UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-02217
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
One Coca-Cola Plaza,
Atlanta, Georgia
(Address of principal executive offices)
58-0628465
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
30313
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (404) 676-2121
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock, $0.25 Par Value
Floating Rate Notes Due 2019
Floating Rate Notes Due 2019
0.000% Notes Due 2021
1.125% Notes Due 2022
0.75% Notes Due 2023
0.500% Notes Due 2024
1.875% Notes Due 2026
1.125% Notes Due 2027
1.625% Notes Due 2035
1.100% Notes Due 2036
Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File
required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein,
and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of
this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10 K.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting
company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Accelerated filer
Emerging growth company
No
No
No
No
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any
new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
The aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant (assuming for these purposes, but without conceding,
that all executive officers and Directors are “affiliates” of the Registrant) as of June 30, 2017, the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently
completed second fiscal quarter, was $189,848,200,565 (based on the closing sale price of the Registrant’s Common Stock on that date as reported on
the New York Stock Exchange).
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock as of February 16, 2018, was 4,265,906,533.
No
Portions of the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareowners to be held on April 25, 2018, are incorporated by
reference in Part III.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Table of Contents
Forward-Looking Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Page
Part I
Item 1.
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1A. Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 2.
Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 3.
Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 4.
Executive Officers of the Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item X.
2
10
20
20
21
22
23
Part II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and
26
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 6.
28
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
69
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 8.
71
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Item 9.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Item 9B. Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Part III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Item 11.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Item 12.
Related Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Principal Accountant Fees and Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Item 13.
Item 14.
Part IV
Item 15.
Item 16.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Form 10-K Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains information that may constitute “forward-looking statements.” Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,”
“estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in
nature. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. All statements that
address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating
to volume growth, share of sales and earnings per share growth, and statements expressing general views about future operating results —
are forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However,
caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the
date when made. Our Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks
and uncertainties that could cause our Company’s actual results to differ materially from historical experience and our present expectations
or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere
in this report and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
PART I
In this report, the terms “The Coca-Cola Company,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” mean The Coca-Cola Company and all entities
included in our consolidated financial statements.
General
The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company. We own or license and market more than 500 nonalcoholic
beverage brands, which we group into the following category clusters: sparkling soft drinks; water, enhanced water and sports drinks;
juice, dairy and plant-based beverages; tea and coffee; and energy drinks. We own and market four of the world’s top five nonalcoholic
sparkling soft drink brands: Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite. Finished beverage products bearing our trademarks, sold in the
United States since 1886, are now sold in more than 200 countries.
We make our branded beverage products available to consumers throughout the world through our network of Company-owned or
-controlled bottling and distribution operations as well as independent bottling partners, distributors, wholesalers and retailers —
the world’s largest beverage distribution system. Beverages bearing trademarks owned by or licensed to us account for more than
1.9 billion of the approximately 60 billion servings of all beverages consumed worldwide every day.
We believe our success depends on our ability to connect with consumers by providing them with a wide variety of beverage options to
meet their desires, needs and lifestyles. Our success further depends on the ability of our people to execute effectively, every day.
Our objective is to use our Company’s assets — our brands, financial strength, unrivaled distribution system, global reach, and the
talent and strong commitment of our management and associates — to become more competitive and to accelerate growth in a
manner that creates value for our shareowners.
We were incorporated in September 1919 under the laws of the State of Delaware and succeeded to the business of a Georgia
corporation with the same name that had been organized in 1892.
Operating Segments
The Company’s operating structure is the basis for our internal financial reporting. As of December 31, 2017, our operating structure
included the following operating segments, the first five of which are sometimes referred to as “operating groups” or “groups”:
• Europe, Middle East and Africa
• Latin America
• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Bottling Investments
• Corporate
Except to the extent that differences among operating segments are material to an understanding of our business taken as a whole, the
description of our business in this report is presented on a consolidated basis.
For financial information about our operating segments and geographic areas, refer to Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements set forth in Part II, “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report, incorporated herein by
reference. For certain risks attendant to our non-U.S. operations, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” below.
Products and Brands
As used in this report:
• “concentrates” means flavoring ingredients and, depending on the product, sweeteners used to prepare syrups or finished
beverages and includes powders or minerals for purified water products such as Dasani;
• “syrups” means beverage ingredients produced by combining concentrates and, depending on the product, sweeteners and
added water;
• “fountain syrups” means syrups that are sold to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores, which use
dispensing equipment to mix the syrups with sparkling or still water at the time of purchase to produce finished beverages that
are served in cups or glasses for immediate consumption;
2
• “Company Trademark Beverages” means beverages bearing our trademarks and certain other beverage products bearing
trademarks licensed to us by third parties for which we provide marketing support and from the sale of which we derive
economic benefit; and
• “Trademark Coca-Cola Beverages” or “Trademark Coca-Cola” means beverages bearing the trademark Coca-Cola or any
trademark that includes Coca-Cola or Coke (that is, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Life, Diet Coke/Coca-Cola Light and Coca-Cola
Zero Sugar and all their variations and any line extensions, including caffeine free Diet Coke, Cherry Coke, etc.). Likewise,
when we use the capitalized word “Trademark” together with the name of one of our other beverage products (such as
“Trademark Fanta,” “Trademark Sprite” or “Trademark Simply”), we mean beverages bearing the indicated trademark (that
is, Fanta, Sprite or Simply, respectively) and all its variations and line extensions (such that “Trademark Fanta” includes Fanta
Orange, Fanta Zero Orange, Fanta Apple, etc.; “Trademark Sprite” includes Sprite, Diet Sprite, Sprite Zero, Sprite Light, etc.;
and “Trademark Simply” includes Simply Orange, Simply Apple, Simply Grapefruit, etc.).
Our Company markets, manufactures and sells:
• beverage concentrates, sometimes referred to as “beverage bases,” and syrups, including fountain syrups (we refer to this part of
our business as our “concentrate business” or “concentrate operations”); and
• finished sparkling soft drinks and other nonalcoholic beverages (we refer to this part of our business as our “finished product
business” or “finished product operations”).
Generally, finished product operations generate higher net operating revenues but lower gross profit margins than concentrate
operations.
In our concentrate operations, we typically generate net operating revenues by selling concentrates and syrups to authorized bottling
operations (to which we typically refer as our “bottlers” or our “bottling partners”). Our bottling partners either combine the
concentrates with sweeteners (depending on the product), still water and/or sparkling water, or combine the syrups with sparkling
water to produce finished beverages. The finished beverages are packaged in authorized containers — such as cans and refillable and
nonrefillable glass and plastic bottles — bearing our trademarks or trademarks licensed to us and are then sold to retailers directly or,
in some cases, through wholesalers or other bottlers. Outside the United States, we also sell concentrates for fountain beverages to our
bottling partners who are typically authorized to manufacture fountain syrups, which they sell to fountain retailers such as restaurants
and convenience stores which use the fountain syrups to produce beverages for immediate consumption, or to authorized fountain
wholesalers who in turn sell and distribute the fountain syrups to fountain retailers.
In our finished product operations, we typically generate net operating revenues by selling sparkling soft drinks and a variety of other
nonalcoholic beverages, including water, enhanced water and sports drinks; juice, dairy and plant-based beverages; tea and coffee; and
energy drinks, to retailers or to distributors, wholesalers and bottling partners who distribute them to retailers. These finished product
operations consist primarily of our Company-owned or -controlled bottling, sales and distribution operations which are included in our
Bottling Investments operating segment. In addition, in the United States, we manufacture fountain syrups and sell them to fountain
retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores who use the fountain syrups to produce beverages for immediate consumption,
or to authorized fountain wholesalers or bottling partners who resell the fountain syrups to fountain retailers. We authorize these
wholesalers to resell our fountain syrups through nonexclusive appointments that neither restrict us in setting the prices at which we
sell fountain syrups to the wholesalers nor restrict the territories in which the wholesalers may resell in the United States. Our finished
product business also includes juice and other still beverage production operations in North America. Our fountain syrup sales in
the United States and the juice and other still beverage production operations in North America are included in our North America
operating segment.
For information regarding net operating revenues and unit case volume related to our concentrate operations and finished product
operations, refer to the heading “Our Business — General” set forth in Part II, “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this report, which is incorporated herein by reference.
For information regarding how we measure the volume of Company beverage products sold by the Coca-Cola system, refer to the
heading “Operations Review — Beverage Volume” set forth in Part II, “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations” of this report, which is incorporated herein by reference.
3
We own numerous valuable nonalcoholic beverage brands, including the following:
Coca-Cola
Diet Coke/Coca-Cola Light
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar1
Fanta
Sprite
Minute Maid
Georgia2
Powerade
Del Valle3
Schweppes4
Aquarius
Minute Maid Pulpy5
1 Including Coca-Cola No Sugar and Coca-Cola Zero.
2 Georgia is primarily a coffee brand sold mainly in Japan.
Dasani
Simply6
Glacéau Vitaminwater
Gold Peak7
FUZE TEA8
Glacéau Smartwater9
Ice Dew10
I LOHAS11
Ayataka12
3 Del Valle is a juice and juice drink brand sold in Latin America. In Mexico and Brazil, we manufacture, market and sell Del Valle beverage products
through joint ventures with our bottling partners.
4 Schweppes is owned by the Company in certain countries other than the United States.
5 Minute Maid Pulpy is a juice drink brand sold primarily in Asia Pacific.
6 Simply is a juice and juice drink brand sold in North America.
7 Gold Peak is primarily a tea brand sold in North America.
8 FUZE TEA is a brand sold outside of North America.
9 Glacéau Smartwater is a vapor-distilled water with added electrolytes which is sold mainly in North America and Great Britain.
10 Ice Dew is a water brand sold in China.
11 I LOHAS is a water brand sold primarily in Japan.
12 Ayataka is a green tea brand sold primarily in Japan.
In addition to the beverage brands we own, we also provide marketing support and otherwise participate in the sales of other
nonalcoholic beverage brands through licenses, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, including, but not limited to, the following:
• We and certain of our bottlers distribute certain brands of Monster Beverage Corporation (“Monster”), primarily Monster
Energy, in designated territories in the United States, Canada and other international territories pursuant to distribution
coordination agreements between the Company and Monster and related distribution agreements between Monster and
Company-owned or -controlled bottling operations and independent bottling and distribution partners.
• We have a strategic partnership with Aujan Industries Company J.S.C. (“Aujan”), one of the largest independent beverage
companies in the Middle East. We own 50 percent of the entity that holds the rights in certain territories to brands produced
and distributed by Aujan, including Rani, a juice brand, and Barbican, a flavored malt beverage brand.
• fairlife, LLC (“fairlife”), our joint venture with Select Milk Producers, Inc., a dairy cooperative, is a health and wellness dairy
company whose products include fairlife ultra-filtered milk and Core Power, a high-protein milkshake. We and certain of our
bottling partners distribute fairlife products in the United States and Canada.
Consumer demand determines the optimal menu of Company product offerings. Consumer demand can vary from one market to
another and can change over time within a single market. Employing our business strategy, our Company seeks to further build its
existing brands and, at the same time, to broaden its portfolio of brands, products and services in order to create and satisfy consumer
demand in every market.
Distribution System
We make our branded beverage products available to consumers in more than 200 countries through our network of Company-owned
or -controlled bottling and distribution operations, independent bottling partners, distributors, wholesalers and retailers — the world’s
largest beverage distribution system. Consumers enjoy finished beverage products bearing trademarks owned by or licensed to us at a
rate of more than 1.9 billion servings each day. We continue to expand our marketing presence in an effort to increase our unit case
volume and net operating revenues in developed, developing and emerging markets. Our strong and stable bottling and distribution
system helps us to capture growth by manufacturing, distributing and selling existing, enhanced and new innovative products to our
consumers throughout the world.
4
The Coca-Cola system sold 29.2 billion, 29.3 billion and 29.2 billion unit cases of our products in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Sparkling soft drinks represented 69 percent, 69 percent and 70 percent of our worldwide unit case volume for 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively. Trademark Coca-Cola accounted for 45 percent, 45 percent and 46 percent of our worldwide unit case volume for 2017,
2016 and 2015, respectively.
In 2017, unit case volume in the United States represented 19 percent of the Company’s worldwide unit case volume. Of the U.S. unit
case volume, 62 percent was attributable to sparkling soft drinks. Trademark Coca-Cola accounted for 43 percent of U.S. unit case
volume. Unit case volume outside the United States represented 81 percent of the Company’s worldwide unit case volume for 2017.
The countries outside the United States in which our unit case volumes were the largest were Mexico, China, Brazil and Japan, which
together accounted for 31 percent of our worldwide unit case volume. Of the non-U.S. unit case volume, 71 percent was attributable to
sparkling soft drinks. Trademark Coca-Cola accounted for 45 percent of non-U.S. unit case volume.
Our five largest independent bottling partners based on unit case volume in 2017 were:
• Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Coca-Cola FEMSA”), which has bottling and distribution operations in Mexico (a
substantial part of central Mexico, including Mexico City, as well as southeast and northeast Mexico), Guatemala (Guatemala
City and surrounding areas), Nicaragua (nationwide), Costa Rica (nationwide), Panama (nationwide), Colombia (most of the
country), Venezuela (nationwide), Brazil (greater São Paulo, Campiñas, Santos, the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, the state of
Paraná, the state of Santa Catarina, part of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, part of the state of Goiás, part of the state of Rio
de Janeiro and part of the state of Minas Gerais), Argentina (federal capital of Buenos Aires and surrounding areas) and the
Philippines (nationwide);
• Coca-Cola European Partners plc (“CCEP”), which has bottling and distribution operations in Andorra, Belgium, France,
Germany, Great Britain, Iceland, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden;
• Coca-Cola HBC AG (“Coca-Cola Hellenic”), which has bottling and distribution operations in Armenia, Austria, Belarus,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Poland, Republic of Ireland,
Romania, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Ukraine;
• Arca Continental, S.A.B. de C.V., which has bottling and distribution operations in northern and western Mexico, northern
Argentina, Ecuador, Peru and the state of Texas and parts of the states of New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas in the United
States; and
• Swire Beverages, which has bottling and distribution operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, 11 provinces and the Shanghai
Municipality in the eastern and southern areas of mainland China, and territories in 13 states in the western United States.
In 2017, these five bottling partners combined represented 41 percent of our total unit case volume.
Being a bottler does not create a legal partnership or joint venture between us and our bottlers. Our bottlers are independent
contractors and are not our agents.
Bottler’s Agreements
We have separate contracts, to which we generally refer as “bottler’s agreements,” with our bottling partners regarding the
manufacture and sale of Company products. Subject to specified terms and conditions and certain variations, the bottler’s agreements
generally authorize the bottlers to prepare specified Company Trademark Beverages, to package the same in authorized containers,
and to distribute and sell the same in (but, subject to applicable local law, generally only in) an identified territory. The bottler is
obligated to purchase its entire requirement of concentrates or syrups for the designated Company Trademark Beverages from the
Company or Company-authorized suppliers. We typically agree to refrain from selling or distributing, or from authorizing third parties
to sell or distribute, the designated Company Trademark Beverages throughout the identified territory in the particular authorized
containers; however, we typically reserve for ourselves or our designee the right (1) to prepare and package such Company Trademark
Beverages in such containers in the territory for sale outside the territory, (2) to prepare, package, distribute and sell such Company
Trademark Beverages in the territory in any other manner or form (territorial restrictions on bottlers vary in some cases in accordance
with local law), and (3) to handle certain key accounts (accounts that cover multiple territories).
While under most of our bottler’s agreements we generally have complete flexibility to determine the price and other terms of
sale of the concentrates and syrups we sell to our bottlers, as a practical matter, our Company’s ability to exercise its contractual
flexibility to determine the price and other terms of sale of concentrates and syrups is subject, both outside and within the
United States, to competitive market conditions. In addition, in some instances we have agreed or may in the future agree with
5
a bottler with respect to concentrate pricing on a prospective basis for specified time periods. Also, in some markets, in an effort to
allow our Company and our bottling partners to grow together through shared value, aligned incentives and the flexibility necessary
to meet consumers’ always changing needs and tastes, we worked with our bottling partners to develop and implement an incidence-
based concentrate pricing model. Under this model, the concentrate price we charge is impacted by a number of factors, including, but
not limited to, bottler pricing, the channels in which the finished products are sold and package mix.
As further discussed below, our bottler’s agreements for territories outside the United States differ in some respects from our bottler’s
agreements for territories within the United States.
Bottler’s Agreements Outside the United States
Bottler’s agreements between us and our authorized bottlers outside the United States generally are of stated duration, subject in
some cases to possible extensions or renewals. Generally, these bottler’s agreements are subject to termination by the Company
following the occurrence of certain designated events, including defined events of default and certain changes in ownership or control
of the bottlers. Most of the bottler’s agreements in force between us and bottlers outside the United States authorize the bottlers to
manufacture and distribute fountain syrups, usually on a nonexclusive basis.
In certain parts of the world outside the United States, we have not granted comprehensive beverage production rights to the
bottlers. In such instances, we or our authorized suppliers sell Company Trademark Beverages to the bottlers for sale and distribution
throughout the designated territory, often on a nonexclusive basis.
Bottler’s Agreements Within the United States
In the United States, most bottlers operate under a “comprehensive beverage agreement” (“CBA”) that is of stated duration, subject
in most cases to renewal rights of bottlers and in some cases to renewal rights of the Company. Certain bottlers continue to operate
under legacy bottler’s agreements with no stated expiration date for Trademark Coca-Cola Beverages and other cola-flavored
beverages. The bottler’s agreements in the United States are subject to termination by the Company for nonperformance or upon the
occurrence of certain defined events of default that may vary from contract to contract.
In conjunction with implementing a new beverage partnership model in North America, the Company granted certain additional
exclusive territory rights for the distribution, promotion, marketing and sale of Company-owned and licensed beverage products
(as defined by the CBAs) to certain U.S. bottlers. These expanding bottlers entered into new CBAs, to which we sometimes refer as
“expanding bottler CBAs,” which apply to newly granted territories as well as any legacy territories, and provide consistency across
each such bottler’s respective territory and consistency with other U.S. bottlers that have executed an expanding bottler CBA. Under
the expanding bottler CBAs, the Company generally retained the rights to produce the applicable beverage products for territories
not covered by specific manufacturing agreements and such bottlers purchase from the Company (or from Company-authorized
manufacturing bottlers) substantially all of the finished beverage products needed in order to service the customers in these territories.
The expanding bottler CBA has a term of 10 years and is renewable, in most cases by the bottler, and in some cases by the Company,
indefinitely for successive additional terms of 10 years each, and includes additional requirements that provide for, among other
things, a binding national governance model, mandatory incidence pricing and certain core performance requirements. The Company
also entered into manufacturing agreements that authorize certain expanding bottlers that have executed expanding bottler CBAs
to manufacture certain beverage products for their own account and for supply to other bottlers. In addition, certain U.S. bottlers
that were not granted additional exclusive territory rights converted or agreed to convert their legacy bottler’s agreements to a form
of CBA to which we sometimes refer as “non-expanding bottler CBA.” This form of CBA has a term of 10 years and is renewable
by the bottler indefinitely for successive additional terms of 10 years each and is substantially similar in most material respects to the
expanding bottler CBA, including with respect to requirements for a binding national governance model and mandatory incidence
pricing, but includes core performance requirements that vary in certain respects from those in the expanding bottler CBA.
Those bottlers that have not signed a CBA continue to operate under legacy bottler’s agreements that include pricing formulas that
generally provide for a baseline price for certain Trademark Coca-Cola Beverages and other cola-flavored Company Trademark
Beverages. This baseline price may be adjusted periodically by the Company, up to a maximum indexed ceiling price, and is adjusted
quarterly based upon changes in certain sugar or sweetener prices, as applicable. The U.S. unit case volume manufactured, sold and
distributed under these legacy bottler’s agreements is not material.
Under the terms of the bottler’s agreements, bottlers in the United States generally are not authorized to manufacture fountain
syrups. Rather, the Company manufactures and sells fountain syrups to authorized fountain wholesalers (including certain authorized
bottlers) and some fountain retailers. These wholesalers in turn sell the syrups or deliver them on our behalf to restaurants and
other retailers.
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Promotions and Marketing Programs
In addition to conducting our own independent advertising and marketing activities, we may provide promotional and marketing
support and/or funds to our bottlers. In most cases, we do this on a discretionary basis under the terms of commitment letters or
agreements, even though we are not obligated to do so under the terms of the bottler’s or distribution agreements between our
Company and the bottlers. Also, on a discretionary basis in most cases, our Company may develop and introduce new products,
packages and equipment to assist the bottlers. Likewise, in many instances, we provide promotional and marketing services
and/or funds and/or dispensing equipment and repair services to fountain and bottle/can retailers, typically pursuant to marketing
agreements. The aggregate amount of funds provided by our Company to bottlers, resellers or other customers of our Company’s
products, principally for participation in promotional and marketing programs, was $6.2 billion in 2017.
Investments in Bottling Operations
Most of our branded beverage products are manufactured, sold and distributed by independent bottling partners. However, from time
to time we acquire or take control of bottling operations, often in underperforming markets where we believe we can use our resources
and expertise to improve performance. Owning such a controlling interest enables us to compensate for limited local resources; help
focus the bottler’s sales and marketing programs; assist in the development of the bottler’s business and information systems; and
establish an appropriate capital structure for the bottler. In line with our long-term bottling strategy, we may periodically consider
options for divesting or reducing our ownership interest in a Company-owned or -controlled bottler, typically by selling our interest
in a particular bottling operation to an independent bottler to improve Coca-Cola system efficiency. When we sell our interest in a
bottling operation to one of our other bottling partners in which we have an equity method investment, our Company continues to
participate in the bottler’s results of operations through our share of the equity method investee’s earnings or losses.
In addition, from time to time we make equity investments representing noncontrolling interests in selected bottling operations
with the intention of maximizing the strength and efficiency of the Coca-Cola system’s production, marketing, sales and distribution
capabilities around the world by providing expertise and resources to strengthen those businesses. These investments are intended
to result in increases in unit case volume, net revenues and profits at the bottler level, which in turn generate increased sales for our
Company’s concentrate business. When our equity investment provides us with the ability to exercise significant influence over the
investee bottler’s operating and financial policies, we account for the investment under the equity method, and we sometimes refer to
such a bottler as an “equity method investee bottler” or “equity method investee.”
Seasonality
Sales of our nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages are somewhat seasonal, with the second and third calendar quarters accounting for
the highest sales volumes. The volume of sales in the beverage business may be affected by weather conditions.
Competition
The nonalcoholic beverage segment of the commercial beverage industry is highly competitive, consisting of numerous companies
ranging from small or emerging to very large and well established. These include companies that, like our Company, compete in
multiple geographic areas, as well as businesses that are primarily regional or local in operation. Competitive products include
numerous nonalcoholic sparkling soft drinks; various water products, including flavored and enhanced waters; juices and nectars;
fruit drinks and dilutables (including syrups and powdered drinks); coffees and teas; energy, sports and other performance-enhancing
drinks; filtered milk and other dairy-based drinks; functional beverages, including vitamin-based products and relaxation beverages;
and various other nonalcoholic beverages. These competitive beverages are sold to consumers in both ready-to-drink and other than
ready-to-drink form. In many of the countries in which we do business, including the United States, PepsiCo, Inc. (“PepsiCo”), is one
of our primary competitors. Other significant competitors include, but are not limited to, Nestlé S.A. (“Nestlé”), Dr Pepper Snapple
Group, Inc. (“DPSG”), Groupe Danone, Mondele-z International, Inc. (“Mondele-z”), The Kraft Heinz Company (“Kraft”), Suntory
Beverage & Food Limited (“Suntory”) and Unilever. We also compete against numerous regional and local companies and, in some
markets, against retailers that have developed their own store or private label beverage brands.
Competitive factors impacting our business include, but are not limited to, pricing, advertising, sales promotion programs,
in-store displays and point-of-sale marketing, product and ingredient innovation, increased efficiency in production techniques, the
introduction of new packaging, new vending and dispensing equipment, and brand and trademark development and protection.
Our competitive strengths include leading brands with high levels of consumer acceptance; a worldwide network of bottlers and
distributors of Company products; sophisticated marketing capabilities; and a talented group of dedicated associates. Our competitive
challenges include strong competition in all geographic regions and, in many countries, a concentrated retail sector with powerful
buyers able to freely choose among Company products, products of competitive beverage suppliers and individual retailers’ own store
or private label beverage brands.
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Raw Materials
Water is a main ingredient in substantially all of our products. While historically we have not experienced significant water supply
difficulties, water is a limited natural resource in many parts of the world, and our Company recognizes water availability, quality and
sustainability, for both our operations and also the communities where we operate, as one of the key challenges facing our business.
In addition to water, the principal raw materials used in our business are nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners. In the United
States, the principal nutritive sweetener is high fructose corn syrup (“HFCS”), which is nutritionally equivalent to sugar. HFCS
is available from numerous domestic sources and has historically been subject to fluctuations in its market price. The principal
nutritive sweetener used by our business outside the United States is sucrose, i.e., table sugar, which is also available from
numerous sources and has historically been subject to fluctuations in its market price. Our Company generally has not experienced
any difficulties in obtaining its requirements for nutritive sweeteners. In the United States, we purchase HFCS to meet our and our
bottlers’ requirements with the assistance of Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Sales & Services Company LLC (“CCBSS”). CCBSS is a limited
liability company that is owned by authorized Coca-Cola bottlers doing business in the United States. Among other things, CCBSS
provides procurement services to our Company for the purchase of various goods and services in the United States, including HFCS.
The principal non-nutritive sweeteners we use in our business are aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate
and steviol glycosides. Generally, these raw materials are readily available from numerous sources. However, our Company purchases
aspartame, an important non-nutritive sweetener that is used alone or in combination with other important non-nutritive sweeteners
such as saccharin or acesulfame potassium in our low- and no-calorie sparkling beverage products, primarily from Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
and SinoSweet Co., Ltd., which we consider to be our primary sources for the supply of this product. In addition, we purchase
sucralose, which we consider a critical raw material, from a limited number of suppliers in the United States and China. We work
closely with our primary sucralose suppliers to maintain continuity of supply. However, global demand for sucralose has increased in
recent years as consumer products companies are reformulating food and beverages to replace high-intensity sweeteners with non-
nutritive sweeteners, primarily sucralose. In addition, the Chinese sucralose industry has been impacted by the imposition of stringent
environmental requirements that have reduced or closed production. To mitigate the impact of the increase in demand and tightening
of supply of sucralose, we are working with our existing suppliers to secure additional volume and are expanding our sucralose supplier
base as well as assessing additional internal contingency plans to address any potential shortages. Our Company generally has not
experienced major difficulties in obtaining its requirements for non-nutritive sweeteners and we do not anticipate such difficulties in
the future.
Juice and juice concentrate from various fruits, particularly orange juice and orange juice concentrate, are the principal raw materials
for our juice and juice drink products. We source our orange juice and orange juice concentrate primarily from Florida and the
Southern Hemisphere (particularly Brazil). We work closely with Cutrale Citrus Juices U.S.A., Inc., our primary supplier of orange
juice from Florida and Brazil, to ensure an adequate supply of orange juice and orange juice concentrate that meets our Company’s
standards. However, the citrus industry is impacted by greening disease and the variability of weather conditions. In particular, freezing
weather or hurricanes in central Florida may result in shortages and higher prices for orange juice and orange juice concentrate
throughout the industry. In addition, greening disease is reducing the number of trees and increasing grower costs and prices.
Our Company-owned or consolidated bottling operations and our finished product business also purchase various other raw materials
including, but not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) resin, preforms and bottles; glass and aluminum bottles; aluminum
and steel cans; plastic closures; aseptic fiber packaging; labels; cartons; cases; postmix packaging; and carbon dioxide. We generally
purchase these raw materials from multiple suppliers and historically have not experienced significant shortages.
Patents, Copyrights, Trade Secrets and Trademarks
Our Company owns numerous patents, copyrights and trade secrets, as well as substantial know-how and technology, which we
collectively refer to in this report as “technology.” This technology generally relates to our Company’s products and the processes for
their production; the packages used for our products; and the design and operation of various processes and equipment used in our
business. Some of the technology is licensed to suppliers and other parties. Our sparkling beverage and other beverage formulae are
among the important trade secrets of our Company.
We own numerous trademarks that are very important to our business. Depending upon the jurisdiction, trademarks are valid as long
as they are in use and/or their registrations are properly maintained. Pursuant to our bottler’s agreements, we authorize our bottlers
to use applicable Company trademarks in connection with their manufacture, sale and distribution of Company products. In addition,
we grant licenses to third parties from time to time to use certain of our trademarks in conjunction with certain merchandise and food
products.
8
Governmental Regulation
Our Company is required to comply, and it is our policy to comply, with all applicable laws in the numerous countries throughout
the world in which we do business. In many jurisdictions, compliance with competition laws is of special importance to us, and our
operations may come under special scrutiny by competition law authorities due to our competitive position in those jurisdictions.
In the United States, the safety, production, transportation, distribution, advertising, labeling and sale of our Company’s products
and their ingredients are subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; the Federal Trade Commission Act; the Lanham Act;
state consumer protection laws; competition laws; federal, state and local workplace health and safety laws; various federal, state and
local environmental protection laws; and various other federal, state and local statutes and regulations. Outside the United States, our
business is subject to numerous similar statutes and regulations, as well as other legal and regulatory requirements.
Under a California law known as Proposition 65, if the state has determined that a substance causes cancer or harms human
reproduction, a warning must be provided for any product sold in the state that exposes consumers to that substance. The state
maintains lists of these substances and periodically adds other substances to these lists. Proposition 65 exposes all food and beverage
producers to the possibility of having to provide warnings on their products in California because it does not provide for any
generally applicable quantitative threshold below which the presence of a listed substance is exempt from the warning requirement.
Consequently, the detection of even a trace amount of a listed substance can subject an affected product to the requirement of a
warning label. However, Proposition 65 does not require a warning if the manufacturer of a product can demonstrate that the use of
that product exposes consumers to a daily quantity of a listed substance that is:
• below a “safe harbor” threshold that may be established;
• naturally occurring;
• the result of necessary cooking; or
• subject to another applicable exemption.
One or more substances that are currently on the Proposition 65 lists, or that may be added in the future, can be detected in certain
Company products at low levels that are safe. With respect to substances that have not yet been listed under Proposition 65, the
Company takes the position that listing is not scientifically justified. With respect to substances that are already listed, the Company
takes the position that the presence of each such substance in Company products is subject to an applicable exemption from the
warning requirement or that the product is otherwise in compliance with Proposition 65. The state of California and other parties,
however, have in the past taken a contrary position and may do so in the future.
Bottlers of our beverage products presently offer and use nonrefillable recyclable containers in the United States and various
other markets around the world. Some of these bottlers also offer and use refillable containers, which are also recyclable. Legal
requirements apply in various jurisdictions in the United States and overseas requiring that deposits or certain ecotaxes or fees be
charged in connection with the sale, marketing and use of certain beverage containers. The precise requirements imposed by these
measures vary. Other types of statutes and regulations relating to beverage container deposits, recycling, ecotaxes and/or product
stewardship also apply in various jurisdictions in the United States and overseas. We anticipate that additional such legal requirements
may be proposed or enacted in the future at local, state and federal levels, both in the United States and elsewhere.
All of our Company’s facilities and other operations in the United States and elsewhere around the world are subject to various
environmental protection statutes and regulations, including those relating to the use of water resources and the discharge
of wastewater. Our policy is to comply with all such legal requirements. Compliance with these provisions has not had, and
we do not expect such compliance to have, any material adverse effect on our Company’s capital expenditures, net income or
competitive position.
Employees
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our Company had approximately 61,800 and 100,300 employees, respectively, of which
approximately 2,900 were employed by consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) as of December 31, 2016. There
were no employees employed by consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2017. The decrease in the total number of employees
in 2017 was primarily due to the refranchising of certain bottling territories that were previously managed by Coca-Cola
Refreshments (“CCR”), the refranchising of our China bottling operations, and our productivity initiatives. This decrease
was partially offset by an increase in the number of employees due to the transition of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s (“ABI”)
controlling interest in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Proprietary Limited (“CCBA”) to the Company in October 2017. For
additional information about the North America and China refranchising transactions, as well as the transition of ABI’s
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controlling interest in CCBA, refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, “Item 8. Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our Company had approximately 12,400 and
51,000 employees, respectively, located in the United States, of which zero and approximately 400, respectively, were employed by
consolidated VIEs.
Our Company, through its divisions and subsidiaries, is a party to numerous collective bargaining agreements. As of December 31,
2017, approximately 3,700 employees, excluding seasonal hires, in North America were covered by collective bargaining agreements.
These agreements typically have terms of three years to five years. We currently expect that we will be able to renegotiate such
agreements on satisfactory terms when they expire.
The Company believes that its relations with its employees are generally satisfactory.
Securities Exchange Act Reports
The Company maintains a website at the following address: www.coca-colacompany.com. The information on the Company’s website
is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We make available on or through our website certain reports and amendments to those reports that we file with or furnish to the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange
Act”). These include our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K.
We make this information available on our website free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the
information with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the following factors, which could materially
affect our business, financial condition or results of operations in future periods. The risks described below are not the only risks facing
our Company. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely
affect our business, financial condition or results of operations in future periods.
Obesity and other health-related concerns may reduce demand for some of our products.
There is growing concern among consumers, public health professionals and government agencies about the health problems
associated with obesity. Increasing public concern about obesity; other health-related public concerns surrounding consumption
of sugar-sweetened beverages; possible new or increased taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages by government entities to reduce
consumption or to raise revenue; additional governmental regulations concerning the marketing, labeling, packaging or sale of our
sugar-sweetened beverages; and negative publicity resulting from actual or threatened legal actions against us or other companies in
our industry relating to the marketing, labeling or sale of sugar-sweetened beverages may reduce demand for, or increase the cost of,
our sugar-sweetened beverages, which could adversely affect our profitability.
Water scarcity and poor quality could negatively impact the Coca-Cola system’s costs and capacity.
Water is a main ingredient in substantially all of our products, is vital to the production of the agricultural ingredients on which our
business relies and is needed in our manufacturing process. It also is critical to the prosperity of the communities we serve. Water is a
limited resource in many parts of the world, facing unprecedented challenges from overexploitation, increasing demand for food and
other consumer and industrial products whose manufacturing processes require water, increasing pollution, poor management and
the effects of climate change. As the demand for water continues to increase around the world, and as water becomes scarcer and the
quality of available water deteriorates, the Coca-Cola system may incur higher costs or face capacity constraints that could adversely
affect our profitability or net operating revenues in the long run.
If we do not address evolving consumer preferences, our business could suffer.
Consumer preferences have evolved and continue to evolve as a result of, among other things, health, wellness and nutrition
considerations, especially the perceived undesirability of artificial ingredients and obesity concerns; shifting consumer demographics,
including aging populations; changes in consumer tastes and needs; changes in consumer lifestyles; location of origin or source of products
and ingredients; and competitive product and pricing pressures. If we fail to address these changes, or do not successfully anticipate future
changes in consumer preferences, our share of sales, revenue growth and overall financial results could be negatively affected.
Increased competition could hurt our business.
We operate in the highly competitive nonalcoholic beverage segment of the commercial beverage industry. For additional
information regarding the competitive environment in which we operate, including the names of certain of our significant
competitors, refer to the heading “Competition” set forth in Part I, “Item 1. Business” of this report. Our ability to gain or
maintain share of sales in the global market or in various local markets may be limited as a result of actions by competitors.
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If we do not continuously strengthen our capabilities in marketing and innovation to maintain our brand loyalty and market share
while we selectively expand into other profitable categories in the nonalcoholic beverage segment of the commercial beverage industry,
our business could be negatively affected.
Product safety and quality concerns could negatively affect our business.
Our success depends in large part on our ability to maintain consumer confidence in the safety and quality of all of our products. We
have rigorous product safety and quality standards, which we expect our operations as well as our bottling partners to meet. However,
we cannot assure you that despite our strong commitment to product safety and quality we or all of our bottling partners will always
meet these standards, particularly as we expand our product offerings through innovation or acquisitions into beverage categories,
such as value-added dairy and plant-based beverages, that are beyond our traditional range of beverage products. If we or our bottling
partners fail to comply with applicable product safety and quality standards, or if our beverage products taken to the market are or
become contaminated or adulterated by any means, we may be required to conduct costly product recalls and may become subject to
product liability claims and negative publicity, which could cause our business to suffer.
Public debate and concern about perceived negative health consequences of certain ingredients, such as non-nutritive sweeteners
and biotechnology-derived substances, and of other substances present in our beverage products or packaging materials, may reduce
demand for our beverage products.
Public debate and concern about perceived negative health consequences of certain ingredients in our beverage products, such as
non-nutritive sweeteners and biotechnology-derived substances; substances that are present in our beverage products naturally or that
occur as a result of the manufacturing process, such as 4-methylimidazole (“4-MEI,” a chemical compound that is formed during the
manufacturing of certain types of caramel coloring used in cola-type beverages); or substances used in packaging materials, such as
bisphenol A (“BPA,” an odorless, tasteless food-grade chemical commonly used in the food and beverage industries as a component
in the coating of the interior of cans), may affect consumers’ preferences and cause them to shift away from some of our beverage
products. In addition, increasing public concern about actual or perceived health consequences of the presence of such ingredients
or substances in our beverage products or in packaging materials, whether or not justified, could result in additional governmental
regulations concerning the marketing, labeling or sale of our beverages; possible new or increased taxes on our beverages by
government entities; and negative publicity, or actual or threatened legal actions against us or other companies in our industry, all of
which could damage the reputation of, and may reduce demand for, our beverage products.
If we are not successful in our innovation activities, our financial results may be negatively affected.
Achieving our business growth objectives depends in part on our ability to evolve and improve our existing beverage products through
innovation and to successfully develop, introduce and market new beverage products. The success of our innovation activities in turn
depends on our ability to correctly anticipate customer and consumer acceptance and trends, obtain, maintain and enforce necessary
intellectual property protections and avoid infringing on the intellectual property rights of others. If we are not successful in our
innovation activities, we may not be able to achieve our growth objectives, which may have a negative impact on our financial results.
Increased demand for food products and decreased agricultural productivity may negatively affect our business.
We and our bottling partners use a number of key ingredients that are derived from agricultural commodities such as sugarcane,
corn, sugar beets, citrus, coffee and tea in the manufacture and packaging of our beverage products. Increased demand for food
products and decreased agricultural productivity in certain regions of the world as a result of changing weather patterns may limit
the availability or increase the cost of such agricultural commodities and could impact the food security of communities around the
world. If we are unable to implement programs focused on economic opportunity and environmental sustainability to address these
agricultural challenges and fail to make a strategic impact on food security through joint efforts with bottlers, farmers, communities,
suppliers and key partners, as well as through our increased and continued investment in sustainable agriculture, the affordability of
our products and ultimately our business and results of operations could be negatively impacted.
If we are unable to protect our information systems against service interruption, misappropriation of data or breaches of security,
our operations could be disrupted, we may suffer financial losses and our reputation may be damaged.
We rely on networks and information systems and other technology (“information systems”), including the Internet and
third-party hosted services, to support a variety of business processes and activities, including procurement and supply chain,
manufacturing, distribution, invoicing and collection of payments, employee processes, consumer marketing, mergers and
acquisitions and research and development. We use information systems to process financial information and results of
operations for internal reporting purposes and to comply with regulatory financial reporting and legal and tax requirements.
In addition, we depend on information systems for digital marketing activities and electronic communications among our
locations around the world and between Company personnel and our bottlers and other customers, suppliers and consumers.
Because information systems are critical to many of the Company’s operating activities, our business may be impacted by
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system shutdowns, service disruptions or security breaches. These incidents may be caused by failures during routine operations
such as system upgrades or by user errors, as well as network or hardware failures, malicious or disruptive software, unintentional
or malicious actions of employees or contractors, cyberattacks by common hackers, criminal groups or nation-state organizations or
social-activist (hacktivist) organizations, geopolitical events, natural disasters, failures or impairments of telecommunications networks,
or other catastrophic events. In addition, such incidents could result in unauthorized or accidental disclosure of material confidential
information or regulated individual personal data. If our information systems suffer severe damage, disruption or shutdown and our
business continuity plans do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, we could experience delays in reporting our financial
results, and we may lose revenue and profits as a result of our inability to timely manufacture, distribute, invoice and collect payments
for concentrate or finished products. Unauthorized or accidental access to, or destruction, loss, alteration, disclosure, falsification or
unavailability of, information could result in violations of data privacy laws and regulations, damage to the reputation and credibility of
the Company, loss of opportunities to acquire or divest of businesses or brands and loss of ability to commercialize products developed
through research and development efforts and, therefore, could have a negative impact on net operating revenues. In addition, we may
suffer financial and reputational damage because of lost or misappropriated confidential information belonging to us, our current or
former employees, our bottling partners, other customers or suppliers, or consumers or other data subjects, and may become exposed
to legal action and increased regulatory oversight. The Company could also be required to spend significant financial and other
resources to remedy the damage caused by a security breach or to repair or replace networks and information systems.
Like most major corporations, the Company’s information systems are a target of attacks. Although the incidents that we have
experienced to date have not had a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, there can be no
assurance that such incidents will not have a material adverse effect on us in the future. In order to address risks to our information
systems, we continue to make investments in personnel, technologies, cyber insurance and training of Company personnel. The
Company maintains an information risk management program which is supervised by information technology management and
reviewed by a cross-functional committee. As part of this program, reports that include analysis of emerging risks as well as the
Company’s plans and strategies to address them are regularly prepared and presented to senior management and the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors.
Changes in the retail landscape or the loss of key retail or foodservice customers could adversely affect our financial performance.
Our industry is being affected by the trend toward consolidation in the retail channel, particularly in Europe and the United
States. Larger retailers may seek lower prices from us and our bottling partners, may demand increased marketing or promotional
expenditures, and may be more likely to use their distribution networks to introduce and develop private label brands, any of which
could negatively affect the Coca-Cola system’s profitability. In addition, in developed markets, discounters and value stores, as well
as the volume of transactions through e-commerce, are growing at a rapid pace. The nonalcoholic beverage retail landscape is also
very dynamic and constantly evolving in emerging and developing markets, where modern trade is growing at a faster pace than
traditional trade outlets. If we are unable to successfully adapt to the rapidly changing environment and retail landscape, our share of
sales, volume growth and overall financial results could be negatively affected. In addition, our success depends in part on our ability
to maintain good relationships with key retail and foodservice customers. The loss of one or more of our key retail or foodservice
customers could have an adverse effect on our financial performance.
If we are unable to expand our operations in emerging and developing markets, our growth rate could be negatively affected.
Our success depends in part on our ability to grow our business in emerging and developing markets, which in turn depends on
economic and political conditions in those markets and on our ability to work with local bottlers to make necessary infrastructure
enhancements to production facilities, distribution networks, sales equipment and technology. Additionally, we rely on local
availability of talented management and staff to establish and manage our operations in these markets. Scarcity or heavy competition
for talented employee resources could impede our abilities in such markets. Moreover, the supply of our products in emerging and
developing markets must match consumers’ demand for those products. Due to product price, limited purchasing power and cultural
differences, there can be no assurance that our products will be accepted in any particular emerging or developing market.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
We earn revenues, pay expenses, own assets and incur liabilities in countries using currencies other than the U.S. dollar,
including the euro, the Japanese yen, the Brazilian real and the Mexican peso. In 2017, we used 73 functional currencies in
addition to the U.S. dollar and derived $20.7 billion of net operating revenues from operations outside the United States.
Because our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, we must translate revenues, income and expenses,
as well as assets and liabilities, into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect during or at the end of each reporting period.
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Therefore, increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies affect our net operating revenues, operating
income and the value of balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies. For information regarding the estimated impact
of currency fluctuations on our consolidated and operating segment net operating revenues for 2017 and 2016, refer to the heading
“Operations Review — Net Operating Revenues” set forth in Part II, “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations” of this report. Because of the geographic diversity of our operations, weaknesses in some
currencies might be offset by strengths in others over time. We also use derivative financial instruments to further reduce our net
exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. However, we cannot assure you that fluctuations in foreign currency exchange
rates, particularly the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against major currencies or the currencies of large developing countries, would
not materially affect our financial results.
If interest rates increase, our net income could be negatively affected.
We maintain levels of debt that we consider prudent based on our cash flows, interest coverage ratio and percentage of debt to
capital. We use debt financing to lower our cost of capital, which increases our return on shareowners’ equity. This exposes us
to adverse changes in interest rates. When and to the extent appropriate, we use derivative financial instruments to reduce our
exposure to interest rate risks. We cannot assure you, however, that our financial risk management program will be successful
in reducing the risks inherent in exposures to interest rate fluctuations. Our interest expense may also be affected by our credit
ratings. In assessing our credit strength, credit rating agencies consider our capital structure and financial policies as well as
the consolidated balance sheet and other financial information of the Company. In addition, some credit rating agencies also
consider financial information of certain of our major bottlers. It is our expectation that the credit rating agencies will continue
using this methodology. If our credit ratings were to be downgraded as a result of changes in our capital structure; our major
bottlers’ financial performance; changes in the credit rating agencies’ methodology in assessing our credit strength; the credit agencies’
perception of the impact of credit market conditions on our or our major bottlers’ current or future financial performance and
financial condition; or for any other reason, our cost of borrowing could increase. Additionally, if the credit ratings of certain bottlers
in which we have equity method investments were to be downgraded, such bottlers’ interest expense could increase, which would
reduce our equity income.
We rely on our bottling partners for a significant portion of our business. If we are unable to maintain good relationships
with our bottling partners, our business could suffer.
We generate a significant portion of our net operating revenues by selling concentrates and syrups to independent bottling partners.
As independent companies, our bottling partners, some of which are publicly traded companies, make their own business decisions
that may not always align with our interests. In addition, many of our bottling partners have the right to manufacture or distribute their
own products or certain products of other beverage companies. If we are unable to provide an appropriate mix of incentives to our
bottling partners through a combination of pricing and marketing and advertising support, or if our bottling partners are not satisfied
with our brand innovation and development efforts, they may take actions that, while maximizing their own short-term profits, may
be detrimental to our Company or our brands, or they may devote more of their energy and resources to business opportunities or
products other than those of the Company. Such actions could, in the long run, have an adverse effect on our profitability.
If our bottling partners’ financial condition deteriorates, our business and financial results could be affected.
We derive a significant portion of our net operating revenues from sales of concentrates and syrups to independent bottling partners
and, therefore, the success of our business depends on our bottling partners’ financial strength and profitability. While under our
agreements with our bottling partners we generally have the right to unilaterally change the prices we charge for our concentrates
and syrups, our ability to do so may be materially limited by our bottling partners’ financial condition and their ability to pass price
increases along to their customers. In addition, we have investments in certain of our bottling partners, which we account for under
the equity method, and our operating results include our proportionate share of such bottling partners’ income or loss. Our bottling
partners’ financial condition is affected in large part by conditions and events that are beyond our and their control, including
competitive and general market conditions in the territories in which they operate; the availability of capital and other financing
resources on reasonable terms; loss of major customers; additional regulations; or disruptions of bottling operations that may be
caused by strikes, work stoppages, labor unrest, natural disasters or other catastrophic events. A deterioration of the financial
condition or results of operations of one or more of our major bottling partners could adversely affect our net operating revenues from
sales of concentrates and syrups; and, if such deterioration involves one or more of our major equity investee bottling partners, could
also result in a decrease in our equity income and/or impairments of our equity method investments.
Increases in income tax rates, changes in income tax laws or unfavorable resolution of tax matters could have a material
adverse impact on our financial results.
We are subject to income tax in the United States and numerous other jurisdictions in which we generate profits. Our overall
effective income tax rate is a function of applicable local tax rates and the geographic mix of our income from continuing
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operations before taxes, which is itself impacted by currency movements. Consequently, the isolated or combined effects of
unfavorable movements in tax rates, geographic mix, or foreign exchange rates could reduce our after-tax income.
Our annual tax rate is based on our income and the tax laws in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant
judgment is required in determining our annual income tax expense and in evaluating our tax positions. Although we believe
our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of tax audits and any related disputes could be materially different
from our historical income tax provisions and accruals. The results of audits or related disputes could have a material effect on
our financial statements for the period or periods for which the applicable final determinations are made and for periods for
which the statute of limitations is open. For instance, the United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) is seeking to increase
our U.S. taxable income for tax years 2007 through 2009 by an amount that creates a potential additional U.S. federal income
tax liability of approximately $3.3 billion for the period, plus interest. For additional information regarding this income tax
dispute, refer to Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, “Item 8. Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data” of this report. If this income tax dispute were to be ultimately determined adversely to us, the additional
tax, interest and any potential penalties could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position, results of
operations and cash flows.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform Act”), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017, significantly affected U.S. income
tax law by changing how the United States imposes income tax on multinational corporations. We have recorded in our consolidated
financial statements provisional amounts based on our current estimates of the effects of the Tax Reform Act in accordance with our
current understanding of the Tax Reform Act and currently available guidance. For additional information regarding the Tax Reform
Act and the provisional tax amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements, refer to the heading “Critical Accounting
Policies and Estimates — Income Taxes” set forth in Part II, “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations” of this report. The final amounts may be significantly affected by regulations and interpretive guidance
expected to be issued by the tax authorities, clarifications of the accounting treatment of various items, our additional analysis, and our
refinement of our estimates of the effects of the Tax Reform Act and, therefore, such final amounts may be materially different than
our current provisional amounts, which could materially affect our tax obligations and effective tax rate.
Increased or new indirect taxes in the United States and throughout the world could negatively affect our business.
Our business operations are subject to numerous duties or taxes that are not based on income, sometimes referred to as “indirect
taxes,” including import duties, excise taxes, sales or value-added taxes, taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, property taxes and
payroll taxes, in many of the jurisdictions in which we operate, including indirect taxes imposed by state and local governments. In
addition, in the past, the U.S. Congress considered imposing a federal excise tax on beverages sweetened with sugar, HFCS or other
nutritive sweeteners and may consider similar proposals in the future. As federal, state and local governments in the United States and
throughout the world experience significant budget deficits, some lawmakers have singled out beverages among a plethora of
revenue-raising items and have imposed or increased, or proposed to impose or increase, sales or similar taxes on beverages,
particularly sugar-sweetened beverages. Increases in or the imposition of new indirect taxes on our business operations or products
would increase the cost of products or, to the extent levied directly on consumers, make our products less affordable, which may
negatively impact our net operating revenues and profitability.
If we do not realize the economic benefits we anticipate from our productivity initiatives or are unable to successfully manage their possible
negative consequences, our business operations could be adversely affected.
We believe that improved productivity is essential to achieving our long-term growth objectives and, therefore, a leading priority of
our Company is to design and implement the most effective and efficient business model possible. For information regarding our
productivity initiatives, refer to the heading “Operations Review — Other Operating Charges — Productivity and Reinvestment
Program” set forth in Part II, “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of
this report. We have incurred, and we expect will continue to incur, significant costs and expenses with the programs and activities
associated with our productivity initiatives. If we are unable to implement some or all of these actions fully or in the envisioned
timeframe, or we otherwise do not timely capture the efficiencies, cost savings and revenue growth opportunities we anticipate
from these actions, our results of operations for future periods could be negatively affected. In addition, some of the actions we are
taking in furtherance of our productivity initiatives may become a distraction for our managers and employees and may disrupt our
ongoing business operations; cause deterioration in employee morale which may make it more difficult for us to retain or attract
qualified managers and employees; disrupt or weaken the internal control structures of the affected business operations; and give
rise to negative publicity which could affect our corporate reputation. If we are unable to successfully manage the possible negative
consequences of our productivity initiatives, our business operations could be adversely affected.
If we are unable to attract or retain a highly skilled and diverse workforce, our business could be negatively affected.
The success of our business depends on our ability to attract, train, develop and retain a highly skilled and diverse workforce.
We may not be able to successfully compete for and attract the high-quality and diverse employee talent we want and our future
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business needs may require. Changes in immigration laws and policies could also make it more difficult for us to recruit or relocate
highly skilled technical, professional and management personnel to meet our business needs. In addition, the unexpected loss
of experienced and highly skilled associates due to insecurity resulting from our ongoing productivity initiatives, refranchising
transactions and organizational changes could deplete our institutional knowledge base and erode our competitiveness. Any of the
foregoing could have a negative impact on our business.
Increase in the cost, disruption of supply or shortage of energy or fuel could affect our profitability.
Our Company-owned or -controlled bottlers operate a large fleet of trucks and other motor vehicles to distribute and deliver beverage
products to customers. In addition, we use a significant amount of electricity, natural gas and other energy sources to operate our
concentrate, syrup and juice production plants and the bottling plants and distribution facilities operated by our Company-owned
or -controlled bottlers. An increase in the price, disruption of supply or shortage of fuel and other energy sources in countries in which
we have concentrate plants, or in any of the major markets in which our Company-owned or -controlled bottlers operate, that may be
caused by increasing demand or by events such as natural disasters, power outages, or the like could increase our operating costs and
negatively impact our profitability.
Our independent bottling partners also operate large fleets of trucks and other motor vehicles to distribute and deliver beverage
products to their own customers and use a significant amount of electricity, natural gas and other energy sources to operate their own
bottling plants and distribution facilities. An increase in the price, disruption of supply or shortage of fuel and other energy sources
in any of the major markets in which our independent bottling partners operate could increase the affected independent bottling
partners’ operating costs and thus indirectly negatively impact our results of operations.
Increase in the cost, disruption of supply or shortage of ingredients, other raw materials, packaging materials, aluminum
cans and other containers could harm our business.
We and our bottling partners use various ingredients in our business, including HFCS, sucrose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium,
sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, steviol glycosides, ascorbic acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, caffeine and caramel color; other raw
materials such as orange and other fruit juice and juice concentrates; packaging materials such as PET for bottles; and aluminum cans
and other containers. For additional information regarding ingredients, other raw materials, packaging materials and containers we
use in our business, refer to the heading “Raw Materials” set forth in Part I, “Item 1. Business” of this report. The prices for these
ingredients, other raw materials, packaging materials, aluminum cans and other containers fluctuate depending on market conditions.
Substantial increases in the prices of our or our bottling partners’ ingredients, other raw materials, packaging materials, aluminum
cans and other containers to the extent they cannot be recouped through increases in the prices of finished beverage products, could
increase our and our bottling partners’ operating costs and reduce our profitability. Increases in the prices of our finished products
resulting from a higher cost of ingredients, other raw materials, packaging materials, aluminum cans and other containers could affect
affordability in some markets and reduce Coca-Cola system sales. In addition, some of our ingredients, such as aspartame, acesulfame
potassium, sucralose, saccharin and ascorbic acid, as well as some packaging containers, such as aluminum cans, are available from
a limited number of suppliers, and certain other ingredients are available from only one source each. Furthermore, some of our
suppliers are located in countries experiencing political or other risks. We cannot assure you that we and our bottling partners will
be able to maintain favorable arrangements and relationships with these suppliers or that our contingency plans will be effective in
preventing disruptions that may arise from shortages of any ingredient that is available from a limited number of suppliers or from
only one source.
The citrus industry is impacted by the variability of weather conditions and by greening disease, which affect the supply of orange
juice and orange juice concentrate, which are important raw materials for our business. In particular, freezing weather or hurricanes
in central Florida may result in shortages and higher prices for orange juice and orange juice concentrate throughout the industry. In
addition, greening disease is reducing the number of citrus trees and increasing grower costs and prices. Adverse weather conditions
may affect the supply of other agricultural commodities from which key ingredients for our products are derived. For example, drought
conditions in certain parts of the United States may negatively affect the supply of corn, which in turn may result in shortages of and
higher prices for HFCS.
An increase in the cost, a sustained interruption in the supply, or a shortage of some of these ingredients, other raw materials,
packaging materials, aluminum cans and other containers that may be caused by a deterioration of our or our bottling partners’
relationships with suppliers; by supplier quality and reliability issues; or by events such as natural disasters, power outages, labor
strikes, political uncertainties or governmental instability, or the like could negatively impact our net operating revenues and profits.
Changes in laws and regulations relating to beverage containers and packaging could increase our costs and reduce demand for our
products.
We and our bottlers currently offer nonrefillable recyclable containers in the United States and in various other markets around
the world. Legal requirements have been enacted in various jurisdictions in the United States and overseas requiring that
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deposits or certain ecotaxes or fees be charged in connection with the sale, marketing and use of certain beverage containers. Other
proposals relating to beverage container deposits, recycling, ecotax and/or product stewardship have been introduced in various
jurisdictions in the United States and overseas, and we anticipate that similar legislation or regulations may be proposed in the future at
local, state and federal levels, both in the United States and elsewhere. Consumers’ increased concerns and changing attitudes about solid
waste streams and environmental responsibility and the related publicity could result in the adoption of such legislation or regulations. If
these types of requirements are adopted and implemented on a large scale in any of the major markets in which we operate, they could
affect our costs or require changes in our distribution model, which could reduce our net operating revenues and profitability.
Significant additional labeling or warning requirements or limitations on the marketing or sale of our products may inhibit sales of
affected products.
Various jurisdictions may seek to adopt significant additional product labeling or warning requirements or limitations on the
marketing or sale of our products as a result of what they contain or allegations that they cause adverse health effects. If these types
of requirements become applicable to one or more of our major products under current or future environmental or health laws or
regulations, they may inhibit sales of such products.
For example, under one such law in California, known as Proposition 65, if the state has determined that a substance causes cancer or
harms human reproduction, a warning must be provided for any product sold in the state that exposes consumers to that substance.
For additional information regarding Proposition 65, refer to the heading “Governmental Regulation” set forth in Part I, “Item 1.
Business” of this report. If we were required to add Proposition 65 warnings on the labels of one or more of our beverage products
produced for sale in California, the resulting consumer reaction to the warnings and possible adverse publicity could negatively affect
our sales both in California and in other markets.
Unfavorable general economic conditions in the United States could negatively impact our financial performance.
In 2017, our net operating revenues in the United States were $14.7 billion, or 42 percent, of our total net operating revenues.
Unfavorable general economic conditions, such as a recession or economic slowdown, in the United States could negatively affect the
affordability of, and consumer demand for, our beverages in our flagship market. Under difficult economic conditions, consumers may
seek to reduce discretionary spending by forgoing purchases of our products or by shifting away from our beverages to lower-priced
products offered by other companies, including private label brands. Softer consumer demand for our beverages in the United States
could reduce our profitability and could negatively affect our overall financial performance.
Unfavorable economic and political conditions in international markets could hurt our business.
We derive a significant portion of our net operating revenues from sales of our products in international markets. In 2017, our
operations outside the United States accounted for $20.7 billion, or 58 percent, of our total net operating revenues. Unfavorable
economic conditions and financial uncertainties in our major international markets, including uncertainties surrounding the
United Kingdom’s impending withdrawal from the European Union, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” and unstable political
conditions, including civil unrest and governmental changes, in certain of our other international markets could undermine
global consumer confidence and reduce consumers’ purchasing power, thereby reducing demand for our products. Product
boycotts resulting from political activism could reduce demand for our products, while restrictions on our ability to transfer
earnings or capital across borders, price controls, limitation on profits, import authorization requirements and other restrictions
on business activities which have been or may be imposed or expanded as a result of political and economic instability or
otherwise, could impact our profitability. In addition, U.S. trade sanctions against countries designated by the U.S. government
as state sponsors of terrorism and/or financial institutions accepting transactions for commerce within such countries could
increase significantly, which could make it impossible for us to continue to make sales to bottlers in such countries. The
imposition of retaliatory sanctions against U.S. multinational corporations by countries that are or may become subject to U.S.
trade sanctions, or the delisting of our branded products by retailers in various countries in reaction to U.S. trade sanctions or other
governmental action or policy, could also negatively affect our business.
Litigation or legal proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and damage our reputation.
We are party to various litigation claims and legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to,
litigation claims and legal proceedings arising out of our advertising and marketing practices, product claims and labels,
intellectual property and commercial disputes, and environmental and employment matters. We evaluate these litigation claims
and legal proceedings to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if possible, the amount of potential
losses. Based on these assessments and estimates, we establish reserves and/or disclose the relevant litigation claims or legal
proceedings, as appropriate. These assessments and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time
and involve a significant amount of management judgment. We caution you that actual outcomes or losses may differ
materially from those envisioned by our current assessments and estimates. In addition, we have bottling and other business
operations in markets with high-risk legal compliance environments. Our policies and procedures require strict compliance by our
16
associates and agents with all United States and local laws and regulations and consent orders applicable to our business operations,
including those prohibiting improper payments to government officials. Nonetheless, we cannot assure you that our policies,
procedures and related training programs will always ensure full compliance by our associates and agents with all applicable legal
requirements. Improper conduct by our associates or agents could damage our reputation in the United States and internationally
or lead to litigation or legal proceedings that could result in civil or criminal penalties, including substantial monetary fines as well as
disgorgement of profits.
Failure to adequately protect, or disputes relating to, trademarks, formulae and other intellectual property rights could harm our business.
Our trademarks, formulae and other intellectual property rights (refer to the heading “Patents, Copyrights, Trade Secrets and
Trademarks” in Part I, “Item 1. Business” of this report) are essential to the success of our business. We cannot be certain that the legal
steps we are taking around the world are sufficient to protect our intellectual property rights or that, notwithstanding legal protection,
others do not or will not infringe or misappropriate our intellectual property rights. If we fail to adequately protect our intellectual
property rights, or if changes in laws diminish or remove the current legal protections available to them, the competitiveness of our
products may be eroded and our business could suffer. In addition, we could come into conflict with third parties over intellectual
property rights, which could result in disruptive and expensive litigation. Any of the foregoing could harm our business.
Adverse weather conditions could reduce the demand for our products.
The sales of our products are influenced to some extent by weather conditions in the markets in which we operate. Unusually cold or
rainy weather during the summer months may have a temporary effect on the demand for our products and contribute to lower sales,
which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations for such periods.
Climate change may have a long-term adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
There is increasing concern that a gradual increase in global average temperatures due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide
and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will cause significant changes in weather patterns around the globe and an increase
in the frequency and severity of natural disasters. Decreased agricultural productivity in certain regions of the world as a result of
changing weather patterns may limit the availability or increase the cost of key agricultural commodities, such as sugarcane, corn,
sugar beets, citrus, coffee and tea, which are important sources of ingredients for our products, and could impact the food security of
communities around the world. Climate change may also exacerbate water scarcity and cause a further deterioration of water quality in
affected regions, which could limit water availability for the Coca-Cola system’s bottling operations. Increased frequency or duration
of extreme weather conditions could also impair production capabilities, disrupt our supply chain or impact demand for our products.
As a result, the effects of climate change could have a long-term adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
If negative publicity, whether or not warranted, concerning product safety or quality, human and workplace rights, obesity or
other issues damages our brand image and corporate reputation, our business may suffer.
Our success depends in large part on our ability to maintain the brand image of our existing products, build up brand image
for new products and brand extensions and maintain our corporate reputation. We cannot assure you, however, that our
continuing investment in advertising and marketing and our strong commitment to product safety and quality and human
rights will have the desired impact on our products’ brand image and on consumer preferences. Product safety or quality
issues, actual or perceived, or allegations of product contamination, even when false or unfounded, could tarnish the image of
the affected brands and may cause consumers to choose other products. In some emerging markets, the production and sale
of counterfeit or “spurious” products, which we and our bottling partners may not be able to fully combat, may damage the
image and reputation of our products. In addition, from time to time, we and our executives engage in public policy endeavors
that are either directly related to our products and packaging or to our business operations and the general economic climate
affecting the Company. These engagements in public policy debates can occasionally be the subject of backlash from advocacy
groups that have a differing point of view and could result in adverse media and consumer reaction, including product boycotts.
Similarly, our sponsorship relationships could subject us to negative publicity as a result of actual or alleged misconduct
by individuals or entities associated with organizations we sponsor or support financially or through in-kind contributions.
Likewise, campaigns by activists connecting us, or our bottling system or supply chain, with human and workplace rights issues
could adversely impact our corporate image and reputation. Furthermore, in June 2011, the United Nations Human Rights
Council endorsed the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which outlines how businesses should implement
the corporate responsibility to respect human rights principles included in the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy”
framework on human rights. Through our Human Rights Policy, Code of Business Conduct and Supplier Guiding Principles,
and our participation in the United Nations Global Compact, as well as our active participation in the Global Business Initiative
on Human Rights, we made a number of commitments to respect all human rights. Allegations, even if untrue, that we are not
respecting one or more of the 30 human rights found in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights; actual or
perceived failure by our suppliers or other business partners to comply with applicable labor and workplace rights laws,
17
including child labor laws, or their actual or perceived abuse or misuse of migrant workers; and adverse publicity surrounding
obesity and health concerns related to our products, water usage, environmental impact, labor relations or the like could
negatively affect our Company’s overall reputation and brand image, which in turn could have a negative impact on our
products’ acceptance by consumers. In addition, if we fail to protect our associates’ and our supply chain employees’ human
rights, or inadvertently discriminate against any group of associates or hiring prospects, our ability to hire and retain the best
talent will be diminished, which could have an adverse impact on our overall business.
Changes in, or failure to comply with, the laws and regulations applicable to our products or our business operations could increase our
costs or reduce our net operating revenues.
Our Company’s business is subject to various laws and regulations in the numerous countries throughout the world in which we do
business, including laws and regulations relating to competition, product safety, advertising and labeling, container deposits, recycling
and product stewardship, the protection of the environment, and employment and labor practices. For additional information
regarding laws and regulations applicable to our business, refer to the heading “Governmental Regulation” set forth in Part I,
“Item 1. Business” of this report. Changes in applicable laws or regulations or evolving interpretations thereof, including increased
or additional regulations to limit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions as a result of concern over climate change,
to discourage the use of plastic, including regulations relating to recovery and/or disposal of plastic packaging materials due to
environmental concerns, or to limit or impose additional costs on commercial water use due to local water scarcity concerns, may
result in increased compliance costs, capital expenditures and other financial obligations for us and our bottling partners, which could
affect our profitability, or may impede the production, distribution, marketing and sale of our products, which could affect our net
operating revenues. In addition, failure to comply with environmental, health or safety requirements, privacy laws and regulations,
U.S. trade sanctions, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other applicable laws or regulations could result in the assessment
of damages, the imposition of penalties, suspension of production or distribution, costly changes to equipment or processes due to
required corrective action, or a cessation or interruption of operations at our or our bottling partners’ facilities, as well as damage to
our or our bottling partners’ image and reputation, all of which could harm our or our bottling partners’ profitability.
Changes in accounting standards could affect our reported financial results.
New accounting standards or pronouncements that may become applicable to our Company from time to time, or changes in the
interpretation of existing standards and pronouncements, could have a significant effect on our reported financial results for the
affected periods.
If we are not able to achieve our overall long-term growth objectives, the value of an investment in our Company could be negatively
affected.
We have established and publicly announced certain long-term growth objectives. These objectives were based on, among other things,
our evaluation of our growth prospects, which are generally driven by the sales potential of our many beverage products, some of
which are more profitable than others, and on an assessment of the potential price and product mix. There can be no assurance that we
will realize the sales potential and the price and product mix necessary to achieve our long-term growth objectives.
If global credit market conditions deteriorate, our financial performance could be adversely affected.
The cost and availability of credit vary by market and are subject to changes in the global or regional economic environment. If
conditions in major credit markets deteriorate, our and our bottling partners’ ability to obtain debt financing on favorable terms may
be negatively affected, which could affect our and our bottling partners’ profitability as well as our share of the income of bottling
partners in which we have equity method investments. A decrease in availability of consumer credit resulting from unfavorable credit
market conditions, as well as general unfavorable economic conditions, may also cause consumers to reduce their discretionary
spending, which could reduce the demand for our beverages and negatively affect our and our bottling partners’ financial performance.
Default by or failure of one or more of our counterparty financial institutions could cause us to incur significant losses.
As part of our hedging activities, we enter into transactions involving derivative financial instruments, including forward contracts,
commodity futures contracts, option contracts, collars and swaps, with various financial institutions. In addition, we have significant
amounts of cash, cash equivalents and other investments on deposit or in accounts with banks or other financial institutions in the
United States and abroad. As a result, we are exposed to the risk of default by or failure of counterparty financial institutions. The risk
of counterparty default or failure may be heightened during economic downturns and periods of uncertainty in the financial markets.
If one of our counterparties were to become insolvent or file for bankruptcy, our ability to recover losses incurred as a result of default
or to retrieve our assets that are deposited or held in accounts with such counterparty may be limited by the counterparty’s liquidity
or the applicable laws governing the insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings. In the event of default by or failure of one or more of our
counterparties, we could incur significant losses, which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
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If we are unable to renew collective bargaining agreements on satisfactory terms, or we or our bottling partners experience strikes, work
stoppages or labor unrest, our business could suffer.
Many of our associates at our key manufacturing locations and bottling plants are covered by collective bargaining agreements. While
we generally have been able to renegotiate collective bargaining agreements on satisfactory terms when they expire and regard our
relations with associates and their representatives as generally satisfactory, negotiations may nevertheless be challenging, as the
Company must have competitive cost structures in each market while meeting the compensation and benefits needs of our associates.
If we are unable to renew collective bargaining agreements on satisfactory terms, our labor costs could increase, which could affect
our profit margins. In addition, many of our bottling partners’ employees are represented by labor unions. Strikes, work stoppages
or other forms of labor unrest at any of our major manufacturing facilities or at our bottling operations’ or our major bottlers’ plants
could impair our ability to supply concentrates and syrups to our bottling partners or our bottlers’ ability to supply finished beverages
to customers, which could reduce our net operating revenues and could expose us to customer claims. Furthermore, from time to
time we and our bottling partners restructure manufacturing and other operations to improve productivity. Restructuring activities
and the announcement of plans for future restructuring activities may result in a general increase in insecurity among some Company
associates and some employees in other parts of the Coca-Cola system, which may have negative implications on employee morale,
work performance, escalation of grievances and successful negotiation of collective bargaining agreements. If these labor relations
are not effectively managed at the local level, they could escalate in the form of corporate campaigns supported by the labor organizations
and could negatively affect our Company’s overall reputation and brand image, which in turn could have a negative impact on our
products’ acceptance by consumers.
We may be required to recognize impairment charges that could materially affect our financial results.
We assess our trademarks, bottler franchise rights, goodwill and other intangible assets as well as our other long-lived assets as and
when required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States to determine whether they are impaired and, if
they are, we record appropriate impairment charges. Our equity method investees also perform impairment tests, and we record
our proportionate share of impairment charges recorded by them adjusted, as appropriate, for the impact of items such as basis
differences, deferred taxes and deferred gains. It is possible that we may be required to record significant impairment charges or
our proportionate share of significant impairment charges recorded by equity method investees in the future and, if we do so, our
operating or equity income could be materially adversely affected.
We may incur multi-employer pension plan withdrawal liabilities in the future, which could negatively impact our financial performance.
We currently participate, and have in the past participated, in certain multi-employer pension plans in the United States. Our U.S.
multi-employer pension plan expense totaled $35 million in 2017. The U.S. multi-employer pension plans in which we currently
participate have contractual arrangements that extend into 2021. If in the future we choose to withdraw, or are deemed to have
withdrawn, from any of the multi-employer pension plans in which we currently participate, or in which we have participated in the
past, we would need to record the appropriate withdrawal liabilities, which could negatively impact our financial performance in the
applicable periods.
If we do not successfully integrate and manage our Company-owned or -controlled bottling operations or other acquired businesses or
brands, our results could suffer.
From time to time we acquire or take control of bottling operations, often in underperforming markets where we believe we can use
our resources and expertise to improve performance. In addition, we routinely evaluate opportunities to acquire other businesses
or brands to expand our beverage portfolio and capabilities. We may incur unforeseen liabilities and obligations in connection with
acquiring, taking control of or managing acquired bottling operations, other businesses or brands and may encounter unexpected
difficulties and costs in restructuring and integrating them into our Company’s operating and internal control structures. We may
also experience delays in extending our Company’s internal control over financial reporting to newly acquired or controlled bottling
operations or other businesses, which may increase the risk of failure to prevent misstatements in their financial records and in our
consolidated financial statements. Our financial performance depends in large part on how well we can manage and improve the
performance of Company-owned or -controlled bottling operations and other acquired businesses or brands. We cannot assure you,
however, that we will be able to achieve our strategic and financial objectives for such bottling operations or other acquisitions. If we
are unable to achieve such objectives, our consolidated results could be negatively affected.
If we do not successfully manage our refranchising activities, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
As part of our strategic initiative to refocus on our core business of building brands and leading our system of bottling partners,
we have refranchised substantially all of our Company-owned or -controlled bottling operations in the United States and all
such bottling operations in China, and are continuing the process of refranchising Company-owned or -controlled bottling
19
operations in Canada and Africa. Our refranchising activities require significant attention and effort on the part of, and therefore may
be a distraction for, senior management. If we are unable to complete future refranchising transactions on our expected timetable
and on terms and conditions favorable to us; our refranchising partners are not efficient and aligned with our long-term vision for the
Coca-Cola system; or we are unable to maintain good relationships with the refranchised bottling operations, our business and results
of operations could be adversely affected.
If we fail to realize a significant portion of the anticipated benefits of our strategic relationship with Monster, our financial performance
could be adversely affected.
In June 2015, we and Monster entered into a long-term strategic relationship in the global energy drink category. For
information regarding our relationship with Monster and related transactions, refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements set forth in Part II, “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report. If we are unable to successfully
manage our complex relationship with Monster, or if for any other reason we fail to realize all or a significant part of the benefits we
expect from this strategic relationship and the related investment, our financial performance could be adversely affected.
Global or regional catastrophic events could impact our operations and financial results.
Because of our global presence and worldwide operations, our business could be affected by large-scale terrorist acts, cyber-strikes
and radiological attacks, especially those directed against the United States or other major industrialized countries; the outbreak
or escalation of armed hostilities; major natural disasters; or widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases. Such events could impair
our ability to manage our business around the world, could disrupt our supply of raw materials and ingredients, and could impact
production, transportation and delivery of concentrates, syrups and finished products. In addition, such events could cause disruption
of regional or global economic activity, which could affect consumers’ purchasing power in the affected areas and, therefore, reduce
demand for our products.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our worldwide headquarters is located on a 35-acre office complex in Atlanta, Georgia. The complex includes our 621,000 square foot
headquarters building and an 870,000 square foot building in which our North America group’s main offices are located. The complex
also includes several other buildings, including our 264,000 square foot Coca-Cola Plaza building, technical and engineering facilities
and a reception center. We also own an office and retail building at 711 Fifth Avenue in New York, New York. These properties,
except for the North America group’s main offices, are included in the Corporate operating segment. The North America group’s
main offices are included in the North America operating segment.
We own or lease additional facilities, real estate and office space throughout the world which we use for administrative, manufacturing,
processing, packaging, storage, warehousing, distribution and retail operations. These properties are generally included in the
geographic operating segment in which they are located.
The following table summarizes our principal production, distribution and storage facilities by operating segment as of December 31,
2017:
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Latin America
North America
Asia Pacific
Bottling Investments
Corporate
Total1
Principal Concentrate
and/or Syrup Plants
Principal Beverage
Manufacturing/Bottling Plants
Distribution and
Storage Warehouses
Owned
Leased
Owned
Leased
Owned
Leased
6
5
11
6
—
4
32
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
9
—
35
—
44
—
—
1
—
3
—
4
—
2
—
1
33
—
36
1
6
43
—
89
10
149
1 Does not include 34 owned and 1 leased principal beverage manufacturing/bottling plants and 28 owned and 17 leased distribution and storage
warehouses related to our discontinued operations.
Management believes that our Company’s facilities for the production of our products are suitable and adequate, that they
are being appropriately utilized in line with past experience, and that they have sufficient production capacity for their present
20
intended purposes. The extent of utilization of such facilities varies based upon seasonal demand for our products. However,
management believes that additional production can be achieved at the existing facilities by adding personnel and capital equipment
and, at some facilities, by adding shifts of personnel or expanding the facilities. We continuously review our anticipated requirements
for facilities and, on the basis of that review, may from time to time acquire or lease additional facilities and/or dispose of
existing facilities.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings, including the proceedings specifically discussed below. Management believes
that the total liabilities to the Company that may arise as a result of currently pending legal proceedings will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company taken as a whole.
Aqua-Chem Litigation
On December 20, 2002, the Company filed a lawsuit (The Coca-Cola Company v. Aqua-Chem, Inc., Civil Action No. 2002CV631-50)
in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia (“Georgia Case”), seeking a declaratory judgment that the Company has no
obligation to its former subsidiary, Aqua-Chem, Inc., now known as Cleaver-Brooks, Inc. (“Aqua-Chem”), for any past, present or
future liabilities or expenses in connection with any claims or lawsuits against Aqua-Chem. Subsequent to the Company’s filing but on
the same day, Aqua-Chem filed a lawsuit (Aqua-Chem, Inc. v. The Coca-Cola Company, Civil Action No. 02CV012179) in the Circuit
Court, Civil Division of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (“Wisconsin Case”). In the Wisconsin Case, Aqua-Chem sought a declaratory
judgment that the Company is responsible for all liabilities and expenses not covered by insurance in connection with certain of
Aqua-Chem’s general and product liability claims arising from occurrences prior to the Company’s sale of Aqua-Chem in 1981, and
a judgment for breach of contract in an amount exceeding $9 million for costs incurred by Aqua-Chem to date in connection with
such claims. The Wisconsin Case initially was stayed, pending final resolution of the Georgia Case, and later was voluntarily dismissed
without prejudice by Aqua-Chem.
The Company owned Aqua-Chem from 1970 to 1981. During that time, the Company purchased over $400 million of insurance
coverage, which also insures Aqua-Chem for some of its prior and future costs for certain product liability and other claims. The
Company sold Aqua-Chem to Lyonnaise American Holding, Inc., in 1981 under the terms of a stock sale agreement. The 1981
agreement, and a subsequent 1983 settlement agreement, outlined the parties’ rights and obligations concerning past and future
claims and lawsuits involving Aqua-Chem. Cleaver-Brooks, a division of Aqua-Chem, manufactured boilers, some of which contained
asbestos gaskets. Aqua-Chem was first named as a defendant in asbestos lawsuits in or around 1985 and currently has approximately
40,000 active claims pending against it.
The parties agreed in 2004 to stay the Georgia Case pending the outcome of insurance coverage litigation filed by certain
Aqua-Chem insurers on March 26, 2004. In the coverage action, five plaintiff insurance companies filed suit (Century Indemnity
Company, et al. v. Aqua-Chem, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, et al., Case No. 04CV002852) in the Circuit Court, Civil Division of
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, against the Company, Aqua-Chem and 16 insurance companies. Several of the policies that were the
subject of the coverage action had been issued to the Company during the period (1970 to 1981) when the Company owned
Aqua-Chem. The complaint sought a determination of the respective rights and obligations under the insurance policies issued with
regard to asbestos-related claims against Aqua-Chem. The action also sought a monetary judgment reimbursing any amounts paid by
the plaintiffs in excess of their obligations. Two of the insurers, one with a $15 million policy limit and one with a $25 million policy
limit, asserted cross-claims against the Company, alleging that the Company and/or its insurers are responsible for Aqua-Chem’s
asbestos liabilities before any obligation is triggered on the part of the cross-claimant insurers to pay for such costs under their policies.
Aqua-Chem and the Company filed and obtained a partial summary judgment determination in the coverage action that the insurers
for Aqua-Chem and the Company were jointly and severally liable for coverage amounts, but reserving judgment on other defenses
that might apply. During the course of the Wisconsin insurance coverage litigation, Aqua-Chem and the Company reached settlements
with several of the insurers, including plaintiffs, who paid funds into escrow accounts for payment of costs arising from the asbestos
claims against Aqua-Chem. On July 24, 2007, the Wisconsin trial court entered a final declaratory judgment regarding the rights and
obligations of the parties under the insurance policies issued by the remaining defendant insurers, which judgment was not appealed.
The judgment directs, among other things, that each insurer whose policy is triggered is jointly and severally liable for 100 percent of
Aqua-Chem’s losses up to policy limits. The court’s judgment concluded the Wisconsin insurance coverage litigation.
The Company and Aqua-Chem continued to pursue and obtain coverage agreements for the asbestos-related claims against
Aqua-Chem with those insurance companies that did not settle in the Wisconsin insurance coverage litigation. The Company
anticipated that a final settlement with three of those insurers (“Chartis insurers”) would be finalized in May 2011, but the
Chartis insurers repudiated their settlement commitments and, as a result, Aqua-Chem and the Company filed suit against them
in Wisconsin state court to enforce the coverage-in-place settlement or, in the alternative, to obtain a declaratory judgment validating
Aqua-Chem and the Company’s interpretation of the court’s judgment in the Wisconsin insurance coverage litigation.
21
In February 2012, the parties filed and argued a number of cross-motions for summary judgment related to the issues of the
enforceability of the settlement agreement and the exhaustion of policies underlying those of the Chartis insurers. The court granted
defendants’ motions for summary judgment that the 2011 Settlement Agreement and 2010 Term Sheet were not binding contracts,
but denied their similar motions related to plaintiffs’ claims for promissory and/or equitable estoppel. On or about May 15, 2012, the
parties entered into a mutually agreeable settlement/stipulation resolving two major issues: exhaustion of underlying coverage and
control of defense. On or about January 10, 2013, the parties reached a settlement of the estoppel claims and all of the remaining
coverage issues, with the exception of one disputed issue relating to the scope of the Chartis insurers’ defense obligations in two policy
years. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the Company and Aqua-Chem on that one open issue and entered a final
appealable judgment to that effect following the parties’ settlement. On January 23, 2013, the Chartis insurers filed a notice of appeal
of the trial court’s summary judgment ruling. On October 29, 2013, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals affirmed the grant of summary
judgment in favor of the Company and Aqua-Chem. On November 27, 2013, the Chartis insurers filed a petition for review in the
Supreme Court of Wisconsin, and on December 11, 2013, the Company filed its opposition to that petition. On April 16, 2014, the
Supreme Court of Wisconsin denied the Chartis insurers’ petition for review.
The Georgia Case remains subject to the stay agreed to in 2004.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Dispute
On September 17, 2015, the Company received a Statutory Notice of Deficiency (“Notice”) from the IRS for the tax years 2007
through 2009, after a five-year audit. In the Notice, the IRS claims that the Company’s United States taxable income should be
increased by an amount that creates a potential additional federal income tax liability of approximately $3.3 billion for the period,
plus interest. No penalties were asserted in the Notice. The disputed amounts largely relate to a transfer pricing matter involving the
appropriate amount of taxable income the Company should report in the United States in connection with its licensing of intangible
property to certain related foreign licensees regarding the manufacturing, distribution, sale, marketing and promotion of products in
overseas markets.
During the 2007-2009 audit period, the Company followed the same transfer pricing methodology for these licenses that had
consistently been followed since the methodology was agreed with the IRS in a 1996 closing agreement that applied back to 1987. The
closing agreement provided prospective penalty protection as long as the Company followed the prescribed methodology and material
facts and circumstances and relevant federal tax law have not changed. On February 11, 2016, the IRS notified the Company, without
further explanation, that the IRS had determined that material facts and circumstances and relevant federal tax law had changed
permitting it to assert penalties. The Company does not agree with this determination. The Company’s compliance with the closing
agreement was audited and confirmed by the IRS in five successive audit cycles covering the subsequent 11 years through 2006, with
the last audit concluding as recently as 2009.
The Notice represents a repudiation of the methodology previously adopted in the 1996 closing agreement. The IRS designated the
matter for litigation on October 15, 2015. To the extent the matter remains designated, the Company will be prevented from pursuing
any administrative settlement at IRS Appeals or under the IRS Advance Pricing and Mutual Agreement Program.
The Company firmly believes that the IRS’ claims are without merit and plans to pursue all available administrative and judicial
remedies necessary to resolve this matter. To that end, the Company filed a petition in the U.S. Tax Court on December 14, 2015,
and the IRS filed its answer on February 12, 2016. On October 4, 2017, the IRS filed an amended answer to the Company’s petition in
which it increased its transfer pricing adjustment by $385 million resulting in an additional tax adjustment of $135 million. A trial date
has been set for March 5, 2018.
On June 20, 2017, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment on the portion of the IRS’ adjustments related to our licensee in
Mexico. On December 14, 2017, the U.S. Tax Court issued a decision on the summary judgment motion in favor of the Company. This
decision effectively reduced the IRS’ potential tax adjustment by approximately $138 million.
The Company intends to vigorously defend its position and is confident in its ability to prevail on the merits.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
22
ITEM X. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The following are the executive officers of our Company as of February 23, 2018:
Francisco Crespo, 52, is Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer of the Company. Mr. Crespo first joined the Company in 1989
in Ecuador where he held a variety of operations roles. In 1992, Mr. Crespo was appointed Marketing Manager for Peru. In June 1995,
he became Channel Marketing Manager in Argentina, and then held the role of Operations Manager for Coca-Cola de Argentina
S.A. from July 1996 until his secondment to Coca-Cola FEMSA de Buenos Aires S.A. in July 1998, where he served as Commercial
Director in Argentina until June 2000. He served as General Manager of Coca-Cola de Chile S.A. from July 2000 to July 2003, and as
Vice President of Operations for the Brazil business unit from August 2003 to November 2005. Mr. Crespo served as President of the
South Latin business unit, where he managed operations in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay from December
2005 to December 2012. He was appointed President of the Company’s Mexico business unit in January 2013 and served in that
capacity until his appointment as Chief Growth Officer and election as Senior Vice President of the Company effective May 1, 2017.
James L. Dinkins, 55, is Senior Vice President of the Company and President, Coca-Cola North America. Mr. Dinkins joined the
Company in 1988, serving in various account management, marketing and field sales roles with Coca-Cola USA until July 1999. He
rejoined the Company in August 2002 as Managing Director, NCAA Sports, and held positions of increasing responsibility in the
Coca-Cola Foodservice and On-Premise business of Coca-Cola North America. From November 2010 to April 2014, he served as
President, 7-Eleven Global Customer Team and from April 2014 to August 2014, he served as Senior Vice President, National Retail
Sales for select grocery, club and convenience retail customers. From August 2014 to May 2017, he served as Chief Retail Sales
Officer for Coca-Cola North America. From May 2017 to December 2017, he served as President of the Minute Maid business unit
and Chief Retail Sales Officer for Coca-Cola North America. Mr. Dinkins was appointed President of Coca-Cola North America and
elected Senior Vice President of the Company effective January 1, 2018.
Bernhard Goepelt, 55, is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Legal Counsel of the Company. Mr. Goepelt joined the
Company in 1992 as Legal Counsel for the German Division. In 1997, he was appointed Legal Counsel for the Middle and Far East
Group and in 1999 was appointed Division Counsel, Southeast and West Asia Division, based in Thailand. In 2003, Mr. Goepelt was
appointed Group Counsel for the Central Europe, Eurasia and Middle East Group. In 2005, he assumed the position of General
Counsel for Japan and China, and in 2007, Mr. Goepelt was appointed General Counsel, Pacific Group. In April 2010, he moved
to Atlanta, Georgia, to become Associate General Counsel, Global Marketing, Commercial Leadership & Strategy. In September
2010, Mr. Goepelt took on the additional responsibility of General Counsel for the Pacific Group. In addition to his functional
responsibilities, he also managed the administration of the Legal Division. Mr. Goepelt was elected Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Chief Legal Counsel of the Company in December 2011. Mr. Goepelt’s management responsibilities were expanded in
January 2016 to include the Company’s Strategic Security function.
Ed Hays, PhD, 59, is Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of the Company. Dr. Hays joined the Company in 1985 as
a scientist in Corporate Research and Development. He served as Director of Product Development in Corporate Research and
Development from 1992 to 1995 and as Director, Research and Development for the Middle East and Far East Group from August
1995 to January 1998. He served as Director of Corporate Research and Development from July 1998 to December 1999. He was
named Vice President, Global Science, Regulatory and Formula Governance in December 2000 and served in that role until his
appointment as Chief Technical Officer of the Company in March 2015. He continued to serve as Vice President until his election as
Senior Vice President of the Company in April 2015.
Muhtar Kent, 65, is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Kent joined the Company in 1978 and held a
variety of marketing and operations roles throughout his career with the Company. In 1985, he was appointed General Manager
of Coca-Cola Turkey and Central Asia. From 1989 to 1995, Mr. Kent served as President of the East Central Europe Division
and Senior Vice President of Coca-Cola International. Between 1995 and 1998, he served as Managing Director of Coca-Cola
Amatil Limited-Europe, covering bottling operations in 12 countries, and from 1999 until 2005, he served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Efes Beverage Group, a diversified beverage company with Coca-Cola and beer operations across Southeast
Europe, Turkey and Central Asia. Mr. Kent rejoined the Company in May 2005 as President and Chief Operating Officer, North
Asia, Eurasia and Middle East Group, an organization serving a broad and diverse region that included China, Japan and Russia.
He was appointed President, Coca-Cola International in January 2006 and was elected Executive Vice President of the Company
in February 2006. He was elected President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company in December 2006 and was elected to
the Board of Directors in April 2008. Mr. Kent was elected Chief Executive Officer of the Company in July 2008, and was elected
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company in April 2009. He served as President of the Company until August 2015 and
as Chief Executive Officer of the Company through April 30, 2017.
23
Robert Long, 60, is Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of the Company. Mr. Long joined the Company in April 2004
as Vice President, Global Packaging Platforms. In October 2007, he moved to Japan to lead research and development for Japan, a
position he held until coming to Coca-Cola North America in August 2010 to lead research and development. In October 2012, he also
assumed North America responsibility for Technical Governance (Quality, Environment, Safety and Scientific & Regulatory Affairs).
Mr. Long served as Vice President, Research and Development, of the Company from December 2016 until his appointment as Chief
Innovation Officer and election as Senior Vice President of the Company effective May 1, 2017.
Jennifer K. Mann, 45, is Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer of the Company. Ms. Mann joined the Company in 1997
as Manager in the National Customer Support division of Coca-Cola North America. She served as Vice President and General
Manager of Coca-Cola Freestyle from June 2012 until October 2015, when she was appointed Chief of Staff for James Quincey, then
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. She was appointed Chief People Officer and elected Senior Vice President of
the Company effective May 1, 2017. Ms. Mann continues to serve as Chief of Staff for James Quincey, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company.
John Murphy, 56, is President of the Asia Pacific Group. Mr. Murphy joined the Company in 1988 as an International Internal
Auditor. In 1991, he moved to Coca-Cola Japan and served as Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Murphy
served in various finance, planning and operations roles with expanded responsibilities at Coca-Cola Japan and subsequently worked
for F&N Coca-Cola Ltd., the Coca-Cola bottling partner in Singapore. He rejoined the Company in 1996 as Region Manager in
Indonesia. From March 2000 to November 2000, Mr. Murphy served as Vice President of Business Systems in Coca-Cola North
America, and from December 2000 to May 2003, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Coca-Cola
Japan. From June 2003 to May 2005, he served as Deputy President of Coca-Cola Japan and in June 2005, he was appointed Vice
President of Strategic Planning of the Company, a position he held until he became President of the Latin Center business unit in
October 2008. Mr. Murphy was appointed President of the South Latin business unit in January 2013 and served in that role until his
appointment to his current position in August 2016.
Beatriz Perez, 48, is Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Officer of the Company. Ms.
Perez joined the Company in 1996 and has served in various roles of increasing responsibility in brand and marketing management,
field operations, sustainability, public affairs and communications. From April 2010 to June 2011, she served as Chief Marketing
Officer for Coca-Cola North America. She served as the Company’s first Chief Sustainability Officer from July 2011 to April 2017, and
as Vice President, Global Partnerships and Licensing, Retail and Attractions from July 2016 to April 2017. Ms. Perez was appointed
Chief Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Officer of the Company effective May 1, 2017. She was elected Vice President
of the Company in July 2011 and served in that capacity until her election as Senior Vice President of the Company effective
May 1, 2017.
James Quincey, 53, is President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company. Mr. Quincey joined the Company in 1996
as Director, Learning Strategy for the Latin America Group. He went on to serve in a series of operational roles of increasing
responsibility in Latin America, leading to his appointment as President of the South Latin Division in December 2003, a position
in which he served until his appointment as President of the Mexico Division in December 2005. In October 2008, he was named
President of the Northwest Europe and Nordics business unit and served in that role until he was appointed President of the Europe
Group in January 2013. He was elected President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company in August 2015 and as President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective May 1, 2017. Mr. Quincey was elected to the Board of Directors of the Company in
April 2017.
Alfredo Rivera, 56, is President of the Latin America Group. Mr. Rivera joined the Company in 1997 as a District Manager for
Guatemala and El Salvador. In 1999, he was appointed Southeast Region Manager in the Brazil Division, serving in this role until
December 2003. From January 2004 to August 2006, he served as General Manager for the Ecuador business. From September 2006
to December 2012, Mr. Rivera served as Sparkling Beverages General Manager for the Mexico business unit. In January 2013, he
was appointed President of the Latin Center business unit and served in that role until his appointment to his current position in
August 2016.
Barry Simpson, 57, is Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Company. In 2008, Mr. Simpson joined the
Coca-Cola system, where he served as Chief Information Officer of the Coca-Cola Amatil Group, a Coca-Cola bottler based in
Sydney, Australia, until December 2015. He joined the Company in January 2016 as the head of Global Business Unit Information
Technology Services. Mr. Simpson was appointed Chief Information Officer in October 2016 and was elected Senior Vice President of
the Company in December 2016.
24
Brian Smith, 62, is President of the Europe, Middle East and Africa Group. Mr. Smith joined the Company in 1997 as Latin America
Group Manager for Mergers and Acquisitions, a role he held until July 2001. From 2001 to 2002, he worked as Executive Assistant
to Brian Dyson, then Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman of the Company. Mr. Smith served as President of the Brazil
Division from 2002 to 2008 and President of the Mexico business unit from 2008 through December 2012. Mr. Smith was appointed
President of the Latin America Group in January 2013 and served in that role until his appointment to his current position in
August 2016.
Kathy N. Waller, 59, is Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and President, Enabling Services of the Company. Ms. Waller
joined the Company in 1987 as a senior accountant in the Accounting Research Department and has served in a number of accounting
and finance roles of increasing responsibility. From July 2004 to August 2009, Ms. Waller served as Chief of Internal Audit. In
December 2005, she was elected Vice President of the Company, and in August 2009, she was elected Controller. In August 2013, she
became Vice President, Finance and Controller, assuming additional responsibilities for corporate treasury, corporate tax and finance
capabilities, and served in that position until April 2014, when she was appointed Chief Financial Officer and elected Executive Vice
President. Ms. Waller assumed expanded responsibility for the Company’s strategic governance areas as President, Enabling Services,
on May 1, 2017.
All executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. There is no family relationship between any of the Directors or
executive officers of the Company.
25
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The principal United States market in which the Company’s common stock is listed and traded is the New York Stock Exchange.
The following table sets forth, for the quarterly reporting periods indicated, the high and low market prices per share for the
Company’s common stock, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape, and dividend per share information:
2017
Fourth quarter
Third quarter
Second quarter
First quarter
2016
Fourth quarter
Third quarter
Second quarter
First quarter
Common Stock
Market Prices
High
Low
Dividends
Declared
$ 47.48 $ 44.75
44.15
42.27
40.22
46.98
46.06
42.70
$ 43.03 $ 39.88
41.85
42.87
40.75
45.94
47.13
46.88
$ 0.37
0.37
0.37
0.37
$ 0.35
0.35
0.35
0.35
While we have historically paid dividends to holders of our common stock on a quarterly basis, the declaration and payment of future
dividends will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, our earnings, financial condition, business development needs and
regulatory considerations, and are at the discretion of our Board of Directors.
As of February 16, 2018, there were 212,331 shareowner accounts of record. This figure does not include a substantially greater
number of “street name” holders or beneficial holders of our common stock, whose shares are held of record by banks, brokers and
other financial institutions.
The information under the heading “EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION” in the Company’s definitive Proxy
Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareowners to be held on April 25, 2018 (“Company’s 2018 Proxy Statement”), to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, is incorporated herein by reference.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, no equity securities of the Company were sold by the Company that were not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The following table presents information with respect to purchases of common stock of the Company made during the three months
ended December 31, 2017, by the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” of the Company as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the
Exchange Act.
Period
September 30, 2017 through October 27, 2017
October 28, 2017 through November 24, 2017
November 25, 2017 through December 31, 2017
Total
Total Number of
Shares Purchased1
5,256,426
1,660,944
5,878,681
12,796,051
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
$ 46.00
45.84
45.84
$ 45.91
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plan2
5,255,817
1,660,597
5,845,920
12,762,334
Maximum Number of
Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Publicly
Announced Plan
78,256,636
76,596,039
70,750,119
1 The total number of shares purchased includes: (i) shares purchased pursuant to the 2012 Plan described in footnote 2 below, and (ii) shares surrendered
to the Company to pay the exercise price and/or to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with so-called stock swap exercises of employee stock
options and/or the vesting of restricted stock issued to employees, totaling 609 shares, 347 shares and 32,761 shares for the fiscal months of October,
November and December 2017, respectively.
2 On October 18, 2012, the Company publicly announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a plan (“2012 Plan”) for the Company to purchase
up to 500 million shares of our Company’s common stock. This column discloses the number of shares purchased pursuant to the 2012 Plan during the
indicated time periods (including shares purchased pursuant to the terms of preset trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the
Exchange Act).
26
Performance Graph
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return Among
The Coca-Cola Company, the Peer Group Index and the S&P 500 Index
Total Return
Stock Price Plus Reinvested Dividends
$250
$225
$200
$175
$150
$125
$100
$75
$50
12/31/12
12/31/13
12/31/14
12/31/15
12/31/16
12/31/17
The Coca-Cola Company
Peer Group Index
S&P 500 Index
December 31,
The Coca-Cola Company
Peer Group Index
S&P 500 Index
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
$ 100
$ 117
$ 123
$ 130
$ 129
100
100
126
132
143
151
163
153
180
171
2017
$ 148
200
208
The total return assumes that dividends were reinvested daily and is based on a $100 investment on December 31, 2012.
The Peer Group Index is a self-constructed peer group of companies that are included in the Dow Jones Food & Beverage Index and
the Dow Jones Tobacco Index, from which the Company has been excluded.
The Peer Group Index consists of the following companies: Altria Group, Inc., Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, B&G Foods,
Inc., Brown-Forman Corporation, Bunge Limited, Campbell Soup Company, Conagra Brands, Inc., Constellation Brands, Inc.,
Darling Ingredients Inc., Dean Foods Company, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., Flowers Foods, Inc., General Mills, Inc., The Hain
Celestial Group, Inc., Herbalife Ltd., The Hershey Company, Hormel Foods Corporation, Ingredion, Incorporated, The J.M. Smucker
Company, Kellogg Company, The Kraft Heinz Company, Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc., Lancaster Colony Corporation, Leucadia
National Corporation, McCormick & Company, Incorporated, Molson Coors Brewing Company, Mondelēz International, Inc.,
Monster Beverage Corporation, PepsiCo, Inc., Philip Morris International Inc., Pinnacle Foods Inc., Post Holdings, Inc.,
Snyder’s-Lance, Inc., TreeHouse Foods, Inc., Tyson Foods, Inc., and US Foods Holding Corp.
Companies included in the Dow Jones Food & Beverage Index and the Dow Jones Tobacco Index change periodically. In 2017, the
indices included US Foods Holding Corp., which was not included in the indices in 2016. Additionally, the indices do not include Mead
Johnson Nutrition Company, Reynolds American Inc. and The WhiteWave Foods Company, which were included in the indices in 2016.
27
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto contained in
“Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report.
Year Ended December 31,
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
(In millions except per share data)
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
Net operating revenues
Net income from continuing operations
Net income attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company
$ 35,410
1,182
1,248
$ 41,863 $ 44,294 $ 45,998 $ 46,854
8,626
8,584
7,124
7,098
6,550
6,527
7,366
7,351
PER SHARE DATA
Basic net income from continuing operations
Basic net income
Diluted net income from continuing operations
Diluted net income
Cash dividends
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total assets
Long-term debt
$
$
0.28
0.29
0.27
0.29
1.48
1.51 $
1.51
1.49
1.49
1.40
1.69 $
1.69
1.67
1.67
1.32
1.62 $
1.62
1.60
1.60
1.22
1.94
1.94
1.90
1.90
1.12
$ 87,896
31,182
$ 87,270 $ 89,996 $ 91,968 $ 90,002
19,101
19,010
29,684
28,311
The Company’s results are impacted by acquisitions and divestitures. Refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional information.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to
help the reader understand The Coca-Cola Company, our operations and our present business environment. MD&A is provided as a
supplement to — and should be read in conjunction with — our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto
contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report. This overview summarizes the MD&A, which
includes the following sections:
• Our Business — a general description of our business and the nonalcoholic beverage segment of the commercial beverage
industry; our objective; our strategic priorities; our core capabilities; and challenges and risks of our business.
• Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — a discussion of accounting policies that require critical judgments and estimates.
• Operations Review — an analysis of our Company’s consolidated results of operations for the three years presented in our
consolidated financial statements. Except to the extent that differences among our operating segments are material to an
understanding of our business as a whole, we present the discussion on a consolidated basis.
• Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position — an analysis of cash flows; off-balance sheet arrangements and aggregate
contractual obligations; foreign exchange; the impact of inflation and changing prices; and an overview of financial position.
28
Our Business
General
The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company. We own or license and market more than 500 nonalcoholic
beverage brands, which we group into the following category clusters: sparkling soft drinks; water, enhanced water and sports drinks;
juice, dairy and plant-based beverages; tea and coffee; and energy drinks. We own and market four of the world’s top five nonalcoholic
sparkling soft drink brands: Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite. Finished beverage products bearing our trademarks, sold in the
United States since 1886, are now sold in more than 200 countries.
We make our branded beverage products available to consumers throughout the world through our network of Company-owned
or -controlled bottling and distribution operations, bottling partners, distributors, wholesalers and retailers — the world’s largest
beverage distribution system. Beverages bearing trademarks owned by or licensed to us account for more than 1.9 billion of the
approximately 60 billion servings of all beverages consumed worldwide every day.
We believe our success depends on our ability to connect with consumers by providing them with a wide variety of beverage choices
to meet their desires, needs and lifestyle choices. Our success further depends on the ability of our people to execute effectively,
every day.
Our objective is to use our Company’s assets — our brands, financial strength, unrivaled distribution system, global reach, and the
talent and strong commitment of our management and associates — to become more competitive and to accelerate growth in a
manner that creates value for our shareowners.
Our Company markets, manufactures and sells:
• beverage concentrates, sometimes referred to as “beverage bases,” and syrups, including fountain syrups (we refer to this part
of our business as our “concentrate business” or “concentrate operations”); and
• finished sparkling soft drinks and other nonalcoholic beverages (we refer to this part of our business as our “finished product
business” or “finished product operations”).
Generally, finished product operations generate higher net operating revenues but lower gross profit margins than concentrate
operations.
In our concentrate operations, we typically generate net operating revenues by selling concentrates and syrups to authorized bottling
operations (to which we typically refer as our “bottlers” or our “bottling partners”). Our bottling partners either combine the
concentrates with sweeteners (depending on the product), still water and/or sparkling water, or combine the syrups with sparkling
water to produce finished beverages. The finished beverages are packaged in authorized containers — such as cans and refillable and
nonrefillable glass and plastic bottles — bearing our trademarks or trademarks licensed to us and are then sold to retailers directly or,
in some cases, through wholesalers or other bottlers. Outside the United States, we also sell concentrates for fountain beverages to our
bottling partners who are typically authorized to manufacture fountain syrups, which they sell to fountain retailers such as restaurants
and convenience stores which use the fountain syrups to produce beverages for immediate consumption, or to authorized fountain
wholesalers who in turn sell and distribute the fountain syrups to fountain retailers.
Our finished product operations consist primarily of Company-owned or -controlled bottling, sales and distribution operations,
including CCR’s bottling and associated supply chain operations in the United States and Canada, and are included in our Bottling
Investments operating segment. Our finished product operations generate net operating revenues by selling sparkling soft drinks and
a variety of other nonalcoholic beverages, such as water and sports drinks; juice, dairy and plant-based beverages; tea and coffee; and
energy drinks, to retailers or to distributors, wholesalers and bottling partners who distribute them to retailers. In addition, in the
United States, we manufacture fountain syrups and sell them to fountain retailers such as restaurants and convenience stores who use
the fountain syrups to produce beverages for immediate consumption or to authorized fountain wholesalers or bottling partners who
resell the fountain syrups to fountain retailers. These fountain syrup sales are included in our North America operating segment. We
authorize these wholesalers to resell our fountain syrups through nonexclusive appointments that neither restrict us in setting the prices
at which we sell fountain syrups to the wholesalers nor restrict the territories in which the wholesalers may resell in the United States.
29
The following table sets forth the percentage of total net operating revenues related to concentrate operations and finished product
operations:
Year Ended December 31,
Concentrate operations1
Finished product operations2
Total
2017
2016
2015
51%
49
40% 37%
60
63
100.% 100% 100%
1 Includes concentrates sold by the Company to authorized bottling partners for the manufacture of fountain syrups. The bottlers then typically sell the
fountain syrups to wholesalers or directly to fountain retailers.
2 Includes fountain syrups manufactured by the Company, including consolidated bottling operations, and sold to fountain retailers or to authorized
fountain wholesalers or bottling partners who resell the fountain syrups to fountain retailers.
The following table sets forth the percentage of total worldwide unit case volume related to concentrate operations and finished
product operations:
Year Ended December 31,
Concentrate operations1
Finished product operations2
Total
2017
2016
2015
78% 76% 73%
22
24
27
100% 100% 100%
1 Includes unit case volume related to concentrates sold by the Company to authorized bottling partners for the manufacture of fountain syrups. The
bottlers then typically sell the fountain syrups to wholesalers or directly to fountain retailers.
2 Includes unit case volume related to fountain syrups manufactured by the Company, including consolidated bottling operations, and sold to fountain
retailers or to authorized fountain wholesalers or bottling partners who resell the fountain syrups to fountain retailers.
The Nonalcoholic Beverage Segment of the Commercial Beverage Industry
We operate in the highly competitive nonalcoholic beverage segment of the commercial beverage industry. We face strong competition
from numerous other general and specialty beverage companies. We, along with other beverage companies, are affected by a number
of factors, including, but not limited to, cost to manufacture and distribute products, consumer spending, economic conditions,
availability and quality of water, consumer preferences, inflation, political climate, local and national laws and regulations, foreign
currency fluctuations, fuel prices and weather patterns.
Our Objective
Our objective is to use our formidable assets — our brands, financial strength, unrivaled distribution system, global reach, and the
talent and strong commitment of our management and associates — to achieve long-term sustainable growth. Our vision for
sustainable growth includes the following:
• People: Being a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be.
• Portfolio: Bringing to the world a portfolio of beverage brands that anticipates and satisfies people’s desires and needs.
• Partners: Nurturing a winning network of partners and building mutual loyalty.
• Planet: Being a responsible global citizen that makes a difference.
• Profit: Maximizing return to shareowners while being mindful of our overall responsibilities.
• Productivity: Managing our people, time and money for greatest effectiveness.
Strategic Priorities
We have five strategic priorities designed to help us achieve our objective. These strategic priorities are accelerating growth of a
consumer-centric brand portfolio; driving our revenue growth algorithm; strengthening the Coca-Cola system; digitizing the enterprise;
and unlocking the power of our people. In order to execute on these strategic priorities, we must further enhance our core capabilities
of consumer marketing, commercial leadership and franchise leadership.
Core Capabilities
Consumer Marketing
Marketing investments are designed to enhance consumer awareness of, and increase consumer preference for, our brands.
Successful marketing investments produce long-term growth in unit case volume, per capita consumption and our share of
worldwide nonalcoholic beverage sales. Through our relationships with our bottling partners and those who sell our products in
30
the marketplace, we create and implement integrated marketing programs, both globally and locally, that are designed to heighten
consumer awareness of and product appeal for our brands. In developing a strategy for a Company brand, we conduct product and
packaging research, establish brand positioning, develop precise consumer communications and solicit consumer feedback. Our
integrated marketing activities include, but are not limited to, advertising, point-of-sale merchandising and sales promotions.
We are focusing on marketing strategies to drive volume growth in emerging markets, increase our brand value in developing markets
and grow net revenues and profit in our developed markets. In emerging markets, we are investing in infrastructure programs that
drive volume through increased access to consumers. In developing markets, where consumer access has largely been established,
our focus is on differentiating our brands. In our developed markets, we continue to invest in brands and infrastructure programs but
generally at a slower rate than gross profit growth.
Commercial Leadership
The Coca-Cola system has millions of customers around the world who sell or serve our products directly to consumers. We focus on
enhancing value for our customers and providing solutions to grow their beverage businesses. Our approach includes understanding
each customer’s business and needs — whether that customer is a sophisticated retailer in a developed market or a kiosk owner in an
emerging market. We focus on ensuring that our customers have the right product and package offerings and the right promotional
tools to deliver enhanced value to themselves and the Company. We are constantly looking to build new beverage consumption
occasions in our customers’ outlets through unique and innovative consumer experiences, product availability and delivery systems,
and beverage merchandising and displays. We participate in joint brand-building initiatives with our customers in order to drive
consumer preference for our brands. Through our commercial leadership initiatives, we embed ourselves further into our retail
customers’ businesses while developing strategies for better execution at the point of sale.
Franchise Leadership
We must continue to improve our franchise leadership capabilities to give our Company and our bottling partners the ability to grow
together through shared values, aligned incentives and a sense of urgency and flexibility that supports consumers’ always changing
needs and tastes. The financial health and success of our bottling partners are critical components of the Company’s success. We work
with our bottling partners to identify processes that enable us to quickly achieve scale and efficiencies, and we share best practices
throughout the bottling system. With our bottling partners, we work to produce differentiated beverages and packages that are
appropriate for the right channels and consumers. We also design business models in specific markets to ensure that we appropriately
share the value created by our beverages with our bottling partners. We must also continue to build a supply chain network that
leverages the size and scale of the Coca-Cola system to gain a competitive advantage.
Challenges and Risks
Being global provides unique opportunities for our Company. Challenges and risks accompany those opportunities. Our management
has identified certain challenges and risks that demand the attention of the nonalcoholic beverage segment of the commercial
beverage industry and our Company. Of these, six key challenges and risks are discussed below.
Obesity
The rates of obesity affecting communities, cultures and countries worldwide continue to be too high. There is growing concern among
consumers, public health professionals and government agencies about the health problems associated with obesity. This concern
represents a significant challenge to our industry. We understand and recognize that obesity is a complex public health challenge and
are committed to being a part of the solution.
We recognize the uniqueness of consumers’ lifestyles and dietary choices. Commercially, we continue to:
• offer reduced-, low- or no-calorie beverage options;
• provide transparent nutrition information, featuring calories on the front of most of our packages;
• provide our beverages in a range of packaging sizes; and
• market responsibly, including no advertising targeted to children under 12.
The heritage of our Company is to lead, and innovation is critical for leadership. As such, we are resolute in continuing to innovate
and are committed to partnering to find winning solutions in the area of noncaloric sweeteners. This includes working to reduce sugar
and calories in many of our beverages. We want to be a more helpful and credible partner in the fight against obesity. Across the
Coca-Cola system, we are mobilizing our assets in marketing and in community outreach to increase awareness and spur action.
31
Water Quality and Quantity
Water quality and quantity is an issue that requires our Company’s sustained attention and collaboration with other companies,
suppliers, governments, nongovernmental organizations and communities where we operate. Water is a main ingredient in
substantially all of our products, is vital to the production of the agricultural ingredients on which our business relies and is needed in
our manufacturing process. It also is critical to the prosperity of the communities we serve. Water is a limited natural resource facing
unprecedented challenges from overexploitation, increased food demand, increasing pollution, poor management and the effects of
climate change.
Our Company regularly assesses the specific water-related risks that we and many of our bottling partners face and has implemented
a formal water risk management program. Mitigation of water risk forms the basis of our water stewardship strategic framework.
This strategy is executed at the local level where we operate and includes the following elements: water use efficiency and wastewater
treatment in manufacturing operations; shared watershed protection efforts; engaging local communities; and addressing water
resource management in our agricultural ingredient supply chain. Such efforts are conducted in collaboration and partnership with
others and are intended to help address local needs. Many of these efforts help us in achieving our goal of replenishing the water that
we and our bottling partners source and use in our finished products. We are also collaborating with other companies, governments,
nongovernmental organizations and communities to advocate for needed water policy reforms and action to protect water availability
and quality around the world.
Through these integrated programs, we believe that our Company can leverage the water-related knowledge we have developed in the
communities we serve — through source water availability assessments and planning, water resource management, water treatment,
wastewater treatment systems and models for working with communities and partners in addressing water and sanitation needs. As
demand for water continues to increase around the world, we expect continued action on our part to help with the successful long-term
stewardship of this critical natural resource, both for our business and the communities we serve.
Evolving Consumer Preferences
We are impacted by shifting consumer demographics and needs, on-the-go lifestyles, aging populations and consumers who are
empowered with more information than ever. As a consequence of these changes, consumers want more choices. We are committed
to meeting their needs and to generating new growth through our portfolio of more than 500 brands and more than 4,100 beverage
products, including nearly 1,300 low- and no-calorie products, new product offerings, innovative packaging and ingredient education
efforts. We are also committed to continuing to expand the variety of choices we provide to consumers to meet their ever-changing
needs, desires and lifestyles.
Increased Competition and Capabilities in the Marketplace
Our Company is facing strong competition from some well-established global companies and numerous regional and local companies.
We must continuously strengthen our capabilities in marketing and innovation in order to maintain our brand loyalty and market share
while we selectively expand into other profitable categories of the nonalcoholic beverage segment of the commercial beverage industry.
Product Safety and Quality
As the world’s largest beverage company, we strive to meet the highest standards in both product safety and product quality. We are
aware that some consumers have concerns and negative viewpoints regarding certain ingredients used in our products. The Coca-Cola
system works every day to share safe and refreshing beverages with the world. We have rigorous product and ingredient safety and
quality standards designed to ensure safety and quality in each of our products, and we drive innovation that provides new beverage
options to meet consumers’ evolving needs and preferences. Across the Coca-Cola system, we take great care in an effort to ensure
that every one of our beverages meets the highest standards for safety and quality.
We work to ensure consistent safety and quality through strong governance and compliance with applicable regulations and standards.
We stay current with new regulations, industry best practices and marketplace conditions and engage with standard-setting and
industry organizations. Additionally, we manufacture and distribute our products according to strict policies, requirements and
specifications set forth in an integrated quality management program that continually measures all operations within the Coca- Cola
system against the same stringent standards. Our quality management system also identifies and mitigates risks and drives
improvement. In our quality laboratories, we stringently measure the quality attributes of ingredients as well as samples of finished
products collected from the marketplace.
We perform due diligence to ensure that product and ingredient safety and quality standards are maintained in the more than 200
countries where our products are sold. We regularly assess the relevance of our requirements and standards and continually work to
improve and refine them across our entire supply chain.
32
Food Security
Increased demand for commodities and decreased agricultural productivity in certain regions of the world as a result of changing
weather patterns may limit the availability or increase the cost of key agricultural commodities, such as sugarcane, corn, sugar
beets, citrus, coffee and tea, which are important sources of ingredients for our products and could impact the food security of
communities around the world. We are dedicated to implementing our sustainable sourcing commitment, which is founded on
principles that protect the environment, uphold workplace rights and help build more sustainable communities. To support this
commitment, our programs focus on economic opportunity, with an emphasis on female farmers, and environmental sustainability
designed to help address these agricultural challenges. Through joint efforts with farmers, communities, bottlers, suppliers and
key partners, as well as our increased and continued investment in sustainable agriculture, we can together help make a positive
strategic impact on food security.
All of these challenges and risks — obesity; water quality and quantity; evolving consumer preferences; increased competition and
capabilities in the marketplace; product safety and quality; and food security — have the potential to have a material adverse effect on
the nonalcoholic beverage segment of the commercial beverage industry and on our Company; however, we believe our Company is
well positioned to appropriately address these challenges and risks.
See also “Item 1A. Risk Factors’’ in Part I of this report for additional information about risks and uncertainties facing our Company.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
(“U.S. GAAP”), which require management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We believe our most critical accounting policies and estimates relate to the
following:
• Principles of Consolidation
• Recoverability of Current and Noncurrent Assets
• Pension Plan Valuations
• Revenue Recognition
• Income Taxes
Management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit
Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. While our estimates and assumptions are based on our knowledge of current events
and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates and assumptions. For a discussion
of the Company’s significant accounting policies, refer to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Principles of Consolidation
Our Company consolidates all entities that we control by ownership of a majority voting interest. Additionally, there are situations in
which consolidation is required even though the usual condition of consolidation (ownership of a majority voting interest) does not
apply. Generally, this occurs when an entity holds an interest in another business enterprise that was achieved through arrangements
that do not involve voting interests, which results in a disproportionate relationship between such entity’s voting interests in, and its
exposure to the economic risks and potential rewards of, the other business enterprise. This disproportionate relationship results in
what is known as a variable interest, and the entity in which we have the variable interest is referred to as a “VIE.” An enterprise must
consolidate a VIE if it is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The primary beneficiary has both (1) the power to direct
the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the
right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
Our Company holds interests in certain VIEs, primarily bottling and container manufacturing operations, for which we
were not determined to be the primary beneficiary. Our variable interests in these VIEs primarily relate to equity investments,
profit guarantees or subordinated financial support. Refer to Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Although
these financial arrangements resulted in our holding variable interests in these entities, they did not empower us to direct the
activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance. Our Company’s investments, plus any
loans and guarantees, and other subordinated financial support related to these VIEs totaled $4,523 million and $3,709 million
as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, representing our maximum exposures to loss. The Company’s investments,
33
plus any loans and guarantees, related to these VIEs were not individually significant to the Company’s consolidated financial
statements.
In addition, our Company holds interests in certain VIEs, primarily bottling and container manufacturing operations, for which we
were determined to be the primary beneficiary. As a result, we have consolidated these entities. Our Company’s investments, plus
any loans and guarantees, related to these VIEs totaled $1 million and $203 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively,
representing our maximum exposures to loss. The assets and liabilities of VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary were not
significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Creditors of our VIEs do not have recourse against the general credit of the Company, regardless of whether they are accounted for as
consolidated entities.
We use the equity method to account for investments in companies if our investment provides us with the ability to exercise significant
influence over operating and financial policies of the investee. Our consolidated net income includes our Company’s proportionate
share of the net income or loss of these companies. Our judgment regarding the level of influence over each equity method
investee includes considering key factors such as our ownership interest, representation on the board of directors, participation in
policy-making decisions and material intercompany transactions.
We eliminate from our financial results all significant intercompany transactions, including the intercompany transactions with
consolidated VIEs and the intercompany portion of transactions with equity method investees.
Recoverability of Current and Noncurrent Assets
Our Company faces many uncertainties and risks related to various economic, political and regulatory environments in the countries
in which we operate, particularly in developing and emerging markets. Refer to the heading “Our Business — Challenges and Risks”
above and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of this report. As a result, management must make numerous assumptions which involve
a significant amount of judgment when completing recoverability and impairment tests of current and noncurrent assets in various
regions around the world.
We perform recoverability and impairment tests of current and noncurrent assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For certain assets,
recoverability and/or impairment tests are required only when conditions exist that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.
For other assets, impairment tests are required at least annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an asset
may be impaired.
Our equity method investees also perform such recoverability and/or impairment tests. If an impairment charge is recorded by one
of our equity method investees, the Company records its proportionate share of such charge as a reduction of equity income (loss) —
net in our consolidated statement of income. However, the actual amount we record with respect to our proportionate share of such
charges may be impacted by items such as basis differences, deferred taxes and deferred gains.
Management’s assessments of the recoverability and impairment tests of noncurrent assets involve critical accounting estimates. These
estimates require significant management judgment, include inherent uncertainties and are often interdependent; therefore, they do
not change in isolation. Factors that management must estimate include, among others, the economic life of the asset, sales volume,
pricing, cost of raw materials, delivery costs, inflation, cost of capital, marketing spending, foreign currency exchange rates, tax rates,
capital spending and proceeds from the sale of assets. These factors are even more difficult to predict when global financial markets
are highly volatile. The estimates we use when assessing the recoverability of current and noncurrent assets are consistent with those
we use in our internal planning. When performing impairment tests, we estimate the fair values of the assets using management’s
best assumptions, which we believe would be consistent with what a hypothetical marketplace participant would use. Estimates and
assumptions used in these tests are evaluated and updated as appropriate. The variability of these factors depends on a number of
conditions, including uncertainty about future events, and thus our accounting estimates may change from period to period. If other
assumptions and estimates had been used when these tests were performed, impairment charges could have resulted. As mentioned
above, these factors do not change in isolation and, therefore, we do not believe it is practicable or meaningful to present the impact
of changing a single factor. Furthermore, if management uses different assumptions or if different conditions occur in future periods,
future impairment charges could result. Refer to the heading “Operations Review” below for additional information related to our
present business environment. Certain factors discussed above are impacted by our current business environment and are discussed
throughout this report, as appropriate.
Investments in Equity and Debt Securities
The carrying values of our investments in equity securities are determined using the equity method, the cost method or the fair
value method. We account for investments in companies that we do not control or account for under the equity method either at
fair value or under the cost method, as applicable. Investments in equity securities, other than investments accounted for under
the equity method, are carried at fair value if the fair value of the security is readily determinable. Equity investments carried at
34
fair value are classified as either trading or available-for-sale securities. Our investments in debt securities are carried at either
amortized cost or fair value. Investments in debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are
carried at amortized cost and classified as held-to-maturity. Investments in debt securities that are not classified as held-to-maturity
are carried at fair value and classified as either trading or available-for-sale. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading
securities and realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in net income. Unrealized gains and losses, net of
deferred taxes, on available-for-sale securities are included in our consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), except for the change in fair value attributable to the currency risk being hedged, if applicable,
which is included in net income. Trading securities are reported as either marketable securities or other assets in our consolidated
balance sheets. Securities classified as available-for-sale are reported as either cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities,
other investments or other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Investments in equity securities that do not qualify for fair value
accounting or equity method accounting are accounted for under the cost method. In accordance with the cost method, our initial
investment is recorded at cost and we record dividend income when applicable dividends are declared. Cost method investments are
reported as other investments in our consolidated balance sheets.
The following table presents the carrying values of our investments in equity and debt securities (in millions):
December 31, 2017
Equity method investments
Securities classified as available-for-sale
Securities classified as trading
Cost method investments
Total
* Accounts for less than 1 percent of the Company’s total assets.
Carrying
Value
$ 20,856
7,807
407
143
$ 29,213
Percentage
of Total
Assets
24%
9
*
*
33%
Investments classified as trading securities are not assessed for impairment, since they are carried at fair value with the change in fair
value included in net income. We review our investments in equity and debt securities that are accounted for using the equity method
or cost method or that are classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity each reporting period to determine whether a significant
event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have an adverse effect on the fair value of each investment. When such events
or changes occur, we evaluate the fair value compared to our cost basis in the investment. We also perform this evaluation every
reporting period for each investment for which our cost basis has exceeded the fair value. The fair values of most of our Company’s
investments in publicly traded companies are often readily available based on quoted market prices. For investments in nonpublicly
traded companies, management’s assessment of fair value is based on valuation methodologies including discounted cash flows,
estimates of sales proceeds and appraisals, as appropriate. We consider the assumptions that we believe hypothetical marketplace
participants would use in evaluating estimated future cash flows when employing the discounted cash flow or estimates of sales
proceeds valuation methodologies. The ability to accurately predict future cash flows, especially in emerging and developing markets,
may impact the determination of fair value.
In the event the fair value of an investment declines below our cost basis, management is required to determine if the decline in fair
value is other than temporary. If management determines the decline is other than temporary, an impairment charge is recorded.
Management’s assessment as to the nature of a decline in fair value is based on, among other things, the length of time and the
extent to which the market value has been less than our cost basis; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; and
our intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.
During 2017, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $50 million related to one of our international equity
method investees, primarily driven by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Company will adopt Accounting Standards
Update (“ASU”) 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, on January 1, 2018. Adoption
of this standard will require us to revise our policy to measure equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not
accounted for under the equity method at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. Refer to Note 1 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
35
The following table presents the difference between calculated fair values, based on quoted closing prices of publicly traded shares,
and our Company’s cost basis in investments in publicly traded companies accounted for under the equity method (in millions):
December 31, 2017
Monster Beverage Corporation
Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V.
Coca-Cola European Partners plc1
Coca-Cola HBC AG
Coca-Cola Amatil Limited
Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc.
Embotelladora Andina S.A.
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated
Coca-Cola Içecek A.S¸.
Corporación Lindley S.A.
Total
Fair
Value
Carrying
Value
Difference
$ 6,463
4,065
3,505
2,754
1,449
1,251
647
534
449
283
$ 3,382
1,865
3,701
1,315
721
1,151
293
116
221
131
$ 21,400
$ 12,896
$ 3,081
2,200
(196)
1,439
728
100
354
418
228
152
$ 8,504
1 The carrying value of our investment in Coca-Cola European Partners plc (“CCEP”) exceeded its fair value as of December 31, 2017. Based on the length
of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than our cost basis; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; and our
intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value, management determined
that the decline in fair value was temporary in nature. Therefore, we did not record an impairment charge.
Other Assets
Our Company invests in infrastructure programs with our bottlers that are directed at strengthening our bottling system and increasing
unit case volume. Additionally, our Company advances payments to certain customers for distribution rights as well as to fund future
marketing activities intended to generate profitable volume and expenses such payments over the periods benefited. Payments
under these programs are generally capitalized and reported in the line item prepaid expenses and other assets or other assets, as
appropriate, in our consolidated balance sheets. When facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets or
asset groups may not be recoverable, management assesses the recoverability of the carrying value by preparing estimates of sales
volume and the resulting gross profit and cash flows. These estimated future cash flows are consistent with those we use in our internal
planning. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount, we
recognize an impairment loss. The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value.
During 2017, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $19 million related to CCR’s other assets as a result of current year
refranchising activities in North America and management’s estimate of the proceeds that were expected to be received for the
remaining bottling territories upon their refranchising. This charge was recorded in our Bottling Investments operating segment in the
line item other operating charges in our consolidated statement of income and was determined by comparing the fair value of the asset
to its carrying value.
Property, Plant and Equipment
As of December 31, 2017, the carrying value of our property, plant and equipment, net of depreciation, was $8,203 million, or
9 percent of our total assets. Certain events or changes in circumstances may indicate that the recoverability of the carrying amount
or remaining useful life of property, plant and equipment should be assessed, including, among others, the manner or length of time
in which the Company intends to use the asset, a significant decrease in market value, a significant change in the business climate in a
particular market, or a current period operating or cash flow loss combined with historical losses or projected future losses. When such
events or changes in circumstances are present and an impairment review is performed, we estimate the future cash flows expected
to result from the use of the asset or asset group and its eventual disposition. These estimated future cash flows are consistent with
those we use in our internal planning. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is
less than the carrying amount, we recognize an impairment loss. The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying
amount exceeds the fair value. We use a variety of methodologies to determine the fair value of property, plant and equipment,
including appraisals and discounted cash flow models, which are consistent with the assumptions we believe hypothetical marketplace
participants would use.
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During 2017, the Company recorded impairment charges of $310 million related to CCR’s property, plant and equipment as a result of
current year refranchising activities in North America and management’s estimate of the proceeds (a Level 3 measurement) that were
expected to be received for the remaining bottling territories upon their refranchising. These charges were recorded in our Bottling
Investments operating segment in the line item other operating charges in our consolidated statement of income and were determined
by comparing the fair value of the assets to their carrying value. Refer to Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Goodwill, Trademarks and Other Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are classified into one of three categories: (1) intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization,
(2) intangible assets with indefinite lives not subject to amortization and (3) goodwill. For intangible assets with definite lives, tests for
impairment must be performed if conditions exist that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. For intangible assets with
indefinite lives and goodwill, tests for impairment must be performed at least annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances
indicate that an asset may be impaired.
The following table presents the carrying values of intangible assets included in our consolidated balance sheet (in millions):
December 31, 2017
Goodwill
Trademarks with indefinite lives
Bottlers’ franchise rights with indefinite lives
Definite-lived intangible assets, net
Other intangible assets not subject to amortization
Total
* Accounts for less than 1 percent of the Company’s total assets.
Carrying
Value
$ 9,401
6,729
138
262
106
$ 16,636
Percentage
of Total
Assets
11%
8
*
*
*
19%
When facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of definite-lived intangible assets may not be recoverable, management
assesses the recoverability of the carrying value by preparing estimates of sales volume and the resulting gross profit and cash flows.
These estimated future cash flows are consistent with those we use in our internal planning. If the sum of the expected future cash
flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset or asset group, we recognize an
impairment loss. The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. We use a variety
of methodologies to determine the fair value of these assets, including discounted cash flow models, which are consistent with the
assumptions we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use.
We test intangible assets determined to have indefinite useful lives, including trademarks, franchise rights and goodwill, for
impairment annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that assets might be impaired. Our Company performs
these annual impairment reviews as of the first day of our third fiscal quarter. We use a variety of methodologies in conducting
impairment assessments of indefinite-lived intangible assets, including, but not limited to, discounted cash flow models, which are
based on the assumptions we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use. For indefinite-lived intangible assets, other
than goodwill, if the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, rather than
completing the impairment test. The Company must assess whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the intangible asset
is less than its carrying amount. If the Company concludes that this is the case, it must perform the testing described above. Otherwise,
the Company does not need to perform any further assessment.
Intangible assets acquired in recent transactions are naturally more susceptible to impairment, primarily due to the fact that they are
recorded at fair value based on recent operating plans and macroeconomic conditions present at the time of acquisition. Consequently,
if operating results and/or macroeconomic conditions deteriorate shortly after an acquisition, it could result in the impairment of
the acquired assets. A deterioration of macroeconomic conditions may not only negatively impact the estimated operating cash flows
used in our cash flow models but may also negatively impact other assumptions used in our analyses, including, but not limited to, the
estimated cost of capital and/or discount rates. Additionally, as discussed above, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we are required to
ensure that assumptions used to determine fair value in our analyses are consistent with the assumptions a hypothetical marketplace
participant would use. As a result, the cost of capital and/or discount rates used in our analyses may increase or decrease based on
market conditions and trends, regardless of whether our Company’s actual cost of capital has changed. Therefore, if the cost of capital
and/or discount rates change, our Company may recognize an impairment of an intangible asset in spite of realizing actual cash flows
that are approximately equal to, or greater than, our previously forecasted amounts.
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We perform impairment tests of goodwill at our reporting unit level, which is one level below our operating segments. Our operating
segments are primarily based on geographic responsibility, which is consistent with the way management runs our business. Our
operating segments are subdivided into smaller geographic regions or territories that we sometimes refer to as “business units.” These
business units are also our reporting units. The Bottling Investments operating segment includes all Company-owned or consolidated
bottling operations, regardless of geographic location. Generally, each Company-owned or consolidated bottling operation within our
Bottling Investments operating segment is its own reporting unit. Goodwill is assigned to the reporting unit or units that benefit from
the synergies arising from each business combination.
In order to test for goodwill impairment, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, including
goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than its carrying amount, goodwill is written down for the amount by which the
carrying amount exceeds the fair value. However, the loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. We typically use
discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. The assumptions used in these models are consistent with
those we believe a hypothetical marketplace participant would use.
During 2017, the Company recorded impairment charges of $457 million related to certain intangible assets. These charges included
$390 million related to goodwill and $33 million related to bottlers’ franchise rights with indefinite lives. The impairment charges
related to goodwill were determined by comparing the fair values of the reporting units, based on Level 3 inputs, to their carrying
values. As a result of these charges, the carrying value of CCR’s goodwill is zero. The impairment charge related to bottlers’ franchise
rights with indefinite lives was determined by comparing the fair value of the assets, based on Level 3 inputs, to the current carrying
value. These impairment charges were incurred primarily as a result of current year refranchising activities in North America and
management’s estimate of the proceeds that were expected to be received for the remaining bottling territories upon their
refranchising. These charges were recorded in our Bottling Investments operating segment in the line item other operating charges in
our consolidated statement of income. Additionally, we recorded impairment charges related to Venezuelan intangible assets of
$34 million. The Venezuelan intangible assets were written down due to weaker sales and the volatility of foreign currency exchange
rates resulting from continued political instability. These charges were recorded in Corporate in the line item other operating charges
in our consolidated statement of income and were determined by comparing the fair value of the intangible assets, derived using
discounted cash flow analyses, to the respective carrying values.
During 2016, the Company recorded charges of $153 million related to certain intangible assets. These charges included $143 million
related to the impairment of certain U.S. bottlers’ franchise rights, primarily as a result of lower operating performance compared
to previously modeled results as well as a revision in management’s view of the proceeds that would be ultimately received upon
refranchising. The remaining charge of $10 million was related to the impairment of goodwill and resulted from management’s
revised outlook on market conditions. These impairment charges were recorded in our Bottling Investments operating segment in the
line item other operating charges in our consolidated statement of income and were determined by comparing the fair value of the
intangible assets, derived using discounted cash flow analyses, to their respective carrying values.
During 2015, the Company recorded a charge of $55 million related to the impairment of a Venezuelan trademark. The Venezuelan
trademark impairment was due to the Company’s revised expectations regarding the convertibility of the local currency. In 2015,
the Company also closed a transaction with Monster. Under the terms of the transaction, the Company was required to discontinue
selling energy products under one of the trademarks included in the glacéau portfolio. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the
Company recognized impairment charges of $418 million, primarily as a result of discontinuing these products. The charges for the
impairment of these trademarks were recorded in Corporate in the line item other operating charges in our consolidated statement
of income and were determined by comparing the fair value of the trademarks, derived using discounted cash flow analyses, to the
respective carrying values.
Pension Plan Valuations
Our Company sponsors and/or contributes to pension and postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plans covering
substantially all U.S. employees. We also sponsor nonqualified, unfunded defined benefit pension plans for certain associates and
participate in multi-employer pension plans in the United States. In addition, our Company and its subsidiaries have various pension
plans and other forms of postretirement arrangements outside the United States.
Management is required to make certain critical estimates related to actuarial assumptions used to determine our pension expense and
obligations. We believe the most critical assumptions are related to (1) the discount rate used to determine the present value of the
liabilities and (2) the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. All of our actuarial assumptions are reviewed annually, or more
frequently to the extent that a settlement or curtailment occurs. Changes in these assumptions could have a material impact on the
measurement of our pension expense and obligations.
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At each measurement date, we determine the discount rate primarily by reference to rates of high-quality, long-term corporate bonds
that mature in a pattern similar to the future payments we anticipate making under the plans. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the
weighted-average discount rate used to compute our pension obligations was 3.50 percent and 4.00 percent, respectively.
Effective January 1, 2016, the Company changed its method of measuring the service cost and interest cost components of net
periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefit plans by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve to
the plans’ projected cash flows. The Company believes the approach adopted in 2016 provides a more precise measurement of these
components by improving the correlation between projected cash flows and the corresponding spot rates. The change does not affect
the measurement of the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit obligations for those plans. During the year ended
December 31, 2015, for plans using the yield curve approach, the Company measured the service cost and interest cost components
utilizing the single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based upon the long-term outlook of our investment strategy as well as our
historical returns and volatilities for each asset class. We also review current levels of interest rates and inflation to assess the
reasonableness of our long-term rates. Our pension plan investment objective is to ensure all of our plans have sufficient funds to meet
their benefit obligations when they become due. As a result, the Company periodically revises asset allocations, where appropriate, to
improve returns and manage risk. The weighted-average expected long-term rate of return used to calculate our pension expense was
8.00 percent and 8.25 percent in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
In 2017, the Company’s total pension expense related to defined benefit plans was $368 million, which included $28 million of net
periodic benefit cost and $340 million of settlement charges, curtailment charges and special termination benefit costs. In 2018, we
expect our total pension expense to be approximately $17 million, which includes $108 million of net periodic benefit income and
$125 million of estimated settlement charges and special termination benefit costs expected to be incurred. The decrease in 2018
expected net periodic benefit cost is primarily due to 2017 North America refranchising activities, which decreased the size of the
active workforce and, therefore, the number of employees earning pension benefits. Favorable asset performance in 2017 further
decreased expected 2018 expense, although this was partially offset by a decrease in the weighted-average discount rate at
December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016. The estimated impact of a 50 basis-point decrease in the discount rate on our
2018 net periodic benefit cost would be an increase to our pension expense of $25 million. Additionally, the estimated impact of a
50 basis-point decrease in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets on our 2018 net periodic benefit cost would be an
increase to our pension expense of $29 million.
The sensitivity information provided above is based only on changes to the actuarial assumptions used for our U.S. pension plans.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s primary U.S. plan represented 64 percent and 65 percent of the Company’s consolidated
projected pension benefit obligation and pension assets, respectively. Refer to Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
for additional information about our pension plans and related actuarial assumptions.
The Company will adopt ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit
Cost, on January 1, 2018. In accordance with this standard, we will record the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost in
selling, general and administrative expenses, and we will record the non-service cost components in other income (loss) — net. We
expect to record service cost of $128 million and record a benefit of $111 million related to our non-service cost components of net
periodic benefit cost and other benefit plan charges. Refer to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of products has occurred, the sales price is fixed or
determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. For our Company, this generally means that we recognize revenue when title to
our products is transferred to our bottling partners, resellers or other customers. Title usually transfers upon shipment to or receipt
at our customers’ locations, as determined by the specific sales terms of each transaction. Our sales terms do not allow for a right of
return except for matters related to any manufacturing defects on our part.
Our customers can earn certain incentives which are included in deductions from revenue, a component of net operating
revenues in our consolidated statements of income. These incentives include, but are not limited to, cash discounts, funds
for promotional and marketing activities, volume-based incentive programs and support for infrastructure programs. Refer
to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The aggregate deductions from revenue recorded by the Company
in relation to these programs, including amortization expense on infrastructure programs, were $6.2 billion, $6.6 billion and
$6.8 billion in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In preparing the financial statements, management must make estimates
related to the contractual terms, customer performance and sales volume to determine the total amounts recorded as deductions
from revenue. Management also considers past results in making such estimates. The actual amounts ultimately paid may be
different from our estimates. Such differences are recorded once they have been determined and have historically not been
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significant. The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and its amendments on
January 1, 2018. Adoption of this standard will result in a change in our revenue recognition policy. Refer to Note 1 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Taxes
Our annual effective tax rate is based on our income and the tax laws in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant
judgment is required in determining our annual tax expense and in evaluating our tax positions. We establish reserves to remove some
or all of the tax benefit of any of our tax positions at the time we determine that the position becomes uncertain based upon one of
the following: (1) the tax position is not “more likely than not” to be sustained, (2) the tax position is “more likely than not” to be
sustained, but for a lesser amount, or (3) the tax position is “more likely than not” to be sustained, but not in the financial period in
which the tax position was originally taken. For purposes of evaluating whether or not a tax position is uncertain, (1) we presume the
tax position will be examined by the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information, (2) the technical
merits of a tax position are derived from authorities such as legislation and statutes, legislative intent, regulations, rulings and case law
and their applicability to the facts and circumstances of the tax position, and (3) each tax position is evaluated without considerations
of the possibility of offset or aggregation with other tax positions taken. We adjust these reserves, including any impact on the
related interest and penalties, in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit. Refer to the heading
“Operations Review — Income Taxes” below and Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
On September 17, 2015, the Company received a Notice from the IRS for the tax years 2007 through 2009, after a five-year audit.
In the Notice, the IRS claims that the Company’s United States taxable income should be increased by an amount that creates a
potential additional federal income tax liability of approximately $3.3 billion for the period, plus interest. No penalties were asserted
in the Notice. The disputed amounts largely relate to a transfer pricing matter involving the appropriate amount of taxable income the
Company should report in the United States in connection with its licensing of intangible property to certain related foreign licensees
regarding the manufacturing, distribution, sale, marketing and promotion of products in overseas markets.
During the 2007-2009 audit period, the Company followed the same transfer pricing methodology for these licenses that had
consistently been followed since the methodology was agreed with the IRS in a 1996 closing agreement that applied back to 1987. The
closing agreement provided prospective penalty protection as long as the Company followed the prescribed methodology and material
facts and circumstances and relevant federal tax law have not changed. On February 11, 2016, the IRS notified the Company, without
further explanation, that the IRS had determined that material facts and circumstances and relevant federal tax law had changed
permitting it to assert penalties. The Company does not agree with this determination. The Company’s compliance with the closing
agreement was audited and confirmed by the IRS in five successive audit cycles covering the subsequent 11 years through 2006, with
the last audit concluding as recently as 2009.
The Notice represents a repudiation of the methodology previously adopted in the 1996 closing agreement. The IRS designated the
matter for litigation on October 15, 2015. To the extent the matter remains designated, the Company will be prevented from pursuing
any administrative settlement at IRS Appeals or under the IRS Advance Pricing and Mutual Agreement Program.
The Company firmly believes that the IRS’ claims are without merit and plans to pursue all available administrative and judicial
remedies necessary to resolve this matter. To that end, the Company filed a petition in the U.S. Tax Court on December 14, 2015,
and the IRS filed its answer on February 12, 2016. On October 4, 2017, the IRS filed an amended answer to the Company’s petition
in which it increased its transfer pricing adjustment by $385 million resulting in an additional tax adjustment of $135 million. A trial
date has been set for March 5, 2018. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position and is confident in its ability to prevail on
the merits. On June 20, 2017, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment on the portion of the IRS’ adjustments related to
our licensee in Mexico. On December 14, 2017, the U.S. Tax Court issued a decision on the summary judgment motion in favor of the
Company. This decision effectively reduced the IRS’ potential tax adjustment by approximately $138 million.
The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from examinations such as this to determine the
adequacy of its tax reserves. The Company believes that the final adjudication of this matter will not have a material impact on
its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, the ultimate outcome of disputes of this nature
is uncertain, and if the IRS were to prevail in any material respect on its assertions, the additional tax, interest and any potential
penalties could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
A number of years may elapse before a particular matter for which we have established a reserve is audited and finally
resolved. The number of years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. The tax benefit that has been
previously reserved because of a failure to meet the “more likely than not” recognition threshold would be recognized in our
income tax expense in the first interim period when the uncertainty disappears under any one of the following conditions:
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(1) the tax position is “more likely than not” to be sustained, (2) the tax position, amount, and/or timing is ultimately settled through
negotiation or litigation, or (3) the statute of limitations for the tax position has expired. Settlement of any particular issue would
usually require the use of cash.
Tax law requires items to be included in the tax return at different times than when these items are reflected in the consolidated
financial statements. As a result, the annual effective tax rate reflected in our consolidated financial statements is different from that
reported in our tax return (our cash tax rate). Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible in
our tax return, and some differences reverse over time, such as depreciation expense. These timing differences create deferred tax
assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial reporting
and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The tax rates used to determine deferred tax assets or liabilities are the enacted tax rates in
effect for the year and manner in which the differences are expected to reverse. Based on the evaluation of all available information,
the Company recognizes future tax benefits, such as net operating loss carryforwards, to the extent that realizing these benefits is
considered more likely than not.
We evaluate our ability to realize the tax benefits associated with deferred tax assets by analyzing our forecasted taxable income using
both historical and projected future operating results; the reversal of existing taxable temporary differences; taxable income in prior
carryback years (if permitted); and the availability of tax planning strategies. A valuation allowance is required to be established
unless management determines that it is more likely than not that the Company will ultimately realize the tax benefit associated with
a deferred tax asset. As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s valuation allowances on deferred tax assets were $501 million and
were primarily related to uncertainties regarding the future realization of recorded tax benefits on tax loss carryforwards generated in
various jurisdictions. Current evidence does not suggest we will realize sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character within
the carryforward period to allow us to realize these deferred tax benefits. If we were to identify and implement tax planning strategies
to recover these deferred tax assets or generate sufficient income of the appropriate character in these jurisdictions in the future, it
could lead to the reversal of these valuation allowances and a reduction of income tax expense. The Company believes it will generate
sufficient future taxable income to realize the tax benefits related to the remaining net deferred tax assets in our consolidated
balance sheet.
The Company does not record a U.S. deferred tax liability for the excess of the book basis over the tax basis of its investments in
foreign subsidiaries to the extent that the basis difference results from earnings that meet the indefinite reversal criteria. These criteria
are met if the foreign subsidiary has invested, or will invest, the undistributed earnings indefinitely. The decision as to the amount
of undistributed earnings that the Company intends to maintain in non-U.S. subsidiaries takes into account items including, but not
limited to, forecasts and budgets of financial needs of cash for working capital, liquidity plans, capital improvement programs, merger
and acquisition plans, and planned loans to other non-U.S. subsidiaries. The Company also evaluates its expected cash requirements
in the United States. Other factors that can influence that determination are local restrictions on remittances (for example, in some
countries a central bank application and approval are required in order for the Company’s local country subsidiary to pay a dividend),
economic stability and asset risk. Refer to Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Tax Reform Act was signed into law on December 22, 2017. Among other things, the Tax Reform Act reduces the U.S. federal
corporate tax rate from 35.0 percent to 21.0 percent effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, transitions the U.S.
method of taxation from a worldwide tax system to a modified territorial system and requires companies to pay a one-time transition
tax over a period of eight years on the mandatory deemed repatriation of prescribed foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017. At
December 31, 2017, we have not yet finalized the calculations of the tax effects of the Tax Reform Act; however, we have calculated
a reasonable estimate of the effects on our year end income tax provision in accordance with our current understanding of the Tax
Reform Act and the available guidance. As a result, the Company recognized a net provisional tax charge in the amount of $3.6 billion
in 2017, which is included as a component of income taxes from continuing operations on our consolidated statement of income. We will
continue to refine our calculations as additional analysis is completed. In addition, our estimates may also be affected as we gain a more
thorough understanding of the Tax Reform Act as a result of potential legislative or regulatory provisions or interpretive guidance.
The one-time transition tax is based on our total accumulated post-1986 prescribed foreign earnings and profits (“E&P”)
estimated to be $42 billion, the majority of which was previously considered to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no
U.S. federal and state income taxes had been provided. We recorded a provisional tax amount of $4.6 billion as a reasonable
estimate for our one-time transition tax liability and a $0.6 billion provisional deferred tax for the related withholding taxes
and state income taxes. Because of the complexities of the Tax Reform Act, we are still finalizing our calculation of the total
accumulated post-1986 prescribed E&P for the applicable foreign entities. Further, the transition tax is based in part on the
amount of those earnings held in cash and other specified assets. This amount may change when we finalize the calculation of
post-1986 prescribed foreign E&P and finalize the amounts held in cash or other specified assets. No additional income taxes
have been provided for any additional outside basis differences inherent in these entities, as these amounts continue to be
provisionally indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability
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related to any additional outside basis differences in these entities (i.e., basis differences in excess of that subject to the one-time
transition tax) is not practicable. We also remeasured and adjusted certain deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the rates at
which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally 21.0 percent. However, we are still analyzing certain aspects of
the Tax Reform Act and refining our calculations, which could affect the measurement of these balances or give rise to new deferred
tax amounts. The provisional amount recorded related to the remeasurement and adjustments of our deferred tax balance was a tax
benefit of $1.6 billion.
On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) was issued to address the application of U.S. GAAP in
situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in
reasonable detail to finalize the calculations for certain income tax effects of the Tax Reform Act. In accordance with SAB 118, the
Company has determined that the net tax charge of $3.6 billion recorded in connection with the Tax Reform Act is a provisional
amount and a reasonable estimate as of December 31, 2017. Additional work is necessary to finalize the calculations for certain income
tax effects of the Tax Reform Act. Additionally, certain of our equity method investees are impacted by the Tax Reform Act and have
recorded provisional tax amounts. To the extent their provisional amounts are refined in 2018, we will record our proportionate share
in the line item equity income (loss) — net in our consolidated statement of income.
The Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) provisions of the Tax Reform Act require the Company to include in its U.S.
income tax return foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of an allowable return on the foreign subsidiary’s tangible assets. The Company
has not yet elected an accounting policy related to how it will account for GILTI and therefore has not provided any deferred tax
impacts of GILTI in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.
The Company’s effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 21.0 percent in 2018. This estimated tax rate does not reflect the
potential impact of further clarification of certain matters related to the Tax Reform Act and any unusual or special items that may
affect our tax rate in 2018.
Operations Review
Our organizational structure as of December 31, 2017 consisted of the following operating segments: Europe, Middle East and Africa;
Latin America; North America; Asia Pacific; Bottling Investments; and Corporate. For further information regarding our operating
segments, refer to Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Structural Changes, Acquired Brands and Newly Licensed Brands
In order to continually improve upon the Company’s operating performance, from time to time, we engage in buying and selling
ownership interests in bottling partners and other manufacturing operations. In addition, we also acquire brands or enter into license
agreements for certain brands to supplement our beverage offerings. These items impact our operating results and certain key metrics
used by management in assessing the Company’s performance.
Unit case volume growth is a metric used by management to evaluate the Company’s performance because it measures demand for
our products at the consumer level. The Company’s unit case volume represents the number of unit cases (or unit case equivalents) of
Company beverage products directly or indirectly sold by the Company and its bottling partners to customers and, therefore, reflects
unit case volume for both consolidated and unconsolidated bottlers. Refer to the heading “Beverage Volume” below.
Concentrate sales volume represents the amount of concentrates, syrups, beverage bases, source waters, and powders/minerals (in all
instances expressed in equivalent unit cases) sold by, or used in finished products sold by, the Company to its bottling partners or other
customers. Refer to the heading “Beverage Volume” below.
Our Bottling Investments operating segment and our other finished product operations typically generate net operating
revenues by selling sparkling soft drinks and a variety of other beverages, such as juices, juice drinks, sports drinks, waters,
teas and coffees, to retailers or to distributors, wholesalers and bottling partners who distribute them to retailers. In addition,
in the United States, we manufacture fountain syrups and sell them to fountain retailers such as restaurants and convenience
stores who use the fountain syrups to produce beverages for immediate consumption, or to authorized fountain wholesalers
or bottling partners who resell the fountain syrups to fountain retailers. For these consolidated finished product operations,
we recognize the associated concentrate sales volume at the time the unit case or unit case equivalent is sold to the customer.
Our concentrate operations typically generate net operating revenues by selling concentrates and syrups to authorized bottling
operations. For these concentrate operations, we recognize concentrate revenue and concentrate sales volume when we sell
concentrate and syrups to the authorized unconsolidated bottling operations, and we typically report unit case volume when
finished products manufactured from the concentrates and syrups are sold to the customer. When we analyze our net operating
revenues we generally consider the following four factors: (1) volume growth (concentrate sales volume or unit case volume,
42
as appropriate), (2) acquisitions and divestitures (including structural changes defined below), as applicable, (3) changes in price,
product and geographic mix and (4) foreign currency fluctuations. Refer to the heading “Net Operating Revenues” below.
We generally refer to acquisitions and divestitures of bottling and distribution operations and consolidation or deconsolidation of
bottling and distribution entities for accounting purposes as structural changes, which are a component of acquisitions and divestitures
(“structural changes”). Typically, structural changes do not impact the Company’s unit case volume on a consolidated basis or at the
geographic operating segment level. We recognize unit case volume for all sales of Company beverage products regardless of our
ownership interest in the bottling partner, if any. However, the unit case volume reported by our Bottling Investments operating
segment is generally impacted by structural changes because it only includes the unit case volume of our consolidated bottling
operations. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Company’s acquisitions
and divestitures.
“Acquired brands” refers to brands acquired during the past 12 months. Typically, the Company has not reported unit case volume or
recognized concentrate sales volume related to acquired brands in periods prior to the closing of a transaction. Therefore, the unit
case volume and concentrate sales volume from the sale of these brands is incremental to prior year volume. We do not generally
consider acquired brands to be structural changes.
“Licensed brands” refers to brands not owned by the Company, but for which we hold certain rights, generally including, but not
limited to, distribution rights, and from which we derive an economic benefit when these brands are ultimately sold. Typically, the
Company has not reported unit case volume or recognized concentrate sales volume related to these brands in periods prior to the
beginning of the term of a license agreement. Therefore, in the year that the licenses are entered into, the unit case volume and
concentrate sales volume from the sale of these brands is incremental to prior year volume. We do not generally consider newly
licensed brands to be structural changes.
In 2017, ABI’s controlling interest in CCBA was transitioned to the Company, resulting in its consolidation. The results of CCBA have
been recorded as discontinued operations. The impact of this transaction has been included as a structural change in our analysis of
net operating revenues on a consolidated basis as well as for the Europe, Middle East and Africa operating segment.
Also in 2017, the Company refranchised its bottling operations in China to the two local franchise bottlers. The impact of these
refranchising activities has been included as a structural change in our analysis of net operating revenues on a consolidated basis as
well as for our Asia Pacific and Bottling Investments operating segments.
Throughout 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company refranchised bottling territories in North America that were previously managed by
CCR to certain of our unconsolidated bottling partners. The impact of these refranchising activities has been included as a structural
change in our analysis of net operating revenues on a consolidated basis as well as for our North America and Bottling Investments
operating segments. In addition, for non-Company-owned and licensed beverage products sold in the refranchised territories for
which the Company no longer reports unit case volume, we have eliminated the unit case volume from the applicable base year when
calculating volume growth rates on a consolidated basis as well as for the North America and Bottling Investments operating segments.
During 2016, the Company deconsolidated its South African bottling operations and disposed of its related equity method investment
in exchange for equity method investments in CCBA and CCBA’s South African subsidiary. As part of the transaction, the Company
also acquired and licensed several brands. The impacts of the deconsolidation, the disposal of the related equity method investment
and the new equity method investments have been included as a structural change in our analysis of net operating revenues on a
consolidated basis as well as for our Europe, Middle East and Africa and Bottling Investments operating segments. The brands and
licenses that the Company acquired impacted the Company’s unit case volume and concentrate sales volume and therefore, in addition
to being included as a structural change, they are also considered acquired brands.
During 2016, the Company also deconsolidated our German bottling operations as a result of their being combined to create CCEP.
As a result of the transaction, the Company now owns an equity method investment in CCEP. Accordingly, the impact of the
deconsolidation and new equity method investment has been included as a structural change in our analysis of net operating revenues
on a consolidated basis as well as for our Europe, Middle East and Africa and Bottling Investments operating segments. The Company
also changed our funding arrangement with our bottling partners in China, which resulted in a reduction in net operating revenues
with an offsetting reduction in direct marketing expense. The impact of the change in the arrangement has been included as a
structural change in our analysis of net operating revenues on a consolidated basis as well as for our Asia Pacific operating segment.
In 2015, the Company closed a transaction with Monster (“Monster Transaction”), which has been included as a structural
change in our analysis of net operating revenues on a consolidated basis as well as for each of the Company’s operating
segments. This transaction consisted of multiple elements including, but not limited to, the acquisition of Monster’s non-energy
43
brands and the expansion of our distribution territories for Monster’s energy brands. These elements of the transaction impacted the
Company’s unit case volume and concentrate sales volume and therefore, in addition to being included as a structural change, they are
also considered acquired brands.
Also during 2015, the Company acquired a South African bottler, which has been included as a structural change in our analysis of net
operating revenues on a consolidated basis as well as for the Bottling Investments operating segment.
The Company sells concentrates and syrups to both consolidated and unconsolidated bottling partners. The ownership structure of
our bottling partners impacts the timing of recognizing concentrate revenue and concentrate sales volume. When we sell concentrates
or syrups to our consolidated bottling partners, we are not able to recognize the concentrate revenue or concentrate sales volume
until the bottling partner has sold finished products manufactured from the concentrates or syrups to a third party or independent
customer. When we sell concentrates or syrups to our unconsolidated bottling partners, we recognize the concentrate revenue and
concentrate sales volume when the concentrates or syrups are sold to the bottling partner. The subsequent sale of the finished products
manufactured from the concentrates or syrups to a customer does not impact the timing of recognizing the concentrate revenue or
concentrate sales volume. When we account for an unconsolidated bottling partner as an equity method investment, we eliminate the
intercompany profit related to these transactions until the equity method investee has sold finished products manufactured from the
concentrates or syrups to a third party or independent customer.
Beverage Volume
We measure the volume of Company beverage products sold in two ways: (1) unit cases of finished products and (2) concentrate sales.
As used in this report, “unit case” means a unit of measurement equal to 192 U.S. fluid ounces of finished beverage (24 eight-ounce
servings); and “unit case volume” means the number of unit cases (or unit case equivalents) of Company beverage products directly
or indirectly sold by the Company and its bottling partners to customers. Unit case volume primarily consists of beverage products
bearing Company trademarks. Also included in unit case volume are certain products licensed to, or distributed by, our Company, and
brands owned by Coca-Cola system bottlers for which our Company provides marketing support and from the sale of which we derive
economic benefit. In addition, unit case volume includes sales by certain joint ventures in which the Company has an equity interest.
We believe unit case volume is one of the measures of the underlying strength of the Coca-Cola system because it measures trends at
the consumer level. The unit case volume numbers used in this report are derived based on estimates received by the Company from
its bottling partners and distributors. Concentrate sales volume represents the amount of concentrates, syrups, beverage bases, source
waters, and powders/minerals (in all instances expressed in equivalent unit cases) sold by, or used in finished beverages sold by, the
Company to its bottling partners or other customers. Unit case volume and concentrate sales volume growth rates are not necessarily
equal during any given period. Factors such as seasonality, bottlers’ inventory practices, supply point changes, timing of price increases,
new product introductions and changes in product mix can impact unit case volume and concentrate sales volume and can create
differences between unit case volume and concentrate sales volume growth rates. In addition to the items mentioned above, the impact
of unit case volume from certain joint ventures in which the Company has an equity interest but to which the Company does not sell
concentrates, syrups, beverage bases, source waters, or powders/minerals may give rise to differences between unit case volume and
concentrate sales volume growth rates.
44
Information about our volume growth worldwide and by operating segment is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Worldwide
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Latin America
North America
Asia Pacific
Bottling Investments
Percent Change
2017 versus 2016
2016 versus 2015
Unit Cases1,2
—%
1%
(2)
—
1
(41)
Concentrate
Sales
—%
1%3
(3)
24
45
N/A
Unit Cases1,2
1%
1%
(1)
1
2
(16)
Concentrate
Sales
—%6
—%
(1)
26
3
N/A
1 Bottling Investments operating segment data reflects unit case volume growth for consolidated bottlers only.
2 Geographic operating segment data reflects unit case volume growth for all bottlers, both consolidated and unconsolidated, and distributors in the
applicable geographic areas.
3 After considering the impact of structural changes, concentrate sales volume for Europe, Middle East and Africa for the year ended December 31, 2017
grew 2 percent.
4 After considering the impact of structural changes, concentrate sales volume for North America for the year ended December 31, 2017 was even.
5 After considering the impact of structural changes, concentrate sales volume for Asia Pacific for the year ended December 31, 2017 grew 1 percent.
6 After considering the impact of structural changes, concentrate sales volume both worldwide and for North America for the year ended December 31,
2016 grew 1 percent.
Unit Case Volume
The Coca-Cola system sold 29.2 billion, 29.3 billion and 29.2 billion unit cases of our products in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The unit case volume for 2017, 2016 and 2015 reflects the impact of brands acquired and licensed during the applicable year. The unit
case volume for 2017, 2016 and 2015 also reflects the impact of the transfer of distribution rights with respect to non-Company-owned
brands that were previously licensed to us in North American bottling territories that have since been refranchised. The Company
eliminated the unit case volume related to these structural changes from the base year, as applicable, when calculating 2017 versus
2016 and 2016 versus 2015 unit case volume growth rates.
Sparkling soft drinks represented 69 percent, 69 percent and 70 percent of our worldwide unit case volume for 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively. Trademark Coca-Cola accounted for 45 percent, 45 percent and 46 percent of our worldwide unit case volume for 2017,
2016 and 2015, respectively.
In 2017, unit case volume in the United States represented 19 percent of the Company’s worldwide unit case volume. Of the U.S. unit
case volume, 62 percent was attributable to sparkling soft drinks. Trademark Coca-Cola accounted for 43 percent of U.S. unit case
volume.
Unit case volume outside the United States represented 81 percent of the Company’s worldwide unit case volume for 2017. The
countries outside the United States in which our unit case volumes were the largest were Mexico, China, Brazil and Japan, which
together accounted for 31 percent of our worldwide unit case volume. Of the non-U.S. unit case volume, 71 percent was attributable to
sparkling soft drinks. Trademark Coca-Cola accounted for 45 percent of non-U.S. unit case volume.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 versus Year Ended December 31, 2016
In Europe, Middle East and Africa, unit case volume grew 1 percent, reflecting an 8 percent increase in tea and coffee, a 5 percent
increase in water, enhanced water and sports drinks and a 1 percent increase in sparkling soft drinks. These increases were partially
offset by a decrease of 3 percent in juice, dairy and plant-based beverages. The group reported increases in unit case volume in our
Central & Eastern Europe, Turkey, Caucasus & Central Asia, South & East Africa and West Africa business units. The increases in
these business units were partially offset by even results in both our Middle East & North Africa and Western Europe business units.
Unit case volume in Latin America decreased 2 percent, which included declines of 3 percent in sparkling soft drinks and
1 percent in water, enhanced water and sports drinks. The group’s volume reflected declines of 10 percent in the Latin Center
business unit and 6 percent in the Brazil business unit. These declines were partially offset by 1 percent growth in the Mexico
45
business unit, which included 1 percent growth in water, enhanced water and sports drinks, and even performance in sparkling
soft drinks.
In North America, unit case volume was even, reflecting even volume for sparkling soft drinks, a 2 percent decline in water, enhanced
water and sports drinks and growth in energy drinks. North America’s volume performance in sparkling soft drinks included 4 percent
growth in Trademark Sprite and 5 percent growth in Trademark Fanta offset by a 5 percent decline in Diet Coke.
Unit case volume in Asia Pacific increased 1 percent, reflecting a 2 percent increase in both sparkling soft drinks and juice, dairy and
plant-based beverages. The increase in sparkling soft drinks included 4 percent growth in Trademark Coca-Cola. The group’s unit case
volume reflected an increase of 2 percent in both the ASEAN and Greater China & Korea business units and a 1 percent increase in
the India & South West Asia business unit, partially offset by a 2 percent decline in the South Pacific business unit. Unit case volume in
the Japan business unit was even.
Unit case volume for Bottling Investments decreased 41 percent. This decrease primarily reflects the North America refranchising
activities and the refranchising of our China bottling operations.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus Year Ended December 31, 2015
In Europe, Middle East and Africa, unit case volume grew 1 percent, which included even volume in sparkling soft drinks. The
group’s sparkling soft drinks performance included a 1 percent decline in Trademark Coca-Cola, offset by an increase of 4 percent in
Trademark Sprite and an increase of 1 percent in Trademark Fanta. The group had unit case volume growth in water, tea and sports
drinks, while volume for juice and juice drinks declined. The group reported increases in unit case volume in our Western Europe,
Middle East & North Africa, West Africa and South & East Africa business units. The increases in these business units were partially
offset by declines in unit case volume in both our Central & Eastern Europe and Turkey, Caucasus & Central Asia business units.
Unit case volume in Latin America decreased 1 percent, which included a decline of 2 percent in sparkling soft drinks. Unit case
volume growth was reported for water, tea and sports drinks. The group’s volume reflected a decline of 7 percent in both the Brazil
and Latin Center business units and a decline of 3 percent in the South Latin business unit. These declines were partially offset by
unit case volume growth of 5 percent in the Mexico business unit, which reflected 5 percent growth in sparkling soft drinks. Mexico’s
sparkling soft drinks unit case growth was led by 4 percent growth in Trademark Coca-Cola.
In North America, unit case volume grew 1 percent. Sparkling soft drinks volume was even, which included 3 percent growth in
Trademark Sprite and 6 percent growth in Trademark Fanta offset by a 5 percent decline in Diet Coke. The group had unit case growth
in water, sports drinks, juice and juice drinks and dairy. Unit case volume for vitaminwater grew 6 percent.
Unit case volume in Asia Pacific increased 2 percent. Volume for sparkling soft drinks was even, which included 2 percent growth in
Trademark Coca-Cola offset by a 4 percent decline in Trademark Sprite. The group had unit case volume growth in water, teas and
coffee, while volume for juice and juice drinks declined. The group’s unit case volume reflected an increase of 6 percent in the ASEAN
business unit and an increase of 3 percent in both the India & South West Asia and Japan business units. The growth in these business
units was partially offset by a unit case volume decline of 1 percent in the Greater China & Korea business unit.
Unit case volume for Bottling Investments decreased 16 percent. This decrease primarily reflects the deconsolidation of our German
bottling operations in May 2016, a decline in CCR’s unit case volume of 14 percent as well as a decline in China. The decline in CCR’s
unit case volume was primarily driven by North America refranchising activities. The unfavorable impact of these items on the group’s
unit case volume results was partially offset by growth in India and other markets where we own or otherwise consolidate bottling
operations. The Company’s consolidated bottling operations accounted for 33 percent and 67 percent of the unit case volume in China
and India, respectively. CCR accounted for 51 percent of the total bottler-distributed unit case volume in North America.
Concentrate Sales Volume
In 2017, worldwide concentrate sales volume and unit case volume were both even compared to 2016. In 2016, worldwide unit case
sales volume grew 1 percent and concentrate sales volume was even compared to 2015. After considering the impact of structural
changes, concentrate sales volume grew 1 percent during the year ended December 31, 2016. The differences between concentrate
sales volume and unit case volume growth rates for the operating segments were primarily due to the timing of concentrate shipments,
structural changes and the impact of unit case volume from certain joint ventures in which the Company has an equity interest, but to
which the Company does not sell concentrates, syrups, beverage bases or powders.
46
Analysis of Consolidated Statements of Income
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions except percentages and per share data)
NET OPERATING REVENUES
Cost of goods sold
GROSS PROFIT
GROSS PROFIT MARGIN
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Other operating charges
OPERATING INCOME
OPERATING MARGIN
Interest income
Interest expense
Equity income (loss) — net
Other income (loss) — net
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE
INCOME TAXES
Income taxes from continuing operations
Effective tax rate
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes of
$47, $0 and $0, respectively)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREOWNERS OF
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
BASIC NET INCOME PER SHARE1
DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE1
2017
2016
2015
2017 vs. 2016
2016 vs. 2015
Percent Change
$ 35,410
13,256
22,154
$ 41,863
16,465
25,398
$ 44,294
17,482
26,812
62.6%
60.7%
60.5%
(15)%
(19)
(13)
(5)%
(6)
(5)
12,496
2,157
7,501
21.2%
677
841
1,071
(1,666)
6,742
5,560
82.5%
1,182
101
1,283
35
15,262
1,510
8,626
20.6%
642
733
835
(1,234)
8,136
1,586
19.5%
6,550
—
6,550
23
16,427
1,657
8,728
19.7%
613
856
489
631
9,605
2,239
23.3%
7,366
—
7,366
15
(18)
43
(13)
6
15
28
(35)
(17)
251
(82)
*
(80)
55
(7)
(9)
(1)
5
(14)
71
*
(15)
(29)
(11)
*
(11)
45
$ 1,248
0.29
$
0.29
$
$ 6,527
1.51
$
1.49
$
$ 7,351
1.69
$
1.67
$
(81)%
(81)%
(81)%
(11)%
(11)%
(10)%
* Calculation is not meaningful.
1 Calculated based on net income attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company.
47
Net Operating Revenues
Year Ended December 31, 2017 versus Year Ended December 31, 2016
The Company’s net operating revenues decreased $6,453 million, or 15 percent.
The following table illustrates, on a percentage basis, the estimated impact of key factors resulting in the increase (decrease) in net
operating revenues on a consolidated basis and for each of our operating segments:
Consolidated
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Latin America
North America
Asia Pacific
Bottling Investments
Corporate
Note: Certain rows may not add due to rounding.
* Calculation is not meaningful.
Percent Change 2017 vs. 2016
Volume1
Acquisitions &
Divestitures
Price, Product &
Geographic Mix
Currency
Fluctuations
Total
—%
2%
(3)
—
1
(3)
*
(17)%
(2)%
—
2
—
(48)
*
3%
3%
8
3
(1)
4
*
(1)% (15)%
1%
(2)%
5
—
4
—
(2)
(4)
(47)
—
*
*
1 Represents the percent change in net operating revenues attributable to the increase (decrease) in concentrate sales volume for our geographic operating
segments (expressed in equivalent unit cases) after considering the impact of structural changes. For our Bottling Investments operating segment, this
represents the percent change in net operating revenues attributable to the increase (decrease) in unit case volume after considering the impact of
structural changes. Our Bottling Investments operating segment data reflects unit case volume growth for consolidated bottlers only. Refer to the heading
“Beverage Volume” above.
Refer to the heading “Beverage Volume” above for additional information related to changes in our unit case and concentrate
sales volumes.
“Acquisitions and divestitures” refers to acquisitions and divestitures of brands or businesses, some of which the Company considers to
be structural changes. Refer to the heading “Structural Changes, Acquired Brands and Newly Licensed Brands” above for additional
information related to the structural changes.
“Price, product and geographic mix” refers to the change in revenues caused by factors such as price changes, the mix of products and
packages sold, and the mix of channels and geographic territories where the sales occurred.
Price, product and geographic mix had a 3 percent favorable impact on our consolidated net operating revenues. Price, product and
geographic mix was impacted by a variety of factors and events including, but not limited to, the following:
• Europe, Middle East and Africa — favorably impacted as a result of pricing initiatives and product and package mix, partially
offset by geographic mix;
• Latin America — favorable price mix in all four of the segment’s business units and the impact of inflationary environments in
certain markets;
• North America — favorably impacted as a result of pricing initiatives and product and package mix;
• Asia Pacific — unfavorably impacted by geographic mix, partially offset by the favorable impact of pricing initiatives and
product and package mix; and
• Bottling Investments — favorably impacted as a result of pricing initiatives and product and package mix in North America.
Foreign currency fluctuations decreased our consolidated net operating revenues by 1 percent. This unfavorable impact was primarily
due to a stronger U.S. dollar compared to certain foreign currencies, including the U.K. pound sterling, Japanese yen, Argentine
peso and Mexican peso, which had an unfavorable impact on our Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America
operating segments. The unfavorable impact of a stronger U.S. dollar compared to the currencies listed above was partially offset by
the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar compared to certain other foreign currencies, including the euro, South African rand, Australian
dollar and Brazilian real, which had a favorable impact on our Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America
operating segments. Refer to the heading “Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position — Foreign Exchange” below.
48
Net operating revenue growth rates are impacted by sales volume; acquisitions and divestitures; price, product and geographic mix;
and foreign currency fluctuations. The size and timing of acquisitions and divestitures are not consistent from period to period. The
Company currently expects acquisitions and divestitures to have a 17 percent unfavorable impact on full year 2018 net operating
revenues. Based on current spot rates and our hedging coverage in place, we expect currencies will have a slight favorable impact on
our full year 2018 net operating revenues.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus Year Ended December 31, 2015
The Company’s net operating revenues decreased $2,431 million, or 5 percent.
The following table illustrates, on a percentage basis, the estimated impact of key factors resulting in the increase (decrease) in net
operating revenues on a consolidated basis and for each of our operating segments:
Consolidated
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Latin America
North America
Asia Pacific
Bottling Investments
Corporate
Note: Certain rows may not add due to rounding.
* Calculation is not meaningful.
Percent Change 2016 vs. 2015
Volume1
Acquisitions &
Divestitures
Price, Product &
Geographic Mix
Currency
Fluctuations
Total
1%
—%
(1)
1
3
—
*
(6)%
(4)%
—
—
(2)
(13)
*
3%
2%
13
3
(2)
1
*
(3)%
(3)%
(18)
—
1
(1)
*
(5)%
(4)%
(6)
4
1
(14)
*
1 Represents the percent change in net operating revenues attributable to the increase (decrease) in concentrate sales volume for our geographic operating
segments (expressed in equivalent unit cases) after considering the impact of structural changes. For our Bottling Investments operating segment, this
represents the percent change in net operating revenues attributable to the increase (decrease) in unit case volume after considering the impact of
structural changes. Our Bottling Investments operating segment data reflects unit case volume growth for consolidated bottlers only. Refer to the heading
“Beverage Volume” above.
Refer to the heading “Beverage Volume” above for additional information related to changes in our unit case and concentrate
sales volumes.
“Acquisitions and Divestitures” refers to acquisitions and divestitures of brands or businesses, some of which the Company considers to
be structural changes. Refer to the heading “Structural Changes, Acquired Brands and Newly Licensed Brands” above for additional
information related to the structural changes. The acquisitions and divestitures percent change for 2016 versus 2015 in the table above
consisted entirely of structural changes.
Price, product and geographic mix had a 3 percent favorable impact on our consolidated net operating revenues. Price, product and
geographic mix was impacted by a variety of factors and events including, but not limited to, the following:
• Europe, Middle East and Africa — favorable product and geographic mix;
• Latin America — favorable price mix in all four of the segment’s business units and the impact of inflationary environments in
certain markets, partially offset by unfavorable geographic mix;
• North America — favorably impacted as a result of pricing initiatives and product and package mix; and
• Asia Pacific — unfavorable product and channel mix.
Foreign currency fluctuations decreased our consolidated net operating revenues by 3 percent. This unfavorable impact was primarily
due to a stronger U.S. dollar compared to certain foreign currencies, including the South African rand, euro, U.K. pound sterling,
Brazilian real, Argentine peso, Mexican peso and Australian dollar, which had an unfavorable impact on our Europe, Middle East and
Africa, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Bottling Investments operating segments. The unfavorable impact of a stronger U.S. dollar
compared to the currencies listed above was partially offset by the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar compared to certain other foreign
currencies, including the Japanese yen, which had a favorable impact on our Asia Pacific operating segment. Refer to the heading
“Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position — Foreign Exchange” below.
49
Net Operating Revenues by Operating Segment
Information about our net operating revenues by operating segment as a percentage of Company net operating revenues is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Latin America
North America
Asia Pacific
Bottling Investments
Corporate
Total
2017
20.7%
11.2
24.4
13.5
29.8
0.4
2016
2015
16.8% 15.7%
8.9
15.4
11.4
47.2
0.3
9.0
12.6
10.6
51.7
0.4
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
The percentage contribution of each operating segment fluctuates over time due to net operating revenues in certain operating
segments growing at a faster rate compared to other operating segments. Net operating revenue growth rates are impacted by sales
volume; acquisitions and divestitures; price, product and geographic mix; and foreign currency fluctuations. For additional information
about the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, refer to the heading “Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position —
Foreign Exchange” below and for additional information about acquisitions and divestitures, refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Gross Profit Margin
As a result of our finished goods operations, which are primarily included in our North America and Bottling Investments operating
segments, the following inputs represent a substantial portion of the Company’s total cost of goods sold: (1) sweeteners, (2) metals,
(3) juices and (4) PET. The Company enters into hedging activities related to certain commodities in order to mitigate a portion of
the price risk associated with forecasted purchases. Many of the derivative financial instruments used by the Company to mitigate the
risk associated with these commodity exposures, including any related foreign currency exposure, do not qualify for hedge accounting.
As a result, the changes in fair value of these derivative instruments have been, and will continue to be, included as a component
of net income in each reporting period. The Company recorded gains related to these derivatives of $14 million and $79 million
during the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and recorded a loss of $206 million during the year
ended December 31, 2015 in the line item cost of goods sold in our consolidated statements of income. Refer to Note 5 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements. We do not currently expect changes in commodity costs to have a significant impact on our 2018
gross profit margin as compared to 2017.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 versus Year Ended December 31, 2016
Our gross profit margin increased to 62.6 percent in 2017 from 60.7 percent in 2016. The increase was primarily due to the impact of
acquisitions and divestitures, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Refer to Note 2
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to acquisitions and divestitures.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus Year Ended December 31, 2015
Our gross profit margin increased to 60.7 percent in 2016 from 60.5 percent in 2015. The increase was primarily due to the impact of
positive price mix and lower commodity costs, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations
and acquisitions and divestitures. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to
acquisitions and divestitures.
50
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
The following table sets forth the significant components of selling, general and administrative expenses (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Stock-based compensation expense
Advertising expenses
Selling and distribution expenses1
Other operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
2017
219
3,958
3,257
5,062
$
2016
258
4,004
5,177
5,823
$
2015
236
3,976
6,025
6,190
$ 12,496
$ 15,262
$ 16,427
1 Includes operating expenses as well as general and administrative expenses primarily related to our Bottling Investments operating segment.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 versus Year Ended December 31, 2016
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $2,766 million, or 18 percent. During the year ended December 31, 2017,
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates had a nominal impact on selling, general and administrative expenses. The decrease
in selling and distribution expenses and advertising expenses during 2017 reflects the impact of divestitures. Additionally, advertising
expenses during 2017 decreased 1 percent as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The decrease in other operating
expenses during 2017 reflects savings from our productivity and reinvestment initiatives and a reduction in net periodic benefit cost.
Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations have a more significant impact on both advertising and other operating expenses as
compared to our selling and distribution expenses since they are generally transacted in local currency. Our selling and distribution
expenses are primarily related to our Company-owned bottling operations, of which the majority of expenses are attributable to
CCR and are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
information related to divestitures.
As of December 31, 2017, we had $286 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based
compensation arrangements granted under our plans. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of
3.0 years as stock-based compensation expense. This expected cost does not include the impact of any future stock-based
compensation awards. Refer to Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus Year Ended December 31, 2015
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1,165 million, or 7 percent. During the year ended December 31, 2016,
fluctuations in foreign currency decreased selling, general and administrative expenses by 2 percent. The increase in advertising
expenses reflects the Company’s increased investments to strengthen our brands, partially offset by a foreign currency exchange impact
of 3 percent. The decrease in selling and distribution expenses reflects the impact of divestitures. The decrease in other operating
expenses reflects the shift of the Company’s marketing spending to more consumer-facing advertising expenses as well as savings from
our productivity and reinvestment initiatives. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations have a more significant impact on both
advertising and other operating expenses as compared to our selling and distribution expenses since they are generally transacted in
local currency. Our selling and distribution expenses are primarily related to our Company-owned bottling operations, of which the
majority of expenses are attributable to CCR and are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for additional information related to divestitures.
51
Other Operating Charges
Other operating charges incurred by operating segment were as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Latin America
North America
Asia Pacific
Bottling Investments
Corporate
Total
$
2017
26
7
241
10
1,218
655
$
2016
32
74
134
1
900
369
$
2015
(9)
40
141
3
600
882
$ 2,157
$ 1,510
$ 1,657
In 2017, the Company recorded other operating charges of $2,157 million. These charges primarily consisted of $737 million of CCR
asset impairments and $650 million related to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program. In addition, other operating
charges included $419 million related to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations. These costs include, among
other items, internal and external costs for individuals directly working on the refranchising efforts, severance, pension settlement
charges and costs associated with the implementation of information technology systems to facilitate consistent data standards and
availability throughout our bottling systems. Other operating charges also included $225 million related to a cash contribution we
made to The Coca-Cola Foundation, $67 million related to tax litigation expense, $34 million related to impairments of Venezuelan
intangible assets and $19 million related to noncapitalizable transaction costs associated with pending and closed transactions. Refer
to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about the Venezuelan intangible assets. Refer to
Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the refranchising of our bottling operations. Refer
to Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information on how the Company determined the asset impairment
charges. Refer to Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Company’s productivity,
integration and restructuring initiatives. Refer to Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact these charges
had on our operating segments.
In 2016, the Company recorded other operating charges of $1,510 million. These charges primarily consisted of $352 million due to
the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program and $240 million due to the integration of our German bottling operations.
In addition, the Company recorded charges of $415 million related to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations.
These costs include, among other items, internal and external costs for individuals directly working on the refranchising efforts,
severance, pension settlement charges and costs associated with the implementation of information technology systems to facilitate
consistent data standards and availability throughout our bottling systems. The Company also recorded a charge of $200 million
related to cash contributions we made to The Coca-Cola Foundation, a charge of $76 million due to the write-down we recorded
related to our receivables from our bottling partner in Venezuela as a result of changes in exchange rates and charges of $41 million
related to noncapitalizable transaction costs associated with pending and closed transactions. Refer to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for additional information on the Venezuelan exchange rates. Refer to Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for additional information on the Company’s productivity, integration and restructuring initiatives. Refer to
Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact these charges had on our operating segments.
In 2015, the Company incurred other operating charges of $1,657 million. These charges included $691 million due to the Company’s
productivity and reinvestment program and $292 million due to the integration of our German bottling operations. In addition, the
Company recorded impairment charges of $418 million primarily due to the discontinuation of the energy products in the glacéau
portfolio as a result of the Monster Transaction and incurred a charge of $100 million due to a cash contribution we made to The
Coca-Cola Foundation. The Company also incurred a charge of $111 million due to the write-down we recorded related to receivables
from our bottling partner in Venezuela and an impairment of a Venezuelan trademark primarily due to changes in exchange rates as a
result of the establishment of the new open market exchange system. Refer to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
for additional information on the Venezuelan currency change. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
additional information on the Monster Transaction. Refer to Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
information on the Company’s productivity, integration and restructuring initiatives. Refer to Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for the impact these charges had on our operating segments.
Productivity and Reinvestment Program
In February 2012, the Company announced a productivity and reinvestment program designed to further enable our efforts to
strengthen our brands and reinvest our resources to drive long-term profitable growth. This program is focused on the following
52
initiatives: global supply chain optimization; global marketing and innovation effectiveness; operating expense leverage and
operational excellence; data and information technology systems standardization; and the integration of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.’s
(“Old CCE”) former North America bottling operations.
In February 2014, the Company announced the expansion of our productivity and reinvestment program to drive incremental
productivity that will primarily be redirected into increased media investments. Our incremental productivity goal consists of two
relatively equal components. First, we will expand savings through global supply chain optimization, data and information technology
systems standardization, and resource and cost reallocation. Second, we will increase the effectiveness of our marketing investments
by transforming our marketing and commercial model to redeploy resources into more consumer-facing marketing investments to
accelerate growth.
In October 2014, the Company announced that we were further expanding our productivity and reinvestment program and extending
it through 2019. The expansion of the productivity initiatives will focus on four key areas: restructuring the Company’s global supply
chain; implementing zero-based work, an evolution of zero-based budget principles, across the organization; streamlining and
simplifying the Company’s operating model; and further driving increased discipline and efficiency in direct marketing investments.
The Company expects that the expanded productivity initiatives will generate an incremental $2.0 billion in annualized productivity.
This productivity will enable the Company to fund marketing initiatives and innovation required to deliver sustainable net revenue
growth and will also support margin expansion and increased returns on invested capital over time. We expect to achieve total
annualized productivity of approximately $3.0 billion by 2019 as a result of initiatives implemented under the 2014 expansions of
the program.
In April 2017, the Company announced that we were expanding the current productivity and reinvestment program, with planned
initiatives that are expected to generate an incremental $800 million in annualized savings by 2019. We expect to achieve these savings
through additional efficiencies in both our supply chain and our marketing expenditures as well as the transition to a new, more agile
operating model to enable growth. Under this operating model, our business units will be supported by an expanded enabling services
organization and a corporate center focused on a few strategic initiatives, policy and governance. The expanded enabling services
organization will focus on both simplifying and standardizing key transactional processes and providing support to business units
through global centers of excellence. The Company has incurred total pretax expenses of $3,058 million related to this program since it
began in 2012. Refer to Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Integration of Our German Bottling Operations
In 2008, the Company began the integration of our German bottling operations acquired in 2007. The Company incurred total pretax
expenses of $1,367 million as a result of this initiative, primarily related to involuntary terminations. During the year ended
December 31, 2016, the Company deconsolidated our German bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 and Note 18 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Operating Income and Operating Margin
Information about our operating income contribution by operating segment on a percentage basis is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Latin America
North America
Asia Pacific
Bottling Investments
Corporate
Total
2017
48.6%
29.5
34.4
28.8
(14.9)
(26.4)
2016
2015
42.6%
22.6
30.0
25.8
(1.6)
(19.4)
44.4%
24.9
27.1
25.1
1.4
(22.9)
100.0%
100.0% 100.0%
53
Information about our operating margin on a consolidated basis and by operating segment is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Consolidated
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Latin America
North America
Asia Pacific
Bottling Investments
Corporate
* Calculation is not meaningful.
2015
2017
2016
21.2% 20.6% 19.7%
49.7% 52.4% 55.6%
56.0
52.1
29.8
40.1
45.4
46.5
(10.6)
(0.7)
*
*
54.3
42.4
46.5
0.5
*
Year Ended December 31, 2017 versus Year Ended December 31, 2016
In 2017, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted consolidated operating income by 3 percent due to a
stronger U.S. dollar compared to certain foreign currencies, including the U.K. pound sterling, Japanese yen, Argentine peso and
Mexican peso, which had an unfavorable impact on our Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America operating
segments. The unfavorable impact of a stronger U.S. dollar compared to the currencies listed above was partially offset by the impact
of a weaker U.S. dollar compared to certain other foreign currencies, including the euro, South African rand, Australian dollar
and Brazilian real, which had a favorable impact on our Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America operating
segments. Refer to the heading “Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position — Foreign Exchange” below.
Operating income for Europe, Middle East and Africa for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $3,646 million and
$3,676 million, respectively. Operating income for the segment reflects an unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate impact of
3 percent, partially offset by favorable price, product and geographic mix.
Operating income for the Latin America segment for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $2,214 million and
$1,951 million, respectively. Operating income for the segment reflects favorable price mix, a reduction in other operating charges and
a nominal impact from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
North America’s operating income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $2,578 million and $2,582 million,
respectively. The decrease in the segment’s operating income was due to higher other operating charges and an unfavorable foreign
currency exchange rate impact of 1 percent, partially offset by favorable price and product and package mix.
Operating income for Asia Pacific for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $2,163 million and $2,224 million, respectively.
The decline in operating income for the segment reflects an unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate impact of 6 percent and
unfavorable price, product and geographic mix.
Our Bottling Investments segment’s operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $1,117 million, compared to an
operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 of $137 million. The Bottling Investments segment was unfavorably impacted by
acquisitions and divestitures and $737 million of asset impairment charges related to CCR.
The Corporate segment’s operating loss for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $1,983 million and $1,670 million,
respectively. The operating loss in 2017 was unfavorably impacted by higher other operating charges.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus Year Ended December 31, 2015
During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s operating income was unfavorably impacted by the refranchising
of certain bottling territories in North America, which unfavorably impacted our Bottling Investments operating segment. During
the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company’s operating income was unfavorably impacted by the sale of the Company’s energy
brands as part of the Monster Transaction which closed on June 12, 2015. The sale of the energy brands unfavorably impacted our
Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific and Bottling Investments operating segments. Refer to
Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the North America refranchising and the Monster
Transaction.
In 2016, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted consolidated operating income by 8 percent due
to a stronger U.S. dollar compared to certain foreign currencies, including the South African rand, euro, U.K. pound sterling,
Brazilian real, Argentine peso, Mexican peso and Australian dollar, which had an unfavorable impact on our Europe, Middle East
and Africa, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Bottling Investments and Corporate operating segments. The unfavorable impact
54
of a stronger U.S. dollar compared to the currencies listed above was partially offset by the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar compared
to certain other foreign currencies, including the Japanese yen, which had a favorable impact on our Asia Pacific operating segment.
Refer to the heading “Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position — Foreign Exchange” below.
Operating income for Europe, Middle East and Africa for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $3,676 million and
$3,875 million, respectively. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations unfavorably impacted operating income by 3 percent and the
segment was also unfavorably impacted by an increase in other operating charges and the impact of acquisitions and divestitures. The
impact of these items was partially offset by favorable product mix and geographic mix.
Operating income for the Latin America segment for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $1,951 million and
$2,169 million, respectively. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations unfavorably impacted operating income by 27 percent and
the segment was also unfavorably impacted by an increase in other operating charges. The impact of these items was partially offset by
favorable price mix in all of the segment’s business units.
North America’s operating income for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $2,582 million and $2,366 million,
respectively. The increase in the segment’s operating income was due to price increases and favorable package mix and a decrease in
other operating charges, partially offset by the impact of acquisitions and divestitures.
Operating income in Asia Pacific for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $2,224 million and $2,189 million, respectively.
Operating income for the segment reflects an increase in concentrate sales partially offset by the unfavorable impact of acquisitions
and divestitures.
Our Bottling Investments segment’s operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $137 million, compared to operating
income for the year ended December 31, 2015 of $124 million. The Bottling Investments segment was unfavorably impacted by an
increase in other operating charges and the impact of acquisitions and divestitures, partially offset by a favorable impact of 1 percent
due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
The Corporate segment’s operating loss for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $1,670 million and $1,995 million,
respectively. Operating loss in 2016 was favorably impacted by a decrease in other operating charges, partially offset by an unfavorable
impact of 2 percent due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Interest Income
Year Ended December 31, 2017 versus Year Ended December 31, 2016
Interest income was $677 million in 2017, compared to $642 million in 2016, an increase of $35 million, or 6 percent. The increase
primarily reflects higher investment balances in certain of our international locations, partially offset by lower interest rates earned on
certain investments.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus Year Ended December 31, 2015
Interest income was $642 million in 2016, compared to $613 million in 2015, an increase of $29 million, or 5 percent. The increase
primarily reflects higher cash balances and higher average interest rates in certain of our international locations, partially offset by the
unfavorable impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates due to a stronger U.S. dollar against most major currencies.
Interest Expense
Year Ended December 31, 2017 versus Year Ended December 31, 2016
Interest expense was $841 million in 2017, compared to $733 million in 2016, an increase of $108 million, or 15 percent. The increase
primarily reflects the impact of short-term U.S. interest rates and longer debt maturities, both of which resulted in higher interest rates
on the Company’s debt portfolio. Additionally, interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2017 included a net charge of
$38 million due to the early extinguishment of certain long-term debt. This net charge included the difference between the
reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the debt extinguished. Refer to the heading “Liquidity, Capital Resources and
Financial Position — Cash Flows from Financing Activities — Debt Financing” below and Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for additional information related to the Company’s long-term debt.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus Year Ended December 31, 2015
Interest expense was $733 million in 2016, compared to $856 million in 2015, a decrease of $123 million, or 14 percent.
Interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2016 included the impact of recently issued long-term debt and interest
rate swaps on our fixed-rate debt. Interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2015 included charges of $320 million
the Company recorded on the early extinguishment of certain long-term debt. These charges included the difference between
the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the debt extinguished, including the impact of the related fair value
55
hedging relationship. Refer to Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the
Company’s hedging program. Refer to the heading “Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position — Cash Flows from Financing
Activities — Debt Financing” below and Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to
the Company’s long-term debt.
Equity Income (Loss) — Net
Year Ended December 31, 2017 versus Year Ended December 31, 2016
Equity income (loss) — net represents our Company’s proportionate share of net income or loss from each of our equity method
investees. In 2017, equity income was $1,071 million, compared to equity income of $835 million in 2016, an increase of $236 million,
or 28 percent. This increase reflects, among other items, more favorable operating results reported by several of our equity method
investees. Additionally, the increase was attributable to the impact of the equity investment in CCEP acquired in 2016 and the impact
of the equity investment in AC Bebidas, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“AC Bebidas”) that was acquired in 2017. The favorable impact of these
items was partially offset by the derecognition of the Company’s former equity method investment in South Africa in 2016. Refer
to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our investment in AC Bebidas and former
investments in CCBA and CCBA’s South African subsidiary.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus Year Ended December 31, 2015
In 2016, equity income was $835 million, compared to equity income of $489 million in 2015, an increase of $346 million, or 71 percent.
This increase reflects, among other items, more favorable operating results reported by several of our equity method investees, the
impact of the June 2015 investment in Monster, as well as our investments in CCEP, CCBA and CCBA’s South African subsidiary,
which were acquired in 2016. The favorable impact of these items was partially offset by the unfavorable impact of fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates due to a stronger U.S. dollar against most major currencies and the derecognition of the Company’s
former equity method investment in South Africa. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
information on the Monster Transaction and our investments in CCEP, CCBA and CCBA’s South African subsidiary.
Other Income (Loss) — Net
Other income (loss) — net includes, among other things, the impact of foreign currency exchange gains and losses; dividend
income; rental income; gains and losses related to the disposal of property, plant and equipment; gains and losses related to business
combinations and disposals; realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities; realized gains and losses on available-for-
sale securities; and other-than-temporary impairments of available-for-sale securities. The foreign currency exchange gains and losses
are primarily the result of the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities from certain currencies into functional currencies.
The effects of the remeasurement of these assets and liabilities are partially offset by the impact of our economic hedging program for
certain exposures on our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
In 2017, other income (loss) — net was a loss of $1,666 million. The Company recognized a net charge of $2,140 million due to the
refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America and charges of $313 million primarily related to payments made to
convert the bottling agreements for certain North America bottling partners’ territories to a single form of CBA with additional
requirements. The Company also recorded an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $50 million related to one of our
international equity method investees, primarily driven by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Additionally, the Company
incurred a charge of $26 million related to our former German bottling operations. These charges were partially offset by a gain
of $445 million related to the integration of Coca-Cola West Co., Ltd. (“CCW”) and Coca-Cola East Japan Co., Ltd. (“CCEJ”) to
establish Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. (“CCBJI”). In exchange for our previously existing equity interests in CCW and CCEJ, we
received an approximate 17 percent equity interest in CCBJI. The Company also recognized a gain of $150 million related to the
remeasurement of our previously held equity interests in CCBA and its South African subsidiary to fair value upon consolidation
of CCBA. Additionally, the Company recognized a gain of $88 million related to the refranchising of our China bottling operations
and related cost method investment and a gain of $25 million as a result of Coca-Cola FEMSA, an equity method investee, issuing
additional shares of its stock during the period at a per share amount greater than the carrying value of the Company’s per share
investment. Other income (loss) — net also included net gains of $88 million related to trading securities and the sale of available-
for-sale securities and $71 million of dividend income, partially offset by net foreign currency exchange losses of $57 million. Refer
to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the North America and China bottling
refranchising, the conversion payments and our consolidation of CCBA. Refer to Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for the impact these items had on our operating segments.
In 2016, other income (loss) — net was a loss of $1,234 million. This loss included losses of $2,456 million due to the
refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America and a loss of $21 million due to the deconsolidation of our South
African bottling operations and disposal of the related equity method investment in exchange for investments in CCBA and
56
CCBA’s South African subsidiary. The Company incurred charges of $31 million related to payments made to convert the bottling
agreements for certain North America bottling partners’ territories to a single form of CBA with additional requirements.
Additionally, the Company incurred net foreign currency exchange losses of $246 million, including a charge of $72 million as a result
of remeasuring its net monetary assets denominated in Egyptian pounds. The Egyptian pound devalued as a result of the central bank
allowing its currency, which was previously pegged to the U.S. dollar, to float freely. These losses were partially offset by a gain of
$1,323 million due to the deconsolidation of our German bottling operations, dividend income of $55 million and net gains of
$83 million related to trading securities and the sale of available-for-sale securities. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for additional information on the North America refranchising, the deconsolidation of our South African bottling
operations, the conversion payments and the deconsolidation of our German bottling operations. Refer to Note 19 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact these items had on our operating segments.
In 2015, other income (loss) — net was income of $631 million. This income included a net gain of $1,403 million as a result of the
Monster Transaction, primarily due to the difference in the recorded carrying value of the assets transferred, including an allocated
portion of goodwill, compared to the value of the total assets and business acquired. Other income (loss) — net also included net
foreign currency exchange gains of $149 million and dividend income of $83 million. This income was partially offset by losses of
$1,006 million due to refranchising activities in North America. The net foreign currency exchange gains included a gain of
$300 million associated with our foreign-denominated debt partially offset by a charge of $27 million due to the initial remeasurement
of the net monetary assets of our Venezuelan subsidiary using the SIMADI exchange rate. The Company determined that based on its
economic circumstances, the SIMADI rate best represented the applicable rate at which future transactions could be settled, including
the payment of dividends. As such, the Company remeasured the net assets related to its operations in Venezuela using the current
SIMADI rate. Refer to the heading “Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position — Foreign Exchange” below and Note 1
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the charge due to the change in Venezuelan
exchange rates. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the Monster
Transaction and North America refranchising. Refer to Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact these
items had on our operating segments.
Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate reflects the tax benefits of having significant operations outside the United States, which are generally taxed
at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0 percent. As a result of employment actions and capital investments made by the
Company, certain tax jurisdictions provide income tax incentive grants, including Brazil, Costa Rica, Singapore and Swaziland. The
terms of these grants expire from 2018 to 2036. We anticipate that we will be able to extend or renew the grants in these locations.
Tax incentive grants favorably impacted our income tax expense by $221 million, $105 million and $223 million for the years ended
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In addition, our effective tax rate reflects the benefits of having significant earnings
generated in investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting, which are generally taxed at rates lower than the U.S.
statutory rate.
57
A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal tax rate and our effective tax rate is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Statutory U.S. federal tax rate
State and local income taxes — net of federal benefit
Earnings in jurisdictions taxed at rates different from the statutory U.S. federal rate
Equity income or loss
Tax Reform Act
Other — net
Effective tax rate
2015
2017
2016
35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
1.2
1.2
(9.7)
(17.5)5
(3.4)
(3.0)
53.51
—
5.92,3,4
3.86
82.5% 19.5% 23.3%
1.2
(12.7)
(1.7)
—
1.5
1 Includes net tax expense of $3,610 million primarily related to our reasonable estimate of the one-time transition tax resulting from the Tax Reform Act that
was signed into law on December 22, 2017, partially offset by the impact of the lower rate introduced by the Tax Reform Act on our existing deferred tax
balances. Refer to Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
2 Includes excess tax benefits of $132 million (or a 2 percent impact on our effective tax rate) recognized as awards issued under the Company’s share-based
compensation arrangements vested or were settled.
3 Includes net tax expense of $1,048 million on a pretax gain of $1,037 million (or a 10.2 percent impact on our effective tax rate) related to the refranchising of
CCR’s Southwest operating unit (“Southwest Transaction”), in conjunction with which we obtained an equity interest in AC Bebidas. The Company accounts
for its interest in AC Bebidas as an equity method investment and the net tax expense was primarily the result of the deferred tax recorded on the basis
difference in this investment. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
4 Includes a $156 million net tax benefit related to the impact of manufacturing incentives and permanent book-to-tax adjustments.
5 Includes tax expense of $97 million related to a pretax gain of $1,323 million (or a 4.5 percent impact on our effective tax rate) related to the deconsolidation of
our German bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
6 Includes tax expense of $157 million (or a 1.9 percent impact on our effective tax rate) primarily related to amounts required to be recorded for changes to our
uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, in certain domestic jurisdictions.
As of December 31, 2017, the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $331 million. If the Company were to prevail on all
uncertain tax positions, the net effect would be a benefit of $205 million, exclusive of any benefits related to interest and penalties.
The remaining $126 million, which was recorded as a deferred tax asset, primarily represents tax benefits that would be received in
different tax jurisdictions in the event the Company did not prevail on all uncertain tax positions.
A reconciliation of the changes in the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Beginning balance of unrecognized tax benefits
Increase related to prior period tax positions
Decrease related to prior period tax positions
Increase related to current period tax positions
Decrease related to settlements with taxing authorities
Decrease due to lapse of the applicable statute of limitations
Increase (decrease) due to effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes
Ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits
2017
$ 302
18
(13)
13
—
—
11
$ 331
2016
$ 168
1631
—
17
(40)1
—
(6)
$ 302
2015
$ 211
4
(9)
5
(5)
(23)
(15)
$ 168
1 The increase is primarily related to a change in judgment about one of the Company’s tax positions as a result of receiving notification of a preliminary
settlement of a Competent Authority matter with a foreign jurisdiction, a portion of which became certain later in the year. This change in position did
not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statement of income during the year ended December 31, 2016, as it was partially offset by
refunds to be received from the foreign jurisdiction.
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company had
$177 million, $142 million and $111 million in interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits accrued as of December 31,
2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Of these amounts, $35 million and $31 million of expense were recognized through income tax
expense in 2017 and 2016, respectively. An insignificant amount of interest and penalties was recognized through income tax expense
for the year ended December 31, 2015. If the Company were to prevail on all uncertain tax positions, the reversal of this accrual would
also be a benefit to the Company’s effective tax rate.
Based on current tax laws, the Company’s effective tax rate in 2018 is expected to be approximately 21.0 percent before considering
the potential impact of further clarification of certain matters related to the Tax Reform Act and any unusual or special items that may
affect our effective tax rate.
58
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position
We believe our ability to generate cash flows from operating activities is one of our fundamental financial strengths. Refer to the
heading “Cash Flows from Operating Activities” below. The near-term outlook for our business remains strong, and we expect to
generate substantial cash flows from operations in 2018. As a result of our expected cash flows from operations, we have significant
flexibility to meet our financial commitments. The Company does not typically raise capital through the issuance of stock. Instead,
we use debt financing to lower our overall cost of capital and increase our return on shareowners’ equity. Refer to the heading “Cash
Flows from Financing Activities” below. We have a history of borrowing funds domestically and continue to have the ability to borrow
funds domestically at reasonable interest rates. In addition, our domestic entities have recently borrowed and continue to have the
ability to borrow funds in international markets at reasonable interest rates. Our debt financing includes the use of an extensive
commercial paper program as part of our overall cash management strategy. The Company reviews its optimal mix of short-term and
long-term debt regularly and may replace certain amounts of commercial paper, short-term debt and current maturities of long-term
debt with new issuances of long-term debt in the future. In addition to the Company’s cash balances, commercial paper program, and
our ability to issue long-term debt, we also had $7,295 million in lines of credit for general corporate purposes as of December 31,
2017. These backup lines of credit expire at various times from 2018 through 2022.
We have significant operations outside the United States. Unit case volume outside the United States represented 81 percent of the
Company’s worldwide unit case volume in 2017. We earn a substantial amount of our consolidated operating income and income
from continuing operations before income taxes from foreign subsidiaries that either sell concentrates and syrups to our local bottling
partners or, in certain instances, sell finished products directly to our customers to fulfill the demand for Company beverage products
outside the United States. A significant portion of these foreign earnings was previously considered to be indefinitely reinvested
in foreign jurisdictions where the Company has made, and will continue to make, substantial investments to support the ongoing
development and growth of our international operations. Accordingly, no U.S. federal and state income taxes were previously provided
on the portion of our foreign earnings that was considered to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign jurisdictions. On December 22,
2017, the Tax Reform Act was signed into law. The Tax Reform Act reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35.0 percent to
21.0 percent effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, transitions the U.S. method of taxation from a worldwide
tax system to a modified territorial system and requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax over a period of eight years on
the mandatory deemed repatriation of prescribed foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017. As a result, the Company recognized
a provisional tax charge related to the one-time transition tax in the amount of $4.6 billion in 2017. The Company’s cash, cash
equivalents, short-term investments and marketable securities held by our foreign subsidiaries totaled $19.6 billion as of December 31,
2017.
Net operating revenues in the United States were $14.7 billion in 2017, or 42 percent of the Company’s consolidated net operating
revenues. We expect existing domestic cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, marketable securities, cash flows from
operations, the repatriation of foreign earnings and the issuance of debt to continue to be sufficient to fund our domestic operating
activities and cash commitments for investing and financing activities. In addition, we expect foreign cash, cash equivalents, short-term
investments, marketable securities remaining after repatriation and cash flows from operations to continue to be sufficient to fund our
foreign operating activities and cash commitments for investing activities.
Based on all the aforementioned factors, the Company believes its current liquidity position is strong, and we will continue to meet all
of our financial commitments for the foreseeable future. These obligations and anticipated cash outflows include, but are not limited
to, regular quarterly dividends, debt maturities, capital expenditures, share repurchases and obligations included under the heading
“Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations” below.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $6,995 million, $8,796 million and
$10,528 million, respectively.
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $1,801 million, or 20 percent, in 2017 compared to 2016. This decrease was
primarily driven by the refranchising of certain bottling operations, the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate
fluctuations, one less day in the current year, and increased payments related to income taxes and restructuring. Net cash provided
by operating activities in 2018 will be impacted by a tax payment of $370 million related to the one-time transition tax resulting from
the Tax Reform Act. Refer to the heading “Operations Review — Net Operating Revenues” above for additional information on the
impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Refer to Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on
the tax payments.
59
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $1,732 million, or 16 percent, in 2016 compared to 2015. This decrease
included the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, the impact of $471 million in incremental
contributions made to the Company’s pension plans and the impact of acquisitions and divestitures. The impact of these items was
partially offset by lower income tax payments. Refer to the heading “Operations Review — Net Operating Revenues” above for
additional information on the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Refer to Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
for additional information on the tax payments.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities is summarized as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Purchases of investments
Proceeds from disposals of investments
Acquisitions of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities
Proceeds from disposals of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
Other investing activities
2017
2016
2015
$ (16,520) $ (15,499) $ (15,831)
14,079
16,624
(2,491)
(838)
565
1,035
(2,553)
(2,262)
85
150
(40)
(209)
15,911
(3,900)
3,821
(1,675)
104
(126)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
$ (2,385) $
(999) $ (6,186)
Purchases of Investments and Proceeds from Disposals of Investments
In 2017, purchases of investments were $16,520 million and proceeds from disposals of investments were $15,911 million. This activity
resulted in a net cash outflow of $609 million during 2017. In 2016, purchases of investments were $15,499 million and proceeds from
disposals of investments were $16,624 million, resulting in a net cash inflow of $1,125 million. In 2015, purchases of investments were
$15,831 million and proceeds from disposals of investments were $14,079 million, resulting in a net cash outflow of $1,752 million.
These investments include time deposits that have maturities greater than three months but less than one year and are classified in
the line item short-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets. The disposals in 2016 include proceeds from the disposal
of the Company’s investment in Keurig of $2,380 million. The purchases in 2015 include our investment in Keurig of $830 million.
The remaining activity primarily represents the purchases of and proceeds from short-term investments that were made as part of
the Company’s overall cash management strategy. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
information on our investment in Keurig.
Acquisitions of Businesses, Equity Method Investments and Nonmarketable Securities
In 2017, the Company’s acquisitions of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities totaled $3,900 million,
which was primarily related to the transition of ABI’s controlling interest in CCBA to the Company for $3,150 million. Additionally,
in conjunction with the Southwest Transaction, we obtained an equity interest in AC Bebidas. The remaining activity primarily related
to the acquisition of AdeS, a plant-based beverage business, by the Company and several of its bottling partners in Latin America, and
the acquisition of the U.S. rights to the Topo Chico premium sparkling water brand from AC Bebidas, an equity method investee.
In 2016, the Company’s acquisitions of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities totaled $838 million,
which was primarily related to our acquisition of Xiamen Culiangwang Beverage Technology Co., Ltd., a maker of plant-based protein
beverages in China, and a minority investment in CHI Limited, a Nigerian producer of value-added dairy and juice beverages. Under
the terms of the agreement related to our investment in CHI Limited, the Company is obligated to acquire the remaining ownership
interest from the existing shareowners in 2019 based on an agreed-upon formula.
In 2015, the Company’s acquisitions of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities totaled $2,491 million,
which primarily included our equity investments in Monster and in Indonesian bottling operations and the acquisition of a controlling
interest in a South African bottling operation.
Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to our acquisitions during the years
ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
60
Proceeds from Disposals of Businesses, Equity Method Investments and Nonmarketable Securities
In 2017, proceeds from disposals of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities were $3,821 million, primarily
related to proceeds from the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America and the refranchising of our China bottling
operations and related cost method investment.
In 2016, proceeds from disposals of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities were $1,035 million, primarily
related to proceeds from the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America.
In 2015, proceeds from disposals of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities were $565 million, which
included cash received as a result of a Brazilian bottling entity’s majority interest owners exercising their option to acquire from us an
additional equity interest. The proceeds from disposals of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities during
2015 also included the proceeds from the refranchising of certain of our bottling territories in North America.
Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to our disposals during the years
ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Purchases of Property, Plant and Equipment
Purchases of property, plant and equipment net of disposals for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were
$1,571 million, $2,112 million and $2,468 million, respectively.
Total capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment and the percentage of such totals by operating segment were as follows
(in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Capital expenditures
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Latin America
North America
Asia Pacific
Bottling Investments
Corporate
2017
$ 1,675
2016
2015
$ 2,262
$ 2,553
4.8%
3.3
32.3
3.0
39.5
17.1
2.7%
2.0
19.4
4.7
58.8
12.4
2.1%
2.7
14.8
3.2
66.5
10.7
We expect our annual 2018 capital expenditures to be approximately $1.9 billion as we continue to make investments to enable growth
in our business and further enhance our operational effectiveness.
Other Investing Activities
In 2016, cash used in other investing activities was primarily related to the cash flow impact of the Company’s derivative contracts
designated as net investment hedges and the purchases of trademarks.
In 2015, cash used in other investing activities included a $530 million payment related to the Monster Transaction, partially offset by
the cash flow impact of the Company’s derivative contracts designated as net investment hedges.
Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Monster Transaction and Note 5
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Company’s derivative contracts designated as net
investment hedges.
61
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities is summarized as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Issuances of debt
Payments of debt
Issuances of stock
Purchases of stock for treasury
Dividends
Other financing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Debt Financing
2017
2016
2015
$ 29,857
(28,768)
1,595
(3,682)
(6,320)
(91)
$ 27,281
(25,615)
1,434
(3,681)
(6,043)
79
$ 40,434
(37,738)
1,245
(3,564)
(5,741)
251
$ (7,409)
$ (6,545)
$ (5,113)
Our Company maintains debt levels we consider prudent based on our cash flows, interest coverage ratio and percentage of debt to
capital. We use debt financing to lower our overall cost of capital, which increases our return on shareowners’ equity. This exposes us
to adverse changes in interest rates. Our interest expense may also be affected by our credit ratings.
As of December 31, 2017, our long-term debt was rated “AA-” by Standard & Poor’s and “Aa3” by Moody’s. Our commercial paper
program was rated “A-1+” by Standard & Poor’s and “P-1” by Moody’s. In assessing our credit strength, both agencies consider our
capital structure (including the amount and maturity dates of our debt) and financial policies as well as the aggregated balance sheet and
other financial information of the Company. In addition, some rating agencies also consider the financial information of certain bottlers,
including CCEP, Coca-Cola Amatil Limited, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Coca-Cola FEMSA and Coca-Cola Hellenic. While
the Company has no legal obligation for the debt of these bottlers, the rating agencies believe the strategic importance of the bottlers
to the Company’s business model provides the Company with an incentive to keep these bottlers viable. It is our expectation that the
credit rating agencies will continue using this methodology. If our credit ratings were to be downgraded as a result of changes in our
capital structure, our major bottlers’ financial performance, changes in the credit rating agencies’ methodology in assessing our credit
strength, or for any other reason, our cost of borrowing could increase. Additionally, if certain bottlers’ credit ratings were to decline,
the Company’s equity income could be reduced as a result of the potential increase in interest expense for those bottlers.
We monitor our financial ratios and, as indicated above, the rating agencies consider these ratios in assessing our credit ratings.
Each rating agency employs a different aggregation methodology and has different thresholds for the various financial ratios. These
thresholds are not necessarily permanent, nor are they always fully disclosed to our Company.
Our global presence and strong capital position give us access to key financial markets around the world, enabling us to raise funds at
a low effective cost. This posture, coupled with active management of our mix of short-term and long-term debt and our mix of
fixed-rate and variable-rate debt, results in a lower overall cost of borrowing. Our debt management policies, in conjunction with our
share repurchase program and investment activity, can result in current liabilities exceeding current assets.
Issuances and payments of debt included both short-term and long-term financing activities. In 2017, the Company had issuances of
debt of $29,857 million, which included net issuances of $26,218 million of commercial paper and short-term debt with maturities
greater than 90 days and long-term debt issuances of $3,639 million, net of related discounts and issuance costs.
During 2017, the Company made payments of debt of $28,768 million, which included $636 million of payments related to commercial
paper and short-term debt with maturities of 90 days or less and $24,156 of payments related to commercial paper and short-term
debt with maturities greater than 90 days. The Company’s total payments of long-term debt were $3,976 million. The long-term debt
payments included the early extinguishment of long-term debt with a carrying value of $417 million, a portion of which was assumed
in connection with our acquisition of Old CCE’s former North America business. This resulted in a net charge of $38 million that was
recorded in the line item interest expense in our consolidated statement of income. This net charge included the difference between
the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the debt extinguished, including fair value adjustments recorded as part of
purchase accounting.
In 2016, the Company had issuances of debt of $27,281 million, which included net issuances of $773 million of commercial paper and
short-term debt with maturities of 90 days or less and $21,525 million of commercial paper and short-term debt with maturities greater
than 90 days. The Company’s total issuances of debt also included long-term debt issuances of $4,983 million, net of related discounts
and issuance costs. Refer below for additional details on our long-term debt issuances.
62
During 2016, the Company made payments of debt of $25,615 million, which included $22,920 million of payments related to
commercial paper and short-term debt with maturities greater than 90 days and payments of long-term debt of $2,695 million.
In 2015, the Company had issuances of debt of $40,434 million, which included net issuances of $25,923 million of commercial
paper and short-term debt with maturities greater than 90 days. The Company’s total issuances of debt also included long-term debt
issuances of $14,511 million, net of related discounts, premiums and issuance costs.
During 2015, the Company made payments of debt of $37,738 million, which included net payments of $208 million of commercial
paper and short-term debt with maturities of 90 days or less, $31,711 million of payments of commercial paper and short-term debt
with maturities greater than 90 days and long-term debt payments of $5,819 million. The long-term debt payments included the
extinguishment of $2,039 million of long-term debt prior to maturity, which resulted in associated charges of $320 million that were
recorded in the line item interest expense in our consolidated statement of income. These charges included the difference between
the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the debt extinguished, including the impact of the related fair value
hedging relationship.
The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt included fair value adjustments related to the debt assumed from Old CCE
of $263 million and $361 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These fair value adjustments are being amortized
over the number of years remaining until the underlying debt matures. As of December 31, 2017, the weighted-average maturity
of the assumed debt to which these fair value adjustments relate was approximately 24 years. The amortization of these fair value
adjustments will be a reduction of interest expense in future periods, which will typically result in our interest expense being less than
the actual interest paid to service the debt. Total interest paid was $757 million, $663 million and $515 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively. Refer to Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the Company’s
long-term debt balances.
Issuances of Stock
The issuances of stock in 2017, 2016 and 2015 were related to the exercise of stock options by Company employees.
Share Repurchases
In 2012, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to 500 million shares of the Company’s common stock.
The table below presents annual shares repurchased and average price per share:
Year Ended December 31,
Number of shares repurchased (in millions)
Average price per share
2017
82
$ 44.09
2016
86
$ 43.62
2015
86
$ 41.33
Since the inception of our initial share repurchase program in 1984 through our current program as of December 31, 2017, we
have purchased 3.4 billion shares of our Company’s common stock at an average price per share of $16.74. In addition to shares
repurchased under the share repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors, the Company’s treasury stock activity also
includes shares surrendered to the Company to pay the exercise price and/or to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection
with so-called stock swap exercises of employee stock options and/or the vesting of restricted stock issued to employees. In 2017, we
repurchased $3.7 billion of our stock. The net impact of the Company’s treasury stock issuance and purchase activities in 2017 resulted
in a net cash outflow of $2.1 billion. We currently expect to repurchase approximately $1.0 billion of our stock during 2018, net of
proceeds from the issuance of treasury stock due to the exercise of employee stock options.
Dividends
The Company paid dividends of $6,320 million, $6,043 million and $5,741 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and
2015, respectively.
At its February 2018 meeting, our Board of Directors increased our quarterly dividend by 5 percent, raising it to $0.39 per share,
equivalent to a full year dividend of $1.56 per share in 2018. This is our 56th consecutive annual increase. Our annual common stock
dividend was $1.48 per share, $1.40 per share and $1.32 per share in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The 2017 dividend represented
a 6 percent increase from 2016, and the 2016 dividend represented a 6 percent increase from 2015.
63
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In accordance with the definition under SEC rules, the following qualify as off-balance sheet arrangements:
• any obligation under certain guarantee contracts;
• a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit,
liquidity or market risk support to that entity for such assets;
• any obligation under certain derivative instruments; and
• any obligation arising out of a material variable interest held by the registrant in an unconsolidated entity that provides
financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to the registrant, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and
development services with the registrant.
As of December 31, 2017, we were contingently liable for guarantees of indebtedness owed by third parties of $609 million, of which
$256 million was related to VIEs. These guarantees are primarily related to third-party customers, bottlers, vendors and container
manufacturing operations and have arisen through the normal course of business. These guarantees have various terms, and none
of these guarantees was individually significant. The amount represents the maximum potential future payments that we could be
required to make under the guarantees; however, we do not consider it probable that we will be required to satisfy these guarantees.
Management has concluded that the likelihood of any significant amounts being paid by our Company under these guarantees is not
probable. As of December 31, 2017, we were not directly liable for the debt of any unconsolidated entity, and we did not have any
retained or contingent interest in assets as defined above.
Our Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 5 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
64
Aggregate Contractual Obligations
As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s contractual obligations, including payments due by period, were as follows (in millions):
Short-term loans and notes payable:1
Commercial paper borrowings
Lines of credit and other short-term borrowings
Current maturities of long-term debt2
Long-term debt, net of current maturities2
Estimated interest payments3
Accrued income taxes4
Purchase obligations5
Marketing obligations6
Lease obligations
Held-for-sale obligations7
Total contractual obligations
Payments Due by Period
Total
2018
2019-2020
2021-2022
$ 12,931
274
3,300
31,082
5,064
4,663
14,582
4,629
817
1,592
$ 78,934
$ 12,931
274
3,300
—
519
410
8,132
2,439
182
1,591
$ 29,778
$
—
—
—
9,501
883
740
1,464
1,033
231
1
$ 13,853
$ —
—
—
5,398
702
740
832
619
176
—
$ 8,467
2023 and
Thereafter
$
—
—
—
16,183
2,960
2,773
4,154
538
228
—
$ 26,836
1 Refer to Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding short-term loans and notes payable. Upon payment of
outstanding commercial paper, we typically issue new commercial paper. Lines of credit and other short-term borrowings are expected to fluctuate
depending upon current liquidity needs, especially at international subsidiaries.
2 Refer to Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding long-term debt. We will consider several alternatives to settle
this long-term debt, including the use of cash flows from operating activities, issuance of commercial paper or issuance of other long-term debt. The table
above shows expected cash payments to be paid by the Company in future periods and excludes the noncash portion of debt, including the fair market
value markup, unamortized discounts and premiums.
3 We calculated estimated interest payments for our long-term debt based on the applicable rates and payment dates. For our variable-rate debt, we have
assumed the December 31, 2017 rate for all years presented. We typically expect to settle such interest payments with cash flows from operating activities
and/or short-term borrowings.
4 Refer to Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding income taxes. Accrued income taxes includes $4,623 million
related to the one-time transition tax required by the Tax Reform Act. Unrecognized tax benefits, including accrued interest and penalties of $505 million,
were not included in the total above. At this time, the settlement period for the unrecognized tax benefits cannot be determined. In addition, any
payments related to unrecognized tax benefits would be partially offset by reductions in payments in other jurisdictions.
5 Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms,
including long-term contractual obligations, open purchase orders, accounts payable and certain accrued liabilities. We expect to fund these obligations
with cash flows from operating activities.
6 We expect to fund these marketing obligations with cash flows from operating activities.
7 Represents liabilities and contractual obligations of the Company’s bottling operations that are classified as held for sale.
The total accrued benefit liability for pension and other postretirement benefit plans recognized as of December 31, 2017, was
$2,027 million. Refer to Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. This amount is impacted by, among other items,
pension expense, funding levels, plan amendments, changes in plan demographics and assumptions, and the investment return on plan
assets. Because the accrued liability does not represent expected liquidity needs, we did not include this amount in the contractual
obligations table.
We generally expect to fund all future pension contributions with cash flows from operating activities. Our international pension plans
are generally funded in accordance with local laws and income tax regulations.
As of December 31, 2017, the projected benefit obligation of the U.S. qualified pension plans was $6,384 million, and the fair
value of the related plan assets was $6,028 million. The projected benefit obligation of all pension plans other than the U.S.
qualified pension plans was $3,071 million, and the fair value of the related plan assets was $2,815 million. The majority of this
underfunding is attributable to an international pension plan for certain non-U.S. employees that is unfunded due to tax law
restrictions, as well as certain unfunded U.S. nonqualified pension plans. These U.S. nonqualified pension plans provide, for
65
certain associates, benefits that are not permitted to be funded through a qualified plan because of limits imposed by the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986. The expected benefit payments for these unfunded pension plans are not included in the table above.
However, we anticipate annual benefit payments for these unfunded pension plans to be $67 million in 2018, increasing to $72 million
by 2024 and then decreasing annually thereafter. Refer to Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company expects to contribute $59 million in 2018 to our global pension plans, all of which will be allocated to our international
plans. Refer to Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. We did not include our estimated contributions to our various
plans in the table above.
In general, we are self-insured for large portions of many different types of claims; however, we do use commercial insurance above
our self-insured retentions to reduce the Company’s risk of catastrophic loss. Our reserves for the Company’s self-insured losses
are estimated through actuarial procedures of the insurance industry and by using industry assumptions, adjusted for our specific
expectations based on our claim history. As of December 31, 2017, our self-insurance reserves totaled $480 million. Refer to Note 11
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. We did not include estimated payments related to our self-insurance reserves in the
table above.
Deferred income tax liabilities as of December 31, 2017 were $2,522 million. Refer to Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements. This amount is not included in the total contractual obligations table because we believe that presentation would not be
meaningful. Deferred income tax liabilities are calculated based on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities
and their respective book bases, which will result in taxable amounts in future years when the liabilities are settled at their reported
financial statement amounts. The results of these calculations do not have a direct connection with the amount of cash taxes to be paid
in any future periods. As a result, scheduling deferred income tax liabilities as payments due by period could be misleading, because
this scheduling would not relate to liquidity needs.
Additionally, as of December 31, 2017, the Company had entered into agreements related to the following future investing activities
which are not included in the table above:
Under the terms of the agreement for our investment in CHI Limited, the Company is obligated to acquire the remaining ownership
interest from the existing shareowners in 2019 based on an agreed-upon formula.
The Company has also agreed in principle to acquire ABI’s interest in bottling operations in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland,
Lesotho, El Salvador and Honduras. We plan to hold all of these bottling operations temporarily until they can be refranchised to
other partners. The Company will negotiate the terms of these transactions with ABI according to the contractual parameters. The
transactions are subject to the relevant regulatory approvals.
Foreign Exchange
Our international operations are subject to certain opportunities and risks, including currency fluctuations and governmental actions.
We closely monitor our operations in each country and seek to adopt appropriate strategies that are responsive to changing economic
and political environments as well as to fluctuations in foreign currencies.
In 2017, we used 74 functional currencies. Due to the geographic diversity of our operations, weakness in some of these currencies
might be offset by strength in others. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, the weighted-average exchange rates for foreign currencies in which the
Company conducted operations (all operating currencies), and for certain individual currencies, strengthened (weakened) against the
U.S. dollar as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
All operating currencies
Brazilian real
Mexican peso
Australian dollar
South African rand
British pound
Euro
Japanese yen
2017
2016
—%
11%
(2)
3
10
(6)
1
(3)
(5)%
(9)%
(14)
(1)
(13)
(11)
—
11
2015
(15)%
(27)%
(16)
(17)
(15)
(8)
(17)
(14)
These percentages do not include the effects of our hedging activities and, therefore, do not reflect the actual impact of fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates on our operating results. Our foreign currency management program is designed to mitigate, over
time, a portion of the impact of exchange rate changes on our net income and earnings per share.
66
The total currency impact on net operating revenues, including the effect of our hedging activities, was a decrease of 1 percent and
3 percent in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The total currency impact on income from continuing operations before income taxes,
including the effect of our hedging activities, was nominal in 2017 and was a decrease of 12 percent in 2016.
Foreign currency exchange gains and losses are primarily the result of the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities from
certain currencies into functional currencies. The effects of the remeasurement of these assets and liabilities are partially offset by
the impact of our economic hedging program for certain exposures on our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 5 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements. Foreign currency exchange gains and losses are included as a component of other income (loss) —
net in our consolidated financial statements. Refer to the heading “Operations Review — Other Income (Loss) — Net” above. The
Company recorded foreign currency exchange losses of $57 million in 2017, foreign currency exchange losses of $246 million in 2016
and foreign currency exchange gains of $149 million in 2015.
Hyperinflationary Economies
A hyperinflationary economy is one that has cumulative inflation of 100 percent or more over a three-year period. In accordance
with U.S. GAAP, local subsidiaries in hyperinflationary economies are required to use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency and
remeasure the monetary assets and liabilities not denominated in U.S. dollars using the rate applicable to conversion of a currency for
purposes of dividend remittances. All exchange gains and losses resulting from remeasurement are recognized currently in income.
Venezuela has been designated as a hyperinflationary economy. In February 2015, the Venezuelan government introduced a new open
market exchange rate system, SIMADI. As a result, we remeasured the net monetary assets of our Venezuelan subsidiary, resulting in
a charge of $27 million recorded in the line item other income (loss) — net in our consolidated statement of income.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Venezuelan government devalued its currency and changed its official and most
preferential exchange rate, which should be used for purchases of certain essential goods, to 10 bolivars per U.S. dollar from 6.3.
The official and most preferential rate is now known as DIPRO and the former official rate has been eliminated. The Venezuelan
government replaced the SIMADI rate with the DICOM rate, which is allowed to float freely and is expected to fluctuate based on
supply and demand. As a result, management determined that the DICOM rate was the most appropriate legally available rate to
remeasure the net monetary assets of our Venezuelan subsidiary.
In addition, we sell concentrate to our bottling partner in Venezuela from outside the country. These sales are denominated in U.S.
dollars. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, as a result of the continued lack of liquidity and our
revised assessment of the U.S. dollar value we expect to realize upon the conversion of Venezuelan bolivars into U.S. dollars by our
bottling partner to pay our concentrate sales receivables, we recorded write-downs of $76 million and $56 million, respectively. These
write-downs were recorded in the line item other operating charges in our consolidated statements of income.
We also have certain U.S. dollar-denominated intangible assets associated with products sold in Venezuela. As a result of weaker sales,
the volatility of foreign currency exchange rates resulting from continued instability and the Company’s revised expectations regarding
the convertibility of the local currency, we recognized impairment charges of $34 million and $55 million during the years ended
December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2015, respectively. These charges were recorded in the line item other operating charges
in our consolidated statements of income. As a result of these impairment charges, the remaining carrying value of all U.S.
dollar-denominated intangible assets associated with products sold in Venezuela is zero.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
Inflation affects the way we operate in many markets around the world. In general, we believe that, over time, we will be able to
increase prices to counteract the majority of the inflationary effects of increasing costs and to generate sufficient cash flows to maintain
our productive capability.
67
Overview of Financial Position
The following table illustrates the change in the individual line items of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (in millions):
December 31,
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Marketable securities
Trade accounts receivable — net
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Assets held for sale
Assets held for sale — discontinued operations
Equity method investments
Other investments
Other assets
Property, plant and equipment — net
Trademarks with indefinite lives
Bottlers’ franchise rights with indefinite lives
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Total assets
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Loans and notes payable
Current maturities of long-term debt
Accrued income taxes
Liabilities held for sale
Liabilities held for sale — discontinued operations
Long-term debt
Other liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Total liabilities
Net assets
2017
2016
Increase
(Decrease)
Percent
Change
$ 6,006
9,352
5,317
3,667
2,655
2,000
219
7,329
20,856
1,096
4,560
8,203
6,729
138
9,401
368
$ 87,896
$ 8,748
13,205
3,298
410
37
1,496
31,182
8,021
2,522
$ 68,919
$ 18,977
$ 8,555
9,595
4,051
3,856
2,675
2,481
2,797
—
16,260
989
4,248
10,635
6,097
3,676
10,629
726
$ 87,270
$ 9,490
12,498
3,527
307
710
—
29,684
4,081
3,753
$ 64,050
$ 23,220
$ (2,549)
(243)
1,266
(189)
(20)
(481)
(2,578)
7,329
4,596
107
312
(2,432)
632
(3,538)
(1,228)
(358)
$
$
626
(742)
707
(229)
103
(673)
1,496
1,498
3,940
(1,231)
$ 4,869
$ (4,243)1
(30)%
(3)
31
(5)
(1)
(19)
(92)
—
28
11
7
(23)
10
(96)
(12)
(49)
1%
(8)%
6
(6)
34
(95)
—
5
97
(33)
8%
(18)%
1 Includes an increase in net assets of $861 million resulting from foreign currency translation adjustments in various balance sheet line items.
The increases (decreases) in the table above include the impact of the following transactions and events:
• Assets held for sale and liabilities held for sale decreased primarily due to the North America and China bottling refranchising
activities. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
• Assets held for sale — discontinued operations and liabilities held for sale — discontinued operations increased as a result of
CCBA meeting the criteria to be classified as held for sale. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
additional information.
• Equity method investments increased primarily due to our new investments in AC Bebidas and CCBJI. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
• Property, plant and equipment, bottlers’ franchise rights with indefinite lives and goodwill decreased primarily as a result of
additional North America bottling territories being refranchised as well as impairment charges recorded. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
• Other liabilities increased and deferred income taxes decreased primarily due to the Tax Reform Act signed into law on
December 22, 2017. Refer to Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
68
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to reduce our exposure to adverse fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates, interest rates, commodity prices and other market risks. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for
trading purposes. As a matter of policy, all of our derivative positions are used to reduce risk by hedging an underlying economic
exposure. Because of the high correlation between the hedging instrument and the underlying exposure, fluctuations in the value of
the instruments are generally offset by reciprocal changes in the value of the underlying exposure. The Company generally hedges
anticipated exposures up to 36 months in advance; however, the majority of our derivative instruments expire within 24 months or less.
Virtually all of our derivatives are straightforward over-the-counter instruments with liquid markets.
We monitor our exposure to financial market risks using several objective measurement systems, including a sensitivity analysis to
measure our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. Refer to Note 5 of Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about our hedging transactions and derivative financial instruments.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
We manage most of our foreign currency exposures on a consolidated basis, which allows us to net certain exposures and take
advantage of any natural offsets. In 2017, we used 74 functional currencies and generated $20,683 million of our net operating
revenues from operations outside the United States; therefore, weaknesses in some currencies might be offset by strengths in other
currencies over time. We use derivative financial instruments to further reduce our net exposure to foreign currency fluctuations.
Our Company enters into forward exchange contracts and purchases foreign currency options (principally euros and Japanese yen)
and collars to hedge certain portions of forecasted cash flows denominated in foreign currencies. Additionally, we enter into forward
exchange contracts to offset the earnings impact related to foreign currency fluctuations on certain monetary assets and liabilities. We
also enter into forward exchange contracts as hedges of net investments in foreign operations.
The total notional values of our foreign currency derivatives were $13,057 million and $14,464 million as of December 31, 2017
and 2016, respectively. These values include derivative instruments that are designated and qualify for hedge accounting as well as
economic hedges. The fair value of the contracts that qualify for hedge accounting resulted in a net unrealized gain of $22 million
as of December 31, 2017. At the end of 2017, we estimate that a 10 percent weakening of the U.S. dollar would have eliminated the
net unrealized gain and created a net unrealized loss of $253 million. The fair value of the contracts that do not qualify for hedge
accounting resulted in a net unrealized loss of $50 million, and we estimate that a 10 percent weakening of the U.S. dollar would have
increased the net unrealized loss to $105 million.
Interest Rates
The Company is subject to interest rate volatility with regard to existing and future issuances of debt. We monitor our mix of fixed-rate
and variable-rate debt as well as our mix of short-term debt and long-term debt. From time to time, we enter into interest rate swap
agreements to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations.
Based on the Company’s variable-rate debt and derivative instruments outstanding as of December 31, 2017, we estimate that a
1 percentage point increase in interest rates would have increased interest expense by $252 million in 2017. However, this increase in
interest expense would have been partially offset by the increase in interest income related to higher interest rates.
The Company is subject to interest rate risk related to its investments in highly liquid securities. These investments are primarily
managed by external managers within the guidelines of the Company’s investment policy. Our policy requires these investments to be
investment grade, with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. In addition, our policy limits the amount
of credit exposure to any one issuer. We estimate that a 1 percentage point increase in interest rates would result in a $97 million
decrease in the fair value of our portfolio of highly liquid securities.
Commodity Prices
The Company is subject to market risk with respect to commodity price fluctuations, principally related to our purchases of sweeteners,
metals, juices, PET and fuels. We manage our exposure to commodity risks primarily through the use of supplier pricing agreements
that enable us to establish the purchase prices for certain inputs that are used in our manufacturing and distribution business. When
deemed appropriate, we use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to commodity risks. Certain of these derivatives
do not qualify for hedge accounting, but they are effective economic hedges that help the Company mitigate the price risk associated
with the purchases of materials used in our manufacturing processes and the fuel used to operate our extensive vehicle fleet.
69
Open commodity derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting had notional values of $35 million and $12 million as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The fair value of the contracts that qualify for hedge accounting resulted in a net
unrealized loss of $5 million. The potential change in fair value of these commodity derivative instruments, assuming a 10 percent
decrease in underlying commodity prices, would have increased the net unrealized loss to $6 million.
Open commodity derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting had notional values of $357 million and $447 million as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The fair value of the contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting resulted in a
net unrealized gain of $20 million. The potential change in fair value of these commodity derivative instruments, assuming a
10 percent decrease in underlying commodity prices, would have eliminated the net unrealized gain and created a net unrealized
loss of $18 million.
70
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Consolidated Statements of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Consolidated Balance Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Consolidated Statements of Shareowners’ Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Report of Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Quarterly Data (Unaudited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
71
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions except per share data)
NET OPERATING REVENUES
Cost of goods sold
GROSS PROFIT
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Other operating charges
OPERATING INCOME
Interest income
Interest expense
Equity income (loss) — net
Other income (loss) — net
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
Income taxes from continuing operations
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes of $47, $0 and $0, respectively)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREOWNERS OF
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
Basic net income per share from continuing operations1
Basic net income per share from discontinued operations2
BASIC NET INCOME PER SHARE
Diluted net income per share from continuing operations1
Diluted net income per share from discontinued operations2
DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING — BASIC
Effect of dilutive securities
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING — DILUTED
2017
2016
2015
$ 35,410
13,256
22,154
12,496
2,157
7,501
677
841
1,071
(1,666)
6,742
5,560
1,182
101
1,283
35
$ 41,863
16,465
25,398
15,262
1,510
8,626
642
733
835
(1,234)
8,136
1,586
6,550
—
6,550
23
$ 44,294
17,482
26,812
16,427
1,657
8,728
613
856
489
631
9,605
2,239
7,366
—
7,366
15
$ 1,248
$ 6,527
$ 7,351
$
$
$
$
0.28
0.02
0.293
0.27
0.02
0.29
4,272
52
4,324
$
$
$
$
1.51
—
1.51
1.49
—
1.49
4,317
50
4,367
$
$
$
$
1.69
—
1.69
1.67
—
1.67
4,352
53
4,405
1 Calculated based on net income from continuing operations less net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests.
2 Calculated based on net income from discontinued operations less net income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests.
3 Per share amounts do not add due to rounding.
Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
72
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME
Other comprehensive income:
Net foreign currency translation adjustment
Net gain (loss) on derivatives
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
Net change in pension and other benefit liabilities
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREOWNERS
OF THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
2017
2016
2015
$ 1,283 $ 6,550 $ 7,366
861
(626)
(3,959)
(433)
(382)
142
188
322
17
(53)
(684)
86
2,221
5,506
2,951
73
10
(3)
$ 2,148 $ 5,496 $ 2,954
73
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
(In millions except par value)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
TOTAL CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
Marketable securities
Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $477 and $466, respectively
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Assets held for sale
Assets held for sale — discontinued operations
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS
OTHER INVESTMENTS
OTHER ASSETS
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT — net
TRADEMARKS WITH INDEFINITE LIVES
BOTTLERS’ FRANCHISE RIGHTS WITH INDEFINITE LIVES
GOODWILL
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Loans and notes payable
Current maturities of long-term debt
Accrued income taxes
Liabilities held for sale
Liabilities held for sale — discontinued operations
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
LONG-TERM DEBT
OTHER LIABILITIES
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $0.25 par value; Authorized — 11,200 shares;
Issued — 7,040 and 7,040 shares, respectively
Capital surplus
Reinvested earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Treasury stock, at cost — 2,781 and 2,752 shares, respectively
EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREOWNERS OF THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
TOTAL EQUITY
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
74
2017
2016
$ 6,006
9,352
15,358
$
8,555
9,595
18,150
5,317
3,667
2,655
2,000
219
7,329
36,545
20,856
1,096
4,560
8,203
6,729
138
9,401
368
4,051
3,856
2,675
2,481
2,797
—
34,010
16,260
989
4,248
10,635
6,097
3,676
10,629
726
$ 87,896
$ 87,270
$
8,748
13,205
3,298
410
37
1,496
27,194
31,182
8,021
2,522
$
9,490
12,498
3,527
307
710
—
26,532
29,684
4,081
3,753
1,760
15,864
60,430
(10,305)
(50,677)
17,072
1,905
18,977
1,760
14,993
65,502
(11,205)
(47,988)
23,062
158
23,220
$ 87,896
$ 87,270
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31,
2017
2016
2015
(In millions)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Consolidated net income
(Income) loss from discontinued operations
Net income from continuing operations
Depreciation and amortization
Stock-based compensation expense
Deferred income taxes
Equity (income) loss — net of dividends
Foreign currency adjustments
Significant (gains) losses on sales of assets — net
Other operating charges
Other items
Net change in operating assets and liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of investments
Proceeds from disposals of investments
Acquisitions of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities
Proceeds from disposals of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable
securities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
Other investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuances of debt
Payments of debt
Issuances of stock
Purchases of stock for treasury
Dividends
Other financing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from discontinued operations
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from discontinued operations
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Net increase (decrease) during the year
Balance at beginning of year
Balance at end of year
Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
75
$ 1,283
(101)
1,182
1,260
219
(1,256)
(628)
281
1,459
1,218
(269)
3,529
6,995
$
6,550
—
6,550
1,787
258
(856)
(449)
158
1,146
647
(224)
(221)
8,796
(16,520)
15,911
(3,900)
(15,499)
16,624
(838)
3,821
(1,675)
104
(126)
(2,385)
29,857
(28,768)
1,595
(3,682)
(6,320)
(91)
(7,409)
111
(65)
(38)
8
242
1,035
(2,262)
150
(209)
(999)
27,281
(25,615)
1,434
(3,681)
(6,043)
79
(6,545)
—
—
—
—
(6)
$
7,366
—
7,366
1,970
236
73
(122)
(137)
(374)
929
744
(157)
10,528
(15,831)
14,079
(2,491)
565
(2,553)
85
(40)
(6,186)
40,434
(37,738)
1,245
(3,564)
(5,741)
251
(5,113)
—
—
—
—
(878)
(2,549)
8,555
$ 6,006
1,246
7,309
8,555
$
(1,649)
8,958
7,309
$
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY
Year Ended December 31,
2017
2016
2015
(In millions except per share data)
EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREOWNERS OF THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Balance at beginning of year
Treasury stock issued to employees related to stock compensation plans
Purchases of stock for treasury
Balance at end of year
COMMON STOCK
CAPITAL SURPLUS
Balance at beginning of year
Stock issued to employees related to stock compensation plans
Tax benefit (charge) from stock compensation plans
Stock-based compensation expense
Other activities
Balance at end of year
REINVESTED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of year
Net income attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company
Dividends (per share — $1.48, $1.40 and $1.32 in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively)
Balance at end of year
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Balance at beginning of year
Net other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at end of year
TREASURY STOCK
Balance at beginning of year
Treasury stock issued to employees related to stock compensation plans
Purchases of stock for treasury
Balance at end of year
TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREOWNERS OF THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Balance at beginning of year
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net foreign currency translation adjustment
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Contributions by noncontrolling interests
Business combinations
Deconsolidation of certain entities
Other activities
TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
4,288
53
(82)
4,259
1,760
$
4,324
50
(86)
4,288
1,760
$
4,366
44
(86)
4,324
1,760
$
14,993
655
—
219
(3)
15,864
65,502
1,248
(6,320)
60,430
14,016
589
130
258
—
14,993
65,018
6,527
(6,043)
65,502
(11,205)
900
(10,305)
(10,174)
(1,031)
(11,205)
13,154
532
94
236
—
14,016
63,408
7,351
(5,741)
65,018
(5,777)
(4,397)
(10,174)
(47,988)
909
(3,598)
(50,677)
$ 17,072
(45,066)
811
(3,733)
(47,988)
$ 23,062
(42,225)
696
(3,537)
(45,066)
$ 25,554
$
$
158
35
38
(15)
—
1,805
(157)
41
1,905
$
$
210
23
(13)
(25)
1
—
(34)
(4)
158
$
$
241
15
(18)
(31)
—
(3)
—
6
210
76
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1: BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business
The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company. We own or license and market more than 500 nonalcoholic
beverage brands, which we group into the following category clusters: sparkling soft drinks; water, enhanced water and sports drinks;
juice, dairy and plant-based beverages; tea and coffee; and energy drinks. We own and market four of the world’s top five nonalcoholic
sparkling soft drink brands: Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite. Finished beverage products bearing our trademarks, sold in the
United States since 1886, are now sold in more than 200 countries.
We make our branded beverage products available to consumers throughout the world through our network of Company-owned or
-controlled bottling and distribution operations, as well as independent bottling partners, distributors, wholesalers and retailers — the
world’s largest beverage distribution system. Beverages bearing trademarks owned by or licensed to us account for more than
1.9 billion of the approximately 60 billion servings of all beverages consumed worldwide every day.
Our Company markets, manufactures and sells:
• beverage concentrates, sometimes referred to as “beverage bases,” and syrups, including fountain syrups (we refer to this part
of our business as our “concentrate business” or “concentrate operations”); and
• finished sparkling soft drinks and other nonalcoholic beverages (we refer to this part of our business as our “finished product
business” or “finished product operations”).
Generally, finished product operations generate higher net operating revenues but lower gross profit margins than concentrate
operations.
In our concentrate operations, we typically generate net operating revenues by selling concentrates and syrups to authorized bottling
operations (to which we typically refer as our “bottlers” or our “bottling partners”). Our bottling partners either combine the
concentrates with sweeteners (depending on the product), still water and/or sparkling water, or combine the syrups with sparkling
water to produce finished beverages. The finished beverages are packaged in authorized containers — such as cans and refillable and
nonrefillable glass and plastic bottles — bearing our trademarks or trademarks licensed to us and are then sold to retailers directly or,
in some cases, through wholesalers or other bottlers. Outside the United States, we also sell concentrates for fountain beverages to our
bottling partners who are typically authorized to manufacture fountain syrups, which they sell to fountain retailers such as restaurants
and convenience stores which use the fountain syrups to produce beverages for immediate consumption, or to authorized fountain
wholesalers who in turn sell and distribute the fountain syrups to fountain retailers.
Our finished product operations consist primarily of Company-owned or -controlled bottling, sales and distribution operations which
are included in our Bottling Investments operating segment. Our finished product operations generate net operating revenues by
selling sparkling soft drinks and a variety of other nonalcoholic beverages, including water, enhanced water and sports drinks; juice,
dairy and plant-based beverages; tea and coffee; and energy drinks, to retailers or to distributors, wholesalers and bottling partners
who distribute them to retailers. In addition, in the United States, we manufacture fountain syrups and sell them to fountain retailers,
such as restaurants and convenience stores who use the fountain syrups to produce beverages for immediate consumption, or to
authorized fountain wholesalers or bottling partners who resell the fountain syrups to fountain retailers. These fountain syrup sales are
included in our North America operating segment. We authorize these wholesalers to resell our fountain syrups through nonexclusive
appointments that neither restrict us in setting the prices at which we sell fountain syrups to the wholesalers nor restrict the territories
in which the wholesalers may resell in the United States.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates are
based on our knowledge of current events and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from
77
these estimates and assumptions. Furthermore, when testing assets for impairment in future periods, if management uses different
assumptions or if different conditions occur, impairment charges may result.
Certain amounts in the prior years’ consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been revised to conform to the
current year presentation.
Principles of Consolidation
Our Company consolidates all entities that we control by ownership of a majority voting interest. Additionally, there are situations in
which consolidation is required even though the usual condition of consolidation (ownership of a majority voting interest) does not
apply. Generally, this occurs when an entity holds an interest in another business enterprise that was achieved through arrangements
that do not involve voting interests, which results in a disproportionate relationship between such entity’s voting interests in, and its
exposure to the economic risks and potential rewards of, the other business enterprise. This disproportionate relationship results in
what is known as a variable interest, and the entity in which we have the variable interest is referred to as a “VIE.” An enterprise must
consolidate a VIE if it is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The primary beneficiary has both (1) the power to direct
the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the
right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
Our Company holds interests in certain VIEs, primarily bottling and container manufacturing operations, for which we were not
determined to be the primary beneficiary. Our variable interests in these VIEs primarily relate to equity investments, profit guarantees
or subordinated financial support. Refer to Note 11. Although these financial arrangements resulted in our holding variable interests
in these entities, they did not empower us to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic
performance. Our Company’s investments, plus any loans and guarantees, and other subordinated financial support related to these
VIEs totaled $4,523 million and $3,709 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, representing our maximum exposures
to loss. The Company’s investments, plus any loans and guarantees, related to these VIEs were not individually significant to the
Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In addition, our Company holds interests in certain VIEs, primarily bottling and container manufacturing operations, for which we
were determined to be the primary beneficiary. As a result, we have consolidated these entities. Our Company’s investments, plus
any loans and guarantees, related to these VIEs totaled $1 million and $203 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively,
representing our maximum exposures to loss. The assets and liabilities of VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary were not
significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Creditors of our VIEs do not have recourse against the general credit of the Company, regardless of whether they are accounted for as
consolidated entities.
We use the equity method to account for investments in companies if our investment provides us with the ability to exercise significant
influence over operating and financial policies of the investee. Our consolidated net income includes our Company’s proportionate
share of the net income or loss of these companies. Our judgment regarding the level of influence over each equity method investee
includes considering key factors such as our ownership interest, representation on the board of directors, participation in
policy-making decisions, other commercial arrangements and material intercompany transactions.
We eliminate from our financial results all significant intercompany transactions, including the intercompany transactions with
consolidated VIEs and the intercompany portion of transactions with equity method investees.
Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
Our Company classifies long-lived assets or disposal groups to be sold as held for sale in the period in which all of the following criteria
are met: management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the asset or disposal group; the asset or
disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of
such assets or disposal groups; an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset
or disposal group have been initiated; the sale of the asset or disposal group is probable, and transfer of the asset or disposal group is
expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year, except if events or circumstances beyond our control extend
the period of time required to sell the asset or disposal group beyond one year; the asset or disposal group is being actively marketed
for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is
unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.
We initially measure a long-lived asset or disposal group that is classified as held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or
fair value less any costs to sell. Any loss resulting from this measurement is recognized in the period in which the held-for-sale
criteria are met. Conversely, gains are not recognized on the sale of a long-lived asset or disposal group until the date of sale.
We assess the fair value of a long-lived asset or disposal group less any costs to sell each reporting period it remains classified
78
as held for sale and report any subsequent changes as an adjustment to the carrying value of the asset or disposal group, as long as the
new carrying value does not exceed the carrying value of the asset at the time it was initially classified as held for sale.
Upon determining that a long-lived asset or disposal group meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, the Company ceases
depreciation and reports long-lived assets and/or the assets and liabilities of the disposal group, if material, in the line items assets held
for sale and liabilities held for sale, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheet. Refer to Note 2.
Discontinued Operations
When the following criteria are met: the disposal group is a component of an entity, the component of the entity meets the held
for sale criteria in accordance with our policy described above and the component of the entity represents a strategic shift in the
entity’s operating and financial results, the disposal group is classified as a discontinued operation. Alternatively, if a business meets
the criteria for held for sale on the acquisition date, the business is accounted for as a discontinued operation. In October 2017, the
Company and Anheuser-Busch InBev (“ABI”) completed the transition of ABI’s controlling interest in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa
Proprietary Limited (“CCBA”) to the Company for $3,150 million, resulting in its consolidation. As CCBA met the criteria for held for
sale upon consolidation, we have presented the financial position and results of operations of CCBA as discontinued operations in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Our Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of products has occurred, the sales
price charged is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. For our Company, this generally means that we
recognize revenue when title to our products is transferred to our bottling partners, resellers or other customers. In particular, title
usually transfers upon shipment to or receipt at our customers’ locations, as determined by the specific sales terms of the transactions.
Our sales terms do not allow for a right of return except for matters related to any manufacturing defects on our part.
Deductions from Revenue
Our customers can earn certain incentives including, but not limited to, cash discounts, funds for promotional and marketing activities,
volume-based incentive programs and support for infrastructure programs. The costs associated with these incentives are included in
deductions from revenue, a component of net operating revenues in our consolidated statements of income. For customer incentives
that must be earned, management must make estimates related to the contractual terms, customer performance and sales volume
to determine the total amounts earned and to be recorded in deductions from revenue. In making these estimates, management
considers past results. The actual amounts ultimately paid may be different from our estimates.
In some situations, the Company may determine it to be advantageous to make advance payments to specific customers to fund
certain marketing activities intended to generate profitable volume and/or invest in infrastructure programs with our bottlers that are
directed at strengthening our bottling system and increasing unit case volume. The Company also makes advance payments to certain
customers for distribution rights. The advance payments made to customers are initially capitalized and included in our consolidated
balance sheets in prepaid expenses and other assets and noncurrent other assets, depending on the duration of the agreements. The
assets are amortized over the applicable periods and included in deductions from revenue. The duration of these agreements typically
ranges up to 10 years.
Amortization expense for infrastructure programs was $36 million, $45 million and $61 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The aggregate deductions from revenue recorded by the Company in relation to these programs, including amortization expense on
infrastructure programs, were $6.2 billion, $6.6 billion and $6.8 billion in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Advertising Costs
Our Company expenses production costs of print, radio, television and other advertisements as of the first date the advertisements
take place. All other marketing expenditures are expensed in the annual period in which the expenditure is incurred. Advertising costs
included in the line item selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income were $4 billion in 2017,
2016 and 2015. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, advertising and production costs of $95 million and $113 million, respectively, were
primarily recorded in the line item prepaid expenses and other assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
For interim reporting purposes, we allocate our estimated full year marketing expenditures that benefit multiple interim
periods to each of our interim reporting periods. We use the proportion of each interim period’s actual unit case volume to the
estimated full year unit case volume as the basis for the allocation. This methodology results in our marketing expenditures being
recognized at a standard rate per unit case. At the end of each interim reporting period, we review our estimated full year unit
case volume and our estimated full year marketing expenditures in order to evaluate if a change in estimate is necessary.
79
The impact of any changes in these full year estimates is recognized in the interim period in which the change in estimate occurs. Our
full year marketing expenditures are not impacted by this interim accounting policy.
Shipping and Handling Costs
Shipping and handling costs related to the movement of finished goods from manufacturing locations to our sales distribution centers
are included in the line item cost of goods sold in our consolidated statements of income. Shipping and handling costs incurred
to move finished goods from our sales distribution centers to customer locations are included in the line item selling, general and
administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the
Company recorded shipping and handling costs of $1.1 billion, $2.0 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, in the line item selling, general
and administrative expenses. Our customers do not pay us separately for shipping and handling costs related to finished goods.
Net Income Per Share
Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company by the
weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted net income per share is computed
similarly to basic net income per share, except that it includes the potential dilution that could occur if dilutive securities were
exercised. Approximately 47 million, 51 million and 27 million stock option awards were excluded from the computations of diluted
net income per share in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, because the awards would have been antidilutive for the years presented.
The following table presents information related to net income from continuing operations and net income from discontinued
operations attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Net income from continuing operations
Less: Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income from continuing operations attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Net income from discontinued operations
Less: Net income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income from discontinued operations attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company
CONSOLIDATED
Consolidated net income
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company
2017
2016
2015
$ 1,182
1
$ 1,181
$ 6,550
23
$ 6,527
$ 7,366
15
$ 7,351
$
$
101
34
67
$ — $ —
—
$ — $ —
—
$ 1,283
35
$ 1,248
$ 6,550
23
$ 6,527
$ 7,366
15
$ 7,351
Cash Equivalents
We classify time deposits and other investments that are highly liquid and have maturities of three months or less at the date of
purchase as cash equivalents. We manage our exposure to counterparty credit risk through specific minimum credit standards,
diversification of counterparties and procedures to monitor our credit risk concentrations.
Short-Term Investments
We classify time deposits and other investments that have maturities of greater than three months but less than one year as short-term
investments.
Investments in Equity and Debt Securities
We use the equity method to account for our investments in equity securities if our investment gives us the ability to exercise significant
influence over operating and financial policies of the investee. We include our proportionate share of earnings and/or losses of our
equity method investees in equity income (loss) — net in our consolidated statements of income. The carrying value of our equity
investments is reported in equity method investments in our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 6.
80
We account for investments in companies that we do not control or account for under the equity method either at fair value or under
the cost method, as applicable. Investments in equity securities, other than investments accounted for under the equity method, are
carried at fair value if the fair value of the security is readily determinable. Equity investments carried at fair value are classified as
either trading or available-for-sale securities with their cost basis determined by the specific identification method. Realized and
unrealized gains and losses on trading securities and realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in other
income (loss) — net in our consolidated statements of income. Unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, on available-for-
sale securities are included in our consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(“AOCI”), except for the change in fair value attributable to the currency risk being hedged, if applicable, which is included in other
income (loss) — net in our consolidated statements of income. Trading securities are reported as either marketable securities or other
assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Securities classified as available-for-sale are reported as either cash and cash equivalents,
marketable securities, other investments or other assets in our consolidated balance sheets, depending on the length of time we intend
to hold the investment. Refer to Note 3.
Investments in equity securities that we do not control or account for under the equity method and do not have readily determinable
fair values for are accounted for under the cost method. Cost method investments are originally recorded at cost, and we record
dividend income when applicable dividends are declared. Cost method investments are reported as other investments in our
consolidated balance sheets, and dividend income from cost method investments is reported in the line item other income (loss) — net
in our consolidated statements of income.
Our investments in debt securities are carried at either amortized cost or fair value. Investments in debt securities that the Company
has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are carried at amortized cost and classified as held-to-maturity. Investments in
debt securities that are not classified as held-to-maturity are carried at fair value and classified as either trading or available-for-sale.
Each reporting period we review all of our investments in equity and debt securities, except for those classified as trading, to
determine whether a significant event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have an adverse effect on the fair value of
each investment. When such events or changes occur, we evaluate the fair value compared to our cost basis in the investment. We also
perform this evaluation every reporting period for each investment for which our cost basis exceeded the fair value. The fair values
of most of our investments in publicly traded companies are often readily available based on quoted market prices. For investments
in nonpublicly traded companies, management’s assessment of fair value is based on valuation methodologies including discounted
cash flows, estimates of sales proceeds, and appraisals, as appropriate. We consider the assumptions that we believe hypothetical
marketplace participants would use in evaluating estimated future cash flows when employing the discounted cash flow or estimates of
sales proceeds valuation methodologies.
In the event the fair value of an investment declines below our cost basis, management is required to determine if the decline in fair
value is other than temporary. If management determines the decline is other than temporary, an impairment charge is recorded.
Management’s assessment as to the nature of a decline in fair value is based on, among other things, the length of time and the extent
to which the market value has been less than our cost basis; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; and our
intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.
Trade Accounts Receivable
We record trade accounts receivable at net realizable value. This value includes an appropriate allowance for estimated uncollectible
accounts to reflect any loss anticipated on the trade accounts receivable balances and charged to the provision for doubtful accounts.
We calculate this allowance based on our history of write-offs, the level of past-due accounts based on the contractual terms of the
receivables, and our relationships with, and the economic status of, our bottling partners and customers. We believe our exposure to
concentrations of credit risk is limited due to the diverse geographic areas covered by our operations.
81
Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Balance at beginning of year
Net charges to costs and expenses1
Write-offs
Other2
Balance at end of year
2017
$ 466
32
(10)
(11)
$ 477
2016
$ 352
126
(10)
(2)
$ 466
2015
$ 331
45
(10)
(14)
$ 352
1 The increases in 2016 were primarily related to concentrate sales receivables from our bottling partner in Venezuela. See Hyperinflationary Economies
discussion below for additional information.
2 Other includes foreign currency translation adjustments and the impact of reclassifying certain assets to assets held for sale. Refer to Note 2.
A significant portion of our net operating revenues and corresponding accounts receivable is derived from sales of our products in
international markets. Refer to Note 19. We also generate a significant portion of our net operating revenues by selling concentrates
and syrups to bottlers in which we have a noncontrolling interest. Refer to Note 6.
Inventories
Inventories consist primarily of raw materials and packaging (which includes ingredients and supplies) and finished goods (which
include concentrates and syrups in our concentrate operations and finished beverages in our finished product operations). Inventories
are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. We determine cost on the basis of the average cost or first-in, first-out methods.
Refer to Note 4.
Derivative Instruments
Our Company, when deemed appropriate, uses derivatives as a risk management tool to mitigate the potential impact of certain
market risks. The primary market risks managed by the Company through the use of derivative instruments are foreign currency
exchange rate risk, commodity price risk and interest rate risk. All derivatives are carried at fair value in our consolidated balance
sheets in the following line items, as applicable: prepaid expenses and other assets; other assets; accounts payable and accrued
expenses; and other liabilities. The cash flow impact of the Company’s derivative instruments is primarily included in our consolidated
statements of cash flows in net cash provided by operating activities. Refer to Note 5.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Repair and maintenance costs that do not improve service potential or extend
economic life are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is recorded principally by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives
of our assets, which are reviewed periodically and generally have the following ranges: buildings and improvements: 40 years or less;
and machinery, equipment and vehicle fleet: 20 years or less. Land is not depreciated, and construction in progress is not depreciated
until ready for service. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining lease
term, including renewals that are deemed to be reasonably assured, or the estimated useful life of the improvement. Depreciation is
not recorded during the period in which a long-lived asset or disposal group is classified as held for sale, even if the asset or disposal
group continues to generate revenue during the period. Depreciation expense, including the depreciation expense of assets under
capital lease, totaled $1,131 million, $1,575 million and $1,735 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Amortization expense for
leasehold improvements totaled $19 million, $22 million and $18 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Certain events or changes in circumstances may indicate that the recoverability of the carrying amount of property, plant and
equipment should be assessed, including, among others, a significant decrease in market value, a significant change in the business
climate in a particular market, or a current period operating or cash flow loss combined with historical losses or projected future
losses. When such events or changes in circumstances are present, we estimate the future cash flows expected to result from the use of
the asset or asset group and its eventual disposition. These estimated future cash flows are consistent with those we use in our internal
planning. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount, we
recognize an impairment loss. The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. We
use a variety of methodologies to determine the fair value of property, plant and equipment, including appraisals and discounted cash
flow models, which are consistent with the assumptions we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use. Refer to Note 7.
82
Goodwill, Trademarks and Other Intangible Assets
We classify intangible assets into three categories: (1) intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization, (2) intangible assets
with indefinite lives not subject to amortization and (3) goodwill. We determine the useful lives of our identifiable intangible assets
after considering the specific facts and circumstances related to each intangible asset. Factors we consider when determining useful
lives include the contractual term of any agreement related to the asset, the historical performance of the asset, the Company’s
long-term strategy for using the asset, any laws or other local regulations which could impact the useful life of the asset, and other
economic factors, including competition and specific market conditions. Intangible assets that are deemed to have definite lives are
amortized, primarily on a straight-line basis, over their useful lives, generally ranging from 1 to 20 years. Refer to Note 8.
When facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of definite-lived intangible assets may not be recoverable, management
assesses the recoverability of the carrying value by preparing estimates of sales volume and the resulting profit and cash flows expected
to result from the use of the asset or asset group and its eventual disposition. These estimated future cash flows are consistent with
those we use in our internal planning. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is
less than the carrying amount, we recognize an impairment loss. The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying
amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value. We use a variety of methodologies to determine the fair value of these assets,
including discounted cash flow models, which are consistent with the assumptions we believe hypothetical marketplace participants
would use.
We test intangible assets determined to have indefinite useful lives, including trademarks, franchise rights and goodwill, for
impairment annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that assets might be impaired. Our Company performs
these annual impairment reviews as of the first day of our third fiscal quarter. We use a variety of methodologies in conducting
impairment assessments of indefinite-lived intangible assets, including, but not limited to, discounted cash flow models, which are
based on the assumptions we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use. For indefinite-lived intangible assets, other
than goodwill, if the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, rather than
completing the impairment test. The Company must assess whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the intangible asset
is less than its carrying amount. If the Company concludes that this is the case, it must perform the testing described above. Otherwise,
the Company does not need to perform any further assessment.
We perform impairment tests of goodwill at our reporting unit level, which is one level below our operating segments. Our operating
segments are primarily based on geographic responsibility, which is consistent with the way management runs our business. Our
operating segments are subdivided into smaller geographic regions or territories that we sometimes refer to as “business units.” These
business units are also our reporting units. The Bottling Investments operating segment includes all Company-owned or consolidated
bottling operations, regardless of geographic location. Generally, each Company-owned or consolidated bottling operation within our
Bottling Investments operating segment is its own reporting unit. Goodwill is assigned to the reporting unit or units that benefit from
the synergies arising from each business combination.
In order to test for goodwill impairment, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, including
goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than its carrying amount, goodwill is written down for the amount by which the
carrying amount exceeds the fair value. However, the loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. We typically use
discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. The assumptions used in these models are consistent with
those we believe a hypothetical marketplace participant would use. The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment
of goodwill in order to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying
amount, including goodwill and other intangible assets. If the Company concludes that this is the case, it must perform the testing
discussed above. Otherwise, the Company does not need to perform any further testing.
Impairment charges related to intangible assets, including goodwill, are generally recorded in the line item other operating charges or,
to the extent they relate to equity method investees, in the line item equity income (loss) — net in our consolidated statements
of income.
Contingencies
Our Company is involved in various legal proceedings and tax matters. Due to their nature, such legal proceedings and tax matters
involve inherent uncertainties including, but not limited to, court rulings, negotiations between affected parties and governmental
actions. Management assesses the probability of loss for such contingencies and accrues a liability and/or discloses the relevant
circumstances, as appropriate. Refer to Note 11.
83
Stock-Based Compensation
Our Company sponsors equity plans that provide for the grant of awards including stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stock
and performance share units. The fair value of our stock option grants is estimated on the grant date using a Black-Scholes-Merton
option-pricing model. The Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the period the grant is earned by
the employee, generally four years.
The fair value of our restricted stock units, restricted stock and certain performance share units is the quoted market value of the
Company’s stock on the grant date less the present value of the expected dividends not received during the relevant period. For most
performance share units granted beginning in 2014, the Company includes a relative total shareowner return (“TSR”) modifier to
determine the number of shares earned at the end of the performance period. For these awards, the number of shares earned based
on the certified achievement of the predefined performance criteria will be reduced or increased if the Company’s total shareowner
return over the performance period relative to a predefined compensation comparator group of companies falls outside of a defined
range. The fair value of performance share units that include the TSR modifier is determined using a Monte Carlo valuation model.
In the period it becomes probable that the minimum performance criteria specified in the performance share award will be achieved,
we recognize expense for the proportionate share of the total fair value of the award related to the vesting period that has already
lapsed. The remaining fair value of the award is expensed on a straight-line basis over the balance of the vesting period. In the event
the Company determines it is no longer probable that we will achieve the minimum performance criteria specified in the award, we
reverse all of the previously recognized compensation expense in the period such a determination is made. The Company has made
a policy election to estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest to determine the amount of stock-based compensation
expense recognized in earnings. Forfeiture estimates are trued-up through the vesting date, in order to ensure that total compensation
expense is recognized only for those awards that ultimately vest. Refer to Note 12.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Our Company sponsors and/or contributes to pension and postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plans covering
substantially all U.S. employees. We also sponsor nonqualified, unfunded defined benefit pension plans for certain associates and
participate in multi-employer pension plans in the United States. In addition, our Company and its subsidiaries have various pension
plans and other forms of postretirement arrangements outside the United States. Refer to Note 13.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense includes U.S., state, local and international income taxes, plus a provision for U.S. taxes on undistributed
earnings of foreign subsidiaries and other prescribed foreign entities not deemed to be indefinitely reinvested. Deferred tax assets
and liabilities are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis
of existing assets and liabilities. The tax rate used to determine the deferred tax assets and liabilities is the enacted tax rate for the
year and manner in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to
the amount that will more likely than not be realized. The Company records taxes that are collected from customers and remitted to
governmental authorities on a net basis in our consolidated statements of income.
The Company is involved in various tax matters, with respect to some of which the outcome is uncertain. We establish reserves to
remove some or all of the tax benefit of any of our tax positions at the time we determine that it becomes uncertain based upon one of
the following conditions: (1) the tax position is not “more likely than not” to be sustained, (2) the tax position is “more likely than not”
to be sustained, but for a lesser amount, or (3) the tax position is “more likely than not” to be sustained, but not in the financial period
in which the tax position was originally taken. For purposes of evaluating whether or not a tax position is uncertain, (1) we presume
the tax position will be examined by the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information; (2) the technical
merits of a tax position are derived from authorities such as legislation and statutes, legislative intent, regulations, rulings and case law
and their applicability to the facts and circumstances of the tax position; and (3) each tax position is evaluated without consideration
of the possibility of offset or aggregation with other tax positions taken. A number of years may elapse before a particular uncertain
tax position is audited and finally resolved or when a tax assessment is raised. The number of years subject to tax assessments varies
depending on the tax jurisdiction. The tax benefit that has been previously reserved because of a failure to meet the “more likely than
not” recognition threshold would be recognized in income tax expense in the first interim period when the uncertainty disappears
under any one of the following conditions: (1) the tax position is “more likely than not” to be sustained, (2) the tax position, amount,
and/or timing is ultimately settled through negotiation or litigation, or (3) the statute of limitations for the tax position has expired.
Refer to Note 11 and Note 14.
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Translation and Remeasurement
We translate the assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries from their respective functional currencies to U.S. dollars at the
appropriate spot rates as of the balance sheet date. Generally, our foreign subsidiaries use the local currency as their functional
currency. Changes in the carrying value of these assets and liabilities attributable to fluctuations in spot rates are recognized in
foreign currency translation adjustment, a component of AOCI. Refer to Note 15. Income statement accounts are translated using the
monthly average exchange rates during the year.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency that is different from a reporting entity’s functional currency must first
be remeasured from the applicable currency to the legal entity’s functional currency. The effect of this remeasurement process is
recognized in the line item other income (loss) — net in our consolidated statements of income and is partially offset by the impact of
our economic hedging program for certain exposures on our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 5.
Hyperinflationary Economies
A hyperinflationary economy is one that has cumulative inflation of 100 percent or more over a three-year period. In accordance
with U.S. GAAP, local subsidiaries in hyperinflationary economies are required to use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency and
remeasure the monetary assets and liabilities not denominated in U.S. dollars using the rate applicable to conversion of a currency for
purposes of dividend remittances. All exchange gains and losses resulting from remeasurement are recognized currently in income.
Venezuela has been designated as a hyperinflationary economy. In February 2015, the Venezuelan government introduced a new open
market exchange rate system, SIMADI. As a result, we remeasured the net monetary assets of our Venezuelan subsidiary, resulting in
a charge of $27 million recorded in the line item other income (loss) — net in our consolidated statement of income.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Venezuelan government devalued its currency and changed its official and most
preferential exchange rate, which should be used for purchases of certain essential goods, to 10 bolivars per U.S. dollar from 6.3.
The official and most preferential rate is now known as DIPRO and the former official rate has been eliminated. The Venezuelan
government replaced the SIMADI rate with the DICOM rate, which is allowed to float freely and is expected to fluctuate based on
supply and demand. As a result, management determined that the DICOM rate was the most appropriate legally available rate to
remeasure the net monetary assets of our Venezuelan subsidiary.
In addition, we sell concentrate to our bottling partner in Venezuela from outside the country. These sales are denominated in U.S.
dollars. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, as a result of the continued lack of liquidity and our
revised assessment of the U.S. dollar value we expect to realize upon the conversion of Venezuelan bolivars into U.S. dollars by our
bottling partner to pay our concentrate sales receivables, we recorded write-downs of $76 million and $56 million, respectively. These
write-downs were recorded in the line item other operating charges in our consolidated statements of income.
We also have certain U.S. dollar-denominated intangible assets associated with products sold in Venezuela. As a result of weaker sales,
the volatility of foreign currency exchange rates resulting from continued instability and the Company’s revised expectations regarding
the convertibility of the local currency, we recognized impairment charges of $34 million and $55 million during the years ended
December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2015, respectively. These charges were recorded in the line item other operating charges in our
consolidated statements of income. As a result of these impairment charges, the remaining carrying value of all U.S.
dollar-denominated intangible assets associated with products sold in Venezuela is zero.
Refer to Note 19 for the impact these items had on our operating segments.
Recently Issued Accounting Guidance
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue
from Contracts with Customers, which will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP and is intended to
improve and converge with international standards the financial reporting requirements for revenue from contracts with customers.
The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the
amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosures about
the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and
changes in judgments. ASU 2014-09 allows for adoption either on a full retrospective basis to each prior reporting period presented
or on a modified retrospective basis with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new guidance recognized at the date of initial
application, which will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018.
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The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 and its amendments on a modified retrospective basis. We have closely assessed the
new guidance, including the interpretations by the FASB Transition Resource Group for Revenue Recognition, throughout
2017. We have concluded that ASU 2014-09’s broad definition of variable consideration will require the Company to estimate
and record certain variable payments resulting from collaborative funding arrangements, rebates and other pricing allowances
earlier than it currently does. While we do not expect this change to have a material impact on our net operating revenues on
an annual basis, as revenue recognized from the sale of concentrate and finished goods occurs at a point in time when goods are
transferred to the customer and the transfer of control is determined, we do expect that it will have an impact on our revenue in
interim periods. The cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption of the new revenue recognition standard as of January 1, 2018
is comprised primarily of the Company’s estimated variable consideration and is expected to decrease the opening balance of
retained earnings by less than $350 million, net of tax.
As a result of electing certain of the practical expedients available under the ASU, the Company expects there will be some
reclassifications to or from net operating revenues, cost of goods sold, and selling, general and administrative expenses, primarily
related to the classification of shipping and handling costs.
Additionally, the provisions of the new guidance provided clarification relating to the classification of certain costs incurred relating
to revenue arrangements with customers. As a result, we will be classifying certain amounts in cost of goods sold or selling, general
and administrative expenses that were previously classified as reductions in net operating revenues. The Company also evaluated the
principal versus agent considerations as it relates to certain of its arrangements with third-party manufacturers and co-packers. We
concluded that certain costs from these arrangements will be reflected in net operating revenues rather than in cost of goods sold.
These changes will have no impact on the Company’s consolidated operating income.
The Company has also identified and implemented changes to our accounting policies and practices, business processes, systems
and controls, as well as designed and implemented specific controls over our evaluation of the impact of the new guidance on the
Company, including the cumulative effect calculation, disclosure requirements and the collection of relevant data into the reporting
process. While we are substantially complete with the process of quantifying the impacts that will result from applying the new
guidance, our assessment will be finalized during the first quarter of 2018.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The amendments in this update
are intended to simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes and require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as
noncurrent in a consolidated statement of financial position. The standard was prospectively adopted by the Company on January 1,
2017. Had the Company retrospectively adopted the standard as of December 31, 2016, the line items prepaid expenses and other
assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses in our consolidated balance sheet would have been reduced by $80 million and
$692 million, respectively, as a result of reclassifying the current deferred tax assets and liabilities. The offsetting impact for the
reclassifications as of December 31, 2016 would have increased the noncurrent line items other assets and deferred income taxes in our
consolidated balance sheet by $54 million and $666 million, respectively.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments — Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets
and Financial Liabilities, which addresses certain aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial
instruments. The amendment will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018 and will require us to recognize any changes
in the fair value of certain equity investments in net income. These changes are currently recognized in other comprehensive income
(“OCI”). We have evaluated the impact of this standard and will recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of
retained earnings as of January 1, 2018. We expect this cumulative effect adjustment to increase retained earnings by approximately
$425 million.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets, representing their
right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms greater
than 12 months. The guidance also requires qualitative and quantitative disclosures designed to assess the amount, timing and
uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The Company has initiated its plan for the adoption and implementation of this new
accounting standard, including assessing our lease arrangements, evaluating practical expedient and accounting policy elections,
and implementing software to meet the reporting requirements of this standard. The Company is also in the process of identifying
changes to our business processes and controls to support adoption of the new standard. The standard requires the use of a modified
retrospective transition approach, which includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. ASU
2016-02 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019. The Company anticipates the adoption of this new standard to
result in a significant increase in lease-related assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. The impact on the Company’s
consolidated statements of income is being evaluated. As the impact of this standard is non-cash in nature, we do not anticipate its
adoption having an impact on the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows.
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In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment
Accounting. The standard is intended to simplify several areas of accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including
the income tax impact, classification on the statement of cash flows and forfeitures. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 on January 1,
2017 by prospectively recognizing excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in our consolidated statement of income as the awards vested
or were settled. Effective January 1, 2017, the Company also prospectively presented excess tax benefits as an operating activity, rather
than a financing activity, in our consolidated statement of cash flows. Had these changes been required to be adopted retrospectively,
during the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company would have recognized an additional $130 million
and $95 million, respectively, of excess tax benefits in our consolidated statements of income. Additionally, during the years ended
December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company would have reduced our financing activities and increased our operating
activities by $130 million and $95 million, respectively, in our consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company has elected,
consistent with past practice, to estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest to determine the amount of stock-based
compensation expense recognized in earnings.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which
requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company
beginning January 1, 2020 and we are currently evaluating the impact that it will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses eight
specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. ASU 2016-15 is effective for the Company
beginning January 1, 2018 and will be applied using the retrospective transition approach to all periods presented. We expect that the
only impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-15 on our consolidated statement of cash flows will be the change in presentation related
to our proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies. We currently reflect these proceeds in operating
activities, however upon adoption of the new standard, we will reflect these proceeds in investing activities.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which requires the Company
to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. ASU
2016-16 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018 and will be applied using a modified retrospective basis. We currently
expect the cumulative-effect adjustment will result in a net deferred tax asset of approximately $2.8 billion. This amount will primarily
be recorded as a deferred tax asset in the line item other assets in our consolidated balance sheet.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash. The amendments in this update address diversity in practice that
exists in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash and require that a statement of cash flows explain the change
during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts that an entity defines as restricted cash for purposes of this
standard or otherwise does not present in the line item cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet. ASU 2016-18 is effective for the
Company beginning January 1, 2018 and is required to be applied using a retrospective transition method to all periods presented. We
expect that adoption of ASU 2016-18 will change how we report changes in cash within our insurance captives and assets held for sale
in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business with
the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or
disposals) of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 is required to be applied prospectively and will be effective for the Company beginning
January 1, 2018. The impact on our consolidated financial statements will depend on the facts and circumstances of any specific
future transactions.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement
Benefit Cost, which requires that the service cost component of the Company’s net periodic pension cost and net periodic
postretirement benefit cost be included in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by employees,
with the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost being classified outside of a subtotal of income from operations. Of
the components of net periodic benefit cost, only the service cost component will be eligible for asset capitalization. ASU 2017-07
is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018 and is required to be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. We
will elect to use the practical expedient which allows entities to use information previously disclosed in their pension and other
postretirement benefit plans note as the estimation basis to apply the retrospective presentation requirements in this ASU. For the
years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we expect to reclassify $99 million and $31 million, respectively, related to our non-service
cost components of net periodic benefit cost and other benefit plan charges from operating income to other income (loss) — net in our
consolidated statements of income.
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In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which eliminates the
requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and requires companies to recognize all elements of hedge
accounting that impact earnings in the same income statement line item where the hedged item resides. The amendments include
new alternatives for measuring the hedged item for fair value hedges of interest rate risk and ease the requirements for effectiveness
testing, hedge documentation and applying the critical terms match method. Finally, the standard introduces new alternatives that
permit companies to reduce the risk of material error if the shortcut method is misapplied. ASU 2017-12 is effective for the Company
beginning January 1, 2019 and is required to be applied prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU
2017-12 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 2: ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
Acquisitions
During 2017, our Company’s acquisitions of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities totaled
$3,900 million, of which $3,150 million related to the transition of ABI’s 54.5 percent controlling interest in CCBA to the Company,
resulting in its consolidation in October 2017. The financial position and results of operations of CCBA are being accounted for as
a discontinued operation. Refer to the “Discontinued Operations” section within this note below for further details. Additionally,
in conjunction with the refranchising of Coca-Cola Refreshments’ (“CCR”) Southwest operating unit (“Southwest Transaction”),
we obtained an equity interest in AC Bebidas, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“AC Bebidas”), a subsidiary of Arca Continental, S.A.B. de C.V.
(“Arca”), primarily for non-cash consideration. Refer to the “North America Refranchising” section within this note below for further
details. The remaining activity primarily related to the acquisition of AdeS, a plant-based beverage business, by the Company and
several of its bottling partners in Latin America, and the acquisition of the U.S. rights to the Topo Chico premium sparkling water
brand from AC Bebidas, an equity method investee.
During 2016, our Company’s acquisitions of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities totaled $838 million,
which primarily related to our acquisition of Xiamen Culiangwang Beverage Technology Co., Ltd. (“China Green”), a maker of
plant-based protein beverages in China, and a minority investment in CHI Limited (“CHI”), a Nigerian producer of value-added
dairy and juice beverages, which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the terms of the agreement for our
investment in CHI, the Company is obligated to acquire the remaining ownership interest from the existing shareowners in 2019 based
on an agreed-upon formula.
During 2015, our Company’s acquisitions of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities totaled
$2,491 million, which primarily related to our strategic partnership with Monster Beverage Corporation (“Monster”) and an
investment in a bottling partner in Indonesia that is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The bottling partner in
Indonesia is a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Amatil Limited, an equity method investee. We also acquired the remaining outstanding shares
of a bottling partner in South Africa (“South African bottler”), which was previously accounted for as an equity method investment.
We remeasured our previously held equity interest in the South African bottler to fair value upon the close of the transaction and
recorded a loss on the remeasurement of $19 million during the year ended December 31, 2015. This bottler was deconsolidated in
conjunction with the Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Proprietary Limited transaction discussed further below.
Monster Beverage Corporation
In June 2015, the Company and Monster entered into a long-term strategic relationship in the global energy drink category (“Monster
Transaction”). As a result of the Monster Transaction, (1) the Company purchased newly issued shares of Monster common stock
representing approximately 17 percent of the outstanding shares of Monster common stock (after giving effect to the new issuance);
(2) the Company sold its global energy drink business (including NOS, Full Throttle, Burn, Mother, Play and Power Play, and
Relentless) to Monster, and the Company acquired Monster’s non-energy drink business (including Hansen’s Natural Sodas, Peace
Tea, Hubert’s Lemonade and Hansen’s Juice Products); and (3) the parties amended their distribution coordination agreements to
expand distribution of Monster products into additional territories pursuant to long-term agreements with the Company’s existing
network of Company-owned or -controlled bottling operations and independent distribution partners. The Company and its bottling
partners (“Coca-Cola system”) also became Monster’s preferred global distribution partner. The Company made a net cash payment
of $2,150 million to Monster, of which $125 million was originally held in escrow, subject to release upon achievement of milestones
relating to the transfer of Monster’s domestic distribution rights to our distribution network. The $125 million originally held in escrow
was transferred to Monster in 2017 upon achievement of the related milestones.
The Monster Transaction consisted of multiple elements including the purchase of common stock, the acquisition and
divestiture of businesses and the expansion of distribution territories. When consideration transferred is not solely in the form
of cash, measurement is based on either the cost to the acquiring entity (the fair value of the assets given) or the fair value of
the assets acquired, whichever is more clearly evident and, thus, more reliably measurable. As the majority of the consideration
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transferred was cash, we believe the fair value of the consideration transferred is more reliably measurable. The consideration
transferred consists of $2,150 million of cash (including $125 million initially held in escrow) and the fair value of our global energy
business of $2,046 million, which we determined using discounted cash flow analyses, resulting in total consideration transferred of
$4,196 million.
As such, we have allocated the total consideration transferred to the individual assets and business acquired based on a relative fair
value basis, using the closing date fair values of each element, as follows (in millions):
Equity investment in Monster
Expansion of distribution territories
Monster non-energy drink business
Total assets and business acquired
June 12, 2015
$ 3,066
1,035
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$ 4,196
In addition to our ownership interest in Monster’s outstanding common stock, the Company is represented by two directors on
Monster’s 10 member Board of Directors. Based on our equity ownership percentage, the significance that our expanded distribution
and coordination agreements have on Monster’s operations, and our representation on Monster’s Board of Directors, the Company is
accounting for its interest in Monster as an equity method investment.
As a result of the Monster Transaction, the North America Coca-Cola system obtained the right to distribute Monster products in
territories for which it was not previously the authorized distributor (“expanded territories”). These distribution rights are governed
by an agreement with an initial term of 20 years, after which it will continue to remain in effect unless otherwise terminated by either
party, and there are no future costs of renewal. As such, these rights were determined to be indefinite-lived intangible assets and were
classified in the line item bottlers’ franchise rights with indefinite lives on our consolidated balance sheet. At the time of the Monster
Transaction, CCR was the distributor in the majority of the expanded territories. The remainder of the territories were serviced by
independent bottling partners. Of the $1,035 million allocated to the expanded distribution rights, the Company derecognized
$341 million related to the expanded territories serviced by the independent bottling partners upon the close of the transaction. As
consideration for these rights, the Company received an upfront payment of $28 million related to these territories, and we will receive
a payment per case on all future sales made by these independent bottlers for the duration of the distribution agreements. As these
payments are dependent on future sales, they are a form of contingent consideration. We elected to account for this consideration in
the same manner as the contingent consideration to be received in the North America refranchising, discussed below. This resulted in
a net loss of $313 million recorded in the line item other income (loss) — net in our consolidated statement of income during the year
ended December 31, 2015.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized a gain of $1,715 million on the sale of our global energy drink
business, primarily due to the difference in the recorded carrying value of the assets transferred, including an allocated portion of
goodwill, compared to the value of the total assets and business acquired. After considering the loss resulting from the derecognition
of the expanded territory rights serviced by the independent bottling partners, the net gain recognized on the Monster Transaction was
$1,403 million, which was recorded in the line item other income (loss) — net in our consolidated statement of income. Additionally,
under the terms of the Monster Transaction, we were required to discontinue selling energy products under certain trademarks,
including one trademark in the glacéau portfolio. The Company recognized an impairment charge of $380 million upon closing,
primarily related to the discontinuation of the energy products in the glacéau portfolio, which was recorded in the line item other
operating charges in our consolidated statement of income.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, based on the relative fair values of the total assets and business acquired, $1,620 million
of the $2,150 million cash payment made was classified in the line item acquisitions of businesses, equity method investments and
nonmarketable securities in our consolidated statement of cash flows. The remaining $530 million was classified in the line item other
investing activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
Divestitures
During 2017, proceeds from disposals of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities totaled $3,821 million,
primarily related to proceeds from the refranchising of certain of our bottling territories in North America and our China bottling
operations.
During 2016, proceeds from disposals of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities totaled $1,035 million,
primarily related to proceeds from the refranchising of certain of our bottling territories in North America.
During 2015, proceeds from disposals of businesses, equity method investments and nonmarketable securities totaled
$565 million, which included proceeds from the refranchising of certain of our bottling territories in North America and
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proceeds from the sale of a 10 percent interest in a Brazilian bottling partner as a result of the majority owners exercising their right to
acquire additional shares from us.
North America Refranchising
In conjunction with implementing a new beverage partnership model in North America, the Company refranchised bottling territories
that were previously managed by CCR to certain of our unconsolidated bottling partners. These territories generally border these
bottlers’ existing territories, allowing each bottler to better service local customers and provide more efficient execution. By entering
into comprehensive beverage agreements (“CBAs”) with each of the bottlers, we granted certain exclusive territory rights for the
distribution, promotion, marketing and sale of Company-owned and licensed beverage products as defined by the CBA.
Each CBA generally has a term of 10 years and is renewable, in most cases by the bottler and in some cases by the Company,
indefinitely for successive additional terms of 10 years each. Under the CBA, except for the CBA entered into in conjunction with
the Southwest Transaction and for additional territories sold to AC Bebidas, the bottlers will make ongoing quarterly payments to the
Company based on their gross profit in the refranchised territories throughout the term of the CBA, including renewals, in exchange
for the grant of the exclusive territory rights. Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, the co-owners of which are former management of CCR,
will make ongoing quarterly payments based on the gross profit in its refranchised territories upon the earlier of reaching a predefined
level of profitability, or the 41st quarter following the closing date.
Contemporaneously with the grant of these rights, the Company sold the distribution assets, certain working capital items, and the
exclusive rights to distribute certain beverage brands not owned by the Company, but distributed by CCR, in each of these territories,
excluding the territory included in the Southwest Transaction, to the respective bottlers in exchange for cash.
In 2016, the Company formed a new National Product Supply System (“NPSS”) to facilitate optimal operation of the U.S. product
supply system. Under the NPSS, the Company and several of its existing independent producing bottlers administer key national
product supply activities for these bottlers. Additionally, we have sold certain production facilities from CCR to these independent
producing bottlers in exchange for cash, excluding production facilities included in the Southwest Transaction.
During the years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, cash proceeds from these sales totaled
$2,860 million, $1,017 million and $362 million, respectively. Included in the cash proceeds for the years ended December 31, 2017,
December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $336 million, $279 million and $83 million, respectively, from Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Consolidated (“CCBCC”), an equity method investee. Also included in the cash proceeds for the year ended December 31, 2017, was
$220 million from AC Bebidas, and $39 million from Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages.
Under the applicable accounting guidance, we were required to derecognize all of the tangible assets sold as well as the intangible
assets transferred, including distribution rights, customer relationships and an allocated portion of goodwill related to these territories.
We recognized losses of $3,177 million, $2,456 million and $1,006 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, December 31,
2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Included in these amounts are losses from transactions with equity method investees or
former management of $1,104 million, $492 million and $379 million, during the years ended December 31, 2017, December 31,
2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. These losses primarily related to the derecognition of the intangible assets transferred or
reclassified as held for sale and were included in the line item other income (loss) — net in our consolidated statements of income.
The losses in 2017 included $236 million of expense associated with an indemnification liability related to an underfunded
multi-employer benefit plan in which employees of certain of its refranchised territories participate. As of December 31, 2017, CCR
had completed the refranchising of its U.S. bottling operations, with the exception of its operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which
are classified as held for sale. See further discussion of assets and liabilities held for sale below. In total, we expect to recover the value
of the intangible assets transferred to the bottlers under the CBAs through the future quarterly payments; however, as the payments
for the territory rights are dependent on the bottlers’ future gross profit in these territories, they are considered a form of
contingent consideration.
There is diversity in practice as it relates to the accounting for contingent consideration by the seller. The seller can account for the
future contingent payments received as a gain contingency, recognizing the amounts in the income statement only after the related
contingencies are resolved and the gain is realized, which in this arrangement will be quarterly as the bottlers earn gross profit in the
transferred territories. Alternatively, the seller can record a receivable for the contingent consideration at fair value on the date of
sale and record any future differences between the payments received and this receivable in the income statement as they occur. We
elected the gain contingency treatment since the quarterly payments will be received throughout the terms of the CBAs, including all
subsequent renewals, regardless of the cumulative amount received as compared to the value of the intangible assets transferred.
90
During the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company incurred losses of $313 million and $31 million,
respectively, primarily related to payments made to certain of our unconsolidated bottling partners in order to convert the bottling
agreements for their legacy territories and any previously refranchised territories to a single form of CBA with additional
requirements. The additional requirements generally include a binding national governance model, mandatory incidence pricing
and additional core performance requirements, among other things. As a result of these conversions, the legacy territories and any
previously refranchised territories for each of the related bottling partners will be governed under similar CBAs, which will provide
consistency across each such bottler’s respective territory, and consistency with other U.S. bottlers that have been granted or converted
to this form of CBA. The losses related to these payments were included in the line item other income (loss) — net in our consolidated
statements of income during the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
On April 1, 2017, the Company refranchised the Southwest operating unit of CCR, which includes Texas and parts of Oklahoma,
New Mexico and Arkansas, in the Southwest Transaction. In conjunction with the Southwest Transaction, Arca contributed its
existing beverage business to AC Bebidas. CCR contributed its Southwest operating unit, including all of its assets and liabilities, to
AC Bebidas in exchange for an approximate 20 percent interest in AC Bebidas. Arca owns the remaining interest in AC Bebidas.
Additionally, CCR made cash payments of $144 million, net of cash received. As a result of the Southwest Transaction, the Company
recognized a gain of $1,037 million due to the difference in the recorded carrying value of the net assets transferred compared to the
value of the interest it obtained in AC Bebidas of $2,960 million, which was determined using an income and market approach (a
Level 3 measurement). This gain was recorded in the line item other income (loss) — net in our consolidated statement of income.
AC Bebidas will participate in the NPSS as it relates to its U.S. territory. The Company accounts for its interest in AC Bebidas as an
equity method investment based on our equity ownership percentage, our representation on AC Bebidas’ Board of Directors, material
intercompany transactions and other governance rights.
Refer to Note 19 for the impact these items had on our operating segments.
Refranchising of China Bottling Operations
In November 2016, the Company entered into definitive agreements for the sale of the Company-owned bottling operations in China
to the two existing local franchise bottlers, one of which is an equity method investee, and to sell a related cost method investment
to one of the franchise bottlers. As a result, the Company’s bottling operations in China and a related cost method investment were
classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2016. We received net proceeds of $963 million as a result of these sales and recognized
a gain of $88 million during the year ended December 31, 2017, which was included in the line item other income (loss) — net in our
consolidated statement of income.
Coca-Cola European Partners
In May 2016, the Company merged our German bottling operations with Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. (“CCE”) and Coca-Cola
Iberian Partners, S.A.U., formerly known as Coca-Cola Iberian Partners, S.A. (“CCIP”), to create Coca-Cola European Partners plc
(“CCEP”). In exchange for our German bottling operations, we received an 18 percent interest in CCEP. As a result of recording
our interest in CCEP at fair value based on its quoted market price (a Level 1 measurement), the deconsolidation of our German
bottling operations, and the related reversal of its cumulative translation adjustments, we recognized a gain of $1,400 million. This
gain was partially offset by a $77 million loss incurred as a result of reclassifying losses related to our net investment hedges of our
German bottling operations from AOCI into earnings as well as transaction costs incurred resulting in a net gain of $1,287 million
during the year ended December 31, 2016. Refer to Note 15. With the exception of the transaction costs, the net gain was recorded in
the line item other income (loss) — net in our consolidated statement of income. The Company accounts for its interest in CCEP as
an equity method investment based on our equity ownership percentage, our representation on CCEP’s Board of Directors, material
intercompany transactions and other governance rights.
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Proprietary Limited
In July 2016, the Company, SABMiller plc and Gutsche Family Investments combined the bottling operations of each of the parties’
nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverage businesses in Southern and East Africa to form a new bottler, which is called CCBA. The
Company: (1) contributed its South African bottling operations to CCBA, which included certain wholly owned subsidiaries and
an equity method investment, (2) paid $150 million in cash, (3) obtained a 12 percent interest in CCBA and a 3 percent interest in
CCBA’s South African subsidiary and (4) acquired several trademarks that are generally indefinite-lived.
As a result of recording our interests in CCBA and its South African subsidiary at fair value, the deconsolidation of our
South African bottling operations, the derecognition of the equity method investment, and the reversal of related cumulative
translation adjustments, we recognized a loss of $21 million. The fair values of the equity investments in CCBA and CCBA’s
South African subsidiary, along with the acquired trademarks, were determined using income approaches, including discounted
91
cash flow models (a Level 3 measurement), and the Company believes the inputs and assumptions used are consistent with those
hypothetical marketplace participants would use. The loss recognized resulted primarily from the reversal of the related cumulative
translation adjustments. This loss is recorded in the line item other income (loss) — net in our consolidated statement of income
during the year ended December 31, 2016.
Based on the level of equity ownership, the Company’s representation on CCBA’s Board of Directors (two of its ten members) and
other governance rights, the Company accounted for its interests in CCBA and CCBA’s South African subsidiary as equity method
investments. The Company’s interest in CCBA provided it with a call option to acquire the ownership interest of SABMiller plc at fair
value upon the occurrence of certain events, including upon a change in control of SABMiller plc.
In October 2016, ABI acquired SABMiller plc, including its 54.5 percent controlling interest in CCBA. In October 2017, the Company
and ABI completed the transition of ABI’s controlling interest in CCBA to the Company for $3,150 million. We plan to hold our
controlling interest in CCBA temporarily and are currently in discussions with several potential buyers. Accordingly, we have
presented the financial position and results of operations of CCBA as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated
financial statements from its date of acquisition. See further discussion of discontinued operations below.
Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
In 2014, the Company purchased a 12 percent equity position in Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (“Keurig”) for $1,567 million. In
February 2015, the Company purchased an additional 4 percent ownership interest from Credit Suisse Capital LLC under an
agreement for a total purchase price of $830 million. As this agreement qualified as a derivative, we recognized a loss of $58 million
in the line item other income (loss) — net in our consolidated statement of income during the year ended December 31, 2015. The
purchases of the shares were included in the line item purchases of investments in our consolidated statement of cash flows, net of any
related derivative impact. The Company accounted for the investment in Keurig as an available-for-sale security.
In March 2016, a JAB Holding Company-led investor group acquired Keurig. The Company received proceeds of $2,380 million,
which were recorded in the line item proceeds from disposals of investments in our consolidated statement of cash flows, and recorded
a gain of $18 million related to the disposal of our shares of Keurig in the line item other income (loss) — net in our consolidated
statement of income during the year ended December 31, 2016.
Brazilian Bottling Operations
In January 2015, the owners of the majority interest in a Brazilian bottling operation exercised their option to acquire from us shares
representing a 10 percent interest in the entity’s outstanding shares. We recorded a loss of $6 million as a result of the exercise price
being lower than our carrying value of these shares. As a result of this transaction, the Company’s ownership was reduced to 34 percent
of the entity’s outstanding shares. The owners of the majority interest have a remaining option to acquire an additional 14 percent
interest of the entity’s outstanding shares at any time through December 31, 2019, based on an agreed-upon formula.
Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had entered into agreements to refranchise its U.S. Virgin Islands bottling territories. As these
bottling territories met the criteria to be classified as held for sale, we were required to record their assets and liabilities at the lower
of carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell based on the agreed-upon sale price and present the related assets and liabilities
as separate line items in our consolidated balance sheet. These bottling territories were refranchised in January 2018. In addition, the
Company had certain bottling operations in Latin America that met the criteria to be classified as held for sale, which requires us to
present the related assets and liabilities as separate line items in our consolidated balance sheet. We were not required to record these
assets and liabilities at fair value less any costs to sell because their fair value approximates their carrying value. The Company expects
these operations to be refranchised during 2018.
92
The following table presents information related to the major classes of assets and liabilities that were classified as held for sale in our
consolidated balance sheets (in millions):
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
Trade accounts receivable, less allowances
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Equity method investments
Other investments
Other assets
Property, plant and equipment — net
Bottlers' franchise rights with indefinite lives
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Allowance for reduction of assets held for sale
Assets held for sale
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Accrued income taxes
Other liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Liabilities held for sale
December 31,
2017
$ 13
10
11
12
—
—
7
85
5
103
1
(28)
$ 2191
$ 22
—
12
3
$ 372
$
December 31,
2016
49
43
264
114
1
42
17
1,780
1,388
390
51
(1,342)
$ 2,7973
393
$
13
1
303
7104
$
1 Consists of total assets relating to North America refranchising of $9 million and Latin America bottling operations of $210 million, which are included in
the Bottling Investments operating segment.
2 Consists of total liabilities relating to North America refranchising of $5 million and Latin America bottling operations of $32 million, which are included
in the Bottling Investments operating segment.
3 Consists of total assets relating to North America refranchising of $1,247 million, China bottling operations of $1,533 million and other assets held for
sale of $17 million, which are included in the Bottling Investments and Corporate operating segments.
4 Consists of total liabilities relating to North America refranchising of $224 million, China bottling operations of $483 million and other liabilities held for
sale of $3 million, which are included in the Bottling Investments and Corporate operating segments.
We determined that the operations included in the table above did not meet the criteria to be classified as discontinued operations
under the applicable guidance.
Discontinued Operations
In October 2017, the Company and ABI completed the transition of ABI’s controlling interest in CCBA to the Company for
$3,150 million. We plan to hold our controlling interest in CCBA temporarily and are currently in discussions with several potential
buyers, and anticipate divesting of this interest in 2018. Accordingly, we have presented the financial position and results of operations
of CCBA as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from its date of consolidation.
Upon consolidation of CCBA, we remeasured our previously held equity interests in CCBA and its South African subsidiary to
fair value and recorded a gain on the remeasurement of $150 million. The fair values in our previously held equity investments in
CCBA and its South African subsidiary were determined using income approaches, including discounted cash flow models (a Level 3
measurement), and the Company believes the inputs and assumptions used are consistent with those hypothetical marketplace
participants would use. We recorded the noncontrolling interests of CCBA at an estimated fair value of $1,805 million. The fair value
of the noncontrolling interests was assessed in a manner similar to our previously held equity investments.
The preliminary goodwill recorded at the time of the transaction was $4,262 million, none of which is tax deductible. This
goodwill is in part due to the significant synergies that are expected from the consolidation of the bottling system in Southern
and East Africa, especially within the country of South Africa. The initial accounting for the business combination is currently
93
incomplete, although preliminary purchase accounting entries have been recorded. The disclosures that are expected to be impacted
by the completion of purchase accounting are the classification of assets held for sale — discontinued operations and liabilities held for
sale — discontinued operations in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
The following table presents information related to the major classes of assets and liabilities of CCBA that were classified as held for
sale — discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheet (in millions):
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
Trade accounts receivable, less allowances
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Equity method investments
Other assets
Property, plant and equipment — net
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Assets held for sale — discontinued operations
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Loans and notes payable
Current maturities of long-term debt
Accrued income taxes
Long-term debt
Other liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Liabilities held for sale — discontinued operations
NOTE 3: INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2017
$ 97
299
299
52
7
29
1,436
4,248
862
$ 7,329
$ 598
404
6
40
19
10
419
$ 1,496
Investments in debt and marketable securities, other than investments accounted for under the equity method, are classified as trading,
available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Our marketable equity investments are classified as either trading or available-for-sale with
their cost basis determined by the specific identification method. Our investments in debt securities are carried at either amortized
cost or fair value. Investments in debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are carried at
amortized cost and classified as held-to-maturity. Investments in debt securities that are not classified as held-to-maturity are carried
at fair value and classified as either trading or available-for-sale. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities and
realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in net income. Unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes,
on available-for-sale securities are included in our consolidated balance sheets as a component of AOCI, except for the change in fair
value attributable to the currency risk being hedged. Refer to Note 5 for additional information related to the Company’s fair value
hedges of available-for-sale securities.
Trading Securities
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our trading securities had a fair value of $407 million and $384 million, respectively, and consisted
primarily of equity securities. The Company had net unrealized gains on trading securities of $67 million, $39 million and $19 million
as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company’s trading securities were included in the following line items in our consolidated balance sheets (in millions):
December 31,
Marketable securities
Other assets
Total
2017
$ 295
112
$ 407
2016
$ 282
102
$ 384
94
Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity Securities
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not have any held-to-maturity securities. Available-for-sale securities consisted
of the following (in millions):
2017
Available-for-sale securities:1
Equity securities
Debt securities
Total
2016
Available-for-sale securities:1
Equity securities
Debt securities
Total
Gross Unrealized
Cost
Gains
Losses
Estimated
Fair Value
$ 1,276
5,782
$ 7,058
$ 685
157
$ 842
$ (66)
(27)
$ (93)
$ 1,895
5,912
$ 7,807
$ 1,252
4,700
$ 5,952
$ 425
89
$ 514
$ (22)
(31)
$ (53)
$ 1,655
4,758
$ 6,413
1 Refer to Note 16 for additional information related to the estimated fair value.
The sale and/or maturity of available-for-sale securities resulted in the following realized activity (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Gross gains
Gross losses
Proceeds
$
2017
68
(32)
14,205
$
2016
152
(51)
11,540
$
2015
103
(42)
4,043
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had investments classified as available-for-sale securities in which our cost basis
exceeded the fair value of our investment. Management assessed each of these investments on an individual basis to determine if the
decline in fair value was other than temporary. Management’s assessment as to the nature of a decline in fair value is based on, among
other things, the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than our cost basis; the financial condition and
near-term prospects of the issuer; and our intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any
anticipated recovery in market value. As a result of these assessments, management determined that the decline in fair value of these
investments was not other than temporary and did not record any impairment charges.
The Company uses two of its consolidated insurance captives to reinsure group annuity insurance contracts that cover the pension
obligations of certain of our European and Canadian pension plans. In accordance with local insurance regulations, our insurance
captives are required to meet and maintain minimum solvency capital requirements. The Company elected to invest its solvency capital
in a portfolio of available-for-sale securities, which have been classified in the line item other assets in our consolidated balance sheets
because the assets are not available to satisfy our current obligations. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s available-for-
sale securities included solvency capital funds of $1,159 million and $985 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not have any held-to-maturity securities. The Company’s available-for-sale
securities were included in the following line items in our consolidated balance sheets (in millions):
December 31,
Cash and cash equivalents
Marketable securities
Other investments
Other assets
Total
$
2017
667
5,022
953
1,165
$ 7,807
$
2016
682
3,769
849
1,113
$ 6,413
95
The contractual maturities of these available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2017 were as follows (in millions):
Within 1 year
After 1 year through 5 years
After 5 years through 10 years
After 10 years
Equity securities
Total
Cost
$ 1,433
3,929
103
317
1,276
$ 7,058
Estimated Fair
Value
$ 1,491
3,983
117
321
1,895
$ 7,807
The Company expects that actual maturities may differ from the contractual maturities above because borrowers have the right to call
or prepay certain obligations.
Cost Method Investments
Cost method investments are initially recorded at cost, and we record dividend income when applicable dividends are declared. Cost
method investments are reported as other investments in our consolidated balance sheets, and dividend income from cost method
investments is reported in other income (loss) — net in our consolidated statements of income. We review all of our cost method
investments quarterly to determine if impairment indicators are present; however, we are not required to determine the fair value
of these investments unless impairment indicators exist. When impairment indicators exist, we generally use discounted cash flow
analyses to determine the fair value. We estimate that the fair values of our cost method investments approximated or exceeded their
carrying values as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. Our cost method investments had a carrying value of $143 million and $140 million
as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
NOTE 4: INVENTORIES
Inventories consist primarily of raw materials and packaging (which include ingredients and supplies) and finished goods (which
include concentrates and syrups in our concentrate operations and finished beverages in our finished product operations). Inventories
are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. We determine cost on the basis of the average cost or first-in, first-out methods.
Inventories consisted of the following (in millions):
December 31,
Raw materials and packaging
Finished goods
Other
Total inventories
2017
$ 1,729
693
233
$ 2,655
2016
$ 1,565
844
266
$ 2,675
NOTE 5: HEDGING TRANSACTIONS AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company is directly and indirectly affected by changes in certain market conditions. These changes in market conditions may
adversely impact the Company’s financial performance and are referred to as “market risks.” When deemed appropriate, our
Company uses derivatives as a risk management tool to mitigate the potential impact of certain market risks. The primary market risks
managed by the Company through the use of derivative and non-derivative financial instruments are foreign currency exchange rate
risk, commodity price risk and interest rate risk.
The Company uses various types of derivative instruments including, but not limited to, forward contracts, commodity futures
contracts, option contracts, collars and swaps. Forward contracts and commodity futures contracts are agreements to buy or sell a
quantity of a currency or commodity at a predetermined future date, and at a predetermined rate or price. An option contract is
an agreement that conveys the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a quantity of a currency or commodity at
a predetermined rate or price during a period or at a time in the future. A collar is a strategy that uses a combination of options to
limit the range of possible positive or negative returns on an underlying asset or liability to a specific range, or to protect expected
future cash flows. To do this, an investor simultaneously buys a put option and sells (writes) a call option, or alternatively buys a call
option and sells (writes) a put option. A swap agreement is a contract between two parties to exchange cash flows based on specified
underlying notional amounts, assets and/or indices. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The
Company may also designate certain non-derivative instruments, such as our foreign-denominated debt, in hedging relationships.
All derivatives are carried at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets, primarily in the following line items, as applicable:
prepaid expenses and other assets; other assets; accounts payable and accrued expenses; and other liabilities. The carrying
values of the derivatives reflect the impact of legally enforceable master netting agreements and cash collateral held or placed
96
with the same counterparties, as applicable. These master netting agreements allow the Company to net settle positive and negative
positions (assets and liabilities) arising from different transactions with the same counterparty.
The accounting for gains and losses that result from changes in the fair values of derivative instruments depends on whether the
derivatives have been designated and qualify as hedging instruments and the type of hedging relationships. Derivatives can be
designated as fair value hedges, cash flow hedges or hedges of net investments in foreign operations. The changes in the fair values
of derivatives that have been designated and qualify for fair value hedge accounting are recorded in the same line item in our
consolidated statement of income as the changes in the fair values of the hedged items attributable to the risk being hedged. The
changes in the fair values of derivatives that have been designated and qualify as cash flow hedges or hedges of net investments in
foreign operations are recorded in AOCI and are reclassified into the line item in our consolidated statement of income in which the
hedged items are recorded in the same period the hedged items affect earnings. Due to the high degree of effectiveness between the
hedging instruments and the underlying exposures being hedged, fluctuations in the value of the derivative instruments are generally
offset by changes in the fair values or cash flows of the underlying exposures being hedged. The changes in the fair values of derivatives
that were not designated and/or did not qualify as hedging instruments are immediately recognized into earnings.
For derivatives that will be accounted for as hedging instruments, the Company formally designates and documents, at inception, the
financial instrument as a hedge of a specific underlying exposure, the risk management objective and the strategy for undertaking
the hedge transaction. In addition, the Company formally assesses, both at the inception and at least quarterly thereafter, whether
the financial instruments used in hedging transactions are effective at offsetting changes in either the fair values or cash flows of the
related underlying exposures. Any ineffective portion of a financial instrument’s change in fair value is immediately recognized
into earnings.
The Company determines the fair values of its derivatives based on quoted market prices or pricing models using current market rates.
Refer to Note 16. The notional amounts of the derivative financial instruments do not necessarily represent amounts exchanged by
the parties and, therefore, are not a direct measure of our exposure to the financial risks described above. The amounts exchanged are
calculated by reference to the notional amounts and by other terms of the derivatives, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange
rates, commodity rates or other financial indices. The Company does not view the fair values of its derivatives in isolation but rather
in relation to the fair values or cash flows of the underlying hedged transactions or other exposures. Virtually all of our derivatives are
straightforward over-the-counter instruments with liquid markets.
The following table presents the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments that were designated and qualified as part of a
hedging relationship (in millions):
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Assets:
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Interest rate contracts
Balance Sheet Location1
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Other assets
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Commodity contracts
Commodity contracts
Interest rate contracts
Interest rate contracts
Total liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Other liabilities
Liabilities held for sale — discontinued operations
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Liabilities held for sale — discontinued operations
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Other liabilities
Fair Value1,2
December 31,
2017
December 31,
2016
$ 45
79
52
$ 176
$ 69
9
8
—
4
30
39
$ 159
$ 400
60
105
$ 565
$ 40
54
—
1
—
36
47
$ 178
1 All of the Company’s derivative instruments are carried at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets after considering the impact of legally enforceable
master netting agreements and cash collateral held or placed with the same counterparties, as applicable. Current disclosure requirements mandate
that derivatives must also be disclosed without reflecting the impact of master netting agreements and cash collateral. Refer to Note 16 for the net
presentation of the Company’s derivative instruments.
2 Refer to Note 16 for additional information related to the estimated fair value.
97
The following table presents the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments that were not designated as hedging instruments
(in millions):
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Assets:
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Commodity contracts
Commodity contracts
Other derivative instruments
Other derivative instruments
Balance Sheet Location1
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Other assets
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Other assets
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Commodity contracts
Commodity contracts
Interest rate contracts
Interest rate contracts
Other derivative instruments
Other derivative instruments
Total liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Other liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Other liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Other liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Other liabilities
Fair Value1,2
December 31,
2017
December 31,
2016
$ 20
27
25
1
8
—
$ 81
$ 69
28
7
—
—
—
1
1
$ 106
$ 284
—
27
1
4
1
$ 317
$ 60
16
16
1
8
1
2
5
$ 109
1 All of the Company’s derivative instruments are carried at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets after considering the impact of legally enforceable
master netting agreements and cash collateral held or placed with the same counterparties, as applicable. Current disclosure requirements mandate
that derivatives must also be disclosed without reflecting the impact of master netting agreements and cash collateral. Refer to Note 16 for the net
presentation of the Company’s derivative instruments.
2 Refer to Note 16 for additional information related to the estimated fair value.
Credit Risk Associated with Derivatives
We have established strict counterparty credit guidelines and enter into transactions only with financial institutions of investment
grade or better. We monitor counterparty exposures regularly and review any downgrade in credit rating immediately. If a downgrade
in the credit rating of a counterparty were to occur, we have provisions requiring collateral for substantially all of our transactions. To
mitigate presettlement risk, minimum credit standards become more stringent as the duration of the derivative financial instrument
increases. In addition, the Company’s master netting agreements reduce credit risk by permitting the Company to net settle for
transactions with the same counterparty. To minimize the concentration of credit risk, we enter into derivative transactions with a
portfolio of financial institutions. Based on these factors, we consider the risk of counterparty default to be minimal.
Cash Flow Hedging Strategy
The Company uses cash flow hedges to minimize the variability in cash flows of assets or liabilities or forecasted transactions caused
by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices or interest rates. The changes in the fair values of derivatives
designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in AOCI and are reclassified into the line item in our consolidated statement of income
in which the hedged items are recorded in the same period the hedged items affect earnings. The changes in fair values of hedges that
are determined to be ineffective are immediately reclassified from AOCI into earnings. The maximum length of time for which the
Company hedges its exposure to the variability in future cash flows is typically three years.
The Company maintains a foreign currency cash flow hedging program to reduce the risk that our eventual U.S. dollar net cash
inflows from sales outside the United States and U.S. dollar net cash outflows from procurement activities will be adversely
affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We enter into forward contracts and purchase foreign currency options
(principally euros and Japanese yen) and collars to hedge certain portions of forecasted cash flows denominated in foreign
currencies. When the U.S. dollar strengthens against the foreign currencies, the decline in the present value of future foreign
currency cash flows is partially offset by gains in the fair value of the derivative instruments. Conversely, when the U.S. dollar
weakens, the increase in the present value of future foreign currency cash flows is partially offset by losses in the fair value of
98
the derivative instruments. The total notional values of derivatives that have been designated and qualify for the Company’s foreign
currency cash flow hedging program were $4,068 million and $6,074 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company uses cross-currency swaps to hedge the changes in cash flows of certain of its foreign currency denominated debt due
to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. For this hedging program, the Company records the change in carrying value of the
foreign currency denominated debt due to changes in exchange rates into earnings each period. The changes in fair value of the
cross-currency swap derivatives are recorded in AOCI with an immediate reclassification into earnings for the change in fair value
attributable to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company discontinued
the cash flow hedge relationships related to these swaps. Upon discontinuance, the Company recognized a loss of $92 million in other
comprehensive income, which will be reclassified from AOCI into interest expense over the remaining life of the debt, a weighted-
average period of approximately 10 years. The Company did not discontinue any cross-currency swaps designated as a cash flow hedge
during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The total notional values of derivatives that have been designated as cash flow
hedges for the Company’s foreign currency denominated debt were $1,851 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company has entered into commodity futures contracts and other derivative instruments on various commodities to mitigate
the price risk associated with forecasted purchases of materials used in our manufacturing process. These derivative instruments
have been designated and qualify as part of the Company’s commodity cash flow hedging program. The objective of this hedging
program is to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with future purchases of certain commodities. The total notional values of
derivatives that have been designated and qualify for this program were $35 million and $12 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively.
Our Company monitors our mix of short-term debt and long-term debt regularly. From time to time, we manage our risk to interest
rate fluctuations through the use of derivative financial instruments. The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements
and has designated these instruments as part of the Company’s interest rate cash flow hedging program. The objective of this hedging
program is to mitigate the risk of adverse changes in benchmark interest rates on the Company’s future interest payments. The total
notional values of these interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualified for the Company’s interest rate cash flow
hedging program were $500 million and $1,500 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
99
The following table presents the pretax impact that changes in the fair values of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges had on
AOCI and earnings during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):
Gain (Loss)
Recognized
in OCI
Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income1
Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
AOCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
(Ineffective Portion and
Amount Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing)
2017
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Interest rate contracts
Commodity contracts
Commodity contracts
Total
2016
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Interest rate contracts
Commodity contracts
Total
2015
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Interest rate contracts
Commodity contracts
Total
Net operating revenues
Cost of goods sold
Interest expense
Other income (loss) — net
Income from discontinued operations
Interest expense
Cost of goods sold
Income from discontinued operations
Net operating revenues
Cost of goods sold
Interest expense
Other income (loss) — net
Interest expense
Cost of goods sold
Net operating revenues
Cost of goods sold
Interest expense
Other income (loss) — net
Interest expense
Cost of goods sold
$ (226)
(23)
—
92
(3)
(22)
(1)
(5)
$ (188)
$
69
8
—
13
(126)
(1)
$ (37)
$ 949
60
18
(38)
(153)
(1)
$ 835
$ 443
(2)
(9)
107
—
(37)
(1)
—
$ 501
$ 567
35
(9)
(3)
(17)
(1)
$ 572
$ 618
62
(9)
(40)
(3)
(3)
$ 625
$ 1
—2
—
3
—
2
—
—
$ 6
$ (3)
(1 )
—
(3)
(2)
—
$ (9)
$ 12
— 2
—
—
1
—
$ 13
1 The Company records gains and losses reclassified from AOCI into income for the effective portion and ineffective portion, if any, to the same line items
in our consolidated statements of income.
2 Includes a de minimis amount of ineffectiveness in the hedging relationship.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company estimates that it will reclassify into earnings during the next 12 months net gains of $93 million
from the pretax amount recorded in AOCI as the anticipated cash flows occur.
Fair Value Hedging Strategy
The Company uses interest rate swap agreements designated as fair value hedges to minimize exposure to changes in the fair
value of fixed-rate debt that results from fluctuations in benchmark interest rates. The Company also uses cross-currency
interest rate swaps to hedge the changes in the fair value of foreign currency denominated debt relating to changes in foreign
currency exchange rates and benchmark interest rates. The changes in fair values of derivatives designated as fair value hedges
and the offsetting changes in fair values of the hedged items are recognized in earnings. The ineffective portions of these
hedges are immediately recognized into earnings. As of December 31, 2017, such adjustments had cumulatively increased the
100
carrying value of our long-term debt by $4 million. When a derivative is no longer designated as a fair value hedge for any
reason, including termination and maturity, the remaining unamortized difference between the carrying value of the hedged item at
that time and the face value of the hedged item is amortized to earnings over the remaining life of the hedged item, or immediately
if the hedged item has matured. The total notional values of derivatives that related to our fair value hedges of this type were
$8,121 million and $6,158 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company also uses fair value hedges to minimize exposure to changes in the fair value of certain available-for-sale securities
from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The changes in fair values of derivatives designated as fair value hedges and the
offsetting changes in fair values of the hedged items due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are recognized in earnings. As
a result, any difference is reflected in earnings as ineffectiveness. The total notional values of derivatives that related to our fair value
hedges of this type were $311 million and $1,163 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The following table summarizes the pretax impact that changes in the fair values of derivatives designated as fair value hedges had on
earnings during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):
Hedging Instruments and Hedged Items
2017
Interest rate contracts
Fixed-rate debt
Net impact to interest expense
Foreign currency contracts
Available-for-sale securities
Net impact to other income (loss) — net
Net impact of fair value hedging instruments
2016
Interest rate contracts
Fixed-rate debt
Net impact to interest expense
Foreign currency contracts
Available-for-sale securities
Net impact to other income (loss) — net
Net impact of fair value hedging instruments
2015
Interest rate contracts
Fixed-rate debt
Net impact to interest expense
Foreign currency contracts
Available-for-sale securities
Net impact to other income (loss) — net
Net impact of fair value hedging instruments
Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
Interest expense
Interest expense
Other income (loss) — net
Other income (loss) — net
Interest expense
Interest expense
Other income (loss) — net
Other income (loss) — net
Interest expense
Interest expense
Other income (loss) — net
Other income (loss) — net
)
Gain (Loss
Recognized
1
in Income
$ (69)
63
$
(6)
$ (37)
44
7
$
$
1
$ 170
(152)
$
$
$
$
18
69
(73)
(4)
14
$ (172)
169
$
(3)
$ 110
(131)
$ (21)
$ (24)
1 The net impacts represent the ineffective portions of the hedge relationships and the amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
Hedges of Net Investments in Foreign Operations Strategy
The Company uses forward contracts and non-derivative financial instruments to protect the value of our net investments in a
number of foreign operations. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company designated a portion
of its euro-denominated debt as a hedge of a net investment in our European operations. The change in the carrying value of
the designated portion of the euro-denominated debt due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates is recorded in net
foreign currency translation adjustment, a component of AOCI. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as
hedges of net investments in foreign operations, the changes in fair values of the derivative instruments are recognized in net foreign
101
currency translation adjustment to offset the changes in the values of the net investments being hedged. Any ineffective portions of net
investment hedges are reclassified from AOCI into earnings during the period of change.
The following table summarizes the notional values and pretax impact of changes in the fair values of instruments designated as net
investment hedges (in millions):
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency denominated debt
Total
Notional Amount
as of December 31,
Gain (Loss)
Recognized in OCI
Year Ended December 31,
2017
$
— $
13,147
2016
100
11,113
$
2017
(7)
(1,505)
$ 13,147
$ 11,213
$ (1,512)
2016
$ (237)
304
$
67
2015
$ 661
(24)
$ 637
The Company reclassified net deferred losses of $77 million related to the deconsolidation of our German bottling operations from
AOCI into earnings during the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company did not reclassify any deferred gains or losses related to
net investment hedges from AOCI to earnings during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2015. In addition, the Company did not
have any ineffectiveness related to net investment hedges during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. The cash inflows
and outflows associated with the Company’s derivative contracts designated as net investment hedges are classified in the line item
other investing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Economic (Non-Designated) Hedging Strategy
In addition to derivative instruments that are designated and qualify for hedge accounting, the Company also uses certain derivatives
as economic hedges of foreign currency, interest rate and commodity exposure. Although these derivatives were not designated
and/or did not qualify for hedge accounting, they are effective economic hedges. The changes in fair value of economic hedges are
immediately recognized into earnings.
The Company uses foreign currency economic hedges to offset the earnings impact that fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates
have on certain monetary assets and liabilities denominated in nonfunctional currencies. The changes in fair value of economic hedges
used to offset those monetary assets and liabilities are immediately recognized into earnings in the line item other income (loss) — net
in our consolidated statements of income. In addition, we use foreign currency economic hedges to minimize the variability in cash
flows associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The changes in fair values of economic hedges used to offset the
variability in U.S. dollar net cash flows are recognized into earnings in the line items net operating revenues or cost of goods sold in
our consolidated statements of income, as applicable. The total notional values of derivatives related to our foreign currency economic
hedges were $6,827 million and $5,276 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company also uses certain derivatives as economic hedges to mitigate the price risk associated with the purchase of materials used
in the manufacturing process and for vehicle fuel. The changes in fair values of these economic hedges are immediately recognized
into earnings in the line items net operating revenues, cost of goods sold, and selling, general and administrative expenses in our
consolidated statements of income, as applicable. The total notional values of derivatives related to our economic hedges of this type
were $357 million and $447 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
102
The following table presents the pretax impact that changes in the fair values of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments had
on earnings during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):
Derivatives Not Designated
as Hedging Instruments
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Commodity contracts
Commodity contracts
Commodity contracts
Interest rate contracts
Other derivative instruments
Other derivative instruments
Total
Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
Net operating revenues
Cost of goods sold
Other income (loss) — net
Net operating revenues
Cost of goods sold
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Interest expense
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Other income (loss) — net
Year Ended December 31,
2017
2016
$ (30)
(1)
73
16
15
1
—
46
1
$ (45) $
4
(168)
10
75
6
(39)
16
(15)
2015
41
3
(92)
(16)
(209)
(25)
—
1
(37)
$ 121
$ (156) $ (334)
NOTE 6: EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS
Our consolidated net income includes our Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of our equity method investees.
When we record our proportionate share of net income, it increases equity income (loss) — net in our consolidated statements of
income and our carrying value in that investment. Conversely, when we record our proportionate share of a net loss, it decreases
equity income (loss) — net in our consolidated statements of income and our carrying value in that investment. The Company’s
proportionate share of the net income or loss of our equity method investees includes significant operating and nonoperating items
recorded by our equity method investees. These items can have a significant impact on the amount of equity income (loss) — net
in our consolidated statements of income and our carrying value in those investments. Refer to Note 17 for additional information
related to significant operating and nonoperating items recorded by our equity method investees. The carrying values of our equity
method investments are also impacted by our proportionate share of items impacting the equity investee’s AOCI.
We eliminate from our financial results all significant intercompany transactions, including the intercompany portion of transactions
with equity method investees.
The Company’s equity method investments include, but are not limited to, our ownership interests in CCEP, Monster, AC Bebidas,
Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Coca-Cola FEMSA”), Coca-Cola HBC AG (“Coca-Cola Hellenic”), and Coca-Cola Bottlers
Japan Inc. (“CCBJI”). As of December 31, 2017, we owned approximately 18 percent, 18 percent, 20 percent, 28 percent, 23 percent,
and 17 percent, respectively, of these companies’ outstanding shares. As of December 31, 2017, our investment in our equity method
investees in the aggregate exceeded our proportionate share of the net assets of these equity method investees by $9,932 million. This
difference is not amortized.
A summary of financial information for our equity method investees in the aggregate is as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,1
Net operating revenues
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Operating income
Consolidated net income
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to common shareowners
Equity income (loss) — net
2017
2016
2015
$ 73,339
42,867
$ 58,054
34,338
$ 47,498
28,749
$ 30,472
$ 23,716
$ 18,749
$ 7,577
$ 5,652
$ 4,483
$ 4,545
120
$ 2,967
78
$ 2,299
65
$ 4,425
$ 2,889
$ 2,234
$ 1,071
$
835
$
489
1 The financial information represents the results of the equity method investees during the Company’s period of ownership.
103
December 31,
Current assets
Noncurrent assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities
Total liabilities
Equity attributable to shareowners of investees
Equity attributable to noncontrolling interests
Total equity
Company equity investment
2017
2016
$ 25,023
66,578
$ 19,586
58,529
$ 91,601
$ 78,115
$ 17,890
29,986
$ 16,125
25,610
$ 47,876
$ 41,735
$ 41,773
1,952
$ 35,204
1,176
$ 43,725
$ 36,380
$ 20,856
$ 16,260
Net sales to equity method investees, the majority of which are located outside the United States, were $14,144 million, $10,495 million
and $8,984 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in net sales to equity method investees in 2017 was primarily
due to our acquisition of equity method investments in CCEP and AC Bebidas, as well as the integration of Coca-Cola West Co.,
Ltd. (“CCW”) and Coca-Cola East Japan Co., Ltd. (“CCEJ”) to establish CCBJI in 2017. Refer to Note 2. Total payments, primarily
marketing, made to equity method investees were $930 million, $946 million and $1,380 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
In addition, purchases of beverage products from equity method investees were $1,298 million, $1,857 million and $1,131 million in
2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in purchases of beverage products in 2017 was primarily due to reduced purchases of
Monster products as a result of North America refranchising activities. Refer to Note 2.
If valued at the December 31, 2017 quoted closing prices of shares actively traded on stock markets, the value of our equity method
investments in publicly traded bottlers would have exceeded our carrying value by $8,504 million. However, the carrying value of our
investment in CCEP exceeded the fair value of the investment as of December 31, 2017 by $196 million. Based on the length of time
and the extent to which the market value has been less than our cost basis; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the
issuer; and our intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in
market value, management determined that the decline in fair value was temporary in nature. Therefore, we did not record an
impairment charge.
Net Receivables and Dividends from Equity Method Investees
Total net receivables due from equity method investees were $2,053 million and $1,696 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively. The total amount of dividends received from equity method investees was $443 million, $386 million and $367 million
for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The amount of consolidated reinvested earnings that represents
undistributed earnings of investments accounted for under the equity method as of December 31, 2017 was $4,471 million.
NOTE 7: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The following table summarizes our property, plant and equipment (in millions):
December 31,
Land
Buildings and improvements
Machinery, equipment and vehicle fleet
Less accumulated depreciation
Property, plant and equipment — net
$
2017
334
3,917
12,198
16,449
8,246
$
2016
589
4,574
16,093
21,256
10,621
$ 8,203
$ 10,635
104
NOTE 8: INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
The following table summarizes information related to indefinite-lived intangible assets (in millions):
December 31,
Trademarks1
Bottlers’ franchise rights2
Goodwill
Other
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
2017
2016
$ 6,729
138
9,401
106
$ 6,097
3,676
10,629
128
$ 16,374
$ 20,530
1 The increase in 2017 was primarily due to the acquisitions of AdeS and the U.S. rights to Topo Chico. Refer to Note 2.
2 The decrease in 2017 was primarily the result of additional North America bottling territories being refranchised. Refer to Note 2.
The following table provides information related to the carrying value of our goodwill by operating segment (in millions):
2016
Balance at beginning of year
Effect of foreign currency translation
Acquisitions1
Adjustments related to the finalization of purchase
accounting1
Impairment
Divestitures, deconsolidations and other1
Balance at end of year
2017
Balance at beginning of year
Effect of foreign currency translation
Acquisitions1
Adjustments related to the finalization of purchase
accounting1
Impairment
Divestitures, deconsolidations and other1,2
Europe,
Middle East &
Africa
Latin
America
North
America
Asia
Pacific
Bottling
Investments
Total
$ 638
(10)
—
$ 123
(6)
—
$ 8,311
—
—
$ 133
(11)
6
$ 2,084
(6)
—
$ 11,289
(33)
6
—
—
—
—
—
—
10
—
—
—
—
—
—
(10)
(633)
10
(10)
(633)
$ 628
$ 117
$ 8,321
$ 128
$ 1,435
$ 10,629
$ 628
75
—
—
—
—
$ 117
8
25
$ 8,321
—
28
$ 128
(1)
—
$ 1,435
5
3
$ 10,629
87
56
—
—
—
—
—
—
18
—
—
—
(390)
(999)
18
(390)
(999)
Balance at end of year
$ 703
$ 150
$ 8,349
$ 145
$
54
$ 9,401
1 Refer to Note 2 for information related to the Company’s acquisitions and divestitures.
2 The 2017 decrease in the Bottling Investments segment was primarily a result of additional North America bottling territories being refranchised. Refer
to Note 2.
105
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets
The following table summarizes information related to definite-lived intangible assets (in millions):
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Customer relationships1
Bottlers’ franchise rights1
Trademarks
Other
Total
$ 205
213
182
94
$ 694
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Gross
Carrying
Amount
$
392
487
228
179
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
$ (185) $ 207
106
164
121
(381)
(64)
(58)
$ (688) $ 598
$ (143) $ 62
61
109
30
(152)
(73)
(64)
$ (432) $ 262
$ 1,286
1 The decrease in 2017 was primarily due to the derecognition of intangible assets as a result of the North America refranchising. Refer to Note 2.
Total amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization was $68 million, $139 million and $156 million in 2017, 2016
and 2015, respectively.
Based on the carrying value of definite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2017, we estimate our amortization expense for the
next five years will be as follows (in millions):
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
NOTE 9: ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following (in millions):
December 31,
Accrued marketing
Trade accounts payable
Other accrued expenses
Accrued compensation
Deferred tax liabilities
Sales, payroll and other taxes
Container deposits
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Amortization
Expense
$ 57
44
38
28
28
2017
$ 2,108
2,288
3,071
854
—1
347
80
$ 8,748
2016
$ 2,186
2,682
2,593
857
692
372
108
$ 9,490
1 As a result of our adoption of ASU 2015-17, all deferred tax liabilities are now recorded in noncurrent liabilities. Refer to Note 1.
NOTE 10: DEBT AND BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS
Short-Term Borrowings
Loans and notes payable consist primarily of commercial paper issued in the United States. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we
had $12,931 million and $12,330 million, respectively, in outstanding commercial paper borrowings. Our weighted-average interest
rates for commercial paper outstanding were approximately 1.4 percent and 0.8 percent per year as of December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively. In addition, we had $9,199 million in lines of credit and other short-term credit facilities as of December 31, 2017. The
Company’s total lines of credit included $274 million that was outstanding and primarily related to our international operations.
106
Included in the credit facilities discussed above, the Company had $7,295 million in lines of credit for general corporate purposes.
These backup lines of credit expire at various times from 2018 through 2022. There were no borrowings under these backup lines of
credit during 2017. These credit facilities are subject to normal banking terms and conditions. Some of the financial arrangements
require compensating balances, none of which is presently significant to our Company.
Long-Term Debt
During 2017, the Company issued U.S. dollar- and euro-denominated debt of $1,000 million and €2,500 million, respectively. The
carrying value of this debt as of December 31, 2017, was $3,974 million. The general terms of the notes issued are as follows:
• $500 million total principal amount of notes due May 25, 2022, at a fixed interest rate of 2.20 percent;
• $500 million total principal amount of notes due May 25, 2027, at a fixed interest rate of 2.90 percent;
• €1,500 million total principal amount of notes due March 8, 2019, at a variable interest rate equal to the three-month Euro
Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) plus 0.25 percent;
• €500 million total principal amount of notes due March 9, 2021, at a fixed interest rate of 0.00 percent; and
• €500 million total principal amount of notes due March 8, 2024, at a fixed interest rate of 0.50 percent.
During 2017, the Company retired upon maturity €2,000 million total principal amount of notes due March 9, 2017, at a variable
interest rate equal to the three-month EURIBOR plus 0.15 percent, $206 million total principal amount of notes due August 1,
2017, at a fixed interest rate of 7.125 percent, SFr200 million total principal amount of notes due October 2, 2017, at a fixed interest
rate of 0.00 percent, $750 million total principal amount of notes due October 27, 2017, at a fixed interest rate of 0.875 percent, and
$225 million total principal amount of notes due November 16, 2017, at a variable interest rate equal to the three-month London
Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 0.05 percent. The Company also extinguished a portion of the long-term debt that was
assumed in connection with our acquisition of CCE’s former North America business (“Old CCE”). The extinguished notes had a
carrying value of $417 million, which included fair value adjustments recorded as part of purchase accounting. The general terms of
the notes extinguished were as follows:
• $95.6 million total principal amount of notes due August 15, 2019, at a fixed interest rate of 4.50 percent;
• $38.6 million total principal amount of notes due February 1, 2022, at a fixed interest rate of 8.50 percent;
• $11.7 million total principal amount of notes due September 15, 2022, at a fixed interest rate of 8.00 percent;
• $36.5 million total principal amount of notes due September 15, 2023, at a fixed interest rate of 6.75 percent;
• $9.9 million total principal amount of notes due October 1, 2026, at a fixed interest rate of 7.00 percent;
• $53.8 million total principal amount of notes due November 15, 2026, at a fixed interest rate of 6.95 percent;
• $41.3 million total principal amount of notes due September 15, 2028, at a fixed interest rate of 6.75 percent;
• $32.0 million total principal amount of notes due October 15, 2036, at a fixed interest rate of 6.70 percent;
• $3.4 million total principal amount of notes due March 18, 2037, at a fixed interest rate of 5.71 percent;
• $24.3 million total principal amount of notes due January 15, 2038, at a fixed interest rate of 6.75 percent; and
• $4.7 million total principal amount of notes due May 15, 2098, at a fixed interest rate of 7.00 percent.
The Company recorded a net charge of $38 million in the line item interest expense in our consolidated statement of income during
the year ended December 31, 2017. This net charge was due to the early extinguishment of long-term debt described above. These
charges included the difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the debt extinguished.
During 2016, the Company issued Australian dollar-, euro- and U.S. dollar-denominated debt of AUD1,000 million, €500 million and
$3,725 million, respectively. The general terms of the notes issued are as follows:
• AUD450 million total principal amount of notes due June 9, 2020, at a fixed interest rate of 2.60 percent;
• AUD550 million total principal amount of notes due June 11, 2024, at a fixed interest rate of 3.25 percent;
• $225 million total principal amount of notes due November 16, 2017, at a variable interest rate equal to the three-month
LIBOR plus 0.05 percent;
• $1,000 million total principal amount of notes due May 30, 2019, at a fixed interest rate of 1.375 percent;
107
• $1,000 million total principal amount of notes due September 1, 2021, at a fixed interest rate of 1.55 percent;
• $500 million total principal amount of notes due June 1, 2026, at a fixed interest rate of 2.55 percent;
• $1,000 million total principal amount of notes due September 1, 2026, at a fixed interest rate of 2.25 percent; and
• €500 million total principal amount of notes due September 2, 2036, at a fixed interest rate of 1.10 percent.
During 2016, the Company retired upon maturity $1,654 million total principal amount of notes due September 1, 2016, at a fixed
interest rate of 1.80 percent, $500 million total principal amount of notes due November 1, 2016 at a fixed interest rate of 0.75 percent
and $500 million total principal amount of notes due November 1, 2016 at a variable interest rate equal to the three-month LIBOR
plus 0.10 percent.
During 2015, the Company issued SFr1,325 million, €8,500 million and $4,000 million of long-term debt. The general terms of the
notes issued are as follows:
• SFr200 million total principal amount of notes due October 2, 2017, at a fixed interest rate of 0.00 percent;
• SFr550 million total principal amount of notes due December 22, 2022, at a fixed interest rate of 0.25 percent;
• SFr575 million total principal amount of notes due October 2, 2028, at a fixed interest rate of 1.00 percent;
• €2,000 million total principal amount of notes due March 9, 2017, at a variable interest rate equal to the three-month
EURIBOR plus 0.15 percent;
• €2,000 million total principal amount of notes due September 9, 2019, at a variable interest rate equal to the three-month
EURIBOR plus 0.23 percent;
• €1,500 million total principal amount of notes due March 9, 2023, at a fixed interest rate of 0.75 percent;
• €1,500 million total principal amount of notes due March 9, 2027, at a fixed interest rate of 1.125 percent;
• €1,500 million total principal amount of notes due March 9, 2035, at a fixed interest rate of 1.625 percent;
• $750 million total principal amount of notes due October 27, 2017, at a fixed interest rate of 0.875 percent;
• $1,500 million total principal amount of notes due October 27, 2020, at a fixed interest rate of 1.875 percent; and
• $1,750 million total principal amount of notes due October 27, 2025, at a fixed interest rate of 2.875 percent.
During 2015, the Company retired $3,500 million of long-term debt upon maturity. The Company also extinguished $2,039 million
of long-term debt prior to maturity, incurring associated charges of $320 million recorded in the line item interest expense in our
consolidated statement of income. These charges included the difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount
of the debt extinguished, including the impact of the related fair value hedging relationship. The general terms of the notes that were
extinguished were as follows:
• $1,148 million total principal amount of notes due November 15, 2017, at a fixed interest rate of 5.35 percent; and
• $891 million total principal amount of notes due March 15, 2019, at a fixed interest rate of 4.875 percent.
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The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following (in millions, except average rate data):
U.S. dollar notes due 2018–2093
U.S. dollar debentures due 2018–2098
U.S. dollar zero coupon notes due 20202
Australian dollar notes due 2020–2024
Euro notes due 2019–2036
Swiss franc notes due 2022–2028
Other, due through 20983
Fair value adjustment4
Total5,6
Less current portion
Long-term debt
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Average
Rate1
2.3%
5.5
8.4
2.1
0.7
3.0
3.4
N/A
1.8%
Amount
$ 16,854
1,559
158
760
13,663
1,148
325
13
34,480
3,298
$ 31,182
Average
Rate1
2.0%
4.1
8.4
1.2
0.7
2.5
3.5
N/A
1.7%
Amount
$ 16,922
2,111
153
741
11,567
1,304
316
97
33,211
3,527
$ 29,684
1 These rates represent the weighted-average effective interest rate on the balances outstanding as of year end, as adjusted for the effects of interest rate
swap agreements, cross-currency swap agreements and fair value adjustments, if applicable. Refer to Note 5 for a more detailed discussion on interest
rate management.
2 This amount is shown net of unamortized discounts of $13 million and $18 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
3 As of December 31, 2017, the amount shown includes $165 million of debt instruments that are due through 2031.
4 Amount represents changes in fair value due to changes in benchmark interest rates. Refer to Note 5 for additional information about our fair value
hedging strategy.
5 As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, was $35,169 million and $33,752 million,
respectively. The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated based on quoted prices for those or similar instruments.
6 The above notes and debentures include various restrictions, none of which is presently significant to our Company.
The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt included fair value adjustments related to the debt assumed from Old CCE’s
former North America business in 2010 of $263 million and $361 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These fair
value adjustments are being amortized over the number of years remaining until the underlying debt matures. As of December 31,
2017, the weighted-average maturity of the assumed debt to which these fair value adjustments relate was approximately 24 years. The
amortization of these fair value adjustments will be a reduction of interest expense in future periods, which will typically result in our
interest expense being less than the actual interest paid to service the debt. Total interest paid was $757 million, $663 million and
$515 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Maturities of long-term debt for the five years succeeding December 31, 2017, are as follows (in millions):
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Maturities of
Long-Term Debt
$ 3,298
5,209
4,298
2,930
2,480
NOTE 11: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Guarantees
As of December 31, 2017, we were contingently liable for guarantees of indebtedness owed by third parties of $609 million,
of which $256 million was related to VIEs. Refer to Note 1 for additional information related to the Company’s maximum
exposure to loss due to our involvement with VIEs. Our guarantees are primarily related to third-party customers, bottlers,
vendors and container manufacturing operations and have arisen through the normal course of business. These guarantees have
various terms, and none of these guarantees was individually significant. The amount represents the maximum potential future
109
payments that we could be required to make under the guarantees; however, we do not consider it probable that we will be required to
satisfy these guarantees.
We believe our exposure to concentrations of credit risk is limited due to the diverse geographic areas covered by our operations.
Legal Contingencies
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings. We establish reserves for specific legal proceedings when we determine that the
likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management has also identified
certain other legal matters where we believe an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible and/or for which no estimate of possible
losses can be made. Management believes that the total liabilities to the Company that may arise as a result of currently pending legal
proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company taken as a whole.
Indemnifications
At the time we acquire or divest an interest in an entity, we sometimes agree to indemnify the seller or buyer for specific contingent
liabilities. Management believes that any liability to the Company that may arise as a result of any such indemnification agreements
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company taken as a whole. Refer to Note 2.
Tax Audits
The Company is involved in various tax matters, with respect to some of which the outcome is uncertain. We establish reserves to remove
some or all of the tax benefit of any of our tax positions at the time we determine that it becomes uncertain based upon one of the following
conditions: (1) the tax position is not “more likely than not” to be sustained, (2) the tax position is “more likely than not” to be sustained, but
for a lesser amount, or (3) the tax position is “more likely than not” to be sustained, but not in the financial period in which the tax position
was originally taken. For purposes of evaluating whether or not a tax position is uncertain, (1) we presume the tax position will be examined
by the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information; (2) the technical merits of a tax position are derived
from authorities such as legislation and statutes, legislative intent, regulations, rulings and case law and their applicability to the facts and
circumstances of the tax position; and (3) each tax position is evaluated without consideration of the possibility of offset or aggregation with
other tax positions taken. A number of years may elapse before a particular uncertain tax position is audited and finally resolved or when
a tax assessment is raised. The number of years subject to tax assessments varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. The tax benefit that has
been previously reserved because of a failure to meet the “more likely than not” recognition threshold would be recognized in our income tax
expense in the first interim period when the uncertainty disappears under any one of the following conditions: (1) the tax position is “more
likely than not” to be sustained, (2) the tax position, amount, and/or timing is ultimately settled through negotiation or litigation, or (3) the
statute of limitations for the tax position has expired. Refer to Note 14.
On September 17, 2015, the Company received a Statutory Notice of Deficiency (“Notice”) from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”)
for the tax years 2007 through 2009, after a five-year audit. In the Notice, the IRS claims that the Company’s United States taxable
income should be increased by an amount that creates a potential additional federal income tax liability of approximately $3.3 billion
for the period, plus interest. No penalties were asserted in the Notice. The disputed amounts largely relate to a transfer pricing matter
involving the appropriate amount of taxable income the Company should report in the United States in connection with its licensing
of intangible property to certain related foreign licensees regarding the manufacturing, distribution, sale, marketing and promotion of
products in overseas markets.
During the 2007-2009 audit period, the Company followed the same transfer pricing methodology for these licenses that had
consistently been followed since the methodology was agreed with the IRS in a 1996 closing agreement that applied back to 1987. The
closing agreement provided prospective penalty protection as long as the Company followed the prescribed methodology and material
facts and circumstances and relevant federal tax law have not changed. On February 11, 2016, the IRS notified the Company, without
further explanation, that the IRS had determined that material facts and circumstances and relevant federal tax law had changed
permitting it to assert penalties. The Company does not agree with this determination. The Company’s compliance with the closing
agreement was audited and confirmed by the IRS in five successive audit cycles covering the subsequent 11 years through 2006, with
the last audit concluding as recently as 2009.
The Notice represents a repudiation of the methodology previously adopted in the 1996 closing agreement. The IRS designated the
matter for litigation on October 15, 2015. To the extent the matter remains designated, the Company will be prevented from pursuing
any administrative settlement at IRS Appeals or under the IRS Advance Pricing and Mutual Agreement Program.
The Company firmly believes that the IRS’ claims are without merit and plans to pursue all available administrative and
judicial remedies necessary to resolve this matter. To that end, the Company filed a petition in the U.S. Tax Court on
110
December 14, 2015, and the IRS filed its answer on February 12, 2016. On October 4, 2017, the IRS filed an amended answer to the
Company’s petition in which it increased its transfer pricing adjustment by $385 million resulting in an additional tax adjustment of
$135 million. A trial date has been set for March 5, 2018. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position and is confident in its
ability to prevail on the merits.
On June 20, 2017, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment on the portion of the IRS’ adjustments related to our licensee in
Mexico. On December 14, 2017, the U.S. Tax Court issued a decision on the summary judgment motion in favor of the Company. This
decision effectively reduced the IRS’ potential tax adjustment by approximately $138 million.
The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from examinations such as this to determine the adequacy
of its tax reserves. The Company believes that the final adjudication of this matter will not have a material impact on its consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, the ultimate outcome of disputes of this nature is uncertain, and if the
IRS were to prevail in any material respect on its assertions, the additional tax, interest and any potential penalties could have a material
adverse impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Risk Management Programs
The Company has numerous global insurance programs in place to help protect the Company from the risk of loss. In general, we
are self-insured for large portions of many different types of claims; however, we do use commercial insurance above our self-insured
retentions to reduce the Company’s risk of catastrophic loss. Our reserves for the Company’s self-insured losses are estimated using
actuarial methods and assumptions of the insurance industry, adjusted for our specific expectations based on our claim history. Our
self-insurance reserves totaled $480 million and $527 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Workforce (Unaudited)
We refer to our employees as “associates.” As of December 31, 2017, our Company had approximately 61,800 associates, of which
approximately 12,400 associates were located in the United States. Our Company, through its divisions and subsidiaries, is a party to
numerous collective bargaining agreements. As of December 31, 2017, approximately 3,700 associates, excluding seasonal hires, in
North America were covered by collective bargaining agreements. These agreements typically have terms of three years to five years.
We currently expect that we will be able to renegotiate such agreements on satisfactory terms when they expire. The Company believes
that its relations with its associates are generally satisfactory.
Operating Leases
The following table summarizes our minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases with initial or remaining lease
terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2017 (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter
Total minimum operating lease payments1
1 Income associated with sublease arrangements is not significant.
NOTE 12: STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
Operating Lease
Payments
$ 130
85
69
59
52
147
$ 542
Our Company grants awards under its stock-based compensation plans to certain employees of the Company. Total
stock-based compensation expense was $219 million, $258 million and $236 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and
was included as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income. The
total income tax benefit recognized in our consolidated statements of income related to awards under these plans was
$44 million, $71 million and $65 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Beginning in 2015, certain employees who had
previously been eligible for long-term equity awards received long-term performance cash awards. Employees who receive these
performance cash awards do not receive equity awards as part of the long-term incentive program. In late 2017, the Company
changed the long-term incentive program for certain employees previously eligible for the performance cash award. These
111
employees no longer participate in the long-term incentive program and were issued a final restricted stock unit award that vests
ratably over five years.
As of December 31, 2017, we had $286 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based
compensation awards granted under our plans. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years as
stock-based compensation expense. This expected cost does not include the impact of any future stock-based compensation awards.
The Coca-Cola Company 2014 Equity Plan (“2014 Equity Plan”) was approved by shareowners in April 2014. Under the 2014 Equity
Plan, a maximum of 500 million shares of our common stock was approved to be issued, through the grant of equity awards, to
certain employees. The 2014 Equity Plan allows for grants of stock options, performance share units, restricted stock units, restricted
stock and other specified award types, including cash awards with performance-based vesting criteria. Beginning in 2015, the 2014
Equity Plan was the primary plan in use for equity awards and performance cash awards. There were no grants made from the 2014
Equity Plan prior to 2015. As of December 31, 2017, there were 413.6 million shares available to be granted under the 2014 Equity
Plan. In addition to the 2014 Equity Plan, there were 2.7 million shares available to be granted under stock option plans approved
by shareowners in 1999 and 2008 and 0.2 million shares available to be granted under a restricted stock award plan approved by
shareowners in 1989.
Stock Option Awards
Stock options have generally been granted with an exercise price equal to the average of the high and low market prices per share for
the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The fair value of each stock option award is estimated using a Black-Scholes-Merton
option-pricing model and is amortized over the vesting period, generally four years. The weighted-average fair value of stock options
granted during the past three years and the weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model for
such grants were as follows:
Fair value of stock options at grant date
Dividend yield1
Expected volatility2
Risk-free interest rate3
Expected term of the stock options4
$
$
2017
3.98
3.6%
15.5%
2.2%
$
2016
4.17
3.2%
16.0%
1.5%
2015
4.38
3.1%
16.0%
1.8%
6 years
6 years
6 years
1 The dividend yield is the calculated yield on the Company’s stock at the time of the grant.
2 Expected volatility is based on implied volatilities from traded options on the Company’s stock, historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other
factors.
3 The risk-free interest rate for the period matching the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the
grant.
4 The expected term of the stock options represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding and is derived by analyzing
historical exercise behavior.
Generally, stock options granted from 1999 through July 2003 expire 15 years from the date of grant, and stock options granted in
December 2003 and thereafter expire 10 years from the date of grant. The shares of common stock to be issued and/or sold upon
exercise of stock options are made available from either authorized and unissued Company common stock or from the Company’s
treasury shares. In 2007, the Company began issuing common stock under its stock-based compensation plans from the Company’s
treasury shares.
112
Stock option activity for all plans for the year ended December 31, 2017, was as follows:
Outstanding on January 1, 2017
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited/expired
Outstanding on December 31, 20171
Expected to vest
Exercisable on December 31, 2017
Shares
(In millions)
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(In millions)
220
9
(53)
(3)
173
171
142
$ 33.70
40.89
30.28
38.34
$ 35.02
$ 34.96
$ 33.89
4.84 years
4.81 years
4.27 years
$ 1,879
$ 1,869
$ 1,700
1 Includes 0.3 million stock option replacement awards in connection with our acquisition of Old CCE’s North America business in 2010. These options
had a weighted-average exercise price of $12.86 and generally vest over 3 years and expire 10 years from the original date of grant.
The total intrinsic value of the stock options exercised was $744 million, $787 million and $594 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively. The total shares exercised were 53 million, 50 million and 44 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Performance Share Unit Awards
Performance share units require achievement of certain performance criteria, which are predefined by the Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors at the time of grant. The primary performance criterion used is compound annual growth in economic profit
over a predefined performance period, which is generally three years. Economic profit is our net operating profit after tax less the
cost of the capital used in our business. Beginning in 2015, the Company added net operating revenues as an additional performance
criterion. Economic profit and net operating revenues are adjusted for certain items, which are approved and certified by the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors. The purpose of these adjustments is to ensure a consistent year-to-year comparison of the
specific performance criteria. In the event the certified results equal the predefined performance criteria, the Company will grant the
number of shares equal to the target award. In the event the certified results exceed the predefined performance criteria, additional
shares up to the maximum award will be granted. In the event the certified results fall below the predefined performance criteria, a
reduced number of shares will be granted. If the certified results fall below the threshold award performance level, no shares will be
granted. The performance share units granted under this program are then generally subject to a holding period of one year before the
shares are released.
Performance share units generally do not entitle participants to vote or receive dividends. For most performance share units granted
beginning in 2014, the Company includes a relative TSR modifier to determine the number of shares earned at the end of the
performance period. For these awards, the number of shares earned based on the certified achievement of the predefined performance
criteria will be reduced or increased if the Company’s total shareowner return over the performance period relative to a predefined
compensation comparator group of companies falls outside of a defined range. The fair value of performance share units that include
the TSR modifier is determined using a Monte Carlo valuation model. For the remaining awards that do not include the TSR modifier,
the fair value of the performance share units is the quoted market value of the Company’s stock on the grant date less the present
value of the expected dividends not received during the relevant period.
In the period it becomes probable that the minimum performance criteria specified in the award will be achieved, we recognize
expense for the proportionate share of the total fair value of the performance share units related to the vesting period that has
already lapsed for the shares expected to vest and be released. The remaining fair value of the shares expected to vest and be released
is expensed on a straight-line basis over the balance of the vesting period. In the event the Company determines it is no longer
probable that we will achieve the minimum performance criteria specified in the award, we reverse all of the previously recognized
compensation expense in the period such a determination is made.
Performance share units are generally settled in stock, except for certain circumstances such as death or disability, in which case
former employees or their beneficiaries are provided a cash equivalent payment. As of December 31, 2017, performance share units of
2,088,000, 2,985,000 and 3,139,000 were outstanding for the 2015–2017, 2016–2018 and 2017–2019 performance periods, respectively,
based on the target award amounts in the performance share unit agreements.
113
The following table summarizes information about performance share units based on the target award amounts in the performance
share unit agreements:
Outstanding on January 1, 2017
Granted
Conversions to restricted stock units1
Paid in cash equivalent
Canceled/forfeited
Outstanding on December 31, 20172
Performance
Share Units
(In thousands)
Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
9,773
4,133
(4,851)
(11)
(832)
8,212
$ 35.77
34.75
32.35
34.15
37.20
$ 37.14
1 Represents the target amount of performance share units converted to restricted stock units for the 2014–2016 performance period. The vesting of
restricted stock units is subject to the terms of the performance share unit agreements.
2 The outstanding performance share units as of December 31, 2017, at the threshold award and maximum award levels were 2.2 million and 15.4 million,
respectively.
The weighted-average grant date fair value of performance share units granted was $34.75 in 2017, $39.70 in 2016 and $37.99 in
2015. The Company did not convert any performance share units into cash equivalent payments in 2015. The Company converted
performance share units of 11,052 in 2017 and 52,545 in 2016 to cash equivalent payments of $0.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively,
to former employees or their beneficiaries due to certain events such as death or disability.
The following table summarizes information about nonvested performance-based restricted stock units based on the performance
share units’ certified award level:
Nonvested on January 1, 2017
Conversions from performance share units
Vested and released
Canceled/forfeited
Nonvested on December 31, 2017
Restricted
Stock Units
(In thousands)
Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
—
7,181
(3)
(430)
6,748
$ —
32.33
32.35
32.30
$ 32.35
The total intrinsic value of restricted shares that were vested and released was less than $1 million in both 2017 and 2016 and
$5 million in 2015. The total restricted share units vested and released were 3,037 in 2017, 7,101 in 2016 and 130,017 in 2015.
Time-Based Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Prior to the release date, time-based restricted stock and restricted stock units granted from the 2014 Equity Plan do not entitle
participants to vote or receive dividends and will be forfeited in the event of the recipient’s termination of employment, except for
reasons such as death or disability. Certain other time-based restricted stock awards entitle participants to vote and receive dividends.
The fair value of the restricted stock and restricted stock units expected to vest and be released is expensed on a straight-line basis over
the vesting period. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding nonvested time-based restricted stock, including restricted
stock units, of 3,534,660, most of which do not pay dividends or have voting rights.
The following table summarizes information about nonvested time-based restricted stock awards:
Outstanding on January 1, 2017
Granted
Vested and released
Forfeited/expired
Outstanding on December 31, 2017
114
Restricted Stock
and Stock Units
(In thousands)
Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
770
2,994
(179)
(50)
3,535
$ 37.54
41.62
37.36
38.35
$ 40.99
NOTE 13: PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
Our Company sponsors and/or contributes to pension and postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plans covering
substantially all U.S. employees. We also sponsor nonqualified, unfunded defined benefit pension plans for certain associates. In
addition, our Company and its subsidiaries have various pension plans and other forms of postretirement arrangements outside the
United States.
We refer to the funded defined benefit pension plan in the United States that is not associated with collective bargaining organizations
as the “primary U.S. plan.” As of December 31, 2017, the primary U.S. plan represented 64 percent and 65 percent of the Company’s
consolidated projected benefit obligation and pension assets, respectively.
Obligations and Funded Status
The following table sets forth the changes in benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets for our benefit plans (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Benefit obligation at beginning of year1
Service cost
Interest cost
Foreign currency exchange rate changes
Amendments
Actuarial loss (gain)
Benefits paid2
Divestitures3
Settlements4
Curtailments4
Special termination benefits4
Other
Benefit obligation at end of year1
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Foreign currency exchange rate changes
Benefits paid
Divestitures3
Settlements4
Other
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
Net liability recognized
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2017
2016
2017
2016
$ 9,428
197
306
150
1
420
(341)
(7)
(832)
(10)
106
37
$ 9,159
239
319
(38)
17
441
(346)
(16)
(384)
—
37
—
$ 962
17
29
4
(21)
(28)
(71)
(66)
—
(48)
—
4
$ 940
22
31
(2)
(4)
20
(64)
(2)
—
(17)
2
36
$ 9,455
$ 9,428
$ 782
$ 962
$ 8,371
1,139
181
196
(285)
—
(794)
35
$ 7,689
690
718
(70)
(270)
(16)
(374)
4
$ 255
31
—
—
(3)
—
—
5
$ 245
8
—
—
(3)
—
—
5
$ 8,843
$ 8,371
$ 288
$ 255
$ (612) $ (1,057)
$ (494)
$ (707)
1 For pension benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation. For other benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation. The accumulated benefit obligation for our pension plans was $9,175 million and $9,141 million as of December 31,
2017 and 2016, respectively.
2 Benefits paid to pension plan participants during 2017 and 2016 included $56 million and $76 million, respectively, in payments related to unfunded
pension plans that were paid from Company assets. Benefits paid to participants of other benefit plans during 2017 and 2016 included $68 million and
$61 million, respectively, that were paid from Company assets.
3 Divestitures were primarily related to the deconsolidation of the Company’s German bottling operations in May 2016 and the Company’s North America
refranchising in 2017. Refer to Note 2.
4 Settlements, curtailments and special termination benefits were primarily related to the Company’s North America refranchising and productivity,
restructuring and integration initiatives. Refer to Note 2 and Note 18.
115
Pension and other benefit amounts recognized in our consolidated balance sheets are as follows (in millions):
December 31,
Noncurrent asset
Current liability
Long-term liability
Net liability recognized
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2017
2016
2017
2016
$
921
$
572
$ — $ —
(72)
(71)
(1,461)
(1,558)
(21)
(473)
(23)
(684)
$ (612)
$ (1,057)
$ (494)
$ (707)
Certain of our pension plans have projected benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of plan assets. For these plans, the projected
benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets were as follows (in millions):
December 31,
Projected benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets
2017
$ 7,833
6,330
2016
$ 7,907
6,303
Certain of our pension plans have accumulated benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of plan assets. For these plans, the
accumulated benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets were as follows (in millions):
December 31,
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets
Pension Plan Assets
The following table presents total assets for our U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans (in millions):
December 31,
Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities:
U.S.-based companies
International-based companies
Fixed-income securities:
Government bonds
Corporate bonds and debt securities
Mutual, pooled and commingled funds1
Hedge funds/limited partnerships
Real estate
Other
Total pension plan assets2
2017
$ 7,614
6,305
2016
$ 7,668
6,257
U.S. Plans
Non-U.S. Plans
2017
454 $
2016
229
$
2017
237
$
2016
173
$
1,427
911
1,208
451
670
554
619
488
183
785
215
939
596
518
395
854
693
1,172
521
538
$ 6,028 $ 6,061
191
42
766
44
2
309
$ 2,815
131
142
440
41
2
274
$ 2,310
1 Mutual, pooled and commingled funds include investments in equity securities, fixed-income securities and combinations of both. There are a significant
number of mutual, pooled and commingled funds from which investors can choose. The selection of the type of fund is dictated by the specific investment
objectives and needs of a given plan. These objectives and needs vary greatly between plans.
2 Fair value disclosures related to our pension assets are included in Note 16. Fair value disclosures include, but are not limited to, the levels within the fair
value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall; a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of Level 3 assets; and
information about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure the fair value of our pension assets.
Investment Strategy for U.S. Pension Plans
The Company utilizes the services of investment managers to actively manage the assets of our U.S. pension plans. We have
established asset allocation targets and investment guidelines with each investment manager. Our asset allocation targets
promote optimal expected return and volatility characteristics given the long-term time horizon for fulfilling the obligations of
116
the plans. Selection of the targeted asset allocation for U.S. plan assets was based upon a review of the expected return and risk
characteristics of each asset class, as well as the correlation of returns among asset classes. Our target allocation is a mix of 42 percent
equity investments, 30 percent fixed-income investments and 28 percent alternative investments. We believe this target allocation will
enable us to achieve the following long-term investment objectives:
(1) optimize the long-term return on plan assets at an acceptable level of risk;
(2) maintain a broad diversification across asset classes and among investment managers; and
(3) maintain careful control of the risk level within each asset class.
The guidelines that have been established with each investment manager provide parameters within which the investment managers
agree to operate, including criteria that determine eligible and ineligible securities, diversification requirements and credit quality
standards, where applicable. Unless exceptions have been approved, investment managers are prohibited from buying or selling
commodities, futures or option contracts, as well as from short selling of securities. Additionally, investment managers agree to obtain
written approval for deviations from stated investment style or guidelines. As of December 31, 2017, no investment manager was
responsible for more than 9 percent of total U.S. plan assets.
Our target allocation of 42 percent equity investments is composed of 60 percent global equities, 16 percent emerging market equities
and 24 percent domestic small- and mid-cap equities. Optimal returns through our investments in global equities are achieved through
security selection as well as country and sector diversification. Investments in the common stock of our Company accounted for
approximately 4 percent of our total global equities and approximately 2 percent of total U.S. plan assets. Our investments in global
equities are intended to provide diversified exposure to both U.S. and non-U.S. equity markets. Our investments in both emerging
market equities and domestic small- and mid-cap equities may experience large swings in their market value. Our investments in these
asset classes are selected based on capital appreciation potential.
Our target allocation of 30 percent fixed-income investments is composed of 33 percent long-duration bonds and 67 percent with
multi-strategy alternative credit managers. Long-duration bonds are intended to provide a stable rate of return through investments in
high-quality publicly traded debt securities. Our investments in long-duration bonds are diversified in order to mitigate duration and
credit exposure. Multi-strategy alternative credit managers invest in a combination of high-yield bonds, bank loans, structured credit
and emerging market debt. These investments are in lower-rated and non-rated debt securities, which generally produce higher returns
compared to long-duration bonds and also help to diversify our overall fixed-income portfolio.
In addition to equity investments and fixed-income investments, we have a target allocation of 28 percent in alternative investments.
These alternative investments include hedge funds, reinsurance, private equity limited partnerships, leveraged buyout funds,
international venture capital partnerships and real estate. The objective of investing in alternative investments is to provide a higher
rate of return than that available from publicly traded equity securities. These investments are inherently illiquid and require a
long-term perspective in evaluating investment performance.
Investment Strategy for Non-U.S. Pension Plans
As of December 31, 2017, the long-term target allocation for 73 percent of our international subsidiaries’ pension plan assets, primarily
certain of our European and Canadian plans, is 71 percent equity securities, 10 percent fixed-income securities and 19 percent other
investments. The actual allocation for the remaining 27 percent of the Company’s international subsidiaries’ plan assets consisted of
55 percent mutual, pooled and commingled funds; 5 percent fixed-income securities; and 40 percent other investments. The investment
strategies for our international subsidiaries’ plans differ greatly, and in some instances are influenced by local law. None of our pension
plans outside the United States is individually significant for separate disclosure.
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets
Plan assets associated with other postretirement benefits primarily represent funding of one of the U.S. postretirement benefit plans
through a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (“VEBA”), a tax-qualified trust. The VEBA assets are primarily invested in
liquid assets due to the level and timing of expected future benefit payments.
117
The following table presents total assets for our other postretirement benefit plans (in millions):
December 31,
Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities:
U.S.-based companies
International-based companies
Fixed-income securities:
Government bonds
Corporate bonds and debt securities
Mutual, pooled and commingled funds
Hedge funds/limited partnerships
Real estate
Other
Total other postretirement benefit plan assets1
2017
2016
$ 78
$
2
96
8
116
8
2
7
80
8
5
4
$ 288
3
6
103
9
4
4
$ 255
1 Fair value disclosures related to our other postretirement benefit plan assets are included in Note 16. Fair value disclosures include, but are not limited
to, the levels within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall and information about the valuation techniques and
inputs used to measure the fair value of our other postretirement benefit plan assets.
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans consisted of the following (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets1
Amortization of prior service credit
Amortization of actuarial loss2
Net periodic benefit cost
Settlement charges3
Curtailment charge (credit)3
Special termination benefits3
Other
Total cost (income) recognized in consolidated statements of income
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2017
2016
2015
2017
2016
2015
$ 197
306
(650)
—
175
28
228
4
106
2
$ 368
$ 239
319
(653)
(2)
183
86
118
—
37
(3)
$ 238
$ 265
379
(705)
(2)
199
136
149
—
20
—
$ 305
$
$
17
29
(12)
(18)
8
24
—
(79)
—
—
$ (55) $
22
31
(11)
(19)
7
30
—
—
1
23
54
$
$
27
37
(11)
(19)
10
44
—
—
2
—
46
1 The Company has elected to use the actual fair value of plan assets as the market-related value of assets in the determination of the expected return on
plan assets.
2 Actuarial gains and losses are amortized using a corridor approach. The gain/loss corridor is equal to 10 percent of the greater of the benefit obligation
and the market-related value of assets. Gains and losses in excess of the corridor are generally amortized over the average future working lifetime of the
plan participants.
3 The settlement charges, curtailment charge (credit) and special termination benefits were primarily related to the Company’s North America
refranchising and productivity, restructuring and integration initiatives. Refer to Note 2 and Note 18.
118
The following table sets forth the changes in AOCI for our benefit plans (in millions, pretax):
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
Year Ended December 31,
Balance in AOCI at beginning of year
Recognized prior service cost (credit)
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)
Prior service credit (cost) arising in current year
Net actuarial (loss) gain arising in current year
Impact of divestitures1
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
Balance in AOCI at end of year
2017
2016
$ (2,932) $ (2,907)
(2)
3013
(17)
(404)
64
33
$ (2,493) $ (2,932)
4
4032
(1)
75
—
(42)
2017
2016
$
$
(48)
(54)4
(36)4
21
924
—
(1)
(26)
$
$
(26)
(28)5
7
4
(6)5
—
1
(48)
1 Related to the deconsolidation of our German bottling operations. Refer to Note 2.
2 Includes $228 million of recognized net actuarial losses due to the impact of settlements.
3 Includes $118 million of recognized net actuarial losses due to the impact of settlements.
4 Includes $36 million of recognized prior service credit, $43 million of recognized net actuarial gains and $45 million of actuarial gains arising in the
current year due to the impact of curtailments.
5 Includes $9 million of recognized prior service credit and $17 million of actuarial gains arising in the current year due to the impact of curtailments.
The following table sets forth amounts in AOCI for our benefit plans (in millions, pretax):
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
December 31,
Prior service credit (cost)
Net actuarial loss
Balance in AOCI at end of year
2017
2016
$
(10) $
(14)
(2,918)
$ (2,493) $ (2,932)
(2,483)
2017
36
(62)
(26)
$
$
2016
69
(117)
(48)
$
$
Amounts in AOCI expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in 2018 are as follows (in millions, pretax):
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
Amortization of actuarial loss
Total
Assumptions
Pension Benefits
$ (3)
147
$ 144
Other Benefits
$ (14)
4
$ (10)
Certain weighted-average assumptions used in computing the benefit obligations are as follows:
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
December 31,
Discount rate
Rate of increase in compensation levels
2017
3.50%
3.50%
Certain weighted-average assumptions used in computing net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
2017
2016
4.00% 3.50%
3.75%
N/A
2016
4.00%
N/A
Year Ended December 31,
Discount rate
Rate of increase in compensation levels
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2017
4.00%
3.75%
8.00%
2016
4.25%
3.50%
8.25%
2015
3.75%
3.50%
8.25%
2017
4.00%
N/A
4.75%
2016
4.25%
N/A
4.75%
2015
3.75%
N/A
4.75%
119
The expected long-term rate of return assumption for U.S. pension plan assets is based upon the target asset allocation and is
determined using forward-looking assumptions in the context of historical returns and volatilities for each asset class, as well as
correlations among asset classes. We evaluate the rate of return assumption on an annual basis. The expected long-term rate of return
assumption used in computing 2017 net periodic pension cost for the U.S. plans was 8.00 percent. As of December 31, 2017, the
5-year, 10-year and 15-year annualized return on plan assets for the primary U.S. plan was 8.8 percent, 5.4 percent and 8.5 percent,
respectively. The annualized return since inception was 10.7 percent.
The assumed health care cost trend rates are as follows:
December 31,
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate
2017
7.00%
5.00%
2022
2016
7.00%
5.00%
2021
The Company’s U.S. postretirement benefit plans are primarily defined dollar benefit plans that limit the effects of medical inflation
because the plans have established dollar limits for determining our contributions. As a result, the effect of a 1 percentage point
change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would not be significant to the Company.
The discount rate assumptions used to account for pension and other postretirement benefit plans reflect the rates at which the benefit
obligations could be effectively settled. Rates for U.S. and certain non-U.S. plans at December 31, 2017, were determined using a cash
flow matching technique whereby the rates of a yield curve, developed from high-quality debt securities, were applied to the benefit
obligations to determine the appropriate discount rate. For other non-U.S. plans, we base the discount rate on comparable indices
within each of the countries. The rate of compensation increase assumption is determined by the Company based upon annual reviews.
We review external data and our own historical trends for health care costs to determine the health care cost trend rate assumptions.
Effective January 1, 2016, for benefit plans using the yield curve approach, the Company changed the method used to calculate
the service cost and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefit plans and is
measuring these components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve to the plans’ projected cash flows. The Company
believes the new approach provides a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between
projected cash flows and the corresponding spot rates. The change did not affect the measurement of the Company’s pension
and other postretirement benefit obligations for those plans and was accounted for as a change in accounting estimate, which was
applied prospectively.
Cash Flows
Our estimated future benefit payments for funded and unfunded plans are as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Pension benefit payments
Other benefit payments1
Total estimated benefit payments
2018
$ 713
64
$ 777
2019
$ 461
62
$ 523
2020
$ 482
61
$ 543
2021
$ 489
59
$ 548
2022
$ 500
57
$ 557
2023-2027
$ 2,642
258
$ 2,900
1 The expected benefit payments for our other postretirement benefit plans are net of estimated federal subsidies expected to be received under the
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. Federal subsidies are estimated to be $4 million for the period 2018–2022,
and $3 million for the period 2023–2027.
The Company anticipates making pension contributions in 2018 of $59 million, all of which will be allocated to our international plans.
The majority of these contributions are required by funding regulations or law.
Defined Contribution Plans
Our Company sponsors qualified defined contribution plans covering substantially all U.S. employees. Under the largest U.S. defined
contribution plan, we match participants’ contributions up to a maximum of 3.5 percent of compensation, subject to certain limitations.
Company costs related to the U.S. plans were $61 million, $82 million and $94 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We also
sponsor defined contribution plans in certain locations outside the United States. Company costs associated with those plans were
$35 million, $37 million and $35 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
120
Multi-Employer Pension Plans
As a result of our acquisition of Old CCE’s North America business in 2010, the Company participates in various multi-employer
pension plans in the United States. Multi-employer pension plans are designed to cover employees from multiple employers and are
typically established under collective bargaining agreements. These plans allow multiple employers to pool their pension resources and
realize efficiencies associated with the daily administration of the plan.
Multi-employer plans are generally governed by a board of trustees composed of management and labor representatives and are
funded through employer contributions.
The Company’s expense for U.S. multi-employer pension plans totaled $35 million, $41 million and $40 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively. The plans we currently participate in have contractual arrangements that extend into 2021. If, in the future, we choose to
withdraw from any of the multi-employer pension plans in which we currently participate, we would need to record the appropriate
withdrawal liabilities at that time.
NOTE 14: INCOME TAXES
Income from continuing operations before income taxes consisted of the following (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
United States
International
Total
2017
$ (690)1
7,432
$ 6,742
$
2016
1131
8,023
$ 8,136
2015
$ 1,8011
7,804
$ 9,605
1 Includes charges of $2,140 million, $2,456 million and $1,006 million related to refranchising certain bottling territories in North America in 2017, 2016
and 2015, respectively. Refer to Note 2.
Income taxes from continuing operations consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in
millions):
2017
Current
Deferred
2016
Current
Deferred
2015
Current
Deferred
United States
State and Local
International
Total
$ 5,4381
(1,783)1,2
$ 1,147
(838)2
$
711
120
$ 121
14
$ 113
(91)
$ 69
45
$ 1,257
5131
$ 6,816
(1,256)
$ 1,182
73
$ 2,442
(856)
$ 1,386
(92)
$ 2,166
73
1 Includes our reasonable estimate of the effects on our existing deferred tax balances and the one-time transition tax resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act (“Tax Reform Act”) that was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The provisional amount related to the one-time transition tax on the mandatory
deemed repatriation of prescribed foreign earnings was $4.6 billion of tax expense based on cumulative prescribed foreign earnings estimated to be
$42 billion. The provisional amount that was primarily related to the remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the rates at
which they are expected to reverse in the future was a net deferred tax benefit of $1.0 billion.
2 Includes the benefit from charges related to refranchising certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2.
Income taxes from discontinued operations consisted of $55 million of current expense and $8 million of deferred tax benefit for the
year ended December 31, 2017.
We made income tax payments of $1,904 million, $1,554 million and $2,357 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Our effective tax rate reflects the tax benefits of having significant operations outside the United States, which are generally
taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0 percent. As a result of employment actions and capital investments
made by the Company, certain tax jurisdictions provide income tax incentive grants, including Brazil, Costa Rica, Singapore
and Swaziland. The terms of these grants expire from 2018 to 2036. We anticipate that we will be able to extend or renew the
grants in these locations. Tax incentive grants favorably impacted our income tax expense by $221 million, $105 million and
121
$223 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In addition, our effective tax rate reflects the benefits
of having significant earnings generated in investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting, which are generally
taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate.
A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal tax rate and our effective tax rate is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Statutory U.S. federal tax rate
State and local income taxes — net of federal benefit
Earnings in jurisdictions taxed at rates different from the statutory U.S. federal rate
Equity income or loss
Tax Reform Act
Other — net
Effective tax rate
2015
2017
2016
35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
1.2
1.2
(9.7)
(17.5)5
(3.4)
(3.0)
53.51
—
5.92,3,4
3.86
82.5% 19.5% 23.3%
1.2
(12.7)
(1.7)
—
1.5
1 Includes net tax expense of $3,610 million primarily related to our reasonable estimate of the one-time transition tax resulting from the Tax Reform Act
that was signed into law on December 22, 2017, partially offset by the impact of the lower rate introduced by the Tax Reform Act on our existing deferred
tax balances.
2 Includes excess tax benefits of $132 million (or a 2 percent impact on our effective tax rate) recognized as awards issued under the Company’s
share-based compensation arrangements vested or were settled.
3 Includes net tax expense of $1,048 million on a pretax gain of $1,037 million (or a 10.2 percent impact on our effective tax rate) related to the Southwest
Transaction, in conjunction with which we obtained an equity interest in AC Bebidas. The Company accounts for its interest in AC Bebidas as an equity
method investment and the net tax expense was primarily the result of the deferred tax recorded on the basis difference in this investment. Refer to
Note 2.
4 Includes a $156 million net tax benefit related to the impact of manufacturing incentives and permanent book to tax adjustments.
5 Includes tax expense of $97 million related to a pretax gain of $1,323 million (or a 4.5 percent impact on our effective tax rate) related to the
deconsolidation of our German bottling operations. Refer to Note 2.
6 Includes tax expense of $157 million (or a 1.9 percent impact on our effective tax rate) primarily related to amounts required to be recorded for changes
to our uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, in certain domestic jurisdictions.
The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign
jurisdictions. U.S. tax authorities have completed their federal income tax examinations for all years prior to 2007. With respect to
state and local jurisdictions and countries outside the United States, with limited exceptions, the Company and its subsidiaries are
no longer subject to income tax audits for years before 2003. For U.S. federal and state tax purposes, the net operating losses and tax
credit carryovers acquired in connection with our acquisition of Old CCE’s North America business that were generated between
the years of 1990 through 2010 are subject to adjustments until the year in which they are actually utilized is no longer subject to
examination. Although the outcome of tax audits is always uncertain, the Company believes that adequate amounts of tax, including
interest and penalties, have been provided for any adjustments that are expected to result from those years.
On September 17, 2015, the Company received a Notice from the IRS for the tax years 2007 through 2009, after a five-year audit.
Refer to Note 11.
As of December 31, 2017, the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $331 million. If the Company were to prevail on all
uncertain tax positions, the net effect would be a benefit of $205 million, exclusive of any benefits related to interest and penalties.
The remaining $126 million, which was recorded as a deferred tax asset, primarily represents tax benefits that would be received in
different tax jurisdictions in the event the Company did not prevail on all uncertain tax positions.
122
A reconciliation of the changes in the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Beginning balance of unrecognized tax benefits
Increase related to prior period tax positions
Decrease related to prior period tax positions
Increase related to current period tax positions
Decrease related to settlements with taxing authorities
Decrease due to lapse of the applicable statute of limitations
Increase (decrease) due to effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes
Ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits
2017
$ 302
18
(13)
13
—
—
11
2016
$ 168
1631
—
17
(40)1
—
(6)
2015
$ 211
4
(9)
5
(5)
(23)
(15)
$ 331
$ 302
$ 168
1 The increase is primarily related to a change in judgment about one of the Company’s tax positions as a result of receiving notification of a preliminary
settlement of a Competent Authority matter with a foreign jurisdiction, a portion of which became certain later in the year. This change in position did
not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statement of income during the year ended December 31, 2016, as it was partially offset by
refunds to be received from the foreign jurisdiction.
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company had
$177 million, $142 million and $111 million in interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits accrued as of December 31,
2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Of these amounts, $35 million and $31 million of expense were recognized through income tax
expense in 2017 and 2016, respectively. An insignificant amount of interest and penalties was recognized through income tax expense
for the year ended December 31, 2015. If the Company were to prevail on all uncertain tax positions, the reversal of this accrual would
also be a benefit to the Company’s effective tax rate.
It is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next 12 months; however, we do not expect the change
to have a significant impact on our consolidated statement of income or consolidated balance sheet. These changes may be the result
of settlements of ongoing audits, statute of limitations expiring or final settlements in transfer pricing matters that are the subject of
litigation. At this time, an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible outcomes cannot be made.
The one-time transition tax is based on our total accumulated post-1986 prescribed foreign earnings and profits (“E&P”) estimated to
be $42 billion, the majority of which was previously considered to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no U.S. federal and state
income taxes were provided. We recorded a provisional tax amount of $4.6 billion as a reasonable estimate for our one-time transition
tax liability and a $0.6 billion provisional deferred tax of related withholding taxes and state income taxes. Because of the complexities
of the Tax Reform Act, we are still finalizing our calculation of the total accumulated post-1986 prescribed E&P for the applicable
foreign entities. Further, the transition tax is based in part on the amount of those earnings held in cash and other specified assets. This
amount may change when we finalize the calculation of accumulated post-1986 prescribed foreign E&P and finalize the amounts held
in cash or other specified assets. No additional income taxes have been provided for any additional outside basis differences inherent
in these entities, as these amounts continue to be provisionally indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Determining the amount
of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any additional outside basis differences in these entities (i.e., basis differences in excess
of that subject to the one-time transition tax) is not practicable. We also remeasured and adjusted certain deferred tax assets and
liabilities based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally 21.0 percent.
On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) was issued to address the application of U.S. GAAP in
situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in
reasonable detail to finalize the calculations for certain income tax effects of the Tax Reform Act. In accordance with SAB 118, the
Company has determined that the net tax charge of $3.6 billion recorded in connection with the tax effect of the Tax Reform Act is
a provisional amount and a reasonable estimate as of December 31, 2017. Additional work is necessary to finalize the calculation
for certain income tax effects of the Tax Reform Act. Additionally, certain of our equity method investees are impacted by the Tax
Reform Act and have recorded provisional tax amounts. To the extent their provisional amounts are refined in 2018, we will record our
proportionate share in the line item equity income (loss) — net in our consolidated statement of income.
The Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) provisions of the Tax Reform Act require the Company to include in its U.S.
income tax return foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of an allowable return on the foreign subsidiary’s tangible assets. The Company
has not yet elected an accounting policy related to how it will account for GILTI and therefore has not provided any deferred tax
impacts of GILTI in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.
123
The tax effects of temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following
(in millions):
December 31,
Deferred tax assets:
Property, plant and equipment
Trademarks and other intangible assets
Equity method investments (including foreign currency translation adjustment)
Derivative financial instruments
Other liabilities
Benefit plans
Net operating/capital loss carryforwards
Other
Gross deferred tax assets
Valuation allowances
Total deferred tax assets1,2
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment
Trademarks and other intangible assets
Equity method investments (including foreign currency translation adjustment)
Derivative financial instruments
Other liabilities
Benefit plans
Other
Total deferred tax liabilities3
Net deferred tax liabilities4
2017
2016
$
99
98
300
387
861
977
520
163
3,405
(501)
$ 2,904
$
(819)
(978)
(1,835)
(436)
(50)
(289)
(688)
(5,095)
$ (2,191)
$
144
114
684
193
1,141
1,599
461
135
4,471
(530)
$ 3,941
$ (1,176)
(2,694)
(1,718)
(1,121)
(149)
(487)
(635)
(7,980)
$ (4,039)
1 Current deferred tax assets of $80 million were included in the line item prepaid expenses and other assets in our consolidated balance sheet as of
December 31, 2016.
2 Noncurrent deferred tax assets of $331 million and $326 million were included in the line item other assets in our consolidated balance sheets as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
3 Current deferred tax liabilities of $692 million were included in the line item accounts payable and accrued expenses in our consolidated balance sheet as
of December 31, 2016.
4 The decrease in the net deferred tax liabilities was primarily the result of the remeasurement in accordance with the Tax Reform Act and the impact of
refranchising certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2.
As of December 31, 2017, we had net deferred tax liabilities of $539 million and as of December 31, 2016, we had net deferred tax
assets of $83 million located in countries outside the United States.
As of December 31, 2017, we had $4,893 million of loss carryforwards available to reduce future taxable income. Loss carryforwards of
$335 million must be utilized within the next five years, and the remainder can be utilized over a period greater than five years.
An analysis of our deferred tax asset valuation allowances is as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Balance at beginning of year
Additions
Decrease due to reclassification to assets held for sale
Deductions
Balance at end of year
2017
2016
2015
$ 530
184
—
(213)
$ 501
$ 477
68
(9)
(6)
$ 530
$ 649
42
(163)
(51)
$ 477
The Company’s deferred tax asset valuation allowances are primarily the result of uncertainties regarding the future realization
of recorded tax benefits on tax loss carryforwards from operations in various jurisdictions. Current evidence does not suggest
we will realize sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character within the carryforward period to allow us to realize
these deferred tax benefits. If we were to identify and implement tax planning strategies to recover these deferred tax assets or
generate sufficient income of the appropriate character in these jurisdictions in the future, it could lead to the reversal of these
124
valuation allowances and a reduction of income tax expense. The Company believes that it will generate sufficient future taxable
income to realize the tax benefits related to the remaining net deferred tax assets in our consolidated balance sheet.
In 2017, the Company recognized a net decrease of $29 million in its valuation allowances. This decrease was primarily due to the
reversal of a valuation allowance in a foreign jurisdiction related to expenses incurred in the normal course of business that were
previously determined to be non-deductible. In addition, the decrease in value of certain deferred tax assets and related valuation
allowance due to the reduction in the U.S. corporate tax rate and changes to deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances
on certain equity investments contributed to the net decrease in the valuation allowance. The decreases were partially offset by an
increase in the valuation allowance due to increases in the deferred tax asset and related valuation allowances on certain equity
investments and recognizing a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to net operating losses at certain foreign bottling
operations after considering recent negative evidence as to the realizability of those deferred tax assets.
In 2016, the Company recognized a net increase of $53 million in its valuation allowances. This increase was primarily due to the
increase in non-deductible expenses incurred during the normal course of business operations.
In 2015, the Company recognized a net decrease of $172 million in its valuation allowances. As a result of our German bottling
operations meeting the criteria to be classified as held for sale, the Company was required to present the related assets and liabilities
as separate line items in our consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the changes in net operating losses during the normal course
of business and changes in deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances on certain equity investments also contributed to a
decrease in the valuation allowances. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in the valuation allowances primarily due to
the impact of currency devaluations in Venezuela on certain receivables.
NOTE 15: OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
AOCI attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company is separately presented in our consolidated balance sheets as a
component of The Coca-Cola Company’s shareowners’ equity, which also includes our proportionate share of equity method investees’
AOCI. OCI attributable to noncontrolling interests is allocated to, and included in, our consolidated balance sheets as part of the line
item equity attributable to noncontrolling interests.
AOCI attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company consisted of the following, net of tax (in millions):
December 31,
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated derivative net gain (loss)
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
Adjustments to pension and other benefit liabilities
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
2017
2016
$ (8,957)
(119)
493
(1,722)
$ (10,305)
$ (9,780)
314
305
(2,044)
$ (11,205)
The following table summarizes the allocation of total comprehensive income between shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company and
noncontrolling interests (in millions):
Consolidated net income
Other comprehensive income:
Net foreign currency translation adjustment
Net gain (loss) on derivatives1
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities2
Net change in pension and other benefit liabilities3
Total comprehensive income
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Shareowners of
The Coca-Cola Company
$ 1,248
Noncontrolling
Interests
$ 35
Total
$ 1,283
823
(433)
188
322
$ 2,148
38
—
—
—
$ 73
861
(433)
188
322
$ 2,221
1 Refer to Note 5 for additional information related to the net gain or loss on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedging
instruments.
2 Refer to Note 3 for additional information related to the net unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities.
3 Refer to Note 13 for additional information related to the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities.
125
OCI attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company, including our proportionate share of equity method investees’ OCI, for
the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, is as follows (in millions):
2017
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Translation adjustments arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income
Gains (losses) on intra-entity transactions that are of a long-term investment nature
Gains (losses) on net investment hedges arising during the year
Net foreign currency translation adjustments
Derivatives:
Gains (losses) arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income
Net gain (loss) on derivatives1
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities2
Pension and other benefit liabilities:
Net pension and other benefits arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income
Net change in pension and other benefit liabilities3
Before-Tax
Amount
Income Tax
After-Tax
Amount
$ (1,350)
23
3,332
(1,512)
493
$ (242)
(6)
—
578
330
$ (1,592)
17
3,332
(934)
823
(184)
(506)
(690)
405
(123)
282
120
325
445
530
65
192
257
(136)
42
(94)
(7)
(116)
(123)
$ 370
$
(119)
(314)
(433)
269
(81)
188
113
209
322
900
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company
$
1 Refer to Note 5 for additional information related to the net gain or loss on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedging
instruments.
2 Refer to Note 3 for additional information related to the net unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities.
3 Refer to Note 13 for additional information related to the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities.
126
2016
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Translation adjustments arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income
Gains (losses) on net investment hedges arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments for net investment hedges recognized in net income
Net foreign currency translation adjustments
Derivatives:
Gains (losses) arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income
Net gain (loss) on derivatives1
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities2
Pension and other benefit liabilities:
Net pension and other benefits arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income
Net change in pension and other benefit liabilities3
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company
Before-Tax
Amount
Income Tax
After-Tax
Amount
$
$ (1,103)
368
67
77
(591)
(43)
(563)
(606)
124
(105)
19
51
(18)
(25)
(30)
(22)
11
213
224
(28)
26
(2)
$ (1,052)
350
42
47
(613)
(32)
(350)
(382)
96
(79)
17
(374)
342
(32)
$ (1,210)
99
(120)
(21)
$ 179
(275)
222
(53)
$ (1,031)
1 Refer to Note 5 for additional information related to the net gain or loss on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedging instruments.
2 Refer to Note 3 for additional information related to the net unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities.
3 Refer to Note 13 for additional information related to the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities.
127
2015
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Translation adjustments arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income
Unrealized gains (losses) on net investment hedges arising during the year
Net foreign currency translation adjustments
Derivatives:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income
Net gain (loss) on derivatives1
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities2
Pension and other benefit liabilities:
Net pension and other benefits arising during the year
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income
Net change in pension and other benefit liabilities3
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company
Before-Tax
Amount
Income Tax
After-Tax
Amount
$ (4,626)
63
637
(3,926)
$ 243
(14)
(244)
(15)
$ (4,383)
49
393
(3,941)
853
(638)
215
(973)
(61)
(1,034)
(314)
241
(73)
328
22
350
539
(397)
142
(645)
(39)
(684)
(169)
337
168
$ (4,577)
43
(125)
(82)
$ 180
(126)
212
86
$ (4,397)
1 Refer to Note 5 for additional information related to the net gain or loss on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedging instruments.
2 Refer to Note 3 for additional information related to the net unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities.
3 Refer to Note 13 for additional information related to the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities.
128
The following table presents the amounts and line items in our consolidated statements of income where adjustments reclassified from
AOCI into income were recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017 (in millions):
Description of AOCI Component
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Divestitures, deconsolidations and other1
Derivatives:
Foreign currency contracts
Foreign currency and commodity contracts
Foreign currency and interest rate contracts
Foreign currency contracts
Divestitures, deconsolidations and other2
Available-for-sale securities:
Divestitures, deconsolidations and other2
Sale of securities
Pension and other benefit liabilities:
Curtailment charges (credits)3
Settlement charges (credits)3
Divestitures, deconsolidations and other2
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)
Recognized prior service cost (credit)
Financial Statement Line Item
Amount Reclassified
from AOCI into
Income
Other income (loss) — net
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
Income taxes from continuing operations
Consolidated net income
Net operating revenues
Cost of goods sold
Interest expense
Other income (loss) — net
Other income (loss) — net
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
Income taxes from continuing operations
Consolidated net income
Other income (loss) — net
Other income (loss) — net
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
Income taxes from continuing operations
Consolidated net income
Other operating charges
Other operating charges
Other income (loss) — net
*
*
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
Income taxes from continuing operations
Consolidated net income
$
$
$
23
23
(6)
17
$ (444)
3
44
(110)
1
$ (506)
192
$ (314)
$ (87)
(36)
$ (123)
42
$ (81)
$ (75)
228
7
183
(18)
$ 325
(116)
$ 209
1 Includes a $104 million loss related to the integration of CCW and CCEJ to establish CCBJI and an $80 million gain related to the derecognition of our
previously held equity interests in CCBA and its South African subsidiary upon the consolidation of CCBA. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
2 Primarily related to the integration of CCW and CCEJ to establish CCBJI. Refer to Note 17.
3 The curtailment charges (credits) and settlement charges (credits) were primarily related to North America refranchising and the Company’s
productivity, restructuring and integration initiatives. Refer to Note 13 and Note 18.
* This component of AOCI is included in the Company’s computation of net periodic benefit cost and is not reclassified out of AOCI into a single line item
in our consolidated statements of income in its entirety. Refer to Note 13.
129
NOTE 16: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price)
in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the
measurement date. Additionally, the inputs used to measure fair value are prioritized based on a three-level hierarchy. This hierarchy
requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used
to measure fair value are as follows:
• Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
• Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1. We value assets and liabilities included in this
level using dealer and broker quotations, certain pricing models, bid prices, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in
active markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
• Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of
the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that
use significant unobservable inputs.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, certain assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. For our
Company, the only assets and liabilities that are adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis are investments in equity and debt securities
classified as trading or available-for-sale and derivative financial instruments. Additionally, the Company adjusts the carrying value of
certain long-term debt as a result of the Company’s fair value hedging strategy.
Investments in Trading and Available-for-Sale Securities
The fair values of our investments in trading and available-for-sale securities using quoted market prices from daily exchange traded
markets are based on the closing price as of the balance sheet date and are classified as Level 1. The fair values of our investments
in trading and available-for-sale securities classified as Level 2 are priced using quoted market prices for similar instruments or
nonbinding market prices that are corroborated by observable market data. Inputs into these valuation techniques include actual
trade data, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes and other similar data. These inputs are obtained from quoted market prices,
independent pricing vendors or other sources.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The fair values of our futures contracts are primarily determined using quoted contract prices on futures exchange markets. The fair
values of these instruments are based on the closing contract price as of the balance sheet date and are classified as Level 1.
The fair values of our derivative instruments other than futures are determined using standard valuation models. The significant inputs
used in these models are readily available in public markets, or can be derived from observable market transactions, and therefore
have been classified as Level 2. Inputs used in these standard valuation models for derivative instruments other than futures include
the applicable exchange rates, forward rates, interest rates, discount rates and commodity prices. The standard valuation model for
options also uses implied volatility as an additional input. The discount rates are based on the historical U.S. Deposit or U.S. Treasury
rates, and the implied volatility specific to options is based on quoted rates from financial institutions.
Included in the fair value of derivative instruments is an adjustment for nonperformance risk. The adjustment is based on current
credit default swap (“CDS”) rates applied to each contract, by counterparty. We use our counterparty’s CDS rate when we are in
an asset position and our own CDS rate when we are in a liability position. The adjustment for nonperformance risk did not have a
significant impact on the estimated fair value of our derivative instruments.
130
The following tables summarize those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions):
Assets:
Trading securities1
Available-for-sale securities1
Derivatives2
Total assets
Liabilities:
Derivatives2
Total liabilities
December 31, 2017
Level 1
Level 2 Level 3 Other4
Netting
Adjustment5
Fair Value
Measurements
$
212
1,899
7
$ 2,118
$
127
5,739
250
$ 6,116
$
3
1693
—
$ 172
$ 65
—
—
$ 65
$
$
(3)
(3)
$ (262)
$ (262)
$ — $ —
$ — $ —
$ —
—
(198)6
$ (198)
$ 1477
$ 147
$
407
7,807
598
$ 8,273
$ (118)8
$ (118)
1 Refer to Note 3 for additional information related to the composition of our trading securities and available-for-sale securities.
2 Refer to Note 5 for additional information related to the composition of our derivative portfolio.
3 Primarily related to debt securities that mature in 2018.
4 Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized
in the fair value hierarchy but are included to reconcile to the amounts presented in Note 3.
5 Amounts represent the impact of legally enforceable master netting agreements that allow the Company to settle net positive and negative positions and
also cash collateral held or placed with the same counterparties. There are no amounts subject to legally enforceable master netting agreements that
management has chosen not to offset or that do not meet the offsetting requirements. Refer to Note 5.
6 The Company is obligated to return $55 million in cash collateral it has netted against its derivative position.
7 The Company has the right to reclaim $2 million in cash collateral it has netted against its derivative position.
8 The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheet as follows: $59 million in the line item other
assets; $28 million in the line item accounts payable and accrued expenses; $12 million in the line item liabilities held for sale — discontinued operations
and $78 million in the line item other liabilities. Refer to Note 5 for additional information related to the composition of our derivative portfolio.
131
Assets:
Trading securities1
Available-for-sale securities1
Derivatives2
Total assets
Liabilities:
Derivatives2
Total liabilities
December 31, 2016
Level 1
Level 2 Level 3 Other4
Netting
Adjustment5
Fair Value
Measurements
$
202
1,655
4
$ 1,861
$
115
4,619
878
$ 5,612
$
4
1393
—
$ 143
$ 63
—
—
$ 63
$
$
11
11
$
$
276
276
$ — $ —
$ — $ —
$ —
—
(369)6
$ (369)
$ (192)7
$ (192)
$
384
6,413
5138
$ 7,310
$
$
958
95
1 Refer to Note 3 for additional information related to the composition of our trading securities and available-for-sale securities.
2 Refer to Note 5 for additional information related to the composition of our derivative portfolio.
3 Primarily related to long-term debt securities that mature in 2018.
4 Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in
the fair value hierarchy but are included to reconcile to the amounts presented in Note 3.
5 Amounts represent the impact of legally enforceable master netting agreements that allow the Company to settle net positive and negative positions and
also cash collateral held or placed with the same counterparties. There are no amounts subject to legally enforceable master netting agreements that
management has chosen not to offset or that do not meet the offsetting requirements. Refer to Note 5.
6 The Company is obligated to return $201 million in cash collateral it has netted against its derivative position.
7 The Company has the right to reclaim $17 million in cash collateral it has netted against its derivative position.
8 The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheet as follows: $347 million in the line item
prepaid expenses and other assets; $166 million in the line item other assets; $42 million in the line item accounts payable and accrued expenses; and
$53 million in the line item other liabilities. Refer to Note 5 for additional information related to the composition of our derivative portfolio.
Gross realized and unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 assets and liabilities were not significant for the years ended December 31,
2017 and 2016.
The Company recognizes transfers between levels within the hierarchy as of the beginning of the reporting period. Gross transfers
between levels within the hierarchy were not significant for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
132
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company records assets and liabilities at fair
value on a nonrecurring basis as required by U.S. GAAP. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result
of impairment charges.
The gains or losses on assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized in the table below (in millions):
Gains (Losses)
December 31,
Assets held for sale1
Intangible assets
Other long-lived assets
Other-than-temporary impairment charge
Investment in formerly unconsolidated subsidiary
Valuation of shares in equity method investee
Total
2017
2016
$ (1,819) $ (2,264)
(153)7
—
—
—
—
$ (2,465) $ (2,417)
(442)2
(329)3
(50)4
1505
256
1 The Company is required to record assets and liabilities that are held for sale at the lower of carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell based on the
agreed-upon sale price. These losses related to refranchising activities in North America. The charges were calculated based on Level 3 inputs. Refer to Note 2.
2 The Company recognized an impairment charge of $375 million related to CCR’s goodwill. This impairment charge was determined by comparing the
fair value of the reporting unit, based on Level 3 inputs, to its carrying value. The Company also recognized an impairment charge of $33 million related
to certain U.S. bottlers’ franchise rights. This charge was determined by comparing the fair value of the asset to its current carrying value. Each of these
impairment charges was primarily a result of refranchising activities in North America and management’s estimates of the proceeds that were expected to
be received for the remaining bottling territories upon their refranchising. Additionally, the Company recorded impairment charges of $34 million related
to Venezuelan intangible assets due to weaker sales and the volatility of foreign currency exchange rates resulting from continued political instability. The
fair value of these assets was derived using discounted cash flow analyses based on Level 3 inputs.
3 The Company recognized impairment charges of $310 million related to CCR’s property, plant and equipment and $19 million related to CCR’s other
assets primarily as a result of refranchising activities in North America. The fair value of these assets was derived using management’s estimate of the
proceeds that were expected to be received for the remaining bottling territories upon their refranchising.
4 The Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $50 million related to one of our international equity method investees, primarily
driven by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The fair value of this investment was derived using discounted cash flow analyses based on Level 3 inputs.
5 The Company recognized a gain of $150 million on our previously held equity interests in CCBA and its South African subsidiary, which were accounted
for under the equity method of accounting prior to our consolidation of the bottler in October 2017. U.S. GAAP requires the acquirer to remeasure its
previously held noncontrolling equity interest in the acquired entity to fair value as of the acquisition date and recognize any gains or losses in earnings.
The Company remeasured our equity interests in CCBA and its South African subsidiary based on Level 3 inputs. Refer to Note 2.
6 The Company recognized a gain of $25 million as a result of Coca-Cola FEMSA, an equity method investee, issuing additional shares of its stock at a
per share amount greater than the carrying value of the Company’s per share investment. Accordingly, the Company is required to treat this type of
transaction as if the Company had sold a proportionate share of its investment in Coca-Cola FEMSA. This gain was determined using Level 1 inputs.
7 The Company recognized losses of $153 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 due to impairment charges related to certain intangible
assets. The charges included $143 million related to the impairment of certain U.S. bottlers’ franchise rights. This charge was related to a number of
factors, primarily as a result of lower operating performance compared to previously modeled results as well as a revision in management’s estimates of
the proceeds that were expected to be received upon refranchising the territories. The losses also included a $10 million goodwill impairment charge,
primarily the result of management’s revised outlook on market conditions. The charges were determined by comparing the fair value of the assets to the
current carrying value. The fair value of the assets was derived using discounted cash flow analyses based on Level 3 inputs. Refer to Note 17.
Fair Value Measurements for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
The fair value hierarchy discussed above is not only applicable to assets and liabilities that are included in our consolidated
balance sheets but is also applied to certain other assets that indirectly impact our consolidated financial statements. For
example, our Company sponsors and/or contributes to a number of pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Assets
contributed by the Company become the property of the individual plans. Even though the Company no longer has control over
these assets, we are indirectly impacted by subsequent fair value adjustments to these assets. The actual return on these assets
133
impacts the Company’s future net periodic benefit cost, as well as amounts recognized in our consolidated balance sheets. Refer
to Note 13. The Company uses the fair value hierarchy to measure the fair value of assets held by our various pension and other
postretirement benefit plans.
Pension Plan Assets
The following table summarizes the levels within the fair value hierarchy for our pension plan assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016
(in millions):
Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities:
U.S.-based companies
International-based companies
Fixed-income securities:
Government bonds
Corporate bonds and debt securities
Mutual, pooled and commingled funds
Hedge funds/limited partnerships
Real estate
Other
Total
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other1
Total
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other1
Total
$
626 $
65
$ — $ — $
691
$
373 $
29
$ — $ — $
402
2,080
1,465
3
—
14
—
— 2,097
— 1,465
1,812
935
1
4
14
—
— 1,827
939
—
—
—
239
—
—
—
374
803
42
—
—
—
$ 4,410 $ 1,287
—
24
—
—
2
2632
374
827
981
983
598
827
$ 303 $ 2,843 $ 8,843
—
—
7003
9834
5965
5646
—
—
91
—
—
—
525
978
20
—
—
3
$ 3,211 $ 1,560
—
1
18
—
— 1,0223
— 1,2134
5215
2
5986
2112
$ 246 $ 3,354
526
996
1,133
1,213
523
812
$ 8,371
1 Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in
the fair value hierarchy but are included to reconcile to the amounts presented in Note 13.
2 Includes purchased annuity insurance contracts.
3 This class of assets includes actively managed emerging markets equity funds and a collective trust fund for qualified plans, invested primarily in equity
securities of companies in developed and emerging markets. There are no liquidity restrictions on these investments.
4 This class of assets includes hedge funds that can be subject to redemption restrictions, ranging from monthly to tri-annually with a redemption notice
period of up to 120 days and/or initial lock-up periods of up to one year, and private equity funds that are primarily closed-end funds in which the
Company’s investments are generally not eligible for redemption. Distributions from these private equity funds will be received as the underlying assets
are liquidated or distributed.
5 This class of assets includes funds invested in real estate, including a privately held real estate investment trust, a real estate commingled pension trust
fund, infrastructure limited partnerships and commingled investment funds. These funds seek current income and capital appreciation through the
investments and can be subject to redemption restrictions, ranging from quarterly to semi-annually with a redemption notice period of up to 90 days.
6 This class of assets includes segregated portfolios of private investment funds that are invested in a portfolio of insurance-linked securities. These assets
can be subject to a semi-annual redemption, with a redemption notice period of 90 days, subject to certain gate restrictions.
134
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of Level 3 assets for our U.S. and non-U.S. pension
plans for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
2016
Balance at beginning of year
Actual return on plan assets:
Related to assets held at the reporting date
Related to assets sold during the year
Purchases, sales and settlements — net
Transfers into/(out of) Level 3 — net
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Balance at end of year
2017
Balance at beginning of year
Actual return on plan assets:
Related to assets held at the reporting date
Purchases, sales and settlements — net
Transfers into/(out of) Level 3 — net
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Balance at end of year
1 Includes purchased annuity insurance contracts.
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets
Equity
Securities
Fixed-
Income
Securities
Real
Estate
Other
Total
$ 11
$ 3
$ 2
$ 219
$ 235
4
—
—
(1)
—
$ 14
2
(2)
12
4
—
$ 19
—
—
—
—
—
$ 2
7
3
(23)
7
(2)
$ 2111
13
1
(11)
10
(2)
$ 246
$ 14
$ 19
$ 2
$ 211
$ 246
(3)
3
—
—
$ 14
1
1
3
—
$ 24
—
—
—
—
$ 2
4
(9)
31
26
$ 2631
2
(5)
34
26
$ 303
The following table summarizes the levels within the fair value hierarchy for our other postretirement benefit plan assets as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities:
U.S.-based companies
International-based companies
Fixed-income securities:
Government bonds
Corporate bonds and debt securities
Mutual, pooled and commingled funds
Hedge funds/limited partnerships
Real estate
Other
Total
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Level 1 Level 2 Other1
Total
Level 1 Level 2 Other1
Total
$ 78
$ — $ — $ 78
$
2
$ — $ — $
2
96
8
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2
7
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
80
8
5
4
96
8
2
7
80
8
5
4
116
8
—
—
98
—
—
—
—
—
3
6
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
5
9
4
4
116
8
3
6
103
9
4
4
$ 182
$
9
$ 97
$ 288
$ 224
$
9
$ 22
$ 255
1 Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in
the fair value hierarchy but are included to reconcile to the amounts presented in Note 13.
135
Other Fair Value Disclosures
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents; short-term investments; trade accounts receivables; accounts payable and accrued
expenses; and loans and notes payable approximate their fair values because of the relatively short-term maturities of these financial
instruments.
The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on quoted prices for those instruments. Where quoted
prices are not available, fair value is estimated using discounted cash flows and market-based expectations for interest rates, credit risk
and the contractual terms of the debt instruments. As of December 31, 2017, the carrying amount and fair value of our long-term debt,
including the current portion, were $34,480 million and $35,169 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, the carrying amount
and fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, were $33,211 million and $33,752 million, respectively.
NOTE 17: SIGNIFICANT OPERATING AND NONOPERATING ITEMS
Other Operating Charges
In 2017, the Company recorded other operating charges of $2,157 million. These charges primarily consisted of $737 million of CCR
asset impairments and $650 million related to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program. In addition, other operating
charges included $419 million related to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations. These costs include, among
other items, internal and external costs for individuals directly working on the refranchising efforts, severance, pension settlement
charges and costs associated with the implementation of information technology systems to facilitate consistent data standards and
availability throughout our bottling systems. Other operating charges also included $225 million related to a cash contribution we
made to The Coca-Cola Foundation, $67 million related to tax litigation expense, $34 million related to impairments of Venezuelan
intangible assets and $19 million related to noncapitalizable transaction costs associated with pending and closed transactions. Refer
to Note 1 for additional information about the Venezuelan intangible assets and Note 16 for information on how the Company
determined the CCR asset impairment charges. Refer to Note 18 for additional information on the Company’s productivity,
integration and restructuring initiatives. Refer to Note 19 for the impact these charges had on our operating segments.
In 2016, the Company recorded other operating charges of $1,510 million. These charges primarily consisted of $352 million due to
the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program and $240 million due to the integration of our German bottling operations.
In addition, the Company recorded charges of $415 million related to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations.
These costs include, among other items, internal and external costs for individuals directly working on the refranchising efforts,
severance, pension settlement charges and costs associated with the implementation of information technology systems to facilitate
consistent data standards and availability throughout our bottling systems. The Company also recorded a charge of $200 million
related to cash contributions we made to The Coca-Cola Foundation, a charge of $76 million due to the write-down we recorded
related to our receivables from our bottling partner in Venezuela as a result of changes in exchange rates and charges of $41 million
related to noncapitalizable transaction costs associated with pending and closed transactions. Refer to Note 1 for additional
information on the Venezuelan exchange rates. Refer to Note 18 for additional information on the Company’s productivity, integration
and restructuring initiatives. Refer to Note 19 for the impact these charges had on our operating segments.
In 2016, the Company also recorded charges of $153 million related to certain intangible assets. These charges included $143 million
related to the impairment of certain U.S. bottlers’ franchise rights recorded in our Bottling Investments operating segment. This
charge was related to a number of factors, primarily as a result of lower operating performance compared to previously modeled
results as well as a revision in management’s view of the proceeds that may be ultimately received upon refranchising the territories.
The remaining charge of $10 million was related to the impairment of goodwill recorded in our Bottling Investments operating
segment. This charge was primarily the result of management’s revised outlook on market conditions. The total impairment charges of
$153 million were recorded in our Bottling Investments operating segment in the line item other operating charges in our consolidated
statement of income and were determined by comparing the fair value of the intangible assets, derived using discounted cash flow
analyses, to their respective carrying values.
In 2015, the Company incurred other operating charges of $1,657 million. These charges included $691 million due to the
Company’s productivity and reinvestment program and $292 million due to the integration of our German bottling operations.
In addition, the Company recorded impairment charges of $418 million primarily due to the discontinuation of the energy
products in the glacéau portfolio as a result of the Monster Transaction and incurred a charge of $100 million due to a cash
contribution we made to The Coca-Cola Foundation. The Company also incurred a charge of $111 million due to the
write-down we recorded related to receivables from our bottling partner in Venezuela and an impairment of a Venezuelan
trademark primarily due to changes in exchange rates as a result of the establishment of the new open market exchange system.
Refer to Note 1 for additional information on the Venezuelan currency change. Refer to Note 2 for additional information on the
Monster Transaction. Refer to Note 18 for additional information on the Company’s productivity, integration and restructuring
initiatives. Refer to Note 19 for the impact these charges had on our operating segments.
136
Other Nonoperating Items
Interest Expense
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a net charge of $38 million related to the early extinguishment of
long-term debt. Refer to Note 10 for additional information and Note 19 for the impact this charge had on our operating segments.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded charges of $320 million due to the early extinguishment of certain
long-term debt. These charges included the difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the debt
extinguished, including the impact of the related fair value hedging relationship. Refer to Note 10 for additional information and
Note 19 for the impact these charges had on our operating segments.
Equity Income (Loss) — Net
The Company recorded net charges of $92 million, $61 million and $87 million in equity income (loss) — net during the years ended
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These amounts primarily represent the Company’s proportionate share of significant
operating and nonoperating items recorded by certain of our equity method investees. Refer to Note 19 for the impact these charges
had on our operating segments.
Other Income (Loss) — Net
In 2017, other income (loss) — net was a loss of $1,666 million. The Company recognized a net charge of $2,140 million due to the
refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America and charges of $313 million primarily related to payments made to
convert the bottling agreements for certain North America bottling partners’ territories to a single form of CBA with additional
requirements. The Company also recorded an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $50 million related to one of our
international equity method investees, primarily driven by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Additionally, the Company
incurred a charge of $26 million related to our former German bottling operations. These charges were partially offset by a gain of
$445 million related to the integration of CCW and CCEJ to establish CCBJI. In exchange for our previously existing equity interests
in CCW and CCEJ, we received an approximate 17 percent equity interest in CCBJI. The fair value of our equity investment in
CCBJI was based on its quoted market price (a Level 1 measurement). The Company also recognized a gain of $150 million related
to the remeasurement of our previously held equity interests in CCBA and its South African subsidiary to fair value. Additionally,
the Company recognized a gain of $88 million related to the refranchising of our China bottling operations and related cost method
investment and a gain of $25 million as a result of Coca-Cola FEMSA, an equity method investee, issuing additional shares of its stock
during the period at a per share amount greater than the carrying value of the Company’s per share investment. Refer to Note 2 for
additional information on our North America and China refranchising activities and our consolidation of CCBA. Refer to Note 19 for
the impact these items had on our operating segments.
In 2016, other income (loss) — net was a loss of $1,234 million. This loss included a net charge of $2,456 million due to the
refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America and a charge of $21 million due to the deconsolidation of our South
African bottling operations and disposal of the related equity method investment in exchange for investments in CCBA and CCBA’s
South African subsidiary. The Company incurred charges of $31 million related to payments made to convert the bottling agreements
for certain North America bottling partners’ territories to a single form of CBA with additional requirements. Additionally, the
Company incurred a charge of $72 million as a result of remeasuring its net monetary assets denominated in Egyptian pounds. The
Egyptian pound devalued as a result of the central bank allowing its currency, which was previously pegged to the U.S. dollar, to float
freely. These charges were partially offset by a gain of $1,323 million due to the deconsolidation of our German bottling operations.
Refer to Note 2 for additional information on the deconsolidation of our German bottling operations, the deconsolidation of our
South African bottling operations, the North America refranchising and the conversion payments. Refer to Note 19 for the impact
these items had on our operating segments.
In 2015, the Company recorded a net gain of $1,403 million as a result of the Monster Transaction and a net charge of $1,006 million
due to the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America. In addition, the Company recognized a foreign currency
exchange gain of $300 million associated with our foreign-denominated debt partially offset by a charge of $27 million due to the
remeasurement of the net monetary assets of our Venezuelan subsidiary using the SIMADI exchange rate. Refer to Note 1 for
additional information related to the charge due to the remeasurement in Venezuela. Refer to Note 2 for additional information
related to the Monster Transaction and North America refranchising. Refer to Note 19 for the impact these items had on our
operating segments.
137
NOTE 18: PRODUCTIVITY, INTEGRATION AND RESTRUCTURING INITIATIVES
Productivity and Reinvestment
In February 2012, the Company announced a productivity and reinvestment program designed to further enable our efforts to
strengthen our brands and reinvest our resources to drive long-term profitable growth. This program is focused on the following
initiatives: global supply chain optimization; global marketing and innovation effectiveness; operating expense leverage and
operational excellence; data and information technology systems standardization; and the integration of Old CCE’s North American
bottling operations.
In February 2014, the Company announced the expansion of our productivity and reinvestment program to drive incremental productivity
that will primarily be redirected into increased media investments. Our incremental productivity goal consists of two relatively equal
components. First, we will expand savings through global supply chain optimization, data and information technology systems
standardization, and resource and cost reallocation. Second, we will increase the effectiveness of our marketing investments by transforming
our marketing and commercial model to redeploy resources into more consumer-facing marketing investments to accelerate growth.
In October 2014, the Company announced that we were further expanding our productivity and reinvestment program and extending
it through 2019. The expansion of the productivity initiatives will focus on four key areas: restructuring the Company’s global supply
chain; implementing zero-based work, an evolution of zero-based budget principles, across the organization; streamlining and
simplifying the Company’s operating model; and further driving increased discipline and efficiency in direct marketing investments.
In April 2017, the Company announced its plans to transition to a new, more agile operating model to enable growth. Under this
operating model, our business units will be supported by an expanded enabling services organization and a corporate center focused
on a few strategic initiatives, policy and governance. The expanded enabling services organization will focus on both simplifying and
standardizing key transactional processes and providing support to business units through global centers of excellence.
The Company has incurred total pretax expenses of $3,058 million related to this program since it commenced. These expenses were
recorded in the line item other operating charges in our consolidated statements of income. Refer to Note 19 for the impact these
charges had on our operating segments. Outside services reported in the table below primarily relate to expenses in connection with
legal, outplacement and consulting activities. Other direct costs reported in the table below include, among other items, internal and
external costs associated with the development, communication, administration and implementation of these initiatives; accelerated
depreciation on certain fixed assets; contract termination fees; and relocation costs.
138
The following table summarizes the balance of accrued expenses related to these productivity and reinvestment initiatives and the
changes in the accrued amounts (in millions):
2015
Accrued balance at beginning of year
Costs incurred
Payments
Noncash and exchange
Accrued balance at end of year
2016
Costs incurred
Payments
Noncash and exchange
Accrued balance at end of year
2017
Costs incurred
Payments
Noncash and exchange
Accrued balance at end of year
1 Includes pension settlement charges. Refer to Note 13.
Integration Initiatives
Integration of Our German Bottling Operations
Severance Pay
and Benefits
Outside
Services
Other
Direct Costs
$ 260
269
(200)
(185)1
$ 144
$
95
(114)
(2)
$ 123
$ 310
(181)
(62)1
$ 190
$
$
4
56
(47)
(5)
8
$ 27
(30)
1
6
$
$ 79
(83)
(1)
1
$
$
$
21
366
(265)
(70)
52
$ 230
(205 )
(55)
22
$
$ 261
(267)
(1)
15
$
Total
$ 285
691
(512)
(260)
$ 204
$ 352
(349)
(56)
$ 151
$ 650
(531)
(64)
$ 206
In 2008, the Company began an integration initiative related to our German bottling operations acquired in 2007. The Company
incurred $240 million and $292 million of expenses related to this initiative in 2016 and 2015, respectively and has incurred total pretax
expenses of $1,367 million related to this initiative since it commenced. These expenses were recorded in the line item other operating
charges in our consolidated statements of income and impacted the Bottling Investments operating segment. The expenses recorded
in connection with these integration activities have been primarily due to involuntary terminations. The Company had $122 million
accrued related to these integration costs as of December 31, 2015. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company
deconsolidated our German bottling operations. Therefore, there was no remaining accrual balance as of December 31, 2016.
Refer to Note 2 for additional information on the deconsolidation of our German bottling operations.
NOTE 19: OPERATING SEGMENTS
As of December 31, 2017, our organizational structure consisted of the following operating segments: Europe, Middle East and Africa;
Latin America; North America; Asia Pacific; Bottling Investments; and Corporate.
Segment Products and Services
The business of our Company is nonalcoholic beverages. Our geographic operating segments (Europe, Middle East and Africa;
Latin America; North America; and Asia Pacific) derive a majority of their revenues from the manufacture and sale of beverage
concentrates and syrups and, in some cases, the sale of finished beverages. Our Bottling Investments operating segment is composed
of our Company-owned or consolidated bottling operations, with the exception of those that are classified as discontinued operations,
regardless of the geographic location of the bottler. Our Bottling Investments operating segment also includes equity income from the
majority of our equity method investments. Company-owned or consolidated bottling operations derive the majority of their revenues
from the sale of finished beverages. Generally, finished product operations produce higher net operating revenues but lower gross
profit margins compared to concentrate operations.
139
The following table sets forth the percentage of total net operating revenues related to concentrate operations and finished product
operations:
Year Ended December 31,
Concentrate operations1
Finished product operations2
Total
2017
2016
2015
51%
40% 37%
49
60
100% 100% 100%
63
1 Includes concentrates sold by the Company to authorized bottling partners for the manufacture of fountain syrups. The bottlers then typically sell the
fountain syrups to wholesalers or directly to fountain retailers.
2 Includes fountain syrups manufactured by the Company, including consolidated bottling operations, and sold to fountain retailers or to authorized
fountain wholesalers or bottling partners who resell the fountain syrups to fountain retailers.
Method of Determining Segment Income or Loss
Management evaluates the performance of our operating segments separately to individually monitor the different factors affecting
financial performance. Our Company manages income taxes from continuing operations and certain treasury-related items, such as
interest income and expense, on a global basis within the Corporate operating segment. We evaluate segment performance based on
income or loss from continuing operations before income taxes.
Geographic Data
The following table provides information related to our net operating revenues (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
United States
International
Net operating revenues
2017
$ 14,727
20,683
$ 35,410
2016
$ 19,899
21,964
$ 41,863
2015
$ 20,360
23,934
$ 44,294
The following table provides information related to our property, plant and equipment — net (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
United States
International
Property, plant and equipment — net
2017
$ 4,163
4,040
$ 8,203
2016
$ 6,784
3,851
$ 10,635
2015
$ 8,266
4,305
$ 12,571
140
Information about our Company’s continuing operations by operating segment as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016
and 2015, is as follows (in millions):
Europe, Middle
East & Africa
Latin
America
North
Bottling
America Asia Pacific
Investments Corporate Eliminations Consolidated
2017
Net operating revenues:
Third party
Intersegment
Total net operating revenues
Operating income (loss)
Interest income
Interest expense
Depreciation and amortization
Equity income (loss) — net
Income (loss) from continuing
operations before income taxes
Identifiable operating assets1
Investments3
Capital expenditures
2016
Net operating revenues:
Third party
Intersegment
Total net operating revenues
Operating income (loss)
Interest income
Interest expense
Depreciation and amortization
Equity income (loss) — net
Income (loss) from continuing
operations before income taxes
Identifiable operating assets1
Investments3
Capital expenditures
2015
Net operating revenues:
Third party
Intersegment
Total net operating revenues
Operating income (loss)
Interest income
Interest expense
Depreciation and amortization
Equity income (loss) — net
Income (loss) from continuing
operations before income taxes
Identifiable operating assets1
Investments3
Capital expenditures
$ 7,332 $ 3,956 $ 8,651
1,986
10,637
2,578
44
—
411
(3)
73
4,029
2,214
—
—
37
(3)
42
7,374
3,646
—
—
91
48
3,706
5,475
1,238
81
2,211
1,896
891
55
2,307
17,619
112
541
$ 7,014 $ 3,746 $ 6,437
3,773
10,210
2,582
27
—
426
(17)
264
7,278
3,676
—
—
93
62
73
3,819
1,951
—
—
35
18
3,749
4,067
1,302
62
1,966
1,785
804
45
2,560
16,566
109
438
$ 6,966 $ 3,999 $ 5,581
4,259
9,840
2,366
9
—
373
(18)
75
4,074
2,169
—
—
41
(7)
621
7,587
3,875
—
—
103
39
3,923
4,1562
1,138
54
2,164
1,627
657
70
2,356
16,396
107
377
$ 4,767
409
5,176
2,163
—
—
65
11
2,179
2,0722
177
50
$ 4,788
506
5,294
2,224
—
—
80
9
2,238
2,024
164
107
$ 4,707
545
5,252
2,189
—
—
85
9
2,207
1,639
158
81
$ 10,524
81
10,605
(1,117)
—
—
454
878
(2,345)
4,4932
15,998
662
$ 19,751
134
19,885
(137)
—
—
1,013
648
(1,923)
15,973
11,456
1,329
$ 22,885
178
23,063
124
—
—
1,211
426
(427)
22,6882
8,084
1,699
$
$
$
138
—
138
(1,983)
633
841
202
140
(1,316)
27,060
3,536
286
127
5
132
(1,670)
615
733
140
115
(454)
29,606
3,414
281
156
10
166
(1,995)
604
856
157
40
(618)
27,702
5,644
272
$ —
(2,549)
(2,549)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$ —
(4,755)
(4,755)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$ —
(5,688)
(5,688)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$ 35,368
424
35,410
7,501
677
841
1,260
1,071
6,742
58,6155
21,952
1,675
$ 41,863
—
41,863
8,626
642
733
1,787
835
8,136
70,021
17,249
2,262
$ 44,294
—
44,294
8,728
613
856
1,970
489
9,605
74,208
15,788
2,553
1 Principally cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, marketable securities, trade accounts receivable, inventories, goodwill, trademarks and
other intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment — net.
2 Property, plant and equipment — net in India represented 11 percent of consolidated property, plant and equipment — net in 2017.
Property, plant and equipment — net in Germany represented 10 percent of consolidated property, plant and equipment — net in 2015. The
2015 amount includes property, plant and equipment — net classified as held for sale. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company
deconsolidated our German bottling operations. Refer to Note 2.
3 Principally equity method investments and other investments in bottling companies.
4 Intersegment revenues do not eliminate on a consolidated basis in the table above due to intercompany sales to our discontinued operations.
5 Identifiable operating assets excludes $7,329 million of assets held for sale — discontinued operations.
During 2017, 2016 and 2015, our operating segments were impacted by acquisition and divestiture activities. Refer to Note 2.
141
In 2017, the results of our operating segments were impacted by the following items:
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $26 million for
Europe, Middle East and Africa, $7 million for Latin America, $241 million for North America, $10 million for Asia Pacific,
$57 million for Bottling Investments and $309 million for Corporate due to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment
program. Refer to Note 18.
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $737 million for
Bottling Investments and $34 million for Corporate due to asset impairment charges. Refer to Note 1 and Note 17.
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $419 million for
Bottling Investments due to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $225 million for
Corporate as a result of cash contributions to The Coca-Cola Foundation. Refer to Note 17.
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $67 million for
Corporate due to tax litigation expense. Refer to Note 11 and Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $4 million for Europe, Middle East and Africa,
$2 million for North America, $70 million for Bottling Investments and $16 million for Corporate due to the Company’s
proportionate share of significant operating and nonoperating items recorded by certain of our equity method investees.
Refer to Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $2,140 million for Bottling Investments due to
the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was increased by $445 million for Corporate due to a gain
recognized resulting from the merger of CCW and CCEJ. Refer to Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $313 million for North America primarily
related to payments made to convert the bottling agreements for certain North America bottling partners’ territories to a
single form of CBA with additional requirements. Refer to Note 2.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was increased by $150 million for Corporate related to the
remeasurement of our previously held equity interests in CCBA and its South African subsidiary to fair value. Refer to
Note 2.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was increased by $88 million for Corporate due to a gain
recognized upon refranchising our China bottling operations and related cost method investment. Refer to Note 2.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $50 million for Corporate due to an
other-than-temporary impairment charge related to one of our international equity method investees. Refer to Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $38 million for Corporate due to the early
extinguishment of long-term debt. Refer to Note 10.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $26 million for Corporate due to a charge
related to our former German bottling operations.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was increased by $25 million for Corporate due to Coca-Cola
FEMSA, an equity method investee, issuing additional shares of its stock during the period at a per share amount greater
than the carrying value of the Company’s per share investment.
In 2016, the results of our operating segments were impacted by the following items:
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $32 million
for Europe, Middle East and Africa, $134 million for North America, $1 million for Asia Pacific, $322 million for
Bottling Investments and $105 million for Corporate due to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program as well
as other restructuring initiatives. Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income
taxes were increased by $2 million for Latin America due to the refinement of previously established accruals related to the
Company’s productivity and reinvestment program. Refer to Note 18.
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $297 million for
Bottling Investments due to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
142
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $200 million for
Corporate as a result of cash contributions to The Coca-Cola Foundation. Refer to Note 17.
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $153 million for
Bottling Investments due to impairment charges recorded on certain of the Company’s intangible assets. Refer to Note 17.
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $118 million for
Bottling Investments due to pension settlement charges primarily as a result of our refranchising activities. Refer to Note 17.
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $76 million for
Latin America due to the write-down we recorded related to our receivables from our bottling partner in Venezuela due to
changes in exchange rates. Refer to Note 1.
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $9 million for
Bottling Investments and $32 million for Corporate related to noncapitalizable transaction costs associated with pending and
closed transactions. Refer to Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $52 million for Bottling Investments and
$9 million for Corporate due to the Company’s proportionate share of significant operating and nonoperating items recorded
by certain of our equity method investees. Refer to Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $2,456 million for Bottling Investments
primarily due to the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was increased by $1,323 million for Corporate as a result of
the deconsolidation of our German bottling operations. Refer to Note 2.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $72 million for Corporate as a result of
remeasuring our net monetary assets denominated in Egyptian pounds. Refer to Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $31 million for North America related to
payments made to convert the bottling agreements for certain North America bottling partners’ territories to a single form of
CBA with additional requirements. Refer to Note 2.
In 2015, the results of our operating segments were impacted by the following items:
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $7 million
for Latin America, $141 million for North America, $2 million for Asia Pacific, $596 million for Bottling Investments and
$246 million for Corporate due to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program as well as other restructuring
initiatives. Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were increased by
$9 million for Europe, Middle East and Africa due to the refinement of previously established accruals, partially offset by
additional charges related to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program. Refer to Note 18.
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $418 million
for Corporate primarily due to an impairment charge primarily related to the discontinuation of the energy products in the
glacéau portfolio as a result of the Monster Transaction. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
• Operating income (loss) and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes were reduced by $100 million for
Corporate as a result of a cash contribution to The Coca-Cola Foundation. Refer to Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $4 million for Europe, Middle East and Africa
and $83 million for Bottling Investments due to the Company’s proportionate share of significant operating and nonoperating
items recorded by certain of our equity method investees. Refer to Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was increased by $1,403 million for Corporate as a result of
the Monster Transaction. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $1,006 million for Bottling Investments due to
the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $320 million for Corporate due to charges the
Company recognized on the early extinguishment of certain long-term debt. Refer to Note 10 and Note 17.
• Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was reduced by $33 million for Latin America and
$105 million for Corporate due to the remeasurement of the net monetary assets of our local Venezuelan subsidiary into
U.S. dollars using the SIMADI exchange rate, an impairment of a Venezuelan trademark, and a write-down the Company
recorded on receivables from our bottling partner in Venezuela. Refer to Note 1 and Note 17.
143
NOTE 20: NET CHANGE IN OPERATING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities attributable to the net change in operating assets and liabilities is composed of the
following (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
(Increase) decrease in trade accounts receivable
(Increase) decrease in inventories
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses
Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities1
Net change in operating assets and liabilities
2017
$ (141)
(355)
571
(445)
(153)
4,052
$ 3,529
2016
$ (28)
(142)
283
(540)
750
(544)
$ (221)
2015
$ (212)
(250)
123
1,004
(306)
(516)
$ (157)
1 The increase in other liabilities in 2017 was primarily due to the one-time transition tax required by the Tax Reform Act signed into law on
December 22, 2017. Refer to Note 14.
144
REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management of the Company is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the consolidated financial statements appearing in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K. The financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States appropriate in the circumstances and, accordingly, include certain amounts based on our best judgments and
estimates. Financial information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is consistent with that in the financial statements.
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of internal controls and procedures to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Our
internal control system is supported by a program of internal audits and appropriate reviews by management, written policies and
guidelines, careful selection and training of qualified personnel, and a written Code of Business Conduct adopted by our Company’s
Board of Directors, applicable to all officers and employees of our Company and subsidiaries. In addition, our Company’s Board of
Directors adopted a written Code of Business Conduct for Non-Employee Directors which reflects the same principles and values as
our Code of Business Conduct for officers and employees but focuses on matters of relevance to non-employee Directors.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and, even when
determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting
as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). Management assessed
the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment,
management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013
Framework) (“COSO”) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework. Management has excluded from the scope of its assessment
of internal control over financial reporting the operations and related assets of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Proprietary Limited
(“CCBA”), which the Company began consolidating in October 2017. The operations and related assets of CCBA were included in the
consolidated financial statements of The Coca-Cola Company and subsidiaries and constituted 8 percent of total assets and 8 percent
of consolidated net income as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017. Based on this assessment, management believes that the
Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017.
The Company’s independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, a registered public accounting firm, are appointed by the Audit Committee
of the Company’s Board of Directors, subject to ratification by our Company’s shareowners. Ernst & Young LLP has audited and
reported on the consolidated financial statements of The Coca-Cola Company and subsidiaries and the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting. The reports of the independent auditors are contained in this annual report.
145
Audit Committee’s Responsibility
The Audit Committee of our Company’s Board of Directors, composed solely of Directors who are independent in accordance with
the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange listing standards, the Exchange Act, and the Company’s Corporate Governance
Guidelines, meets with the independent auditors, management and internal auditors periodically to discuss internal controls and
auditing and financial reporting matters. The Audit Committee reviews with the independent auditors the scope and results of the
audit effort. The Audit Committee also meets periodically with the independent auditors and the chief internal auditor without
management present to ensure that the independent auditors and the chief internal auditor have free access to the Audit Committee.
Our Audit Committee’s Report can be found in the Company’s 2018 Proxy Statement.
James R. Quincey
President and Chief Executive Officer
February 23, 2018
Larry M. Mark
Vice President and Controller
February 23, 2018
Kathy N. Waller
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and President, Enabling Services
February 23, 2018
Mark Randazza
Vice President, Assistant Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer
February 23, 2018
146
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Shareowners
The Coca-Cola Company
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Coca-Cola Company and subsidiaries (the Company) as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareowners’ equity, and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial
statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the
Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal
Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations for the Treadway Commission (2013 framework)
and our report dated February 23, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required
to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or
fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due
to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence
regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1921.
Atlanta, Georgia
February 23, 2018
147
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Board of Directors and Shareowners
The Coca-Cola Company
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited The Coca-Cola Company and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on
criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, The Coca-Cola Company and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained,
in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.
As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment
of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Coca-Cola
Beverages Africa Proprietary Limited (CCBA), which the Company began consolidating in October 2017. The operations and related
assets of CCBA were included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company and constituted 8 percent of the total assets
and 8 percent of consolidated net income as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017. Our audit of internal control over financial
reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of CCBA.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated
statements of income, comprehensive income, shareowners’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2017, and related notes and our report dated February 23, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control
Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based
on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the
Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists,
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other
procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to
the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only
in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect
on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections
of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Atlanta, Georgia
February 23, 2018
148
Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
(In millions except per share data)
2017
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
Full Year
Net operating revenues
Gross profit
Net income (loss) attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company
Basic net income (loss) per share
Diluted net income (loss) per share
2016
Net operating revenues
Gross profit
Net income attributable to shareowners of The Coca-Cola Company
Basic net income per share
Diluted net income per share
$ 9,118
5,605
1,182
0.28
0.27
$
$
$ 10,282
6,213
1,483
0.34
0.34
$
$
$ 9,702
6,043
1,371
0.32
0.32
$
$
$ 11,539
7,068
3,448
0.80
0.79
$
$
$ 9,078
5,683
1,447
0.34
0.33
$
$
$ 10,633
6,502
1,046
0.24
0.24
$
$
$ 7,512
4,823
(2,752)
$ (0.65)
$ (0.65)
$ 9,409
5,615
550
0.13
0.13
$
$
$ 35,410
22,154
1,248
0.29
0.291
$
$
$ 41,863
25,398
6,527
1.51
1.491
$
$
1 The sum of the quarterly net income per share amounts does not agree to the full year net income per share amounts. We calculate net income per share
based on the weighted-average number of outstanding shares during the reporting period. The average number of shares fluctuates throughout the year
and can therefore produce a full year result that does not agree to the sum of the individual quarters.
Our first quarter, second quarter and third quarter reporting periods end on the Friday closest to the last day of the applicable
quarterly calendar period. Our fourth quarter and fiscal year end on December 31 regardless of the day of the week on which
December 31 falls.
During 2017 and 2016, our quarterly operating results were impacted by acquisition and divestiture activities. Refer to Note 2.
The Company’s first quarter 2017 results were impacted by two fewer days compared to the first quarter of 2016. Furthermore, the
Company recorded the following transactions which impacted results:
• Charges of $497 million due to the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• Charges of $139 million due to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program. Refer to Note 17 and Note 18.
• Charges of $106 million primarily related to payments made to convert the bottling agreements for certain North America
bottling partners’ territories to a single form of CBA with additional requirements. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
• Charges of $104 million related to the impairment of certain intangible assets. Refer to Note 17.
• A net charge of $58 million related to the Company’s proportionate share of unusual or infrequent items recorded by certain
of our equity method investees. Refer to Note 17.
• Charges of $60 million related to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
In the second quarter of 2017, the Company recorded the following transactions which impacted results:
• Charges of $667 million related to the impairment of certain intangible assets. Refer to Note 17.
• A gain of $445 million related to the integration of CCW and CCEJ to establish CCBJI. Refer to Note 17.
• Charges of $214 million due to the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• Charges of $109 million primarily related to payments made to convert the bottling agreements for certain North America
bottling partners’ territories to a single form of CBA with additional requirements. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
• Charges of $87 million due to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program. Refer to Note 17 and Note 18.
149
• Charges of $44 million related to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• A net charge of $38 million related to the early extinguishment of long-term debt. Refer to Note 10.
• A net gain of $37 million related to the Company’s proportionate share of unusual or infrequent items recorded by certain of
our equity method investees. Refer to Note 17.
• A gain of $9 million related to refranchising a substantial portion of our China bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
In the third quarter of 2017, the Company recorded the following transactions which impacted results:
• Charges of $762 million due to the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• Charges of $213 million related to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• Charges of $129 million due to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program. Refer to Note 17 and Note 18.
• A gain of $79 million related to the refranchising of our remaining China bottling operations and related cost method
investment. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
• Charges of $72 million primarily related to payments made to convert the bottling agreements for certain North America
bottling partners’ territories to a single form of CBA with additional requirements. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
• An other-than-temporary impairment charge of $50 million related to one of our international equity method investees,
primarily driven by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Refer to Note 16 and Note 17.
• A net charge of $16 million related to the Company’s proportionate share of unusual or infrequent items recorded by certain
of our equity method investees. Refer to Note 17.
The Company’s fourth quarter 2017 results were impacted by one additional day compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. Furthermore,
the Company recorded the following transactions which impacted results:
• A net provisional tax charge of $3,610 million as a result of the Tax Reform Act that was signed into law on December 22,
2017. Refer to Note 14.
• Charges of $667 million due to the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• Charges of $295 million due to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program. Refer to Note 17 and Note 18.
• A charge of $225 million as a result of a cash contribution to The Coca-Cola Foundation. Refer to Note 17.
• A gain of $150 million related to the remeasurement of our previously held equity interests in CCBA and its South African
subsidiary to fair value. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
• Charges of $105 million related to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• A net charge of $55 million related to the Company’s proportionate share of unusual or infrequent items recorded by certain
of our equity method investees. Refer to Note 17.
• Charges of $26 million primarily related to payments made to convert the bottling agreements for certain North America
bottling partners’ territories to a single form of CBA with additional requirements. Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
In the first quarter of 2016, the Company recorded the following transactions which impacted results:
• Charges of $369 million due to the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• Charges of $262 million due to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program as well as other restructuring
initiatives. Refer to Note 17 and Note 18.
150
• Charges of $45 million related to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
In the second quarter of 2016, the Company recorded the following transactions which impacted results:
• A benefit of $1,292 million, net of transaction costs, as a result of the deconsolidation of our German bottling operations.
Refer to Note 2 and Note 17.
• Charges of $199 million due to the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• Charges of $106 million due to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program as well as other restructuring
initiatives. Refer to Note 17 and Note 18.
• A charge of $100 million as a result of a cash donation to The Coca-Cola Foundation. Refer to Note 17.
• A net tax charge of $83 million primarily related to amounts required to be recorded for changes to our uncertain tax
positions, including interest and penalties. Refer to Note 14.
• Charges of $52 million related to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
In the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded the following transactions which impacted results:
• Charges of $1,089 million due to the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• A charge of $80 million resulting from the accrual of tax on temporary differences related to the investment in foreign
subsidiaries that are now expected to reverse in the foreseeable future. Refer to Note 14.
• A charge of $76 million due to the write-down we recorded related to our receivables from our bottling partner in Venezuela.
Refer to Note 1 and Note 17.
• Charges of $73 million related to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• Charges of $59 million due to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program. Refer to Note 17 and Note 18.
In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded the following transactions which impacted results:
• Charges of $799 million due to the refranchising of certain bottling territories in North America. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• Charges of $165 million due to the Company’s productivity and reinvestment program. Refer to Note 17 and Note 18.
• Charges of $153 million related to the impairment of certain intangible assets. Refer to Note 17.
• Charges of $127 million related to costs incurred to refranchise certain of our bottling operations. Refer to Note 2 and
Note 17.
• Charges of $118 million due to pension settlement charges primarily as a result of our refranchising activities. Refer to Note 2
and Note 17.
• A charge of $100 million as a result of a cash donation to The Coca-Cola Foundation. Refer to Note 17.
• A charge of $72 million as a result of remeasuring our net monetary assets denominated in Egyptian pounds. Refer to
Note 17.
151
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the
Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures”
(as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period
covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017.
Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
The report of management on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 and the attestation report of
our independent registered public accounting firm on our internal control over financial reporting are set forth in Part II, “Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this report. Management has excluded from the scope of its assessment of internal
control over financial reporting the operations and related assets of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Proprietary Limited (“CCBA”), which
the Company began consolidating in October 2017. The operations and related assets of CCBA were included in the consolidated
financial statements of The Coca-Cola Company and subsidiaries and constituted 8 percent of total assets and 8 percent of
consolidated net income as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Except as described below, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the
quarter ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting. The Company began consolidating the operations and related assets of CCBA in October
2017. The operations and related assets of CCBA were included in the consolidated financial statements of The Coca-Cola Company
and subsidiaries and constituted 8 percent of total assets and 8 percent of consolidated net income as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2017.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.
152
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information regarding Director Nominations under the subheading “Item 1 — Election of Directors” under the principal heading
“Governance,” the information regarding the Codes of Business Conduct under the subheading “Additional Governance Matters”
under the principal heading “Governance,” the information under the subheading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance” under the principal heading “Share Ownership” and the information regarding the Audit Committee under the
subheading “Board and Committee Governance” under the principal heading “Governance” in the Company’s 2018 Proxy Statement
is incorporated herein by reference. See Item X in Part I of this report for information regarding executive officers of the Company.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information under the subheading “Director Compensation” under the principal heading “Governance” and the information
under the subheadings “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Report of the Compensation Committee,” “Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Tables,” “Payments on Termination or Change in Control” and
“Pay Ratio Disclosure” under the principal heading “Compensation” and the information in “Annex B — Summary of Plans” in the
Company’s 2018 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information under the subheading “Equity Compensation Plan Information” under the principal heading “Compensation”
and the information under the subheading “Ownership of Equity Securities of the Company” under the principal heading “Share
Ownership” in the Company’s 2018 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information under the subheading “Director Independence and Related Person Transactions” under the principal heading
“Governance” in the Company’s 2018 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information regarding Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees, All Other Fees and Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit
and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors under the subheading “Item 3 — Ratification of the Appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as Independent Auditors” under the principal heading “Audit Matters” in the Company’s 2018 Proxy Statement is
incorporated herein by reference.
153
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1. Financial Statements:
PART IV
Consolidated Statements of Income — Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Consolidated Statements of Shareowners’ Equity — Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
2. Financial Statement Schedules:
The schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been
omitted.
3. Exhibits:
In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this report, please remember they are included to provide you with
information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the
Company or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations, warranties, covenants and
conditions by or of each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations, warranties, covenants and
conditions have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:
•
•
•
•
should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to
one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;
may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of
the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement;
may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to you or other
investors; and
were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the
agreement and are subject to more recent developments.
Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were
made or at any other time. Additional information about the Company may be found elsewhere in this report and the
Company’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
154
(With regard to applicable cross-references in the list of exhibits below, the Company’s Current, Quarterly and Annual Reports are filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under File No. 001-02217; and Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc.’s (formerly known as
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.) Current, Quarterly and Annual Reports are filed with the SEC under File No. 001-09300).
EXHIBIT INDEX
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15
4.16
4.17
4.18
4.19
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, including Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation, dated July 27, 2012 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 28, 2012.
By-Laws of the Company, as amended and restated through September 2, 2015 — incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 3, 2015.
As permitted by the rules of the SEC, the Company has not filed certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-
term debt of the Company or consolidated subsidiaries under which the total amount of securities authorized does not exceed
10 percent of the total assets of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company agrees to furnish to the SEC,
upon request, a copy of any omitted instrument.
Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of April 26, 1988, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company
Americas, as successor to Bankers Trust Company, as trustee — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2017.
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 24, 1992, to Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of April 26,
1988, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as successor to Bankers Trust Company, as
trustee — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
May 25, 2017.
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2007, to Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of April 26,
1988, as amended, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as successor to Bankers Trust
Company, as trustee — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on May 25, 2017.
Form of Note for 3.150% Notes due November 15, 2020 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2010.
Form of Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement among the Company, the representatives of the initial purchasers of
the Notes and the other parties named therein — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2011.
Form of Note for 3.30% Notes due September 1, 2021 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to the Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.
Form of Note for 1.650% Notes due March 14, 2018 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 14, 2012.
Form of Note for 1.150% Notes due 2018 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on March 5, 2013.
Form of Note for 2.500% Notes due 2023 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on March 5, 2013.
Form of Note for 1.650% Notes due 2018 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2013.
Form of Note for 2.450% Notes due 2020 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2013.
Form of Note for 3.200% Notes due 2023 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2013.
Form of Note for 1.875% Notes due 2026 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-A filed on September 19, 2014.
Form of Note for 1.125% Notes due 2022 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-A filed on September 19, 2014.
Form of Note for Floating Rate Notes due 2019 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on March 6, 2015.
Form of Note for 0.75% Notes due 2023 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed on March 6, 2015.
Form of Note for 1.125% Notes due 2027 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed on March 6, 2015.
Form of Note for 1.625% Notes due 2035 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed on March 6, 2015.
155
4.20
4.21
4.22
4.23
4.24
4.25
4.26
4.27
4.28
4.29
4.30
4.31
4.32
4.33
4.34
4.35
10.1
10.2
10.2.1
10.2.2
10.2.3
10.3
Form of Note for 1.875% Notes due 2020 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on October 27, 2015.
Form of Note for 2.875% Notes due 2025 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on October 27, 2015.
Form of Note for 1.375% Notes due 2019 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2016.
Form of Note for 2.55% Notes due 2026 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Current Report
on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2016.
Form of Note for 1.550% Notes due 2021 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on September 1, 2016.
Form of Note for 2.250% Notes due 2026 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on September 1, 2016.
Form of Note for 1.100% Notes due 2036 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed on September 2, 2016.
Form of Note for Floating Rate Notes due 2019 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on March 9, 2017.
Form of Note for 0.000% Notes due 2021 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Registration
Statement of Form 8-A filed on March 9, 2017.
Form of Note for 0.500% Notes due 2024 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed on March 9, 2017.
Form of Note for 2.200% Notes due 2022 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2017.
Form of Note for 2.900% Notes due 2027 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2017.
Indenture, dated as of July 30, 1991, between Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company
Americas, as trustee — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc.’s Current
Report on Form 8-K dated July 30, 1991.
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 29, 1992, to the Indenture, dated as of July 30, 1991, between the
Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee — incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.01 to Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 29, 1992.
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 22, 2017, to Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of July 30, 1991, as
amended, among Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc., the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee
— incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K
dated June 23, 2017.
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 5, 2017, to the Indenture, dated as of July 30, 1991, as amended, among
Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc., the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee — incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2017.
The Coca-Cola Company Performance Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of February 17, 2016 — incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2016.*
The Coca-Cola Company 1999 Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated through February 20, 2013 (the “1999 Stock
Option Plan”) — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
February 20, 2013.*
Form of Stock Option Agreement in connection with the 1999 Stock Option Plan — incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 14, 2007.*
Form of Stock Option Agreement in connection with the 1999 Stock Option Plan, as adopted December 12, 2007 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 21,
2008.*
Form of Stock Option Agreement in connection with the 1999 Stock Option Plan, as adopted February 18, 2009 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 18,
2009.*
The Coca-Cola Company 2002 Stock Option Plan, amended and restated through February 18, 2009 (the “2002 Stock
Option Plan”) — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
February 18, 2009.*
156
10.3.1
10.3.2
10.3.3
10.4
10.4.1
10.4.2
10.4.3
10.5
10.6
10.6.1
10.6.2
10.6.3
10.6.4
10.6.5
10.6.6
10.7
10.7.1
10.7.2
10.7.3
Form of Stock Option Agreement in connection with the 2002 Stock Option Plan, as amended — incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 8, 2004.*
Form of Stock Option Agreement in connection with the 2002 Stock Option Plan, as adopted December 12, 2007 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 21,
2008.*
Form of Stock Option Agreement in connection with the 2002 Stock Option Plan, as adopted February 18, 2009 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 18,
2009.*
The Coca-Cola Company 2008 Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated, effective February 20, 2013 (the “2008 Stock
Option Plan”) — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
February 20, 2013.*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for grants under the 2008 Stock Option Plan — incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 16, 2008.*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for grants under the 2008 Stock Option Plan, as adopted February 18, 2009 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 18,
2009.*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for grants under the 2008 Stock Option Plan, as adopted February 19, 2014 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 19,
2014.*
The Coca-Cola Company 1983 Restricted Stock Award Plan, as amended and restated through February 16, 2011 (the “1983
Restricted Stock Award Plan”) — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2011.*
The Coca-Cola Company 1989 Restricted Stock Award Plan, as amended and restated through February 19, 2014 (the “1989
Restricted Stock Award Plan”) — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on February 19, 2014.*
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance Share Unit Agreement) in connection with the 1989 Restricted Stock
Award Plan, as adopted February 20, 2013 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on February 20, 2013.*
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance Share Unit Agreement) in connection with the 1989 Restricted Stock
Award Plan, as adopted February 20, 2013 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on February 20, 2013.*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement in connection with the 1989 Restricted Stock Award Plan, as adopted February 20,
2013 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 20,
2013.*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement in connection with the 1989 Restricted Stock Award Plan, as adopted February 20,
2013 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 20,
2013.*
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance Share Unit Agreement) in connection with the 1989 Restricted Stock
Award Plan, as adopted February 19, 2014 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on February 19, 2014.*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement in connection with the 1989 Restricted Stock Award Plan, as adopted February 19,
2014 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 19,
2014.*
The Coca-Cola Company 2014 Equity Plan, as amended and restated as of February 17, 2016 — incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2016.*
Form of Performance Share Agreement for grants under the 2014 Equity Plan, as adopted February 18, 2015 — incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2015.*
Form of Performance Share Agreement for grants under the 2014 Equity Plan, as adopted February 18, 2015 — incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2015.*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for grants under the 2014 Equity Plan, as adopted February 18, 2015 — incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2015.*
157
10.7.4
10.7.5
10.7.6
10.7.7
10.7.8
10.7.9
10.7.10
10.7.11
10.7.12
10.7.13
10.8
10.8.1
10.8.2
10.9
10.9.1
10.9.2
10.9.3
10.9.4
10.10
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for grants under the 2014 Equity Plan, as adopted February 18, 2015 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 18,
2015.*
Form of Performance Share Agreement for grants under the 2014 Equity Plan, as adopted February 17, 2016 — incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2016.*
Form of Performance Share Agreement — Alternate for grants under the 2014 Equity Plan, as adopted February 17, 2016 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2016.*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for grants under the 2014 Equity Plan, as adopted February 17, 2016 — incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2016.*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for grants under the 2014 Equity Plan, as adopted February 17, 2016 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17,
2016.*
Form of Performance Share Agreement for grants under the 2014 Equity Plan, as adopted February 15, 2017 — incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 15, 2017.*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for grants under the 2014 Equity Plan, as adopted February 15, 2017 — incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 15, 2017.*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for grants under the 2014 Equity Plan, as adopted February 15, 2017 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 15, 2017.*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement-Retention Award for grants under the 2014 Equity Plan, as adopted February 15,
2017 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 15,
2017.*
Clawback Policy for Awards under The Coca-Cola Company Performance Incentive Plan, as adopted February 15, 2017 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 15, 2017.*
The Coca-Cola Company Compensation Deferral & Investment Program of the Company, as amended (the “Compensation
Deferral & Investment Program”), including Amendments Number One, Two, Three and Four, dated November 28, 1995 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995.*
Amendment Number Five to the Compensation Deferral & Investment Program, effective as of January 1, 1998 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997.*
Amendment Number Six to the Compensation Deferral & Investment Program, dated as of January 12, 2004, effective
January 1, 2004 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2003.*
The Coca-Cola Company Supplemental Pension Plan, Amended and Restated effective January 1, 2010 (the “Supplemental
Pension Plan”) — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2009.*
Amendment One to the Supplemental Pension Plan, effective December 31, 2012, dated December 6, 2012 — incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2012.*
Amendment Two to the Supplemental Pension Plan, effective April 1, 2013, dated March 19, 2013 — incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2013.*
Amendment Three to the Supplemental Pension Plan, effective January 1, 2010, dated June 15, 2015 — incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.9.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.*
Amendment Four to the Coca-Cola Company Supplemental Pension Plan, effective June 1, 2017, dated June 29, 2017 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 2017.*
The Coca-Cola Company Supplemental 401(k) Plan (f/k/a the Supplemental Thrift Plan of the Company), Amended and
Restated Effective January 1, 2012, dated December 14, 2011 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.*
158
10.11
10.11.1
10.11.2
10.12
10.13
10.13.1
10.13.2
10.14
10.15
10.15.1
10.16
10.16.1
10.16.2
10.17
10.18
10.19
10.19.1
10.20
10.20.1
The Coca-Cola Company Supplemental Cash Balance Plan, effective January 1, 2012 (the “Supplemental Cash Balance
Plan”) — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2011.*
Amendment One to the Supplemental Cash Balance Plan, dated December 6, 2012 — incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.12.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.*
Amendment Two to the Supplemental Cash Balance Plan, dated June 15, 2015 — incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 3, 2015.*
The Coca-Cola Company Directors’ Plan, amended and restated on December 13, 2012, effective January 1, 2013 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2012.*
Deferred Compensation Plan of the Company, as amended and restated December 8, 2010 — incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.*
Amendment Number One to the Deferred Compensation Plan of the Company, as amended and restated on December 8,
2010, effective January 1, 2016 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed on April 28, 2016.*
Amendment Number Two to the Deferred Compensation Plan of the Company, as amended and restated on December 8,
2010, dated October 24, 2016 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.*
The Coca-Cola Export Corporation Employee Share Plan, effective as of March 13, 2002 — incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.*
The Coca-Cola Company Benefits Plan for Members of the Board of Directors, as amended and restated through April 14,
2004 (the “Benefits Plan for Members of the Board of Directors”) — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.*
Amendment Number One to the Benefits Plan for Members of the Board of Directors, dated December 16, 2005 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.31.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2005.*
The Coca-Cola Company Severance Pay Plan, as Amended and Restated, Effective January 1, 2012, dated December 14,
2011 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2011.*
Amendment One to The Coca-Cola Company Severance Pay Plan, effective January 1, 2016, dated December 16, 2015 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016.*
Amendment Two to The Coca-Cola Company Severance Pay Plan, effective April 1, 2017, dated March 10, 2017 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31,2017.*
Order Instituting Cease-and-Desist Proceedings, Making Findings and Imposing a Cease-and-Desist Order Pursuant to
Section 8A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 — incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2005.
Offer of Settlement of The Coca-Cola Company — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2005.
Letter, dated July 17, 2008, to Muhtar Kent — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on July 21, 2008.*
Letter, dated April 27, 2017, from the Company to Muhtar Kent — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2017.*
Letter of Understanding between the Company and Ceree Eberly, dated October 26, 2009, including Agreement on
Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation, dated November 1, 2009 — incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.47 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.*
Separation Agreement and Full and Complete Release and Agreement on Competition, Trade Secrets and Confidentiality
between The Coca-Cola Company and Ceree Eberly dated March 15, 2017, accepted April 20, 2017 — incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.*
159
10.21
10.21.1
10.21.2
10.21.3
10.21.4
10.22
10.22.1
10.22.2
10.23
10.24
10.25
10.26
10.27
10.27.1
10.28
10.29
10.30
10.31
10.32
10.32.1
10.32.2
The Coca-Cola Export Corporation Overseas Retirement Plan, as amended and restated, effective October 1, 2007 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.55 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008.*
Amendment Number One to The Coca-Cola Export Corporation Overseas Retirement Plan, as Amended and Restated,
Effective October 1, 2007, dated September 29, 2011 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.34.2 to the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.*
Amendment Number Two to The Coca-Cola Export Corporation Overseas Retirement Plan, as Amended and Restated,
Effective October 1, 2007, dated November 14, 2011 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.34.3 to the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.*
Amendment Number Three to The Coca-Cola Export Corporation Overseas Retirement Plan, as Amended and Restated,
Effective October 1, 2007, dated September 27, 2012 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 25, 2012.*
Amendment Number Four to The Coca-Cola Export Corporation Overseas Retirement Plan, as Amended and Restated,
Effective October 1, 2007, dated November 18, 2014 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21.4 to the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.*
The Coca-Cola Export Corporation International Thrift Plan, as Amended and Restated, Effective January 1, 2011 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
April 1, 2011.*
Amendment Number One to The Coca-Cola Export Corporation International Thrift Plan, as Amended and Restated,
Effective January 1, 2011, dated September 20, 2011 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.35.2 to the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.*
Amendment Number Two to The Coca-Cola Export Corporation International Thrift Plan, as Amended and Restated,
Effective January 1, 2011, dated September 27, 2012 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 25, 2012.*
The Coca-Cola Export Corporation Mobile Employees Retirement Plan, effective January 1, 2012 — incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.*
Letter Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2010, between The Coca-Cola Company and Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2010.
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. 2004 Stock Award Plan — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-169722) filed on October 1, 2010.*
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. 2007 Incentive Award Plan — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-169722) filed on October 1, 2010.*
Letter, dated September 11, 2012, from the Company to Ahmet Bozer — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 14, 2012.*
Separation Agreement and Full and Complete Release and Agreement on Competition, Trade Secrets and Confidentiality
between The Coca-Cola Company and Ahmet Bozer, dated August 12, 2015 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 13, 2015.*
Letter, dated May 18, 2016, from the Company to Brian J. Smith — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 28, 2016.*
Letter, dated September 11, 2012, from the Company to J. Alexander Douglas, Jr. — incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 14, 2012.*
Letter, dated September 11, 2012, from the Company to Nathan Kalumbu — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 14, 2012.*
Separation Agreement between Coca-Cola Pazarlama and Nathan Kalumbu, dated July 1, 2016 — incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 28, 2016.*
Coca-Cola Refreshments Severance Pay Plan for Exempt Employees, effective as of January 1, 2012 — incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.60.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2012.*
Amendment One to the Coca-Cola Refreshments Severance Pay Plan for Exempt Employees, effective January 1, 2012,
dated May 24, 2012 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.60.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2012.*
Amendment Two to the Coca-Cola Refreshments Severance Pay Plan for Exempt Employees, dated December 6, 2012
— incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.60.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2012.*
160
10.32.3
10.32.4
10.33
10.33.1
10.33.2
10.34
10.34.1
10.35
10.36
10.37
10.37.1
10.38
10.39
10.40
10.40.1
10.41
10.42
10.43
10.44
10.45
10.46
10.46.1
10.47
Amendment Three to the Coca-Cola Refreshments Severance Pay Plan for Exempt Employees, adopted March 19, 2013 —
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 29, 2013.*
Amendment Four to the Coca-Cola Refreshments Severance Pay Plan for Exempt Employees, effective February 28, 2014,
dated September 22, 2014 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.32.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.*
Letter, dated December 16, 2013, from the Company to Irial Finan — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.*
Letter, dated April 29, 2015, from the Company to Irial Finan — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 29, 2015.*
Separation Agreement and Full and Complete Release and Agreement on Trade Secrets and Confidentiality between
The Coca-Cola Company and Irial Finan, dated December 7, 2017 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 8, 2017.*
Letter, dated April 24, 2014, from the Company to Kathy N. Waller — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 25, 2014.*
Letter, dated March 22, 2017, from the Company to Kathy N. Waller — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 24, 2017.*
Letter, dated October 15, 2014, from the Company to Atul Singh — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.*
Separation Agreement and Full and Complete Release and Agreement on Trade Secrets and Confidentiality between
Coca-Cola India, Inc. and Atul Singh, dated effective July 29, 2016 — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 27, 2016.*
Letter, dated December 16, 2014, from the Company to Marcos de Quinto — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.47 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.*
Separation Agreement and Full and Complete Release and Agreement on Competition, Trade Secrets and Confidentiality
between The Coca-Cola Company and Marcos de Quinto, dated March 20, 2017 — incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 24, 2017.*
Letter, dated February 19, 2015, from the Company to Ed Hays — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 30, 2015.*
Letter, dated February 18, 2016, from the Company to Julie Hamilton — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to
the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 28, 2016.*
Letter, dated August 12, 2015, from the Company to James Quincey — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 13, 2015.*
Letter, dated April 27, 2017, from the Company to James Quincey — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2017.*
Separation Agreement and Full and Complete Release and Agreement on Competition, Trade Secrets and Confidentiality
between The Coca-Cola Company and Alex Cummings, dated December 23, 2015 — incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.47 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.*
Letter, dated October 14, 2015, from the Company to Bernhard Goepelt — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.48
to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.*
Letter, dated February 17, 2016, from the Company to Charles Brent Hastie — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 28, 2016.*
Letter, dated May 18, 2016, from the Company to Mario Alfredo Rivera Garcia — incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 28, 2016.*
Letter, dated October 19, 2016, from the Company to Barry Simpson — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.*
Letter, dated October 26, 2016, from the Company to John Murphy — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.*
Letter, dated December 12, 2017, from the Company to John Murphy.*
Letter, dated March 22, 2017, from the Company to Francisco Xavier Crespo Benitez — incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.*
161
10.47.1
10.47.2
10.48
10.49
10.50
10.51
10.52
10.53
12.1
21.1
23.1
24.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
101
Deferred Cash Agreement, dated December 7, 2016, between Servicios Integrados de Administracion y Alta Gerencia,
Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada de Capital Variable and Francisco Xavier Crespo Benitez.*
Letter, dated June 5, 2017, from the Company to Francisco Xavier Crespo Benitez — incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.*
Letter, dated March 22, 2017, from the Company to Beatriz R. Perez — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to
the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.*
Letter, dated March 22, 2017, from the Company to Jennifer Mann — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to
the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.*
Letter, dated March 24, 2017, from the Company to Robert E. Long — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to
the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.*
Separation Agreement and Full and Complete Release and Agreement on Competition, Trade Secrets and Confidentiality
between The Coca-Cola Company and Clyde Tuggle dated March 13, 2017, accepted April 24, 2017 — incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.*
Letter, dated April 27, 2017, from the Company to Mark Randazza — incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3
of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2017.*
Letter, dated October 23, 2017, from the Company to James Dinkins.*
Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
and 2013.
List of subsidiaries of the Company as of December 31, 2017.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Powers of Attorney of Officers and Directors signing this report.
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by James R. Quincey, President and Chief Executive Officer of
The Coca-Cola Company.
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by Kathy N. Waller, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
President, Enabling Services of The Coca-Cola Company.
Certifications required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States
Code (18 U.S.C. 1350), executed by James R. Quincey, President, Chief Executive Officer of The Coca-Cola Company,
and by Kathy N. Waller, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and President, Enabling Services of
The Coca-Cola Company.
The following financial information from The Coca-Cola Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of
Income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and
2016, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, (v) Consolidated
Statements of Shareowners’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
________________________________
* Management contracts and compensatory plans and arrangements required to be filed as exhibits pursuant to Item 15(b) of Form 10-K.
162
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ JAMES QUINCEY
James R. Quincey
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: February 23, 2018
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on
behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ JAMES QUINCEY
/s/ KATHY N. WALLER
James R. Quincey
President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
February 23, 2018
/s/ LARRY M. MARK
Larry M. Mark
Vice President and Controller
(On behalf of the Registrant)
February 23, 2018
*
Kathy N. Waller
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and President, Enabling Services
(Principal Financial Officer)
February 23, 2018
/s/ MARK RANDAZZA
Mark Randazza
Vice President, Assistant Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
February 23, 2018
*
Muhtar Kent
Chairman of the Board of Directors and a Director
Ana Botín
Director
February 23, 2018
February 23, 2018
Herbert A. Allen
Director
*
Richard M. Daley
Director
February 23, 2018
February 23, 2018
Ronald W. Allen
Director
*
Barry Diller
Director
February 23, 2018
February 23, 2018
*
Marc Bolland
Director
February 23, 2018
Helene D. Gayle
Director
February 23, 2018
163
*
*
*
*
*
Sam Nunn
Director
February 23, 2018
David B. Weinberg
Director
February 23, 2018
*
*
*
Alexis M. Herman
Director
February 23, 2018
Robert A. Kotick
Director
February 23, 2018
Maria Elena Lagomasino
Director
February 23, 2018
*By:
/s/ JENNIFER MANNING
Jennifer Manning
Attorney-in-fact
February 23, 2018
164
CERTIFICATIONS
EXHIBIT 31.1
I, James Quincey, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Coca-Cola Company, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The Coca-Cola Company;
2.
3.
4.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading
with respect to the period covered by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in
all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods
presented in this report;
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed
under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is
being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be
designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this
report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the
registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;
and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons
performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting
which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial
information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 23, 2018
/s/ JAMES QUINCEY
James R. Quincey
President and Chief Executive Officer
CERTIFICATIONS
EXHIBIT 31.2
I, Kathy N. Waller, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and President, Enabling Services of The Coca-Cola
Company, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The Coca-Cola Company;
2.
3.
4.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading
with respect to the period covered by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in
all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods
presented in this report;
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed
under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is
being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be
designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this
report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the
registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;
and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons
performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting
which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial
information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 23, 2018
/s/ KATHY N. WALLER
Kathy N. Waller
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and President, Enabling Services
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
EXHIBIT 32.1
In connection with the annual report of The Coca-Cola Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31,
2017 (the “Report”), I, James Quincey, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and I, Kathy N. Waller, Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and President, Enabling Services of the Company, each certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) to my knowledge, the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934; and
(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of
operations of the Company.
/s/ JAMES QUINCEY
James R. Quincey
President and Chief Executive Officer
February 23, 2018
/s/ KATHY N. WALLER
Kathy N. Waller
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and President, Enabling Services
February 23, 2018
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