FORM 10-Q

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

ý  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005

 

OR

 

o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from              to              

 

Commission File No. 1-2217

 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

58-0628465

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

One Coca-Cola Plaza
Atlanta, Georgia

 

30313

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (404) 676-2121

 

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 (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes ý      No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes ý      No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes o      No ý

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of Common Stock as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class of Common Stock

 

Outstanding at October 24, 2005

$0.25 Par Value

 

2,379,170,164 Shares

 



 

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Index

 

Part I. Financial Information

 

 

 

Page Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004

3

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004

4

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine months ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004

6

 

 

 

 

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations

18

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk

33

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

33

 

 

 

 

Part II. Other Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

34

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

36

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

37

 

2



 

Part I. Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(In millions except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

NET OPERATING REVENUES

 

$ 6,037

 

$ 5,596

 

$ 17,553

 

$ 16,538

 

Cost of goods sold

 

2,235

 

2,061

 

6,199

 

5,861

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

3,802

 

3,535

 

11,354

 

10,677

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

2,225

 

2,046

 

6,446

 

5,846

 

Other operating charges

 

85

 

392

 

85

 

480

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

1,492

 

1,097

 

4,823

 

4,351

 

Interest income

 

49

 

39

 

163

 

106

 

Interest expense

 

49

 

47

 

179

 

138

 

Equity income — net

 

195

 

180

 

553

 

496

 

Other income (loss) — net

 

(34

)

(34

)

(66

)

(64

)

Gains on issuances of stock by equity method investees

 

 

 

23

 

49

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

1,653

 

1,235

 

5,317

 

4,800

 

Income taxes

 

370

 

300

 

1,309

 

1,154

 

NET INCOME

 

$ 1,283

 

$    935

 

$  4,008

 

$   3,646

 

BASIC NET INCOME PER SHARE

 

$   0.54

 

$   0.39

 

$    1.67

 

$     1.50

 

DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE

 

$   0.54

 

$   0.39

 

$    1.67

 

$     1.50

 

DIVIDENDS PER SHARE

 

$   0.28

 

$   0.25

 

$    0.84

 

$     0.75

 

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

2,384

 

2,421

 

2,397

 

2,431

 

Effect of dilutive securities

 

1

 

3

 

2

 

3

 

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING ASSUMING DILUTION

 

2,385

 

2,424

 

2,399

 

2,434

 

 

Refer to Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3



 

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

September 30,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

CURRENT

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$   4,951

 

$   6,707

 

Marketable securities

 

111

 

61

 

 

 

5,062

 

6,768

 

Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $72 at September 30 and $69 at December 31

 

2,217

 

2,171

 

Inventories

 

1,431

 

1,420

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

1,810

 

1,735

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

 

10,520

 

12,094

 

INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Equity method investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.

 

1,730

 

1,569

 

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A.

 

1,079

 

1,067

 

Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A. de C.V.

 

899

 

792

 

Coca-Cola Amatil Limited

 

732

 

736

 

Other, principally bottling companies

 

2,026

 

1,733

 

Cost method investments, principally bottling companies

 

393

 

355

 

Other assets

 

2,740

 

3,054

 

 

 

9,599

 

9,306

 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

460

 

479

 

Buildings and improvements

 

2,775

 

2,853

 

Machinery and equipment

 

6,490

 

6,337

 

Containers

 

492

 

480

 

 

 

10,217

 

10,149

 

Less allowances for depreciation

 

4,340

 

4,058

 

 

 

5,877

 

6,091

 

TRADEMARKS WITH INDEFINITE LIVES

 

1,957

 

2,037

 

GOODWILL

 

1,083

 

1,097

 

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

847

 

702

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$ 29,883

 

$ 31,327

 

 

Refer to Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4



 

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

(In millions except share data)

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

September 30,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

CURRENT

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$    5,194

 

$    4,283

 

Loans and notes payable

 

3,069

 

4,531

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

10

 

1,490

 

Accrued income taxes

 

683

 

667

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

8,956

 

10,971

 

LONG-TERM DEBT

 

1,121

 

1,157

 

OTHER LIABILITIES

 

2,743

 

2,814

 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

 

537

 

450

 

SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.25 par value

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized: 5,600,000,000 shares; issued: 3,504,577,485 shares at September 30 and 3,500,489,544 shares at December 31

 

876

 

875

 

Capital surplus

 

5,331

 

4,928

 

Reinvested earnings

 

31,100

 

29,105

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(1,589

)

(1,348

)

 

 

35,718

 

33,560

 

Less treasury stock, at cost
(1,127,111,820 shares at September 30; 1,091,150,977 shares at December 31)

 

(19,192

)

(17,625

)

 

 

16,526

 

15,935

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY

 

$  29,883

 

$  31,327

 

 

Refer to Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5



 

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$  4,008

 

$  3,646

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

676

 

630

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

268

 

271

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(74

)

(44

)

Equity income or loss, net of dividends

 

(375

)

(359

)

Foreign currency adjustments

 

93

 

(35

)

Gains on issuances of stock by equity method investees

 

(23

)

(49

)

Gains on sales of assets, including bottling interests

 

(4

)

(17

)

Other operating charges

 

85

 

480

 

Other items

 

168

 

245

 

Net change in operating assets and liabilities

 

458

 

(178

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

5,280

 

4,590

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions and investments, principally trademarks and bottling companies

 

(635

)

(243

)

Purchases of investments and other assets

 

(67

)

(25

)

Proceeds from disposals of investments and other assets

 

20

 

129

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(633

)

(520

)

Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment

 

88

 

56

 

Other investing activities

 

10

 

76

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(1,217

)

(527

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Issuances of debt

 

29

 

2,380

 

Payments of debt

 

(2,867

)

(1,247

)

Issuances of stock

 

137

 

171

 

Purchases of stock for treasury

 

(1,595

)

(1,472

)

Dividends

 

(1,346

)

(1,809

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(5,642

)

(1,977

)

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(177

)

18

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) during the period

 

(1,756

)

2,104

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

6,707

 

3,362

 

Balance at end of period

 

$  4,951

 

$  5,466

 

 

Refer to Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6



 

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note A — Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. They do not include all information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. However, except as disclosed herein, there has been no material change in the information disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Coca-Cola Company for the year ended December 31, 2004. When used in these notes, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean The Coca-Cola Company and all entities included in our consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005.

 

Certain amounts in our prior period consolidated financial statements and notes have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Our reporting period ends on the Friday closest to the last day of the quarterly calendar period.  The third quarter of 2005 and 2004 ended on September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004, respectively.  Our fiscal year ends on December 31 regardless of the day of the week on which December 31 falls.

 

Note B — Accounting Pronouncements

 

Variable Interest Entities

 

In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“Interpretation 46” or “FIN 46”). Application of Interpretation 46 was required in consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 for interests in variable interest entities that were considered to be special-purpose entities. Our Company determined that we did not have any arrangements or relationships with special-purpose entities. Application of Interpretation 46 for all other types of variable interest entities was required for our Company effective April 2, 2004.

 

Interpretation 46 addresses the consolidation of business enterprises to which the usual condition (ownership of a majority voting interest) of consolidation does not apply. This interpretation focuses on controlling financial interests that may be achieved through arrangements that do not involve voting interests. It concludes that in the absence of clear control through voting interests, a company’s exposure (variable interest) to the economic risks and potential rewards from the variable interest entity’s assets and activities are the best evidence of control. If an enterprise holds a majority of the variable interests of an entity, it would be considered the primary beneficiary. Upon consolidation, the primary beneficiary is generally required to include assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests at fair value and subsequently account for the variable interest as if it were consolidated based on majority voting interest.

 

In our consolidated financial statements as of and prior to December 31, 2003, we consolidated all entities that we controlled by ownership of a majority of voting interests. As a result of Interpretation 46, effective as of April 2, 2004, our consolidated balance sheet includes the assets and liabilities of:

 

      all entities in which the Company has ownership of a majority of voting interests; and additionally,

 

7



 

      all variable interest entities for which we are the primary beneficiary.

 

Our Company holds interests in certain entities, primarily bottlers, previously accounted for under the equity method of accounting that are considered variable interest entities. These variable interests relate to profit guarantees or subordinated financial support for these entities. Upon adoption of Interpretation 46, as of April 2, 2004, we consolidated assets of approximately $383 million and liabilities of approximately $383 million that were previously not recorded on our consolidated balance sheet. We did not record a cumulative effect of an accounting change, and prior periods were not restated. The results of operations of these variable interest entities were included in our consolidated results beginning April 3, 2004 and did not have a material impact for the year ended December 31, 2004. Our Company’s investments, plus any loans and guarantees, related to these variable interest entities totaled approximately $268 million at September 30, 2005, representing our maximum exposure to loss. Creditors of the variable interest entities do not have recourse against the general credit of the Company as a result of including these variable interest entities in our consolidated financial statements.

 

Jobs Creation Act

 

In October 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Jobs Creation Act”) was signed into law. The Jobs Creation Act includes a temporary incentive for U.S. multinationals to repatriate foreign earnings at an approximate effective 5.25 percent federal tax rate. Such repatriations must occur in either an enterprise’s last tax year that began before the enactment date, or the first tax year that begins during the one-year period beginning on the date of enactment.

 

FASB Staff Position 109-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004” (“FSP 109-2”), indicated that the lack of clarification of certain provisions within the Jobs Creation Act and the timing of the enactment necessitated a practical exception to the requirement of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS No. 109”), to reflect in the period of enactment the effect of a new tax law. Accordingly, an enterprise was allowed time beyond the financial reporting period of enactment to evaluate the effect of the Jobs Creation Act on its plan for reinvestment or repatriation of foreign earnings. FSP 109-2 required that the provisions of SFAS No. 109 be applied as an enterprise decides on its plan for reinvestment or repatriation of its unremitted foreign earnings.  Refer to Notes J and N.

 

Inventory Costs

 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs, an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43, Chapter 4” (“SFAS No. 151”). SFAS No. 151 requires that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted materials (spoilage) be recorded as current period charges and that the allocation of fixed production overheads to inventory be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS No. 151 becomes effective for our Company on January 1, 2006. The Company does not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 151 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Share-Based Payment

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”). SFAS No. 123(R) supercedes Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” Generally, the approach in SFAS No. 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” which our Company adopted effective January 1, 2002. Currently, our Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton formula to estimate the value of stock options granted to employees and is evaluating option valuation models, including the Black-Scholes-Merton formula, to determine which model we will utilize upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R). Our Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 123(R), using the modified-prospective method, beginning January 1, 2006.  Any impact from the initial adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will be recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. We do not expect the initial adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) to have a material impact on our Company. We also do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) to have a material impact on our Company’s future stock-based compensation expense. Additionally, our equity investees are also required to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) no later than January 1, 2006.  Our proportionate share of the stock-based compensation expense resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) by our equity investees will be recognized as a reduction to equity income.

 

8



 

Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29” (“SFAS No. 153”). SFAS No. 153 is based on the principle that exchanges of nonmonetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged.  APB Opinion No. 29, “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions” (“APB Opinion No. 29”), provided an exception to its basic measurement principle (fair value) for exchanges of similar productive assets. Under APB Opinion No. 29, an exchange of a productive asset for a similar productive asset was based on the recorded amount of the asset relinquished. SFAS No. 153 eliminates this exception and replaces it with an exception of exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. SFAS No. 153 became effective for our Company as of July 1, 2005. There were no significant nonmonetary exchange transactions recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2005. The Company will apply the requirements of SFAS No. 153 on any future nonmonetary exchange transactions.

 

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections

 

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a replacement of APB No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3” (“SFAS No. 154”).  SFAS No. 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of a voluntary change in accounting principle unless it is impracticable.  APB Opinion No. 20 “Accounting Changes,” previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including in net income of the period of the change the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle.  This statement will become effective for our Company on January 1, 2006. The Company does not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 154 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Note C — Seasonality

 

Sales of nonalcoholic beverages are somewhat seasonal, with the second and third calendar quarters accounting for the highest sales volumes in the Northern Hemisphere. The volume of sales in the beverages business may be affected by weather conditions.

 

Note D — Gains on Issuances of Stock by Equity Method Investees

 

In the first quarter of 2005, our Company recorded approximately $23 million of noncash pretax gains on the issuances of stock by equity method investees. These gains primarily related to the issuances by Coca-Cola Amatil Limited (“Coca-Cola Amatil”) of common stock valued at an amount greater than the book value per share of our investment in Coca-Cola Amatil. Coca-Cola Amatil issued this common stock in connection with an acquisition. We provided deferred taxes of approximately $8 million on these gains. These issuances of common stock reduced our ownership interest in the total outstanding shares of Coca-Cola Amatil from approximately 34.0 percent to approximately 32.4 percent.

 

In the second quarter of 2004, our Company recorded approximately $49 million of noncash pretax gains on issuances of stock by Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (“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 ownership interest in the total outstanding shares of CCE common stock by approximately 1 percent to approximately 36 percent.

 

Note E — Comprehensive Income

 

The following table summarizes total comprehensive income for the applicable periods (in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

Net income

 

$ 1,283

 

$ 935

 

$ 4,008

 

$ 3,646

 

Net foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(58

)

(50

)

(329

)

18

 

Net gain (loss) on derivatives

 

(18

)

12

 

63

 

19

 

Net change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

 

34

 

8

 

32

 

23

 

Net change in minimum pension liability

 

(1

)

11

 

(7

)

(28

)

Total comprehensive income

 

$ 1,240

 

$ 916

 

$ 3,767

 

$ 3,678

 

 

9



Note F — Contingencies

 

On September 30, 2005, we were contingently liable for guarantees of indebtedness owed by third parties in the amount of $219 million. These guarantees are related to third-party customers, bottlers and vendors and have arisen through the normal course of business. These guarantees have various terms, and none of these guarantees is individually significant. The $219 million represents the maximum potential future payments that we could be required to make under the guarantees; however, we do not consider it probable that we will be required to satisfy these guarantees.

 

Additionally, in December 2003, we granted a $250 million standby line of credit to Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A. de C.V. (“Coca-Cola FEMSA”) with normal market terms. As of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, no amounts had been drawn against this line of credit. This standby line of credit expires in December 2006.

 

We believe our exposure to concentration of credit risk is limited due to the diverse geographic areas covered by our operations.

 

The Company is also involved in various legal proceedings. We establish reserves for specific legal proceedings when we determine that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management has also identified below certain other legal matters where we believe an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible for which no estimate of possible losses can be made. Management believes that any liability to the Company that may arise as a result of currently pending legal proceedings, including those discussed below, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company taken as a whole.

 

During the period from 1970 to 1981, our Company owned Aqua-Chem, Inc. (“Aqua-Chem”). A division of Aqua-Chem manufactured certain boilers that contained gaskets that Aqua-Chem purchased from outside suppliers. Several years after our Company sold this entity, Aqua-Chem received its first awsuit relating to asbestos, a component of some of the gaskets. In September 2002, Aqua-Chem notified our Company that it believes we are obligated to them for certain costs and expenses associated with the litigation. Aqua-Chem demanded that our Company reimburse it for approximately $10 million for out-of-pocket litigation-related expenses incurred over the last 18 years. Aqua-Chem has also demanded that the Company acknowledge a continuing obligation to Aqua-Chem for any future liabilities and expenses that are excluded from coverage under the applicable insurance or for which there is no insurance. Our Company disputes Aqua-Chem’s claims, and we believe we have no obligation to Aqua-Chem for any of its past, present or future liabilities, costs or expenses. Furthermore, we believe we have substantial legal and factual defenses to Aqua-Chem’s claims. The parties entered into litigation to resolve this dispute, which was stayed by agreement of the parties pending the outcome of litigation filed in Wisconsin by certain insurers of Aqua-Chem. In that case, five plaintiff insurance companies filed a declaratory judgment action against Aqua-Chem, the Company and 16 defendant insurance companies seeking a determination of the parties’ rights and liabilities under policies issued by the insurers. That litigation remains pending, and the Company believes it has substantial legal and factual defenses to the insurers’ claims.  Aqua-Chem and the Company have reached a settlement agreement with five 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 and the Company will continue to litigate their claims for coverage against the 16 other insurers that are parties to the Wisconsin insurance coverage case. The Company also believes Aqua-Chem has substantial insurance coverage to pay Aqua-Chem’s asbestos claimants. An estimate of possible losses, if any, cannot be made at this time.

 

The Company is discussing with the Competition Directorate of 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.

 

At the time we acquire or divest our interest in an entity, we sometimes agree to indemnify the seller or buyer for specific contingent liabilities. Management believes that any liability to the Company that may arise as a result of any such indemnification agreements will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company taken as a whole.

 

 

10



 

The Company is involved in various tax matters. We establish reserves at the time that we determine that it is probable that 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 may have established a reserve, is audited and finally resolved or when a tax assessment is raised. 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 and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable. Such liabilities are recorded in the line item accrued income taxes in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. Favorable resolution of tax matters that had been previously reserved would be recognized as a reduction to our income tax expense, when known.

 

The Company is also involved in various tax matters where we have determined that the probability of an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible. Management believes that any liability to the Company that may arise as a result of currently pending tax matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company taken as a whole.

 

Note G — Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

 

The following tables summarize net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the applicable periods (in millions):

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Benefits

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

Service cost

 

$  22

 

$  20

 

$   7

 

$   7

 

Interest cost

 

40

 

36

 

11

 

11

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(42

)

(38

)

(1

)

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

2

 

2

 

 

 

Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)

 

11

 

10

 

(1

)

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$  33

 

$  30

 

$ 16

 

$ 18

 

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Benefits

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

Service cost

 

$    71

 

$    62

 

$ 21

 

$ 20

 

Interest cost

 

122

 

109

 

33

 

33

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(131

)

(113

)

(1

)

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

7

 

6

 

 

 

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

27

 

25

 

1

 

2

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$   96

 

$   89

 

$ 54

 

$ 55

 

 

We contributed $118 million to our pension plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2005, and we anticipate contributing up to an additional $9 million to these plans during the remainder of 2005. We contributed $8 million to our other postretirement benefit plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  We do not expect to contribute any additional amounts to the other postretirement benefit plans during the remainder of 2005.  We contributed $139 million to the primary qualified U.S. pension plan and $8 million to the U.S. postretirement benefit plan during the nine months ended October 1, 2004.

 

 

11



Note H — Significant Operating and Nonoperating Items

 

During the second quarter of 2005, our Company received approximately $99 million related to the settlement of a class action lawsuit 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 amount, the Company distributed approximately $57 million to certain bottlers in North America.  From 1991 to 1995, the Company purchased HFCS on behalf of these bottlers.  Therefore, these bottlers were ultimately entitled to a portion of the proceeds of the settlement.  Of the $57 million we distributed to certain bottlers in North America, approximately $44 million was distributed to CCE.  The Company’s remaining share of the settlement was $42 million, which was recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold and impacted the Corporate operating segment.  Additional insignificant amounts related to the finalization of the settlement may be received by the Company in late 2005 or early 2006.

 

During the second quarter of 2005, equity income benefited by approximately $21 million primarily related to our proportionate share of CCE’s HFCS lawsuit settlement proceeds and changes in certain of CCE’s state and provincial tax rates.

 

During the second quarter of 2004, our Company’s equity income benefited by approximately $37 million for our proportionate share of a favorable tax settlement related to Coca-Cola FEMSA.

 

Note I — Other Operating Charges

 

In the third quarter of 2005, our Company recorded impairment charges of approximately $85 million primarily related to intangible assets.  These intangible assets relate to trademarks for beverages sold in the Philippines market.  The Philippines is a component of our East, South Asia and Pacific Rim operating segment.  The carrying value of our trademarks in the Philippines, prior to the recording of the impairment charges in the third quarter of 2005, was approximately $268 million.  The Philippines impairment was the result of our revised outlook for the Philippines market which has 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 amount of the third quarter 2005 impairment by comparing the fair value of the intangible assets to the current 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.  This impairment charge was recorded in the line item other operating charges in our condensed consolidated statements of income for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.  Our Company is evaluating and implementing new strategies for the Philippines market to address structural issues with the bottling system and product affordability, availability and acceptability issues.  If the results of these strategies do not achieve our current expectations, future charges could result related to both our remaining intangible assets as well as our equity method investment in the Philippines bottling operation.  Management will continue to monitor the Philippines market and conduct impairment reviews as required.

 

In the third quarter of 2004, our Company recorded impairment charges totaling approximately $392 million primarily related to franchise rights at Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetraenke AG (“CCEAG”). The CCEAG impairment was the result of our revised outlook for the German market that was unfavorably impacted by volume declines resulting from market shifts related to the deposit law on non-returnable beverage packages and the corresponding lack of availability for our products in the discount retail channel. The deposit laws in Germany led discount chains to begin selling proprietary packages that could only be returned to their own stores. These proprietary packages continued to gain sales share and customer acceptance.  We determined the amount of the third quarter 2004 impairment by comparing the fair value of the intangible assets to the current 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 impairment charges 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 condensed consolidated statements of income for the quarter ended October 1, 2004. Our Company continues to evaluate our strategies for the German operations, including addressing significant structural issues that limit the system’s ability to respond effectively to the evolving retail and consumer landscape, assessing market changes and determining our expectations related to the political environment. Further unexpected changes in the political environment or market shifts could result in future charges. Management will continue to monitor the German market.

 

12



 

In the second quarter of 2004, our Company recorded impairment charges totaling approximately $88 million. These impairments primarily related to the write-down of certain manufacturing investments. As a result of operating losses generated by these manufacturing investments, management prepared analyses of the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. Because the sum of the undiscounted cash flows was less than the carrying value of such assets, we recorded an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of the assets to fair value. The $88 million also included a write-down of an intangible asset.  This $88 million impairment charge was recorded in the line item other operating charges in our condensed consolidated statements of income for the nine months ended October 1, 2004.

 

Note J — Income Taxes

 

As discussed in Note B, the Jobs Creation Act was enacted in October 2004. The Jobs Creation Act includes a temporary incentive to U.S. multinationals to repatriate foreign earnings at an approximate effective 5.25 percent federal tax rate. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company decided to repatriate approximately $2.5 billion in previously unremitted foreign earnings. Therefore, the Company recorded a provision for taxes on such previously unremitted foreign earnings of approximately $152 million in the first quarter of 2005. During the second quarter of 2005, the Company repatriated $2.5 billion in previously unremitted foreign earnings.  Also, in the second quarter of 2005, the United States Internal Revenue Service and the United States Department of Treasury issued additional guidance related to the Jobs Creation Act.  As a result of this guidance, the Company reduced the accrued taxes previously provided on such unremitted earnings by $25 million during the second quarter of 2005.

 

Subsequent to the end of the third quarter of 2005, the Company and the Board of Directors approved a plan to repatriate approximately $3.6 billion in previously unremitted foreign earnings in the fourth quarter of 2005 under the Jobs Creation Act, and the Company will record a tax liability of approximately $200 million in the fourth quarter. Therefore, the total previously unremitted earnings that will be repatriated during the full year of 2005 is approximately $6.1 billion, with a total tax liability of approximately $327 million.  Refer to Note N.

 

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 was 22.4 percent for the third quarter of 2005 compared to 24.3 percent for the third quarter of 2004.  For the third quarter of 2005, our effective tax rate included the following:

 

      The Company reduced the estimated full-year effective tax rate by 0.5 percentage points in September 2005 in accordance with APB Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting.”  As a result, the Company recorded an entry to reflect the impact of the reduced tax rate on year-to-date earnings in the third quarter of 2005.

 

      The Company recorded an income tax benefit primarily related to the Philippines impairment charges discussed in Note I at a rate of approximately 5 percent or $4 million.

 

      The Company resolved certain tax matters in various jurisdictions. The net result of resolving these matters was an $18 million tax benefit.

 

For the third quarter of 2004, our effective tax rate included the following:

 

      The Company resolved certain tax matters in various jurisdictions. The net result of resolving these matters was a tax benefit of approximately $39 million.

 

      The Company recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $141 million related to the CCEAG impairment charges discussed in Note I at a rate of approximately 36 percent.

 

      The Company recorded income tax expense of approximately $75 million related to the recording of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in CCEAG.

 

13



 

Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was 24.6 percent compared to 24.0 percent for the nine months ended October 1, 2004.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, our effective tax rate included the following:

 

      The Company recorded an income tax benefit primarily related to the Philippines impairment charges discussed in Note I at a rate of approximately 5 percent or $4 million.

 

      The effective tax rate on the Company’s receipt of a settlement of a class action lawsuit concerning purchases of HFCS was approximately 39 percent, resulting in a tax provision of approximately $16 million.  Refer to Note H.

 

      The Company resolved certain tax matters in various jurisdictions. The net result of resolving these matters was a tax benefit of approximately $91 million.

 

      The Company repatriated $2.5 billion of previously unremitted foreign earnings under the Jobs Creation Act. Therefore, the Company recorded a provision for taxes on the unremitted foreign earnings of approximately $127 million in the first nine months of 2005.

 

      The effective tax rate on the gains on the issuances of stock primarily by Coca-Cola Amatil was approximately 37 percent, resulting in a tax provision of approximately $8 million.

 

      The effective tax rate on the $50 million of accelerated amortization expense related to a change in our estimated service period for retirement-eligible participants was approximately 24 percent, resulting in a tax benefit of approximately $12 million.

 

      The effective tax rate on the receipt of our proportionate share of CCE’s HFCS lawsuit settlement proceeds and changes in certain of CCE’s state and provincial tax rates was approximately 8 percent, resulting in a tax provision of approximately $2 million.

 

For the nine months ended October 1, 2004, our effective tax rate included the following:

 

      The Company resolved certain tax matters in various jurisdictions.  The net result of resolving these matters was an income tax benefit of approximately $80 million.

 

      The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $171 million related to the impairment charges discussed in Note I at a rate of approximately 36 percent.

 

      The effective tax rate on the gains on the issuances of stock by CCE was approximately 39 percent, resulting in a tax provision of approximately $19 million.

 

      The Company recorded a tax provision of approximately $13 million on our proportionate share of the favorable tax settlement related to Coca-Cola FEMSA at a rate of approximately 35 percent.

 

      The Company recorded a tax provision of approximately $75 million related to the recording of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in CCEAG.

 

Note K — Acquisitions and Investments

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, cash outflows for acquisitions and investments totaled $635 million.  During the third quarter of 2005, our Company acquired the German soft-drink bottling company Bremer Erfrischungsgetraenke GmbH (“Bremer”) for approximately $167 million from InBev SA.  This transaction was accounted for as a business combination, and the results of Bremer’s operations have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since August 28, 2005.  The Company has currently allocated approximately $50 million of the purchase price of this acquisition to property, plant and equipment, approximately $90 million to franchise rights and approximately $10 million to goodwill.  The franchise rights have been assigned an indefinite life and the goodwill was allocated to the Germany and Nordic Division within the European Union operating segment.  The purchase price allocation is subject to refinement.

 

14



 

Also, in the third quarter of 2005, the Company acquired Sucos Mais, a Brazilian juice company, and completed the acquisition of the remaining 49 percent interest in CCDA Waters L.L.C. (“CCDA”) not previously owned by our Company.  Our Company and Danone Waters of North America, Inc. (“DWNA”) formed CCDA in July 2002 for the production, marketing and distribution of DWNA’s bottled spring and source water business in the United States.  In forming CCDA, DWNA contributed assets, primarily production facilities, and our Company made a cash payment to acquire a 51 percent equity interest in CCDA.

 

On April 20, 2005, our Company and Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. (“Coca-Cola HBC”) jointly acquired Multon, a Russian juice company, for a total purchase price of approximately $501 million, split equally between the Company and Coca-Cola HBC.  Equity incomenet includes the results of Multon’s operations beginning April 20, 2005.

 

Note L — Operating Segments

 

During the second quarter of 2005, the Company made certain changes to its operating structure impacting its Europe, Eurasia and Middle East operating segment and its Asia operating segment.  The Company replaced these operating segments with three new operating segments: the European Union segment, the North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East segment, and the East, South Asia and Pacific Rim segment.  The European Union segment includes the Company’s operations in all of the current member states of the European Union as well as the European Free Trade Association countries. The North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East segment includes the Company’s China, Japan, Eurasia and Middle East, and Russia, Ukraine and Belarus Divisions, and other European countries not in the European Union segment. The East, South Asia and Pacific Rim segment includes the Company’s India, Philippines, Southeast and West Asia, and South Pacific and Korea Divisions.  Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the new operating structure described above.

 

Information about our Company’s operations as of and for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004, by operating segment, is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

North
America

 

Africa

 

East,
South
Asia
and
Pacific
Rim

 

European
Union

 

Latin
America

 

North
Asia,
Eurasia
and Middle
East

 

Corporate

 

Consolidated

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating revenues

 

$ 1,745

 

$ 312

 

$   277

 

$ 1,834

 

$   632

 

$ 1,218

 

$      19

 

$  6,037

 

Operating income (loss)

 

414

 

106

 

(19

) (1)

586

 

303

 

371

 

(269

)

1,492

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

411

 

102

 

(15

) (1)

571

 

348

 

389

 

(153

)

1,653

 

Identifiable operating assets

 

4,628

 

753

 

795

 

4,912

 

1,480

 

1,217

 

9,239

 

23,024

 

Investments

 

122

 

155

 

1,073

 

63

 

1,762

 

779

 

2,905

 

6,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating revenues

 

$ 1,617

 

$ 279

 

$   283

 

$ 1,682

 

$   522

 

$ 1,183

 

$      30

 

$  5,596

 

Operating income
(loss)(2)

 

377

 

83

 

76

 

146

 

266

 

421

 

(272

)

1,097

 

Income (loss) before income taxes(2)

 

379

 

79

 

86

 

128

 

310

 

428

 

(175

)

1,235

 

Identifiable operating assets

 

4,811

 

764

 

719

 

4,685

 

1,318

 

1,367

 

9,746

 

23,410

 

Investments

 

114

 

140

 

990

 

60

 

1,442

 

495

 

2,649

 

5,890

 

 

Intercompany transfers between operating segments were not material.

 

15



 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

(1)              Operating income (loss) and income (loss) before income taxes were reduced by approximately $85 million and approximately $89 million, respectively, for East, South Asia and Pacific Rim related to the Philippines impairment charges. Refer to Note I.

(2)              Operating income (loss) and income (loss) before income taxes were reduced by approximately $15 million for East, South Asia and Pacific Rim, approximately $368 million for European Union, approximately $3 million for North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East and approximately $6 million for Corporate related to impairment charges. Refer to Note I.

 

Information about our Company’s operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004, by operating segment, is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

North
America

 

Africa

 

East,
South
Asia
and
Pacific
Rim

 

European
Union

 

Latin
America

 

North
Asia,
Eurasia
and Middle
East

 

Corporate

 

Consolidated

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating revenues

 

$ 5,048

 

$ 879

 

$   990

 

$ 5,287

 

$ 1,806

 

$ 3,478

 

$    65

 

$ 17,553

 

Operating income (loss)(1)

 

1,188

 

280

 

166

(2)

1,792

 

886

 

1,302

 

(791

)(3)

4,823

 

Income (loss) before income taxes(1)

 

1,191

 

279

 

228

(2)(4)

1,747

 

1,031

 

1,330

 

(489

)(3)(5)

5,317

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating revenues

 

$ 4,914

 

$ 736

 

$ 1,026

 

$ 5,041

 

$ 1,544

 

$ 3,199

 

$    78

 

$ 16,538

 

Operating income (loss)(6)

 

1,226

 

238

 

299

 

1,337

 

781

 

1,283

 

(813

)

4,351

 

Income (loss) before income taxes(6)

 

1,234

 

232

 

352

 

1,288

 

922

(7)

1,297

 

(525

)(8)

4,800

 

 

Intercompany transfers between operating segments were not material.

 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

(1)              Operating income (loss) and income (loss) before income taxes were reduced by approximately $12 million for North America, approximately $3 million for Africa, approximately $3 million for East, South Asia and Pacific Rim, approximately $3 million for European Union, approximately $4 million for Latin America, approximately $3 million for North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East and approximately $22 million for Corporate as a result of accelerated amortization of stock-based compensation expense due to a change in our estimated service period for retirement eligible participants.

(2)              Operating income (loss) and income (loss) before income taxes were reduced by approximately $85 million and approximately $89 million, respectively, for East, South Asia and Pacific Rim related to the Philippines impairment charges. Refer to Note I.

(3)              Operating income (loss) and income (loss) before income taxes benefited by approximately $42 million related to the settlement of a class action lawsuit related to HFCS purchases.  Refer to Note H.

(4)              Income (loss) before income taxes benefited by approximately $23 million due to issuances of stock by Coca-Cola Amatil.  Refer to Note D.

(5)              Income (loss) before income taxes benefited by approximately $21 million primarily related to our proportionate share of CCE’s HFCS lawsuit settlement proceeds and changes in certain of CCE’s state and provincial tax rates.  Refer to Note H.

(6)              Operating income (loss) and income (loss) before income taxes were reduced by approximately $18 million for North America, approximately $15 million for East, South Asia and Pacific Rim, approximately $368 million for European Union, approximately $6 million for Latin America, approximately $9 million for North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East and approximately $64 million for Corporate related to impairment charges. Refer to Note I.

 

16



 

(7)              Income (loss) before income taxes benefited by approximately $37 million for our proportionate share of a favorable tax settlement related to Coca-Cola FEMSA. Refer to Note H.

(8)              Income (loss) before income taxes benefited by approximately $49 million due to the issuances of stock by CCE. Refer to Note D.

 

Note M — Restricted Stock, Stock Options and Other Stock Plans

 

In the third quarter of 2004, in connection with Douglas N. Daft’s retirement, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors released to Mr. Daft 200,000 shares of restricted stock previously granted to him during the period from April 1992 to October 1998. The terms of these grants provided that the restricted shares be released upon retirement after age 62 but not earlier than five years from the date of grant. The Compensation Committee determined to release the shares in recognition of Mr. Daft’s 27 years of service to the Company and the fact that he would turn 62 in March 2005. Mr. Daft forfeited 500,000 shares of restricted stock granted to him in November of 2000 since as of the date of his retirement he had not held these shares for five years from the date of grant. In addition, Mr. Daft forfeited 1,000,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock since Mr. Daft retired prior to the completion of the performance period.

 

Note N — Subsequent Event

 

In October 2005, the Company and the Board of Directors approved a plan to repatriate approximately $3.6 billion of previously unremitted foreign earnings in the fourth quarter of 2005 under the Jobs Creation Act, and the Company will record a tax liability of approximately $200 million in the fourth quarter of 2005.  Refer to Note J.

 

17



 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Recoverability of Noncurrent Assets

 

Property, Plant and Equipment.  The majority of our noncurrent assets in Germany and India relate to the property, plant and equipment of our Company-owned bottling businesses.  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS No. 144”), requires long-lived assets such as our Germany and India property, plant and equipment to be tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  Unit case volume in Germany and India continued to decline in the third quarter of 2005, and our bottling operations in these countries incurred operating losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  Throughout the first nine months of 2005, including the third quarter, we performed recoverability analyses related to these bottling assets.  As of September 30, 2005, the carrying value of assets tested for recoverability was approximately $1,161 million in Germany and approximately $351 million in India.

 

An impairment loss is required to be recognized under SFAS No. 144 if the carrying amount of the long-lived assets is not recoverable.  The carrying amount of long-lived assets is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the long-lived assets.  Our recoverability analyses in the third quarter of 2005, prepared separately for the Germany and India bottling businesses, indicated that the sum of our projected undiscounted cash flows exceeded the carrying amount of the long-lived assets.  Thus, no impairment was recognized for the three or nine month period ended September 30, 2005.

 

Our projections of undiscounted cash flows required us to make estimates and assumptions, including assumptions related to consumer preferences and acceptability of products and pricing, cost of goods to be used in production, direct marketing expenses, operating expenses, and estimates of inflation and long-term sales growth rates.  Although these estimates were 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.

 

The Company will continue to monitor the recoverability of noncurrent assets and investments in bottling operations in Germany and India in the fourth quarter of 2005.  The Company will consider the effect of future structural changes, if any, on the recoverability of noncurrent assets related to these markets.  The Company continues to focus on improving our short-term performance and strengthening our system’s long-term capabilities in Germany and India.

 

Goodwill, Trademarks and Other Intangible Assets.  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”), 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.  Such tests for impairment are also required for intangible assets recorded by our equity method investees.

 

In the third quarter of 2005, our Company recorded impairment charges of approximately $85 million primarily related to intangible assets.  These intangible assets relate to trademarks for beverages sold in the Philippines market.  The Philippines is a component of our East, South Asia and Pacific Rim operating segment.  The carrying value of our trademarks in the Philippines, prior to the recording of the impairment charges in the third quarter of 2005, was approximately $268 million.  The Philippines impairment was the result of our revised outlook of the Philippines market which has been unfavorably impacted by volume and income before income taxes declines 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 amount of the third quarter 2005 impairment by comparing the fair value of the intangible assets to the current 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. Impairment charges of $85 million were recorded in the line item other operating charges.  In addition, in the third quarter of 2005 we recorded an impairment charge of approximately $4 million in the line item equity income – net related to our proportionate share of a write-down of intangible assets recorded by our equity investee bottler in the Philippines.  Our Company is evaluating and implementing new strategies for the Philippines market to address structural issues

 

18



 

with the bottling system and product affordability, availability and acceptability issues.  If the results of these strategies do not achieve our current expectations, future charges could result related to both our remaining intangible assets as well as our equity method investment in the Philippines bottling operation.  Management will continue to monitor the Philippines market and conduct impairment reviews as required.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Refer to Note L for information relating to certain changes made to our operating segment structure during the second quarter of 2005.

 

Net Operating Revenues

 

Net operating revenues were $6,037 million in the third quarter of 2005, compared to $5,596 million in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of $441 million or 8 percent. The following table indicates, on a percentage basis, the estimated impact of key factors resulting in increases in net operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2005 versus the comparable period in 2004:

 

 

 

2005 vs. 2004

 

Increase in gallon sales, including acquisitions

 

5

%

Price and product/geographic mix

 

1

 

Impact of currency fluctuations versus the U.S. dollar

 

2

 

Total percentage increase

 

8

%

 

Our gallon sales increased 5 percent in the third quarter of 2005 when compared to the third quarter of 2004 primarily due to a 4 percent increase in North America, a 7 percent increase in Africa, a 4 percent increase in the European Union, a 5 percent increase in Latin America, a 13 percent increase in North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East, offset by a 5 percent decrease in East, South Asia and Pacific Rim.  The increase in gallon sales in North America was primarily related to the Retail Division, led by gallon sales growth in the bottler delivered business.  Growth in Africa was led by the South Africa Division as well as the North and West Africa Division. The increase in gallon sales in the European Union was primarily related to the Central Europe Division, the Iberian Division and the Mediterranean Division.  The 5 percent increase in Latin America was primarily driven by strong growth in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil.  North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East growth was driven by gallon sales growth in China, Russia and Turkey.  These increases were offset by lower gallon sales in Japan primarily due to timing.  Gallon sales were higher in Japan in the second quarter of 2005 due to inventory build up to support new product launches and the transition to the national supply chain management company.  As a result, gallon sales in the third quarter were lower reflecting this timing.  East, South Asia and Pacific Rim gallon sales decreased 5 percent primarily due to continuing challenging conditions in both India and the Philippines as well as gallon sales decreases in Australia due to bottler inventory optimization efforts which resulted in lower bottler orders.

 

For the third quarter of 2005, Company-wide gallon sales and unit case volume both grew 5 percent when compared to the third quarter of 2004.  In North America, unit case volume increased 3 percent while gallon sales increased 4 percent, primarily due to the timing of gallon sales.  In Africa, gallon sales growth of 7 percent exceeded unit case volume growth of 6 percent primarily due to timing of gallon shipments.  In the East, South Asia and Pacific Rim, gallon sales declines were generally in line with unit case volume declines with the exception of India, where unit case volume declines exceeded gallon sales declines.  This was primarily due to the build up of inventory during the third quarter of 2005 ahead of the holiday season.  In the European Union, gallon sales growth for the third quarter of 2005 was 4 percent while unit case volume grew only 1 percent primarily due to timing of gallon shipments throughout most of the operating segment.  In Latin America, gallon sales growth and unit case volume growth were approximately equal, with Colombia and Central America reflecting a build up of inventory offset by Brazil inventory declines.  In North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East, unit case volume increased ahead of gallon sales volume due to the acquisition, jointly with Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. (“Coca-Cola HBC”), of Multon, a Russian juice company, in the second quarter of 2005, which contributed to unit case volume in the quarter.  Multon had full year unit case volume of 86 million unit cases in 2004. The Company reports only unit case volume related to Multon as the Company does not sell concentrate to Multon.  In China, gallon sales growth exceeded unit case volume growth primarily due to the build up of inventory in prior quarters. In Japan, unit case volume growth exceeded gallon sales growth due to timing of gallon sales in the second quarter of 2005.

 

19



 

Net operating revenues were $17,553 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to $16,538 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2004, an increase of $1,015 million or 6 percent. The following table indicates, on a percentage basis, the estimated impact of key factors resulting in increases in net operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 versus the comparable period in 2004:

 

 

 

2005 vs. 2004

 

Increase in gallon sales, including acquisitions

 

3

%

Structural changes

 

 

Price and product/geographic mix

 

 

Impact of currency fluctuations versus the U.S. dollar

 

3

 

Total percentage increase

 

6

%

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the increase in gallon sales was 3 percent when compared to the nine months ended October 1, 2004 primarily due to an 8 percent increase in Africa, a 6 percent increase in Latin America, and an 11 percent increase in North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East.  In Africa, gallon sales growth was led by Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco and South Africa. In Latin America, gallon sales increases were led by growth in Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Argentina.  The increase in gallon sales in North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East was primarily due to growth in China, Russia and Turkey.  Japan gallon sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 were approximately even with the comparable period of the prior year.  The increases in gallon sales in Africa, Latin America, and North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East were offset by a 1 percent decrease in the European Union and a 7 percent decrease in East, South Asia and Pacific Rim.  In the European Union, gallon sales decreased 1 percent with the largest declines occurring in Germany and Northwest Europe.  In East, South Asia and Pacific Rim, gallon sales decreased 7 percent primarily due to the continuing challenging conditions in India and the Philippines.  North America gallon sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 were approximately even with the prior year.

 

The decrease in gallon sales in Germany was primarily due to the continuing impact of the mandatory deposit legislation on non-refillable beverage packages and the corresponding limited availability of our products in the discount retail channel. The decrease in gallon sales slowed during the third quarter of 2005 reflecting our limited success in re-entering the discount channel.  The discount retail channel has been growing since the implementation of the mandatory deposit “island solution.” Our Company is evaluating our strategies for the German operations, including addressing significant structural issues that limit the system’s ability to respond effectively to the evolving retail and consumer landscape, assessing market changes and determining our expectations related to the political environment. Although the German legislature passed an amendment to the mandatory deposit legislation which eliminates the “island solution,” the amendment extends the mandatory deposit to most non-carbonated beverage categories and also allows for the transition period to last until mid-2006. Therefore, we expect the German market environment to remain difficult for the remainder of 2005. We will continue to focus on improving our short-term performance and strengthening our system’s long-term capabilities in Germany.

 

The decrease in gallon sales in Northwest Europe for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was primarily due to the decline in the overall retail market and in the carbonated soft drink category.

 

The decrease in gallon sales in India was primarily due to the impact of price increases to cover rising raw material and distribution costs along with the lingering effects of pesticide allegations in 2003.  Further, excessive rainfall in parts of India also contributed to gallon sales declines.  In the Philippines, affordability and availability issues continued to negatively impact gallon sales.  The Company is continuing to focus on improving our performance in these markets; however, the India and Philippine markets will remain difficult for the remainder of 2005.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, Company-wide gallon sales grew 3 percent while reported unit case volume grew at 4 percent when compared to the nine months ended October 1, 2004.  In North America, gallon sales growth was approximately even with the prior year period while reported unit case volume increased 1 percent when compared to the same period in the prior year 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 the European Union, gallon sales declined by 1 percent while reported unit case volume was even with the prior year primarily due to the timing of 2004 gallon sales throughout most of the operating segment and planned inventory reductions primarily in Greece and Israel.  In the East, South Asia and Pacific Rim, gallon sales declines were ahead of reported unit case volume declines primarily due to timing of gallon sales in India and the Philippines.  In the South Pacific and Korea Division, gallon sales declined while reported unit case volume was even due to planned inventory reductions in Australia.  In North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East, reported unit case volume increased ahead of gallon sales volume due to the acquisition of Multon, which contributed to reported unit case volume for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, along with timing of 2004 gallon sales impacting most of the remaining divisions in the operating

 

20



 

segment.  In Africa and Latin America, gallon sales growth and reported unit case volume growth were approximately equal for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the comparable period of 2004.

 

Gallon sales and reported unit case volume 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 can create differences between gallon sales and reported unit case volume. For a more detailed discussion on unit case volume, refer to the heading “Beverage Volume.”

 

The favorable impact of currency fluctuations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005 versus the comparable periods of 2004 resulted from the strength of most key currencies versus the U.S. dollar, especially a stronger euro that favorably impacted the European Union operating segment and a stronger Japanese yen that favorably impacted the North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East operating segment.

 

The contributions of the two major categories of Company operations to net operating revenues were as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

Company operations, excluding bottling operations

 

$ 5,105

 

$ 4,767

 

$ 14,911

 

$ 14,125

 

Company-owned bottling operations

 

932

 

829

 

2,642

 

2,413

 

Net operating revenues

 

$ 6,037

 

$ 5,596

 

$ 17,553

 

$ 16,538

 

 

Gross Profit

 

Our gross profit margin decreased to 63.0 percent in the third quarter of 2005 from 63.2 percent in the third quarter of 2004 partially due to unfavorable product mix in Japan.  Our gross profit margin increased to 64.7 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from 64.6 percent in the comparable period of 2004.  Our receipt, during the second quarter of 2005, of a net settlement of approximately $42 million related to a class action lawsuit concerning the purchase of high fructose corn syrup (“HFCS”) positively impacted our 2005 gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  This amount was recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold and impacted the Corporate segment. Refer to Note H.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

The following table sets forth the significant components of selling, general and administrative expenses (in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

Selling and advertising expenses

 

$ 1,612

 

$ 1,392

 

$ 4,460

 

$ 3,953

 

General and administrative expenses

 

560

 

572

 

1,718

 

1,622

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

53

 

82

 

268

 

271

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

$ 2,225

 

$ 2,046

 

$ 6,446

 

$ 5,846

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately $179million or 9 percent for the third quarter of 2005 as compared to the third quarter of 2004. Approximately 1 percentage point of this increase was due to an overall weaker U.S. dollar. A significant portion of the increase in selling and advertising expenses is related to previously announced increases in marketing activities during the third quarter of 2005 as compared to the third quarter of 2004. General and administrative expenses decreased for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 versus the comparable period in 2004 primarily due to various small gains on land sales and higher expenses in the third quarter of 2004 in the finished products business, which were partially offset by planned increases in expenses for innovation activities.  The decrease in stock-based compensation is primarily related to the lower average fair value per share of stock options expensed in the current year compared to the average fair value per share expensed in the comparable period of the prior year.

 

21



 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $600 million or 10 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to the same period of 2004. Approximately 2 percentage points of this increase was due to an overall weaker U.S. dollar (especially compared to the euro and the Japanese yen).  The increase in selling and advertising expenses is primarily related to previously announced increases in marketing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to the prior year period.  General and administrative expenses increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 versus the comparable period in 2004 primarily due to the consolidation of certain bottlers under Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” and increased expenses for innovation activities.  The decrease in stock-based compensation expense is primarily related to the lower average fair value per share of stock options expensed in the current year compared to the average fair value per share expensed in the comparable period of the prior year, 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 in our plans when the terms of their stock-based compensation awards provide for accelerated vesting upon early retirement.  The Company expects the full year impact of this change in our estimated service period to be approximately $55 million for 2005. For 2006 and beyond, the Company currently expects the accelerated amortization of stock-based compensation to increase expenses by approximately $15 million annually, assuming the total fair value of stock awards, the demographics of the participants and the plan design remain consistent with 2005.  We expect selling, general and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2005 compared with the fourth quarter of 2004 to be negatively impacted by the timing of innovation expenses and lower marketing expenses in the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

Other Operating Charges

 

In the third quarter of 2005, our Company recorded impairment charges primarily related to intangible assets of approximately $85 million.  These intangible assets relate to trademark beverages sold in the Philippines market.  Refer to discussion under “Application of Critical Accounting Policies.”

 

In the third quarter of 2004, our Company recorded impairment charges totaling approximately $392 million primarily related to franchise rights at Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetraenke AG (“CCEAG”). The CCEAG impairment was the result of our revised outlook for the German market that was unfavorably impacted by volume declines resulting from market shifts related to the deposit law on non-returnable beverage packages and the corresponding lack of availability for our products in the discount retail channel. The deposit law in Germany led discount chains to begin selling proprietary packages that could only be returned to their own stores.

 

We determined the amount of the third quarter 2004 impairment by comparing the fair value of the intangible assets to the then current 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 impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of the assets to fair value. These impairment charges were recorded in the line item other operating charges in the condensed consolidated statements of income for the quarter ended October 1, 2004. Our Company is evaluating our strategies for the German operations, including addressing significant structural issues that limit the system’s ability to respond effectively to the evolving retail and consumer landscape, assessing market changes and determining our expectations related to the political environment. Further unexpected changes in the political environment or market shifts could result in future charges. Management will continue to monitor these factors.

 

In the second quarter of 2004, our Company recorded impairment charges totaling approximately $88 million. These impairments primarily related to the write-down of certain manufacturing investments. As a result of operating losses generated by these manufacturing investments, management prepared analyses of the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. Because the sum of the undiscounted cash flows was less than the carrying value of such assets, we recorded an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of the assets to fair value. The $88 million also included a write-down of an intangible asset.

 

22



 

Operating Income and Operating Margin

 

Information about our operating income by operating segment on a percentage basis is as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

North America

 

27.7

%

34.4

%

24.6

%

28.2

%

Africa

 

7.1

 

7.6

 

5.8

 

5.5

 

East, South Asia and Pacific Rim

 

(1.3

)

6.9

 

3.4

 

6.9

 

European Union

 

39.3

 

13.3

 

37.2

 

30.7

 

Latin America

 

20.3

 

24.2

 

18.4

 

17.9

 

North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East

 

24.9

 

38.4

 

27.0

 

29.5

 

Corporate

 

(18.0

)

(24.8

)

(16.4

)

(18.7

)

Operating income

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

Information about our operating margin by operating segment is as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

September 30,
2005

 

October 1,
2004

 

North America

 

23.7

%

23.3

%

23.5

%

24.9

%

Africa

 

34.0

 

29.7

 

31.9

 

32.3

 

East, South Asia and Pacific Rim

 

(6.9

)

26.9

 

16.8

 

29.1

 

European Union

 

32.0

 

8.7

 

33.9

 

26.5

 

Latin America

 

47.9

 

51.0

 

49.1

 

50.6

 

North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East

 

30.5

 

35.6

 

37.4

 

40.1

 

Corporate

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

Operating margin

 

24.7

%

19.6

%

27.5

%

26.3

%

 

* Calculation is not meaningful.

 

Operating income was $1,492 million for the third quarter of 2005, compared to $1,097 million in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of $395 million or 36 percent. Our operating margin for the third quarter of 2005 was 24.7 percent, compared to 19.6 percent for the comparable period in 2004.  Operating income was $4,823 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to $4,351 million in the nine months ended October 1, 2004, an increase of $472 million or 11 percent. Our operating margin for the first nine months of 2005 was 27.5 percent, compared to 26.3 percent for the comparable period in 2004.

 

As demonstrated by the tables above, the percentage contribution to operating income and operating margin by each operating segment fluctuated between the periods. Operating income and operating margin by operating segment were influenced by a variety of factors and events, primarily the following:

 

      In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, foreign currency exchange rates positively impacted operating income by approximately 6 percent and 5 percent, respectively, as compared to the prior year periods, primarily related to the euro, which impacted the European Union operating segment, and the Japanese yen, which impacted the North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East operating segment.

 

      In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, the increase in net revenues and gross profit was partially offset by increased spending on marketing and innovation activities in each operating segment.

 

      In the third quarter of 2005, our Company recorded impairment charges totaling approximately $85 million related to the Philippines which decreased our operating margins for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, which impacted the East, South Asia and Pacific Rim operating segment.  Refer to heading “Other Operating Charges.”

 

23



 

      In the second quarter of 2005, our Company received approximately $99 million related to the settlement of a class action lawsuit concerning price-fixing in the sale of HFCS purchased by the Company during the years

1991 to 1995.  Subsequent to the receipt of this settlement, the Company distributed approximately $57 million to certain bottlers in North America.  From 1991 to 1995, the Company purchased HFCS on behalf of these bottlers.  Therefore, these bottlers were ultimately entitled to the proceeds of the settlement.  Amounts distributed by our Company to Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (“CCE”) were approximately $44 million.  The Company’s remaining share of the settlement was $42 million, which was recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold and impacted the Corporate operating segment.

 

      In the third quarter of 2004, our Company recorded impairment charges totaling approximately $392 million primarily related to franchise rights at CCEAG which decreased our operating margins for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2004.  Of the approximately $392 million recorded in the third quarter of 2004, approximately $15 million impacted the East, South Asia and Pacific Rim operating segment, approximately $368 million impacted the European Union operating segment, approximately $3 million impacted the North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East operating segment and approximately $6 million impacted the Corporate operating segment.  Refer to heading “Other Operating Charges.”

 

      In the second quarter of 2004, our Company recorded impairment charges totaling approximately $88 million. These impairment charges primarily related to the write-down of certain manufacturing investments which decreased our operating margins for the nine months ended October 1, 2004.  Of the approximately $88 million impairment charges recorded in the second quarter of 2004, approximately $18 million impacted the North America operating segment, approximately $6 million impacted the Latin America operating segment, approximately $6 million impacted the North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East operating segment and $58 million impacted the Corporate operating segment.  Refer to heading “Other Operating Charges.”

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income increased to $49 million for the third quarter of 2005 from $39 million for the third quarter of 2004 and increased to $163 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from $106 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2004.  These increases were primarily due to higher average short-term investment balances at international locations. These balances were being held at international locations as the Company completed its evaluation of further reinvestment and repatriation opportunities under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Jobs Creation Act”).  Refer to Note B.

 

Interest Expense

 

In the third quarter of 2005, interest expense increased by $2 million compared to the third quarter of 2004.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, interest expense increased $41 million compared to the nine months ended October 1, 2004.  These increases were 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 the third quarter of 2005.

 

Equity Income — Net

 

Our Company’s share of income from equity method investments for the third quarter of 2005 totaled $195 million, compared to $180 million for the third quarter of 2004, an increase of $15 million or 8 percent. The increase was primarily due to improved operating results at Coca-Cola Amatil Limited (“Coca-Cola Amatil”) and equity income from Multon.  In the third quarter of 2005, the Company recorded a $4 million impairment charge related to the Company’s proportionate share of a write-down of an intangible asset recorded by Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc., an equity method investee.

 

Our Company’s share of income from equity method investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 totaled $553 million, compared to $496 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2004, an increase of $57 million or 11 percent.  The increase was primarily related to approximately $21 million from our proportionate share of CCE’s HFCS lawsuit settlement and changes in certain of CCE’s state and provincial tax rates.  The increase also reflected improved operating results at CCE, Coca-Cola Amatil, Coca-Cola HBC and equity income from Multon.  Equity income for the first nine months of 2004 included approximately $37 million from our proportionate share of a favorable tax settlement obtained by Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A. de C.V. (“Coca-Cola FEMSA”).

 

24



 

Other Income (Loss) — Net

 

Other income (loss) — net was a net loss of $34 million for both the third quarter of 2005 and 2004.  Other income (loss) — net was a net loss of $66 million for the first nine months of 2005 compared to a net loss of $64 million for the first nine months of 2004. This line item, in the three and nine month periods of 2005 and 2004, included the impact of net foreign exchange gains and losses, accretion of the discounted value of our liability to purchase CCEAG shares and minority shareowners’ proportional share of net income of certain consolidated subsidiaries.  Comparing the 2005 periods to the 2004 periods, no individually significant changes occurred for these items.

 

Gains on Issuances of Stock by Equity Method Investees

 

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. This noncash gain or loss, net of any deferred taxes, is generally recognized in our net income in the period the change of ownership interest occurs.

 

In the first quarter of 2005, our Company recorded approximately $23 million of noncash pretax gains on the issuances of stock by equity method investees. These gains primarily related to the issuances by Coca-Cola Amatil of common stock valued at an amount greater than the book value per share of our investment in Coca-Cola Amatil. Coca-Cola Amatil issued this common stock in connection with an acquisition. We recorded deferred taxes of approximately $8 million on these gains. These issuances of common stock reduced our ownership interest in the total outstanding shares of Coca-Cola Amatil from approximately 34.0 percent to approximately 32.4 percent.

 

In the second quarter of 2004, our Company recorded approximately $49 million of noncash pretax gains due to the 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 ownership interest in the total outstanding shares of CCE common stock by approximately 1 percent to approximately 36 percent.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company did not record any gains on issuances of stock by CCE due to CCE’s planned treasury stock repurchase program.

 

Income Taxes

 

Subsequent to the end of the third quarter of 2005, the Company and the Board of Directors approved a plan to repatriate approximately $3.6 billion in previously unremitted foreign earnings in the fourth quarter of 2005 under the Jobs Creation Act and the Company will record a tax liability of approximately $200 million in the fourth quarter. Therefore, the total previously unremitted earnings that will be repatriated during the full year of 2005 is approximately $6.1 billion, with a total tax liability of approximately $327 million.  Refer to Notes J and N.

 

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 was 22.4 percent for the third quarter of 2005 compared to 24.3 percent for the third quarter of 2004.  For the third quarter of 2005, our effective tax rate included the following:

 

      The Company reduced the estimated full-year effective tax rate by 0.5 percentage points in September 2005 in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting.”  As a result, the Company recorded an entry to reflect the impact of the reduced tax rate on year-to-date earnings in the third quarter of 2005.

 

      The Company recorded an income tax benefit primarily related to the Philippines impairment charges discussed in Note I at a rate of approximately 5 percent or $4 million.

 

      The Company resolved certain tax matters in various jurisdictions. The net result of resolving these matters was an $18 million tax benefit.

 

25



 

For the third quarter of 2004, our effective tax rate included the following:

 

      The Company resolved certain tax matters in various jurisdictions. The net result of resolving these matters was a tax benefit of approximately $39 million.

 

      The Company recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $141 million related to the CCEAG impairment charges discussed in Note I at a rate of approximately 36 percent.

 

      The Company recorded income tax expense of approximately $75 million related to the recording of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in CCEAG.

 

Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was 24.6 percent compared to 24.0 percent for the nine months ended October 1, 2004.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, our effective tax rate included the following:

 

      The Company recorded an income tax benefit primarily related to the Philippines impairment charges discussed in Note I at a rate of approximately 5 percent or $4 million.

 

      The effective tax rate on the Company’s receipt of a settlement of a class action lawsuit concerning purchases of HFCS was approximately 39 percent, resulting in a tax provision of approximately $16 million.  Refer to Note H.

 

      The Company resolved certain tax matters in various jurisdictions. The net result of resolving these matters was a tax benefit of approximately $91 million.

 

      The Company repatriated $2.5 billion of previously unremitted foreign earnings under the Jobs Creation Act. Therefore, the Company recorded a provision for taxes on the unremitted foreign earnings of approximately $127 million in the first nine months of 2005.

 

      The effective tax rate on the gains on the issuances of stock primarily by Coca-Cola Amatil was approximately 37 percent, resulting in a tax provision of approximately $8 million.

 

      The effective tax rate on the $50 million of accelerated amortization expense related to a change in our estimated service period for retirement-eligible participants was approximately 24 percent, resulting in a tax benefit of approximately $12 million.

 

      The effective tax rate on the receipt of our proportionate share of CCE’s HFCS lawsuit settlement proceeds and changes in certain of CCE’s state and provincial tax rates was approximately 8 percent, resulting in a tax provision of approximately $2 million.

 

For the nine months ended October 1, 2004, our effective tax rate included the following:

 

      The Company resolved certain tax matters in various jurisdictions.  The net result of resolving these matters was an income tax benefit of approximately $80 million.

 

      The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $171 million related to the impairment charges discussed in Note I at a rate of approximately 36 percent.

 

      The effective tax rate on the gains on the issuances of stock by CCE was approximately 39 percent, resulting in a tax provision of approximately $19 million.

 

      The Company recorded a tax provision of approximately $13 million on our proportionate share of the favorable tax settlement related to Coca-Cola FEMSA at a rate of approximately 35 percent.

 

      The Company recorded a tax provision of approximately $75 million related to the recording of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in CCEAG.

 

26



 

For the remainder of 2005, based on current tax laws, the Company’s effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 23.5 percent before considering the effect of any unusual or special items that may affect our tax rate in future periods, including taxes associated with additional amounts which will be repatriated under the Jobs Creation Act.  Refer to Notes J and N.

 

Beverage Volume

 

We measure our sales volume in two ways: (1) gallons and (2) unit cases of finished products. “Gallons” is 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) for all beverage products which are reportable as unit case volume.  Most of

our revenues are based on gallon sales, a primarily wholesale activity. “Unit cases” 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 licensed beverage products directly or indirectly sold by the Coca-Cola system to customers. Also included in unit case volume are 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. Gallon sales and unit case volume 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 can create differences between gallon sales and unit case volume.

 

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.  Comparing unit case volume for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 to unit case volume for the comparable periods in 2004, approximate unit case volume growth results were as follows:

 

 

 

Unit Case Volume Growth Based
on Average Daily Sales
2005 versus 2004
Percentage Change

 

Reported Unit Case
Volume Growth
2005 versus 2004
Percentage Change

 

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

Third Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

Worldwide

 

5

 

5

 

5

 

4

 

North America Operations

 

3

 

2

 

3

 

1

 

International Operations — Total

 

6

 

6

 

6

 

5

 

Africa

 

6

 

9

 

6

 

8

 

East, South Asia and Pacific Rim

 

(5

)

(4

)

(5

)

(5

)

European Union

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

 

Latin America

 

5

 

7

 

5

 

6

 

North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East

 

17

 

15

 

17

 

14

 

 

Unit case volume growth based on average daily sales is computed by comparing the average daily sales in each of the corresponding periods. Average daily sales for each quarter are the unit cases sold during the quarter divided by the number of days in the quarter.

 

Reported unit case volume growth is computed by comparing the unit cases sold in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 to the unit cases sold in the three and nine month periods ended October 1, 2004.  In the first nine months of 2005, these amounts are less than the amounts computed on an average daily sales basis because of two fewer shipping days during the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the first quarter of 2004. The difference in shipping days will be partially offset in the fourth quarter of 2005.

 

In the North America operating segment, unit case volume in the Retail Division increased 4 percent for the third quarter of 2005 compared to the third quarter of 2004 reflecting improved performance in the bottler delivered business primarily related to Dasani, Coke Zero and noncarbonated beverages, along with strong growth in the warehouse juice and warehouse water operations.  The Foodservice and Hospitality Division unit case volume for the third quarter of 2005 increased 3 percent when compared to the third quarter of 2004 reflecting improved trends in restaurant traffic partially offset by the impact of higher fuel costs and Hurricane Katrina on consumer restaurant spending.

 

27



Unit case volume in the European Union operating segment increased 1 percent in the third quarter of 2005 versus the comparable period of the prior year, primarily due to strong growth in Spain and Central Europe partially offset by declines in Germany and Northwest Europe.  Germany unit case volume declined 1 percent in the third quarter of 2005 due to the continued impact of the mandatory deposit legislation on the availability of one-way packages along with overall industry weakness.  The Company has achieved limited availability of our products in most discounters.  The Company believes Germany will continue to be a challenging market during the remainder of 2005 and into 2006.  Northwest Europe unit case volume declined in the third quarter of 2005 primarily due to soft overall retail and carbonated soft drink category trends which are expected to continue through the remainder of 2005.

 

In the North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East operating segment, unit case volume grew by 17 percent in the third quarter of 2005 versus the prior year period, led by 23 percent growth in China, 4 percent growth in Japan, 59 percent growth in Russia and 19 percent growth in Turkey.  Japan’s growth was primarily due to innovation activities and new product introductions.  Unit case volume growth in Russia reflected, among other things, the results of Multon.

 

Unit case volume for the Latin America operating segment increased 5 percent in the third quarter of 2005 versus the prior year period, reflecting strong growth in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, primarily due to growth in carbonated soft drinks.

 

In the East, South Asia and Pacific Rim operating segment, unit case volume decreased 5 percent in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the prior year period, 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.  Both markets are expected to remain challenging for the remainder of 2005 and into 2006.

 

In the Africa operating segment, unit case volume increased 6 percent in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the prior year period. Solid results in South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt reflected growth in core brands in carbonated soft drinks.

 

28



 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 amounted to $5,280 million versus $4,590 million for the comparable period in 2004, an increase of $690 million.  This increase primarily resulted from the net change in operating assets and liabilities due to the timing of marketing payments during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the nine months ended October 1, 2004.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $1,217 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to $527 million for the comparable period in 2004, an increase of $690 million.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, cash outflows for investing activities included purchases of property, plant and equipment of $633 million.  Our Company currently estimates that purchases of property, plant and equipment for full year 2005 will be less than $1 billion.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, cash outflows for acquisitions and investments totaled $635 million.  On April 20, 2005, our Company and Coca-Cola HBC jointly acquired Multon, a Russian juice company, 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 soft-drink bottling company Bremer Erfrischungsgetraenke GmbH (“Bremer”) for approximately $167 million from InBev SA.  Also, in the third quarter of 2005, the Company acquired Sucos Mais, a Brazilian juice company, and completed the acquisition of the remaining 49 percent interest in CCDA Waters L.L.C. (“CCDA”) not previously owned by our Company.

 

For the nine months ended October 1, 2004, cash outflows for investing activities included purchases of property, plant and equipment of $520 million.

 

In July 2005, the Company announced that the German bottlers (including CCEAG) had signed a non-binding Letter of Understanding outlining the core negotiation principles for the consolidation of the bottling system in Germany into one bottler.  The Company has begun comprehensive bottler valuations and discussions with the independent bottlers about their participation in the future bottler or the sale of their businesses.

 

Financing Activities

 

Our financing activities include net borrowings, dividend payments, share issuances and share repurchases. Net cash used in financing activities totaled $5,642 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to $1,977 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2004.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company had issuances of debt of $29 million and payments of debt of $2,867 million.  The payments of debt included $1,381 million related to commercial paper with maturities of less than 90 days. Furthermore, in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 we paid $1,355 million of current maturities of long-term debt.

 

For the nine months ended October 1, 2004, the Company had issuances of debt of $2,380 million and payments of debt of $1,247 million. The issuances of debt included $1,544 million of net issuances of commercial paper with maturities of 90 days or less and $787 million in issuances of commercial paper with maturities of greater than 90 days. The payments of debt in the 2004 period included $873 million related to commercial paper with maturities of more than 90 days. Furthermore, during the nine months ended October 1, 2004, we paid $353 million of current maturities of long-term debt.

 

During the 2005 and 2004 periods, the Company repurchased common stock under the stock repurchase plan authorized by our Board of Directors in October 1996 (the “1996 Plan”). During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company repurchased approximately 35.6 million shares of common stock at an average cost of $43.58 per share under the 1996 Plan. During the nine months ended October 1, 2004, the Company repurchased approximately 29.8 million shares of common stock at an average cost of $47.86 per share under the 1996 Plan. The cost to purchase these shares of common stock for treasury was $1,553 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to $1,425 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2004. As strong cash flows are expected to continue in the future, the Company currently expects its 2005 full year share repurchase levels to be at least $2 billion, including the purchases during the first nine months of 2005 described above.

 

 

29



 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, our Company paid dividends of $1,346 million, compared to $1,809 million for the comparable 2004 period.  As of September 30, 2005, dividends of approximately $667 million were accrued but were not paid until the fourth quarter of 2005.  The Company’s full year 2005 dividend will be $1.12 per share compared to $1.00 per share in 2004.

 

Financial Position

 

Our balance sheet as of September 30, 2005, compared to our balance sheet as of December 31, 2004, was impacted by the following:

 

      The decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $1,756 million was primarily due to the net repayment of commercial paper and repayment of current maturities of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

      The increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $911 million was primarily due to the accrual of the third quarter 2005 dividend which was paid in the fourth quarter of 2005.  The fourth quarter 2004 dividend payment was paid prior to December 31, 2004 and, therefore, no accrual was recorded as of December 31, 2004.

 

      The decrease in loans and notes payable of $1,462 million was primarily due to the net repayment of commercial paper during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

      The decrease in current maturities of long-term debt of $1,480 million was primarily due to the repayment in the third quarter of 2005 of the 5 7/8 percent euro notes of $604 million and the repayment in the second quarter of 2005 of the $750 million 4 percent U.S. dollar notes.

 

Exchange

 

Our international operations are subject to certain opportunities and risks, including currency fluctuations and governmental actions. We closely monitor our operations in each country and seek to adopt appropriate strategies that are responsive to changing economic and political environments, and to fluctuations in foreign currencies.

 

Our Company conducts business in more than 200 countries, and we use 47 functional currencies. Due to our global operations, weaknesses in some of these currencies are often offset by strengths in others. Our foreign currency management program is designed to mitigate, over time, a portion of the impact of exchange rate changes on net income and earnings per share. Taking into account the effects of our hedging activities, the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar increased our reported operating income by approximately 6 percent in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the third quarter of 2004 and approximately 5 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the nine months ended October 1, 2004. The Company currently expects an insignificant impact on operating income from currencies in the fourth quarter of 2005 and a negative impact in 2006.

 

The Company will continue to manage its foreign currency exposures to mitigate, over time, a portion of the impact of exchange rate changes on net income and earnings per share.

 

30



 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain written and oral statements made by our Company and subsidiaries or with the approval of an authorized executive officer of our Company may constitute “forward-looking statements,” including statements made in this report and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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 future—including statements relating to volume growth, share of sales and earnings per share growth and statements expressing general optimism about future operating results—are forward-looking statements. 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. As and when made, management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements since such statements speak only as of the date when made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

The following are some of the factors that could cause our Company’s actual results to differ materially from the expected results described in or underlying our Company’s forward-looking statements:

 

      Economic and political conditions, especially in international markets, including civil unrest, product boycotts, governmental changes and restrictions on the ability to transfer capital across borders. Without limiting the preceding sentence, the current unstable economic and political conditions and civil unrest in the Middle East, North Korea, India, the Philippines or elsewhere, the unstable situation in Iraq, or the continuation or escalation of terrorism could have adverse impacts on our Company’s business results or financial condition.

 

      Changes in the nonalcoholic beverages business environment. These include, without limitation, changes in consumer preferences, including changes based on health and nutrition considerations and obesity concerns, shifting consumer developments and needs, changes in consumer lifestyles and increased consumer information; competitive product and pricing pressures; and our ability to gain or maintain share of sales in the global market as a result of actions by competitors. Factors such as these could impact our earnings, share of sales and volume growth.

 

      Foreign currency rate fluctuations, interest rate fluctuations and other capital market conditions. Most of our exposures to capital and financial market conditions, including exposures to foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations, are managed on a consolidated basis, which allows us to net certain exposures and thus take advantage of any natural offsets. We use derivative financial instruments to reduce our net exposure to financial risks. There can be no assurance, however, that our financial risk management program will be successful in reducing the risks inherent in exposures to capital and financial markets.

 

      Beverage container-related deposit, recycling, eco-tax and/or product stewardship laws and regulations, if they are adopted and implemented at a large scale in any of the markets in which we operate, on a cumulative basis may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in future periods.

 

      Significant additional labeling or warning requirements, if they become applicable to one or more of our major products under current or future environmental or health laws or regulations, may inhibit sales of such major product or products and may materially harm our business.

 

      Changes in commercial or market practices and business models within the European Union as a result of changes to, or evolving interpretations of, European Commission competition laws and regulations, as well as commitments or undertakings we made or may make in the future in connection with European Commission inquiries or investigations, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in Europe.

 

      The uncertainties of litigation and other legal proceedings.

 

      Adverse weather conditions, which could reduce demand for Company products.

 

31



 

      The effectiveness of our advertising, marketing and promotional programs.

 

      Fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials; the cost of energy, transportation and other necessary services; our ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships; and our ability to avoid disruptions in production output caused by events such as natural disasters, power outages, labor strikes or the like.

 

      Our ability to effectively align ourselves with our bottling system as we focus on increasing the investment in our brands; seeking efficiencies throughout the supply chain; delivering more value for our customers; and better meeting the needs of our consumers.

 

      Our ability to maintain brand image and product quality as well as other product issues such as product recalls.

 

      Changes in laws and regulations, including changes in accounting standards, taxation requirements (including tax rate changes, new tax laws and revised tax law interpretations), laws concerning food and beverages, competition laws, employment laws and environmental laws in domestic or foreign jurisdictions.

 

      Our ability to penetrate developing and emerging markets, which also depends on economic and political conditions, and how well we are able to acquire or form strategic business alliances with local bottlers and make necessary infrastructure enhancements to production facilities, distribution networks, sales equipment and technology. Moreover, the supply of products in developing markets must match customers’ demand for those products, and due to product price and cultural differences, there can be no assurance of product acceptance in any particular market.

 

      Water quality and quantity. Water is a limited resource facing unprecedented challenges from over-exploitation, increasing pollution and poor management. As demand for water continues to increase around the world and as the quality of the available water deteriorates, our system may incur increasing production costs, which may materially adversely affect our Company’s profitability in the long run.

 

      Our ability to achieve earnings forecasts, which are generated based on projected volumes and sales of many product types, some of which are more profitable than others. There can be no assurance that we will achieve the projected level or mix of product sales.

 

      Other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

 

The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive.

 

32



 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We have no material changes to the disclosure on this matter made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely making known to them material information relating to the Company and the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

33



 

Part II. Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

On June 18, 2004, Michael Hall filed what is purported to be a shareholder derivative suit on behalf of the Company in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia.  The defendants in this action are the then current members of the Company’s Board of Directors (other than E. Neville Isdell and Donald R. Keough), and former Company officers Douglas N. Daft and Steven J. Heyer.  The Company is also named as a nominal defendant.  The complaint alleges, among other things, that in connection with certain alleged Company accounting and business practices that were originally the subject of litigation brought by former employee Matthew Whitley in 2003, approvals of executive compensation and severance packages, and dealings between the Company and entities with which the defendants are affiliated, the defendants breached their fiduciary duties to the Company through gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, abuse of their positions of authority within the Company, and by unjustly enriching themselves.

 

The plaintiff, on behalf of the Company, seeks declaratory relief; a monetary judgment requiring the defendants to pay the Company unspecified amounts by which the Company allegedly has been damaged by reason of the conduct complained of; an award to the plaintiff of the costs and disbursements incurred in connection with the action, including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees; extraordinary equitable and/or injunctive relief; and such other further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.

 

In April 2005, the defendants reached a tentative settlement agreement with the plaintiff that provides for certain corporate governance undertakings by the Company and payment of plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees.  At a hearing held on June 27, 2005, the Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement.  A formal hearing on approval of the settlement is scheduled for late November 2005.

 

On May 9, 2005, a putative class action lawsuit (Selbst v. The Coca-Cola Company and Douglas N. Daft) was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia alleging violations of antifraud provisions of the securities laws by the Company and Douglas N. Daft, former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  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 complaint alleges, among other things, that during the class period the Company and Mr. Daft made false and misleading statements concerning the financial condition of the Company and its business outlook, strategy, business model and relationship with key bottlers in internal corporate memoranda, analysts’ conference calls, press releases and Securities and Exchange Commission filings.  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.  This case was subsequently consolidated with the Amalgamated Bank case described below.

 

The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses in this matter and intends to vigorously defend itself therein.

 

34



 

On July 8, 2005, a putative class action lawsuit (Amalgamated Bank, et al. v. The Coca-Cola Company, et al.) was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against the Company, Douglas N. Daft, E. Neville Isdell, Steven J. Heyer and Gary P. Fayard alleging violations of antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws.  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 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 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 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.  This case was subsequently consolidated with the Selbst case described above and, by order of the Court, in September 2005, the plaintiff filed an amended consolidated complaint providing, among other things, additional details concerning the original complaint’s allegations about disclosures regarding the Company’s operations in Germany.

 

The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to this action and will vigorously defend itself.

 

During May, June and July 2005 three similar putative class action lawsuits (Pedraza v. The Coca-Cola Company, et al., Shamery, 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 (“ERISA”) 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, the plaintiffs in these cases filed amended complaints in September 2005 supplementing the allegations in the original complaints and naming the specific individuals who served on the Benefits Committee and the Asset Management Committee as defendants.

 

The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses in each of these cases and intends to vigorously defend its interests therein.

 

35



 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

The following table presents information with respect to purchases of common stock of the Company made during the three months ended September 30, 2005 by The Coca-Cola Company or any “affiliated purchaser” of The Coca-Cola Company, as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act.

 

Period

 

(a)

Total Number

of Shares
Purchased

1

(b)

Average
Price Paid
Per Share

 

(c)

Total Number

of Shares
Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced

Plans or
Programs

2

(d)

Maximum

Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased

Under the
Plans or
Programs

 

July 2, 2005 through July 29, 2005

 

1,263,248

 

$

43.77

 

1,250,000

 

84,353,540

 

July 30, 2005 through August 26, 2005

 

4,328,003

 

$

43.96

 

4,250,000

 

80,103,540

 

August 27, 2005 through September 30, 2005

 

6,701,782

 

$

43.31

 

6,550,000

 

73,553,540

 

Total

 

12,293,033

 

$

43.59

 

12,050,000

 

73,553,540

 

 

1    The total number of shares purchased includes: (i) shares purchased pursuant to the 1996 Plan 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 option and/or the vesting of restricted stock issued to employees, totaling 13,248 shares, 78,003 shares and 151,782 shares respectively, for the months of July, August and September 2005.

 

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 our Company’s common stock prior to October 31, 2006. This was in addition to approximately 44 million shares, previously authorized for purchase prior to December 31, 2000, that had not been purchased by the Company as of October 16, 1996 but that were purchased by the Company prior to the commencement of purchases under the 1996 Plan in 1998. This column discloses the number of shares purchased pursuant to the 1996 Plan during the indicated time periods.

 

36



 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

 

By-Laws of the Company, as amended and restated through October 20, 2005 —incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 26, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

 

1999 Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended and restated through July 20, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

2002 Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended and restated through July 20, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.3

 

1989 Restricted Stock Award Plan of the Company, as amended and restated through July 20, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by E. Neville Isdell, Chairman, Board of Directors, and Chief Executive Officer of The Coca-Cola Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by Gary P. Fayard, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Coca-Cola Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certifications required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350), executed by E. Neville Isdell, Chairman, Board of Directors, and Chief Executive Officer of The Coca-Cola Company and by Gary P. Fayard, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Coca-Cola Company.

 

37



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
(REGISTRANT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ CONNIE D. MCDANIEL

 

 

 

Connie D. McDaniel

 

Date: October 27, 2005

 

Vice President and Controller
(On behalf of the Registrant and
as Chief Accounting Officer)

 

 

38