Asia and Brazil help Coca-Cola profits fizz higher

Coca-Cola yesterday delivered strong first-quarter profits, up by 19 per cent to $1.61bn (£1.05bn), boosted by strong performances in Asia and Brazil.

The US drinks giant said total volumes rose by 3 per cent, although this was down from the 5 per cent uplift in the final quarter of 2009. While its Asian, Russian and Brazilian businesses grew their volumes, they fell by 2 per cent in North America, which it blamed on the weak economy.