Coca-Cola sales beat analysts estimates as sales soar in India, elsewhere

Sales of Coca-Cola Company's myriad beverages were up around the world in the first quarter, with India clocking a huge consumption increase as volume soared 20 per cent.

With the growth the company's earnings of $2.05 billion, or 89 cents a share, beating analysts' expectations in the quarter that ended 31 March as of 82 cents a share in the same quarter last year.

Revenue growth was 6 per cent to $11.14 billion, as against $10.5 billion in the first quarter last year, pushed by a 5 per cent increase in sales volume driven by even larger increases in emerging markets. China followed India, clocking a growth of 9 per cent, followed by a more modest 4 per cent in Brazil.

According to Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of Coca-Cola, whose brands included Fanta, Vitaminwater and Minute Maid juices, more than anything, the company had been able to crack the calculus in the challenging environment.

Kent attributed the company's success to investments it had made in  the economic downturn that was now paying off as the American economy showed signs of stabilising and emerging markets gained even more steam.

He added Americans had begun travelling and eating out more, which increased sales of the company's products.