Coca-Cola HBC on Wednesday told investors that third-quarter organic revenue rose 9.0%, which, as the bottler described it, was "slightly above" the previous 6% to 7% guidance range.
The London-listed bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company, which operates across 29 countries grouped into established, developing and emerging markets, kept its organic EBIT growth guidance unchanged at 8% to 10% for the year.
Third-quarter volumes grew 5.4% organically, led by Sparkling, up 4.5%, and Energy, up 24.7%, while organic revenue per case rose 3.4% on targeted pricing and mix initiatives.
Reported revenue for the quarter climbed 9.6% to €3,503.2 million, from €3,197.2 million a year earlier, reflecting the organic growth plus a small currency tailwind.
All three segments grew organic revenue by at least 8%: Established markets rose 8.0% with volumes up 5.6%, Developing markets rose 8.7% with volumes up 3.7%, and Emerging markets rose 9.8% with volumes up 5.8%, led by Nigeria.
The company said it gained 70 basis points of value share in non-alcoholic ready-to-drink drinks year-to-date through August, and 40 basis points in Sparkling.
"We are pleased to have delivered another strong quarter, with organic revenues increasing 9.0%," said chief executive Zoran Bogdanovic, adding that the group enters the final quarter "well positioned to deliver on our full-year targets" despite an "uncertain and dynamic macro environment".
The company remains on track to complete its acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa by the end of the year, having now received antitrust clearance in five of the six required jurisdictions, with Tanzania still pending.
On technical guidance, Coca-Cola HBC narrowed its expected net finance costs to between €35 million and €45 million, down from a previous range of €40 million to €50 million, while keeping its guidance on foreign-exchange impact, restructuring costs and its effective tax rate of 26% to 28% unchanged.
The company flagged a selling-days effect on the comparator period: four extra selling days boosted first-quarter group volumes by roughly six percentage points, while the fourth quarter will have four fewer selling days than the prior year.
Within Sparkling, Trademark Coke grew by mid-single digits, with Coke Zero up mid-teens and Coke Zero Zero up triple digits, while the group completed the rollout of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar's new visual identity across most of its markets.
Coffee volumes in the out-of-home channel, described as a strategic priority, rose 10.1%, even as total coffee volumes fell 2.3% amid the group's decision with Costa Coffee to prioritise that channel.
In Ukraine, volumes fell by more than 20% amid supply chain disruptions that began in early September, while Russia volumes grew by high-single digits against soft comparatives, with the company continuing to operate what it called a self-sufficient business focused on local brands.
Coca-Cola HBC will report its full-year 2026 results on 18 February 2027.