Coca-Cola’s third-quarter profit rose 38 percent as it sold more Sprite and bottled tea and coffee drinks in the U.S.
The Atlanta company has been diversifying its drinks and lowering the sugar in its sodas to try to adapt to changing tastes. During the quarter, the company relaunched Coca-Cola Zero in the U.S. as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and it bought Mexican sparkling water brand Topo Chico.
However, Coca-Cola said Wednesday sales volume of sugar-free Diet Coke and its various types of waters declined in the company’s biggest market, North America. Sales volume of Sprite, bottled tea and bottled coffee grew, while sparkling soft drinks was flat.
On Wednesday, Coca-Cola reported net income of $1.45 billion, or 33 cents per share, in the three months ending Sept. 29. That’s up from the $1.05 billion, or 24 cents per share, in reported in the same quarter a year ago.
