Coca-Cola HBC reported 9.6% first-half revenue growth and raised its full-year outlook after earnings powered ahead of guidance, CEO Zoran Bogdanović told attendees at the Barclays 19th Annual Global Consumer Conference on September 9, 2026.
Underlying volume growth in the second quarter accelerated to 7.5%, up from the first quarter, extending a run of consecutive quarterly gains to 13 periods. First-half profitability came in above the upper end of the company's revised full-year guidance range, which was upgraded in early August.
The energy category, which has averaged roughly 29% annual growth over the past decade, is expected to expand more than 20% this year, the company said. About 26% of energy drink consumers entered the category over the trailing 12 months, and the average consumer age rose to 35 or 36. Innovation accounts for approximately one-third of the category's growth, Bogdanović said.
Coca-Cola HBC captures 80% to 85% of customer revenue generation across its beverage portfolio, the company stated.
On acquisitions, integration planning for Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) began in January and is expected to close in the fourth quarter. The company also highlighted the trajectory of its Egypt acquisition, made roughly four years prior, which gained major operational capabilities within 18 months. A digital hub in Cairo opened in July and is scaling to 450 employees by the third quarter of next year.
Data insights and analytics capabilities, initially launched in Nigeria in 2020, have been rolled out across other markets as part of the integration strategy.
Bogdanović addressed operational risks in Eastern Europe following a military attack on the company's Kyiv production facility seven to ten days before the conference. He described the work of the local team as "heroic" under extreme conditions.
In Nigeria, where Coca-Cola HBC began operations in 1951, the company marked its 75th anniversary with events in Abuja. The firm also promoted a zero-sugar energy variant linked to MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi and continued its English Premier League campaign with Chelsea.
Coca-Cola HBC shares, referenced around 4,494 pence, carry a dividend yield of 4.17% and have seen dividends raised for six straight years. The company's current ratio stood at 1.37.
