1. Introduction and reasons for choosing Coca-Cola Company Coca-Cola Company (CCC) is a leader in the production, distribution and marketing of soft drinks in the United States and around the world. It was originally invented by John Pemberton in the 19th century, but as a patent medicine, Coca-Cola's recipe was purchased by Asa Friggs Candler and marketed as a carbonated drink (Isdell, 2011). It was first sold in bottles in 1894 and later in cans after 1955 (Isdell, 2011). Today, Coca-Cola Company is a multinational company that boasts a strong market presence and extensive production facilities around the world. The company produces a concentrate that is sold to registered Coca-Cola bottling companies around the world. These bottlers, who have exclusive agreements with the CCC, then produce the final drink in cans and bottles by mixing the concentrate with water and sweeteners. The soft drink is then sold, distributed and marketed to Coca-Cola vendors and vending machines. The company also sells soda dispenser concentrate to foodservice distributors and restaurants (Kalakumari & Sekar, 2014). Coca Cola operates in approximately 200 countries around the world and offers more than 500 product varieties, a far cry from where they started in 1886 (Coca-Cola History, 2012). The reason to select this company is because it has shown consistent and sustainable growth over the years since it was founded. Today, the Coca-Cola Company has moved from soft drinks to the production of fruit juices and also produces other drinks that are not soda-based. In the meantime, however, the Company's intention has always been to maintain global leadership in the beverage industry while adopting world-class manufacturing quality...... middle of paper...... ( in millions) 8,584 9,019 8,572 Earnings per share (EPS) 1.95 2.02 1.89 Share price1, 2 38.07 38.45 34.59 P/E ratio, comparison with the industry Coca-Cola Co. 19.54 19 18.27Industry, consumer goods 17.15 17.93 12.891 Data adjusted for stock splits and dividends.2 Closing price on the filing date of the Coca-Cola Co. annual report.Price/operating profit (P/OP)31 -Dec-13 31-Dec-12 31-Dec-11N. Common shares outstanding1 4,405,893,150 4,456,717,996 4,526,408,442 Selected financial data ($ USD) Operating income (in millions) 10,228 10,779 10,154 Operating earnings per share 2.32 2.42 2.24 Stock price1, 2 38.07 Ratio 34.59 P/OP, comparison with industry Coca-Cola Co. 16.4 15.9 15.42 Industry, consumer goods 13.07 20.9 11.681 Data adjusted for stock splits and dividends.2 Closing price at Coca-Cola Co. annual report filing date..