Emerging mkt sales up Coca-Cola Q2 net

NEW YORK: Coca-Cola said on Tuesday its second-quarter profit rose slightly, helped by strength in emerging markets such as China, Turkey, India and Brazil.

The world’s largest soft-drink maker reported net income of $1.85 billion, or 80 cents per share, up less than 1% from $1.84 billion, or 78 cents per share, a year earlier.

Net operating revenue rose 19% to $7.73 billion from $6.48 billion. Worldwide case volume increased 6%. In recent years, Coke has lagged rival PepsiCo in offering alternatives to the sugary soft drinks that North Americans have begun to avoid.

But some analysts see its recent acquisitions of juice and tea company Fuze Beverages and vitamin water maker Glaceau as evidence that Coke is focused on closing the gap.