New York (AFP)

Small cans, new perfumes: Coca-Cola's offensive to seduce consumers, in this case the millennials (17-35 years), more and more critical of junk food, seems to bear fruit after a second quarter marked by good sales.

The soda giant announced Tuesday a significant improvement in profitability and revenue in the second quarter, despite the strong dollar and trade tensions.

It posted a net profit of $ 2.61 billion, up 12.6% year on year, for a turnover of 10 billion, up 6.1%.

This good momentum should continue throughout the year, said the Atlanta group (southeast), which anticipates sales growth at constant scope and exchange rates of 5%, against 4% previously forecast. .

The stock soared 6.07% to 54.30 dollars. In session, she even reached 54,63 dollars, its highest historical.

"Our performance is largely driven by strong consumer demand for both sugar-free versions, iconic soda brands and smaller cans with less sugar," said CEO James Quincey to analysts. during a conference call.

Coca-Cola revitalized its classic drinks - Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero and Coca-Cola Plus - and now offers new fragrances, such as Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla.

He has also multiplied different sizes of cans ranging from traditional packaging (33 cl) to new formats (20 cl and 15 cl) to meet the criticism of dieticians and slaughterers of junk food.

It is also, he says, a response to the urban and connected lifestyle of new generations and concrete action to prevent obesity because these new packaging contain fewer calories and less sugar.

- Coca-Cola coffee -

This message seems to be working as sales volumes of soft drinks increased by 4% in the quarter under review.

Except in North America (-1%), they grew in all regions. The increase is 2% in Europe / Middle East / Africa, 7% in Asia-Pacific (China, India, Southeast Asia) and 1% in Latin America (Mexico and Brazil).

However, it is in North America, and more particularly in the United States, that the effect of mini-cans, which here are 22 cl (7.5 ounces) against 35 cl (12 ounces) for conventional packaging, is feel the most. These mini-cans contain 36% fewer calories than large ones and show sales growth of at least 10% in the United States, according to a spokesman.

"They can sell these small formats and afford the luxury of raising their prices," said Garett Nelson, analyst at CFRA Research, adding that there is "a long-term trend for low-calorie beverages." and Coca-Cola is responding by changing its wallet. "

In addition to soft drinks, Coca-Cola started selling coffee after buying the British chain Costa for 3.9 billion pounds.

The group is also pushing its Smartwater brand, water purified by evaporation to which are then added electrolytes, whose packaging and promotion surf resolutely on the wave of "well-being" and hydration more "sophisticated" that classic water.

It has also recently launched a Coca-Cola coffee drink and an energizing Coca-Cola in 14 countries.

"Our strategy of turning Coca-Cola into a beverage company of all kinds now allows us to win," says Quincey.

The strong dollar, however, will remain an important puzzle that will affect profitability in the long run, warned the producer of Fanta and Sprite, which left unchanged its profit forecast.

Adjusted earnings per share is expected to decrease by 1% compared to the $ 2.08 earned in 2018, or increase by 1% at best.

Financial analysts expect earnings per share at around $ 2.10.

© 2019 AFP