchase orders,
accounts payable and certain accrued liabilities. We expect to fund these obligations with cash flows from operating activities. |
| 6 |
We expect to fund these marketing obligations with cash flows from operating activities. |
In accordance with SFAS No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions," and SFAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement
Benefits Other Than Pensions," as amended by SFAS No. 158, "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plansan amendment of FASB Statements
No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)," the total accrued benefit liability for pension and other postretirement benefit plans recognized as of December 31, 2006, was $1,273 million. Refer
to Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. This accrued liability is included in the consolidated balance sheet line item other liabilities. This amount is impacted by, among
other items, pension expense funding levels, changes in plan demographics and assumptions, investment return on plan assets, and the application of SFAS No. 158. Because the accrued liability
does not represent expected liquidity needs, we did not include this amount in the contractual obligations table.
61
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 ("PPA") was enacted in August 2006 and established, among other things, new standards for funding of U.S. defined benefit pension plans. One of
the primary objectives of the PPA is to improve the financial integrity of underfunded plans through the requirement of additional contributions. The requirements of the PPA will not have a
significant impact on our financial condition because, under the provisions of the PPA, the minimum required contribution for the primary funded U.S. plan is projected to be zero through 2017 as a
result of contributions we have made to the plan since 2001. Therefore, we did not include any amounts as a contractual obligation in the above table. We may, however, decide to make additional
discretionary contributions to our pension and other benefit plans in future years. In addition, as a result of contributions totaling approximately $224 million in 2006 to fund a portion of
our U.S. postretirement healthcare obligation, including a contribution of $216 million to a VEBA trust, we do not expect to contribute to our U.S. postretirement healthcare plan in 2007. We
generally expect to fund all future contributions with cash flows from operating activities.
Our
international pension plans are funded in accordance with local laws and income tax regulations. We do not expect contributions to these plans to be material in 2007 or thereafter.
Therefore, no amounts have been included in the table above.
As
of December 31, 2006, the projected benefit obligation of the U.S. qualified pension plans was $1,660 million, and the fair value of plan assets was
$2,120 million. As of December 31, 2006, the projected benefit obligation of all pension plans other than the U.S. qualified pension plans was $1,385 million, and the fair value
of all other pension plan assets was $723 million. The majority of this underfunding is attributable to an international pension plan for certain non-U.S. employees that is unfunded
due to tax law restrictions, as well as our unfunded U.S. nonqualified pension plans. These U.S. nonqualified pension plans provide, for certain associates, benefits that are not permitted to be
funded through a qualified plan because of limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Disclosure of amounts are not included in the above table regarding expected benefit payments for our
unfunded pension plans. However, we anticipate annual benefit payments to be in the range of approximately $25 million to $30 million in 2007 and to remain at or near this annual level
for the next several years. We can not reasonably estimate these payments for 2012 and thereafter due to the ongoing nature of the obligations under these plans.
Deferred
income tax liabilities as of December 31, 2006, were $641 million. Refer to Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. This amount is not
included in the total contractual obligations table because we believe this presentation would not be meaningful. Deferred income tax liabilities are calculated based on temporary differences between
the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their respective book
bases, which will result in taxable amounts in future years when the liabilities are settled at their reported financial statement amounts. The results of these calculations do not have a direct
connection with the amount of cash taxes to be paid in any future periods. As a result, scheduling deferred income tax liabilities as payments due by period could be misleading, because this
scheduling would not relate to liquidity needs.
Minority
interests of $358 million as of December 31, 2006, for consolidated entities in which we do not have a 100 percent ownership interest were recorded in the
consolidated balance sheet line item other liabilities. Such minority interests are not liabilities requiring the use of cash or other resources; therefore, this amount is excluded from the
contractual obligations table.
Our international operations are subject to opportunities and risks relating to foreign currency fluctuations and governmental actions. We closely monitor our
operations in each country and seek to adopt appropriate strategies that are responsive to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
We
use 64 functional currencies. Due to our global operations, weaknesses in some of these currencies might be offset by strength in others. In 2006, 2005 and 2004, the weighted-average
exchange rates for foreign
62
currencies
in which the Company conducted operations (all operating currencies), and for certain individual currencies, strengthened (weakened) against the U.S. dollar as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|
|
| All operating currencies |
|
(1 |
)% |
2 |
% |
6 |
% |
|
|
| Brazilian real |
|
10 |
% |
21 |
% |
5 |
% |
| Mexican peso |
|
0 |
% |
4 |
% |
(5 |
)% |
| Australian dollar |
|
(1 |
)% |
3 |
% |
13 |
% |
| South African rand |
|
(7 |
)% |
1 |
% |
18 |
% |
| British pound |
|
1 |
% |
0 |
% |
12 |
% |
| Euro |
|
1 |
% |
1 |
% |
9 |
% |
| Japanese yen |
|
(6 |
)% |
(1 |
)% |
7 |
% |
|
|
These percentages do not include the effects of our hedging activities and, therefore, do not reflect the actual impact of fluctuations in
exchange rates on our operating results. Our foreign currency management program is designed to mitigate, over time, a portion of the impact of exchange rate changes on our net income and earnings per
share. The total currency impact on operating income, including the effect of our
hedging activities, was a decrease of approximately 1 percent in 2006. The impact of a weaker U.S. dollar increased our operating income by approximately 4 percent and 8 percent
in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Company currently expects currencies to have little impact on operating income in 2007.
Exchange
lossesnet amounted to approximately $15 million in 2006, $23 million in 2005 and $39 million in 2004 and were recorded in other income
(loss)net in our consolidated statements of income. Exchange lossesnet include the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities from certain currencies into functional
currencies and the costs of hedging certain exposures of our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The
Company will continue to manage its foreign currency exposure to mitigate, over time, a portion of the impact of exchange rate changes on net income and earnings per share.
Our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006, compared to our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005, was impacted by the
following:
Inflation affects the way we operate in many markets around the world. In general, we believe that, over time, we are able to increase prices to counteract the
majority of the inflationary effects of increasing costs and to generate sufficient cash flows to maintain our productive capability.
63
Additional Information
Effective January 1, 2007, we combined the Eurasia and Middle East Division, and the Russia, Ukraine and Belarus Division, both of which were previously
included in the North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East operating segment, with the India Division, previously included in the East, South Asia and Pacific Rim operating segment, to form the Eurasia
operating segment; and we combined the China Division and the Japan Division, previously included in the North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East operating segment, with the remaining East, South Asia and
Pacific Rim operating segment to form the Pacific operating segment. As a result, beginning with the first quarter of 2007, our organizational structure will consist of the following operating
segments: Africa; Eurasia; European Union; Latin America; North America; Pacific; Bottling Investments; and Corporate.
For
information concerning our operating segments as of December 31, 2006, refer to Note 20 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
64
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to reduce our exposure to adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and, to a lesser
extent, adverse fluctuations in interest rates and commodity prices and other market risks. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. As a matter of policy, all our
derivative positions are used to reduce risk by hedging an underlying economic exposure. Because of the high correlation between the hedging instrument and the underlying exposure, fluctuations in the
value of the instruments are generally offset by reciprocal changes in the value
of the underlying exposure. Virtually all of our derivatives are straightforward, over-the-counter instruments with liquid markets.
We manage most of our foreign currency exposures on a consolidated basis, which allows us to net certain exposures and take advantage of any natural offsets. In
2006, we generated approximately 72 percent of our net operating revenues from operations outside of the United States; therefore, weakness in one particular currency might be offset by
strengths in other currencies over time. We use derivative financial instruments to further reduce our net exposure to currency fluctuations.
Our
Company enters into forward exchange contracts and purchases currency options (principally euro and Japanese yen) and collars to hedge certain portions of forecasted cash flows
denominated in foreign currencies. Additionally, we enter into forward exchange contracts to offset the earnings impact relating to exchange rate fluctuations on certain monetary assets and
liabilities. We also enter into forward exchange contracts as hedges of net investments in international operations.
We monitor our mix of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt, as well as our mix of term debt versus non-term debt. From time to
time we enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage our mix of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt.
We monitor our exposure to financial market risks using several objective measurement systems, including value-at-risk models. Our
value-at-risk calculations use a historical simulation model to estimate potential future losses in the fair value of our derivatives and other financial instruments that could
occur as a result of adverse movements in foreign currency and interest rates. We have not considered the potential impact of favorable movements in foreign currency and interest rates on our
calculations. We examined historical weekly returns over the previous 10 years to calculate our value-at-risk. The average value-at-risk
represents the simple average of quarterly amounts over the past year. As a result of our foreign currency value-at-risk calculations, we estimate
with 95 percent confidence that the fair values of our foreign currency derivatives and other financial instruments, over a one-week period, would decline by approximately
$14 million, $9 million and $17 million, respectively, using 2006, 2005 or 2004 average fair values, and by approximately $14 million and $9 million, respectively,
using December 31, 2006 and 2005 fair values. According to our interest rate value-at-risk calculations, we estimate with 95 percent confidence that any increase
in our net interest expense due to an adverse move in our 2006 average or in our December 31, 2006, interest rates over a one-week period would not have a material impact on our
consolidated financial statements. Our December 31, 2005 and 2004 estimates also were not material to our consolidated financial statements.
65
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
Page
|
| Consolidated Statements of Income |
|
67 |
Consolidated Balance Sheets |
|
68 |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
|
69 |
Consolidated Statements of Shareowners' Equity |
|
70 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
|
71 |
Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting |
|
125 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
|
126 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting |
|
127 |
Quarterly Data (Unaudited) |
|
128 |
66
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
(In millions except per share data) |
|
NET OPERATING REVENUES |
|
$ 24,088 |
|
$ 23,104 |
|
$ 21,742 |
|
| Cost of goods sold |
|
8,164 |
|
8,195 |
|
7,674 |
|
|
|
| GROSS PROFIT |
|
15,924 |
|
14,909 |
|
14,068 |
|
| Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
9,431 |
|
8,739 |
|
7,890 |
|
| Other operating charges |
|
185 |
|
85 |
|
480 |
|
|
|
| OPERATING INCOME |
|
6,308 |
|
6,085 |
|
5,698 |
|
| Interest income |
|
193 |
|
235 |
|
157 |
|
| Interest expense |
|
220 |
|
240 |
|
196 |
|
| Equity income net |
|
102 |
|
680 |
|
621 |
|
| Other income (loss) net |
|
195 |
|
(93 |
) |
(82 |
) |
| Gains on issuances of stock by equity method investees |
|
|
|
23 |
|
24 |
|
|
|
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
|
6,578 |
|
6,690 |
|
6,222 |
|
| Income taxes |
|
1,498 |
|
1,818 |
|
1,375 |
|
|
|
| NET INCOME |
|
$ 5,080 |
|
$ 4,872 |
|
$ 4,847 |
|
|
|
| BASIC NET INCOME PER SHARE |
|
$ 2.16 |
|
$ 2.04 |
|
$ 2.00 |
|
|
|
| DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE |
|
$ 2.16 |
|
$ 2.04 |
|
$ 2.00 |
|
|
|
| AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING |
|
2,348 |
|
2,392 |
|
2,426 |
|
| Effect of dilutive securities |
|
2 |
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
|
|
| AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING ASSUMING DILUTION |
|
2,350 |
|
2,393 |
|
2,429 |
|
|
|
Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
67
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
(In millions except par value) |
|
| ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
CURRENT ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ 2,440 |
|
$ 4,701 |
|
| |
|
Marketable securities |
|
150 |
|
66 |
|
| |
|
Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $63 and $72, respectively |
|
2,587 |
|
2,281 |
|
| |
|
Inventories |
|
1,641 |
|
1,379 |
|
| |
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
1,623 |
|
1,778 |
|
|
|
| |
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS |
|
8,441 |
|
10,205 |
|
|
|
| |
INVESTMENTS |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Equity method investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. |
|
1,312 |
|
1,731 |
|
| |
|
|
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. |
|
1,251 |
|
1,039 |
|
| |
|
|
Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. |
|
835 |
|
982 |
|
| |
|
|
Coca-Cola Amatil Limited |
|
817 |
|
748 |
|
| |
|
|
Other, principally bottling companies |
|
2,095 |
|
2,062 |
|
| |
|
Cost method investments, principally bottling companies |
|
473 |
|
360 |
|
|
|
| |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS |
|
6,783 |
|
6,922 |
|
|
|
| |
OTHER ASSETS |
|
2,701 |
|
2,648 |
|
| |
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT net |
|
6,903 |
|
5,831 |
|
| |
TRADEMARKS WITH INDEFINITE LIVES |
|
2,045 |
|
1,946 |
|
| |
GOODWILL |
|
1,403 |
|
1,047 |
|
| |
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS |
|
1,687 |
|
828 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
$ 29,963 |
|
$ 29,427 |
|
|
|
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
$ 5,055 |
|
$ 4,493 |
|
| |
|
Loans and notes payable |
|
3,235 |
|
4,518 |
|
| |
|
Current maturities of long-term debt |
|
33 |
|
28 |
|
| |
|
Accrued income taxes |
|
567 |
|
797 |
|
|
|
| |
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
8,890 |
|
9,836 |
|
|
|
| |
LONG-TERM DEBT |
|
1,314 |
|
1,154 |
|
| |
OTHER LIABILITIES |
|
2,231 |
|
1,730 |
|
| |
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES |
|
608 |
|
352 |
|
| |
SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Common stock, $0.25 par value; Authorized 5,600 shares; |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Issued 3,511 and 3,507 shares, respectively |
|
878 |
|
877 |
|
| |
|
Capital surplus |
|
5,983 |
|
5,492 |
|
| |
|
Reinvested earnings |
|
33,468 |
|
31,299 |
|
| |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
(1,291 |
) |
(1,669 |
) |
| |
|
Treasury stock, at cost 1,193 and 1,138 shares, respectively |
|
(22,118 |
) |
(19,644 |
) |
|
|
| |
TOTAL SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY |
|
16,920 |
|
16,355 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY |
|
$ 29,963 |
|
$ 29,427 |
|
|
|
Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
68
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| Year Ended December 31, |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
(In millions) |
|
OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net income |
|
$ 5,080 |
|
$ 4,872 |
|
$ 4,847 |
|
| Depreciation and amortization |
|
938 |
|
932 |
|
893 |
|
| Stock-based compensation expense |
|
324 |
|
324 |
|
345 |
|
| Deferred income taxes |
|
(35 |
) |
(88 |
) |
162 |
|
| Equity income or loss, net of dividends |
|
124 |
|
(446 |
) |
(476 |
) |
| Foreign currency adjustments |
|
52 |
|
47 |
|
(59 |
) |
| Gains on issuances of stock by equity investees |
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
(24 |
) |
| Gains on sales of assets, including bottling interests |
|
(303 |
) |
(9 |
) |
(20 |
) |
| Other operating charges |
|
159 |
|
85 |
|
480 |
|
| Other items |
|
233 |
|
299 |
|
437 |
|
| Net change in operating assets and liabilities |
|
(615 |
) |
430 |
|
(617 |
) |
|
|
| |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
5,957 |
|
6,423 |
|
5,968 |
|
|
|
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Acquisitions and investments, principally trademarks and bottling companies |
|
(901 |
) |
(637 |
) |
(267 |
) |
| Purchases of other investments |
|
(82 |
) |
(53 |
) |
(46 |
) |
| Proceeds from disposals of other investments |
|
640 |
|
33 |
|
161 |
|
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
|
(1,407 |
) |
(899 |
) |
(755 |
) |
| Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment |
|
112 |
|
88 |
|
341 |
|
| Other investing activities |
|
(62 |
) |
(28 |
) |
63 |
|
|
|
| |
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
(1,700 |
) |
(1,496 |
) |
(503 |
) |
|
|
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Issuances of debt |
|
617 |
|
178 |
|
3,030 |
|
| Payments of debt |
|
(2,021 |
) |
(2,460 |
) |
(1,316 |
) |
| Issuances of stock |
|
148 |
|
230 |
|
193 |
|
| Purchases of stock for treasury |
|
(2,416 |
) |
(2,055 |
) |
(1,739 |
) |
| Dividends |
|
(2,911 |
) |
(2,678 |
) |
(2,429 |
) |
|
|
| |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
(6,583 |
) |
(6,785 |
) |
(2,261 |
) |
|
|
| EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
|
65 |
|
(148 |
) |
141 |
|
|
|
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net (decrease) increase during the year |
|
|