(Oct 27): Coca-Cola Co raised its 2026 full-year outlook on strong international demand for soda, especially its zero-sugar drinks.

The beverage company now sees organic sales increasing at least 5% this year, rather than growing about that much. Coca-Cola had already raised its guidance in July, pointing to the company’s increasing confidence in the year’s results.

“Our results this quarter demonstrate our system’s sustained momentum, giving us confidence in our updated full-year guidance,” CEO Henrique Braun said in a statement.

The Atlanta-based company said it saw 5% growth in unit case volume sales of sparkling soft drinks, including 16% growth of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and 6% growth of Diet Coke. However, in North America, growth in Coca-Cola soda was offset by a decline in water, sports, coffee and tea. Sales volume in North America was flat, coming in below the average of analysts’ estimates of 2.3% growth.

Shares of Coca-Cola were little changed at 7.28am in premarket New York trading (7.28pm in Malaysia). The stock has gained almost 33% this year through Monday’s close, compared with a 12% increase in the S&P 500 Index. PepsiCo stock has declined 6% over the same period.

Coca-Cola’s third-quarter adjusted earnings per share were 91 cents, topping the average of analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Organic sales, which strip out items such as currency volatility, rose 7%, above expectations.

Coca-Cola’s widening portfolio of beverages is reaching more shoppers, with zero-sugar soda, higher-protein Fairlife milk and water as many consumers turn away from traditional full-calorie soft drinks. Coca-Cola has also nabbed some recent wins against rival PepsiCo Inc, including taking over KFC’s US restaurants.

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