What Investors Should Watch on March 9.
The Coca-Cola Company has confirmed that John Murphy, President and Chief Financial Officer, will present at the Citi 2026 Global Consumer & Retail Conference on March 9 at 8 a.m. ET. Investors unable to attend can follow the live webcast at coca-colacompany.com/investors, with a transcript and downloadable materials available within 24 hours.
The timing is notable. Murphy’s appearance comes weeks before a leadership transition that could shape Coca-Cola’s next strategic chapter.
A Leadership Moment
Coca-Cola’s board has elected Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Henrique Braun as CEO effective March 31, 2026. He will succeed James Quincey, who moves into the role of Executive Chairman after nine years as chief executive. (Business Wire)
That makes March 9 more than a standard investor engagement. It is effectively Murphy’s final major public platform before the formal handover in Atlanta — part earnings update, part strategic preview of the Braun era.
Murphy’s dual role as President and CFO places him at the centre of both capital allocation and operational priorities. Investors will be listening not just for performance metrics, but for signals around continuity, portfolio focus and risk management.
The Financial Backdrop
Coca-Cola exits 2025 with a mixed performance profile. Full-year net revenues grew 2%, while organic revenues rose 5% for both the quarter and full year. (The Motley Fool)
However, Q4 disrupted momentum. The company reported weaker-than-expected quarterly revenue, missing Wall Street projections for the first time in five years. Net revenue of $11.8 billion fell short of the roughly $12.05 billion consensus estimate, pushing KO shares down nearly 4% in early trading. (Bakersfield.com) Quincey described the shortfall as a “weird anomaly,” but investors clearly wanted stronger reassurance.
For 2026, management projects comparable EPS growth of 7% to 8% versus $3.00 in 2025, alongside organic revenue growth of 4% to 5%. (Morningstar) The guidance appears measured and achievable — assuming macro and currency pressures do not intensify.
A key variable is the pending divestiture of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, expected to close in the second half of 2026 subject to regulatory approvals. Management estimates an approximate 4% headwind from acquisitions and divestitures. (The Coca-Cola Company)
Pressure Points to Watch
Beyond topline growth, analysts are likely to probe capital discipline — particularly following the $960 million non-cash impairment charge in Q4 tied to the BODYARMOR trademark. (The Motley Fool) Combined with prior write-downs, total impairments now reach $1.7 billion over two years, raising renewed questions about the original $5.6 billion acquisition.
At the same time, Coca-Cola’s water, sports, coffee and tea segment outperformed the broader portfolio. Brands such as Smartwater and fairlife were highlighted as premium growth drivers even as overall volumes remained flat. The performance reinforces the company’s push toward higher-margin, health-aligned categories.
Currency volatility remains a structural concern for a global operator of Coca-Cola’s scale. Investors will also be watching for clarity on geographic priorities, pricing power and how leadership transition might influence execution.
Why It Matters
Coca-Cola’s positioning at Citi will resonate beyond shareholders. The company’s commentary on consumer demand, premiumisation trends and regional growth will inform expectations across bottlers, distributors and competitors worldwide.
In many respects, March 9 offers an early read on how the incoming leadership team intends to frame its first year. Murphy, as the financial architect of that strategy, will set the tone.
The webcast will stream live and remain available on-demand at coca-colacompany.com/investors.
Further Reading from Drinkabl Media:
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Drinkabl Media covers the global beverage industry across alcoholic and non-alcoholic categories. Visit drinkabl.media for daily news, analysis and deep dives.
