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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
Trading Symbol(s)
COKE
Name of each exchange on which registered
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
☒
No
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).
Yes
☒
No
☐
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
☒
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☐
Emerging growth 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 whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
☐
No
☒
As of July 19, 2024, there were
7,755,983
shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, and
1,004,696
shares of the registrant’s Class B Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, outstanding.
Mark-to-market on acquisition related contingent consideration
27,826
25,520
22,285
67,174
Pension plan settlement expense
—
39,777
—
39,777
Other expense, net
709
2,268
1,537
4,537
Income before taxes
232,225
164,752
455,060
323,954
Income tax expense
59,413
42,433
116,507
83,508
Net income
$
172,812
$
122,319
$
338,553
$
240,446
Basic net income per share:
Common Stock
$
18.57
$
13.05
$
36.26
$
25.65
Weighted average number of Common Stock shares outstanding
8,302
8,369
8,335
8,369
Class B Common Stock
$
18.56
$
13.05
$
36.18
$
25.65
Weighted average number of Class B Common Stock shares outstanding
1,005
1,005
1,005
1,005
Diluted net income per share:
Common Stock
$
18.54
$
13.02
$
36.19
$
25.59
Weighted average number of Common Stock shares outstanding – assuming dilution
9,321
9,396
9,354
9,396
Class B Common Stock
$
18.53
$
13.01
$
35.92
$
25.51
Weighted average number of Class B Common Stock shares outstanding – assuming dilution
1,019
1,027
1,019
1,027
Cash dividends per share:
Common Stock
$
0.50
$
0.50
$
17.00
$
4.00
Class B Common Stock
$
0.50
$
0.50
$
17.00
$
4.00
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
COCA
‑
COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net income
$
172,812
$
122,319
$
338,553
$
240,446
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Defined benefit plans reclassification including pension costs:
Actuarial loss
—
(
2,221
)
—
(
1,486
)
Prior service credits
3
3
6
6
Pension plan settlement
—
30,041
—
30,041
Postretirement benefits reclassification including benefit costs:
Actuarial gain
20
—
40
—
Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments
3
—
(
173
)
—
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
26
27,823
(
127
)
28,561
Comprehensive income
$
172,838
$
150,142
$
338,426
$
269,007
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
COCA
‑
COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,699,288
$
635,269
Short-term investments
198,771
—
Accounts receivable, trade
617,839
555,933
Allowance for doubtful accounts
(
15,276
)
(
16,060
)
Accounts receivable from The Coca‑Cola Company
72,440
51,936
Accounts receivable, other
41,808
67,533
Inventories
338,249
321,932
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
83,225
88,585
Total current assets
3,036,344
1,705,128
Property, plant and equipment, net
1,366,054
1,320,563
Right-of-use assets - operating leases
110,139
122,708
Leased property under financing leases, net
3,962
4,785
Other assets
162,285
145,213
Goodwill
165,903
165,903
Distribution agreements, net
804,697
817,143
Customer lists, net
6,688
7,499
Total assets
$
5,656,072
$
4,288,942
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of obligations under operating leases
$
23,923
$
26,194
Current portion of obligations under financing leases
2,584
2,487
Accounts payable, trade
368,598
383,562
Accounts payable to The Coca‑Cola Company
248,640
139,499
Share repurchase obligation to The Coca-Cola Company
553,723
—
Other accrued liabilities
254,649
237,994
Accrued compensation
87,496
146,932
Dividends payable
—
154,666
Total current liabilities
1,539,613
1,091,334
Deferred income taxes
130,658
128,435
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations
61,892
60,614
Other liabilities
847,651
866,499
Noncurrent portion of obligations under operating leases
92,248
102,271
Noncurrent portion of obligations under financing leases
3,714
5,032
Long-term debt
1,785,102
599,159
Total liabilities
4,460,878
2,853,344
Commitments and Contingencies
Equity:
Common Stock, $
1.00
par value:
30,000,000
shares authorized;
11,431,367
shares issued
11,431
11,431
Class B Common Stock, $
1.00
par value:
10,000,000
shares authorized;
1,632,810
shares issued
1,633
1,633
Additional paid-in capital
135,953
135,953
Retained earnings
1,685,977
1,352,111
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(
4,403
)
(
4,276
)
Treasury stock, at cost: Common Stock –
3,675,384
and
3,062,374
shares, respectively
(
634,988
)
(
60,845
)
Treasury stock, at cost: Class B Common Stock –
628,114
shares
(
409
)
(
409
)
Total equity
1,195,194
1,435,598
Total liabilities and equity
$
5,656,072
$
4,288,942
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
COCA
‑
COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income
$
338,553
$
240,446
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense from property, plant and equipment and financing leases
82,684
75,415
Amortization of intangible assets and deferred proceeds, net
11,725
11,770
Fair value adjustment of acquisition related contingent consideration
22,285
67,174
Deferred income taxes
2,264
(
7,848
)
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
2,257
4,128
Amortization of debt costs
689
494
Pension plan settlement expense
—
39,777
Change in current assets less current liabilities
257
(
41,957
)
Change in other noncurrent assets
3,758
5,216
Change in other noncurrent liabilities
(
27,341
)
(
11,277
)
Total adjustments
98,578
142,892
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
437,131
$
383,338
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of short-term investments
$
(
213,123
)
$
—
Additions to property, plant and equipment
(
159,400
)
(
92,893
)
Proceeds from the disposal of short-term investments
16,643
—
Investment in equity method investees
(
6,549
)
(
6,033
)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
250
267
Net cash used in investing activities
$
(
362,179
)
$
(
98,659
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from bond issuance
$
1,200,000
$
—
Cash dividends paid
(
159,353
)
(
37,495
)
Payments of acquisition related contingent consideration
(
23,676
)
(
13,376
)
Payments related to share repurchases
(
14,471
)
—
Debt issuance fees
(
12,212
)
(
154
)
Payments on financing lease obligations
(
1,221
)
(
1,130
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
$
989,067
$
(
52,155
)
Net increase in cash during period
$
1,064,019
$
232,524
Cash at beginning of period
635,269
197,648
Cash at end of period
$
1,699,288
$
430,172
Significant non-cash investing and financing activities:
Share repurchase obligation to The Coca-Cola Company
$
553,723
$
—
Additions to property, plant and equipment accrued and recorded in accounts payable, trade
29,542
23,435
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations
459
2,286
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
COCA
‑
COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Common
Stock
Class B
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Treasury
Stock - Common
Stock
Treasury Stock - Class B Common Stock
Total
Equity
Balance on March 29, 2024
$
11,431
$
1,633
$
135,953
$
1,517,852
$
(
4,429
)
$
(
60,845
)
$
(
409
)
$
1,601,186
Net income
—
—
—
172,812
—
—
—
172,812
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
—
—
—
—
26
—
—
26
Dividends declared:
Common Stock ($
0.50
per share)
—
—
—
(
4,185
)
—
—
—
(
4,185
)
Class B Common Stock ($
0.50
per share)
—
—
—
(
502
)
—
—
—
(
502
)
Share repurchases
(1)
—
—
—
—
—
(
574,143
)
—
(
574,143
)
Balance on June 28, 2024
$
11,431
$
1,633
$
135,953
$
1,685,977
$
(
4,403
)
$
(
634,988
)
$
(
409
)
$
1,195,194
Balance on December 31, 2023
$
11,431
$
1,633
$
135,953
$
1,352,111
$
(
4,276
)
$
(
60,845
)
$
(
409
)
$
1,435,598
Net income
—
—
—
338,553
—
—
—
338,553
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
—
—
—
—
(
127
)
—
—
(
127
)
Dividends declared:
Common Stock ($
0.50
per share)
—
—
—
(
4,185
)
—
—
—
(
4,185
)
Class B Common Stock ($
0.50
per share)
—
—
—
(
502
)
—
—
—
(
502
)
Share repurchases
(1)
—
—
—
—
—
(
574,143
)
—
(
574,143
)
Balance on June 28, 2024
$
11,431
$
1,633
$
135,953
$
1,685,977
$
(
4,403
)
$
(
634,988
)
$
(
409
)
$
1,195,194
(1)
The share repurchases relate to shares repurchased in a tender offer and a separate share repurchase obligation to The Coca‑Cola Company, both of which are further discussed in Note 2 below.
(in thousands, except per share data)
Common
Stock
Class B
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Treasury
Stock - Common
Stock
Treasury Stock - Class B Common Stock
Total
Equity
Balance on March 31, 2023
$
11,431
$
1,633
$
135,953
$
1,230,589
$
(
84,099
)
$
(
60,845
)
$
(
409
)
$
1,234,253
Net income
—
—
—
122,319
—
—
—
122,319
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
—
—
—
—
27,823
—
—
27,823
Dividends declared:
Common Stock ($
0.50
per share)
—
—
—
(
4,185
)
—
—
—
(
4,185
)
Class B Common Stock ($
0.50
per share)
—
—
—
(
502
)
—
—
—
(
502
)
Balance on June 30, 2023
$
11,431
$
1,633
$
135,953
$
1,348,221
$
(
56,276
)
$
(
60,845
)
$
(
409
)
$
1,379,708
Balance on December 31, 2022
$
11,431
$
1,633
$
135,953
$
1,112,462
$
(
84,837
)
$
(
60,845
)
$
(
409
)
$
1,115,388
Net income
—
—
—
240,446
—
—
—
240,446
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
—
—
—
—
28,561
—
—
28,561
Dividends declared:
Common Stock ($
0.50
per share)
—
—
—
(
4,185
)
—
—
—
(
4,185
)
Class B Common Stock ($
0.50
per share)
—
—
—
(
502
)
—
—
—
(
502
)
Balance on June 30, 2023
$
11,431
$
1,633
$
135,953
$
1,348,221
$
(
56,276
)
$
(
60,845
)
$
(
409
)
$
1,379,708
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
COCA
‑
COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1.
Critical Accounting Policies
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and the consolidated operations of Coca‑Cola Consolidated, Inc. and its majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively referred to herein as the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, including normal, recurring accruals, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented.
Each of the Company’s quarters, other than the fourth quarter, ends on the Friday closest to the last day of the corresponding quarterly calendar period. The Company’s fourth quarter and fiscal year end on December 31 regardless of the day of the week on which December 31 falls. The condensed consolidated financial statements presented are:
•
The financial position as of June 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
•
The results of operations, comprehensive income and changes in stockholders’ equity for the three-month periods ended June 28, 2024 (the “second quarter” of fiscal 2024 (“2024”)) and June 30, 2023 (the “second quarter” of fiscal 2023 (“2023”)) and the six-month periods ended June 28, 2024 (the “first half” of 2024) and June 30, 2023 (the “first half” of 2023).
•
The changes in cash flows for the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2023.
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The accounting policies followed in the presentation of interim financial results are consistent with those followed on an annual basis. These policies are presented in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2023 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements, in conformity with GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Critical Accounting Estimates
In the ordinary course of business, the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of its results of operations and financial position in the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions. The Company included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2023 under the caption “Discussion of Critical Accounting Estimates” in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” a discussion of the Company’s most critical accounting estimates, which are those the Company believes to be the most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations and that require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
Any changes in critical accounting estimates are discussed with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors during the quarter in which a change is contemplated and prior to making such change.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” which requires additional disclosure of significant segment expenses included in the reported measure of segment profit or loss and regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”). It also requires disclosure and a description of the composition of other amounts by reportable segment, disclosure of a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets currently required by Topic 280 in interim periods and disclosure of the CODM’s title and process for assessing a reportable segment’s profit or loss. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company has evaluated the impact ASU 2023-07 will have on its consolidated financial statements and does not expect a material impact upon adoption.
6
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which requires disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation, including additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold, and specific disaggregation of income taxes paid and tax expense. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company has evaluated the impact ASU 2023-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and does not expect a material impact upon adoption.
2.
Related Party Transactions
J. Frank Harrison, III
As of June 28, 2024, J. Frank Harrison, III, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, controlled
1,004,394
shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, which represented approximately
71
% of the total voting power of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a consolidated basis.
The Coca‑Cola Company
The Company’s business consists primarily of the distribution, marketing and manufacture of nonalcoholic beverages of The Coca‑Cola Company, which is the sole owner of the formulas under which the primary components of the Company’s soft drink products, either concentrate or syrup, are manufactured.
As of June 28, 2024, The Coca‑Cola Company owned shares of the Company’s Common Stock representing approximately
9
% of the total voting power of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a consolidated basis. The number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock currently held by The Coca‑Cola Company gives it the right to have a designee proposed by the Company for nomination to the Company’s Board of Directors in the Company’s annual proxy statement. J. Frank Harrison, III and the trustees of certain trusts established for the benefit of certain relatives of the late J. Frank Harrison, Jr. have agreed to vote the shares of the Company’s Common Stock and Class B Common Stock that they control in favor of such designee. The Coca‑Cola Company does not own any shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock.
On May 6, 2024, the Company announced its intention to purchase up to $
3.10
billion in value of its Common Stock through both a modified “Dutch auction” tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) for up to $
2.00
billion of its Common Stock and a separate share purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Carolina Coca-Cola Bottling Investments, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca‑Cola Company (“CCCBI”). On May 20, 2024, the Company launched its offer to purchase, for cash, shares of its Common Stock at prices specified by the tendering stockholders of not less than $
850
nor greater than $
925
per share, with shares having an aggregate purchase price of no more than $
2.00
billion. On June 21, 2024, the Company announced the final results of the Tender Offer, which expired on June 18, 2024. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, the Company repurchased
14,391.5
shares of its Common Stock at a price of $
925
per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $
13.3
million, excluding fees and expenses relating to the Tender Offer. The shares repurchased represented
0.2
% of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock that were issued and outstanding as of June 18, 2024.
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement entered into on May 6, 2024 with CCCBI, the Company agreed to purchase and CCCBI agreed to sell, at the purchase price in the Tender Offer, a number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Share Repurchase”) such that CCCBI would beneficially own shares of the Company’s Common Stock representing
21.5
% of the Company’s total outstanding shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock immediately following the closing of the Share Repurchase (calculated assuming all issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock were converted into Common Stock and taking into account the shares of Common Stock purchased in the Tender Offer, which is referred to herein as the “fully diluted calculation”). The Share Repurchase was conditioned on, among other things, completion of the Tender Offer and, in the case of CCCBI’s obligation to close, the purchase price being no less than $
925
per share. Based on the fully diluted calculation following the expiration of the Tender Offer, the Company announced on June 21, 2024 its intention to purchase
598,619
shares of its Common Stock from CCCBI in the Share Repurchase at a price of $
925
per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $
553.7
million. The $
553.7
million aggregate purchase price is reflected as share repurchase obligation to The Coca‑Cola Company in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 28, 2024. The shares repurchased pursuant to the Purchase Agreement are classified as treasury stock in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 28, 2024.
The closing of the Share Repurchase occurred on July 5, 2024, the 11
th
business day after the expiration of the Tender Offer. After the Share Repurchase was completed, The Coca‑Cola Company beneficially owned shares of the Company’s Common Stock representing
21.5
% of the Company’s total outstanding shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock and approximately
7
% of the total voting power of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a consolidated basis.
7
The following table summarizes the significant cash transactions between the Company and The Coca‑Cola Company:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Payments made by the Company to The Coca-Cola Company
(1)
$
538,789
$
523,191
$
996,033
$
992,718
Payments made by The Coca-Cola Company to the Company
63,804
55,495
119,202
102,934
(1)
This excludes acquisition related sub-bottling payments made by the Company to CCR (as defined below), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca‑Cola Company.
More than
80
% of the payments made by the Company to The Coca‑Cola Company were for concentrate, syrup, sweetener and other finished goods products, which were recorded in cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and represent the primary components of the soft drink products the Company manufactures and distributes. Payments made by the Company to The Coca‑Cola Company also included payments for marketing programs associated with large, national customers managed by The Coca‑Cola Company on behalf of the Company, which were recorded as a reduction to net sales in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Other payments made by the Company to The Coca‑Cola Company related to cold drink equipment parts, fees associated with the rights to distribute certain brands and other customary items.
Payments made by The Coca‑Cola Company to the Company included annual funding in connection with the Company’s agreement to support certain business initiatives developed by The Coca‑Cola Company and funding associated with the delivery of post-mix products to various customers, both of which were recorded as a reduction to cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Post-mix products are dispensed through equipment that mixes fountain syrups with carbonated or still water, enabling fountain retailers to sell finished products to consumers in cups or glasses. Payments made by The Coca‑Cola Company to the Company also included fountain product delivery and equipment repair services performed by the Company on The Coca‑Cola Company’s equipment, all of which were recorded in net sales in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Coca‑Cola Refreshments USA, Inc. (“CCR”)
The Company, The Coca‑Cola Company and CCR entered into comprehensive beverage agreements (collectively, the “CBA”), related to a multi-year series of transactions, which were completed in October 2017, through which the Company acquired and exchanged distribution territories and manufacturing plants (the “System Transformation”). The CBA requires the Company to make quarterly acquisition related sub-bottling payments to CCR on a continuing basis in exchange for the grant of exclusive rights to distribute, promote, market and sell the authorized brands of The Coca‑Cola Company and related products in certain distribution territories the Company acquired from CCR. These acquisition related sub-bottling payments are based on gross profit derived from the Company’s sales of certain beverages and beverage products that are sold under the same trademarks that identify a covered beverage, a beverage product or certain cross-licensed brands applicable to the System Transformation.
Acquisition related sub-bottling payments to CCR were $
23.7
million in the first half of 2024 and $
13.4
million in the first half of 2023.
The following table summarizes the liability recorded by the Company to reflect the estimated fair value of contingent consideration related to future expected acquisition related sub-bottling payments to CCR:
(in thousands)
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Current portion of acquisition related contingent consideration
$
74,313
$
64,528
Noncurrent portion of acquisition related contingent consideration
582,933
604,809
Total acquisition related contingent consideration
$
657,246
$
669,337
Southeastern Container (“Southeastern”)
The Company is a shareholder of Southeastern, a plastic bottle manufacturing cooperative. The Company accounts for Southeastern as an equity method investment. The Company’s investment in Southeastern, which was classified as other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, was $
21.4
million as of June 28, 2024 and $
20.9
million as of December 31, 2023.
South Atlantic Canners, Inc. (“SAC”)
The Company is a shareholder of SAC, a manufacturing cooperative located in Bishopville, South Carolina. All of SAC’s shareholders are Coca‑Cola bottlers and each has equal voting rights. The Company accounts for SAC as an equity method
8
investment. The Company’s investment in SAC, which was classified as other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, was $
21.0
million as of June 28, 2024 and $
17.2
million as of December 31, 2023.
The Company receives a fee for managing the day-to-day operations of SAC pursuant to a management agreement. Proceeds from management fees received from SAC, which were recorded as a reduction to cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, were $
4.5
million in the first half of 2024 and $
4.6
million in the first half of 2023.
Coca‑Cola Bottlers’ Sales & Services Company LLC (“CCBSS”)
Along with all other Coca‑Cola bottlers in the United States and Canada, the Company is a member of CCBSS, a company formed to provide certain procurement and other services with the intention of enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of the Coca‑Cola bottling system. The Company accounts for CCBSS as an equity method investment and its investment in CCBSS is not material.
CCBSS negotiates the procurement for the majority of the Company’s raw materials, excluding concentrate, and the Company receives a rebate from CCBSS for the purchase of these raw materials. The Company had rebates due from CCBSS of $
12.0
million as of June 28, 2024 and $
14.3
million as of December 31, 2023, which were classified as accounts receivable, other in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in rebates receivable relate to volatility in raw material prices and the timing of cash receipts of rebates.
CONA Services LLC (“CONA”)
Along with certain other Coca‑Cola bottlers, the Company is a member of CONA, an entity formed to provide business process and information technology services to its members. The Company accounts for CONA as an equity method investment. The Company’s investment in CONA, which was classified as other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, was $
23.6
million as of June 28, 2024 and $
22.1
million as of December 31, 2023.
Pursuant to an amended and restated master services agreement with CONA, the Company is authorized to use the Coke One North America system (the “CONA System”), a uniform information technology system developed to promote operational efficiency and uniformity among North American Coca‑Cola bottlers. In exchange for the Company’s rights to use the CONA System and receive CONA-related services, it is charged service fees by CONA. The Company incurred service fees to CONA of $
13.0
million in the first half of 2024 and $
13.6
million in the first half of 2023.
Related Party Leases
The Company leases its headquarters office facility and an adjacent office facility in Charlotte, North Carolina from Beacon Investment Corporation, of which J. Frank Harrison, III is the majority stockholder and Morgan H. Everett, Vice Chair of the Company’s Board of Directors, is a minority stockholder. The annual base rent the Company is obligated to pay under this lease is subject to an adjustment for an inflation factor and the lease expires on December 31, 2029. The principal balance outstanding under this lease was $
20.9
million on June 28, 2024 and $
22.5
million on December 31, 2023. Rental payments for this lease were $
1.0
million in both the second quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2023 and $
2.0
million in both the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2023.
Long-Term Performance Equity Plan
The Long-Term Performance Equity Plan compensates J. Frank Harrison, III based on the Company’s performance. Awards granted to Mr. Harrison under the Long-Term Performance Equity Plan are earned based on the Company’s attainment during a performance period of certain performance measures, each as specified by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. These awards may be settled in cash and/or shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, based on the average of the closing prices of shares of the Company’s Common Stock during the last
20
trading days of the performance period. Compensation expense for the Long-Term Performance Equity Plan, which was included in selling, delivery and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, was $
3.8
million and $
3.7
million in the second quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2023, respectively, and $
5.8
million and $
5.7
million in the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2023, respectively.
9
3.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s sales are divided into
two
main categories: (i) bottle/can sales and (ii) other sales. Bottle/can sales include products packaged primarily in plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Bottle/can net pricing is based on the invoice price charged to customers reduced by any promotional allowances. Bottle/can net pricing per unit is impacted by the price charged per package, the sales volume generated for each package and the channels in which those packages are sold. Other sales include sales to other Coca‑Cola bottlers, post-mix sales, transportation revenue and equipment maintenance revenue.
The Company’s contracts are derived from customer orders, including customer sales incentives, generated through an order processing and replenishment model. Generally, the Company’s service contracts and contracts related to the delivery of specifically identifiable products have a single performance obligation. Revenues do not include sales or other taxes collected from customers. The Company has defined its performance obligations for its contracts as either at a point in time or over time. Bottle/can sales, sales to other Coca‑Cola bottlers and post-mix sales are recognized when control transfers to a customer, which is generally upon delivery and is considered a single point in time (“point in time”). Point in time sales accounted for approximately
98
% of the Company’s net sales in both the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2023.
Other sales, which include revenue for service fees related to the repair of cold drink equipment and delivery fees for freight hauling and brokerage services, are recognized over time (“over time”). Revenues related to cold drink equipment repair are recognized as the respective services are completed using a cost-to-cost input method. Repair services are generally completed in less than
one day
but can extend up to
one month
. Revenues related to freight hauling and brokerage services are recognized as the delivery occurs using a miles driven output method. Generally, delivery occurs and freight charges are recognized in the same day. Over time sales orders open at the end of a financial period are not material to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
The following table represents a disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Point in time net sales:
Nonalcoholic Beverages - point in time
$
1,766,391
$
1,701,490
$
3,327,536
$
3,234,778
Total point in time net sales
$
1,766,391
$
1,701,490
$
3,327,536
$
3,234,778
Over time net sales:
Nonalcoholic Beverages - over time
$
13,761
$
13,372
$
27,328
$
25,496
All Other - over time
15,791
23,970
32,705
50,200
Total over time net sales
$
29,552
$
37,342
$
60,033
$
75,696
Total net sales
$
1,795,943
$
1,738,832
$
3,387,569
$
3,310,474
The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts in the condensed consolidated balance sheets includes a reserve for customer returns and an allowance for credit losses. The Company experiences customer returns primarily as a result of damaged or out-of-date product. At any given time, the Company estimates less than
1
% of bottle/can sales and post-mix sales could be at risk for return by customers. Returned product is recognized as a reduction to net sales. The Company’s reserve for customer returns was $
5.0
million as of June 28, 2024 and $
4.5
million as of December 31, 2023.
The Company estimates an allowance for credit losses, based on historic days’ sales outstanding trends, aged customer balances, previously written-off balances and expected recoveries up to balances previously written off, in order to present the net amount expected to be collected. Accounts receivable balances are written off when determined uncollectible and are recognized as a reduction to the allowance for credit losses.
Following is a summary of activity for the allowance for credit losses during the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2023:
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
Beginning balance - allowance for credit losses
$
11,560
$
13,119
Additions charged to expenses and as a reduction to net sales
1,353
3,650
Deductions
(
2,637
)
(
2,895
)
Ending balance - allowance for credit losses
$
10,276
$
13,874
10
4.
Segments
The Company evaluates segment reporting in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 280, Segment Reporting, each reporting period, including evaluating the reporting package reviewed by the CODM. The Company has concluded the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as a group, represent the CODM. Asset information is not provided to the CODM.
The Company believes
three
operating segments exist. Nonalcoholic Beverages represents the vast majority of the Company’s consolidated net sales and income from operations. The additional
two
operating segments do not meet the quantitative thresholds for separate reporting, either individually or in the aggregate, and, therefore, have been combined into “All Other.”
The Company’s segment results are as follows:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net sales:
Nonalcoholic Beverages
$
1,780,152
$
1,714,862
$
3,354,864
$
3,260,274
All Other
86,598
95,174
174,700
187,550
Eliminations
(1)
(
70,807
)
(
71,204
)
(
141,995
)
(
137,350
)
Consolidated net sales
$
1,795,943
$
1,738,832
$
3,387,569
$
3,310,474
Income from operations:
Nonalcoholic Beverages
$
255,025
$
234,211
$
467,167
$
443,990
All Other
4,115
(
541
)
7,379
(
4,266
)
Consolidated income from operations
$
259,140
$
233,670
$
474,546
$
439,724
Depreciation and amortization:
Nonalcoholic Beverages
$
43,723
$
40,695
$
86,821
$
81,259
All Other
3,935
2,981
7,588
5,926
Consolidated depreciation and amortization
$
47,658
$
43,676
$
94,409
$
87,185
(1)
The entire net sales elimination represents net sales from the All Other segment to the Nonalcoholic Beverages segment. Sales between these segments are recognized at either fair market value or cost depending on the nature of the transaction.
5.
Net Income Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic net income per share and diluted net income per share under the two-class method:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands, except per share data)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Numerator for basic and diluted net income per Common Stock and Class B Common Stock share:
Net income
$
172,812
$
122,319
$
338,553
$
240,446
Less dividends:
Common Stock
4,185
4,185
142,273
33,476
Class B Common Stock
502
502
17,080
4,019
Total undistributed earnings
$
168,125
$
117,632
$
179,200
$
202,951
Common Stock undistributed earnings – basic
$
149,970
$
105,021
$
159,918
$
181,192
Class B Common Stock undistributed earnings – basic
18,155
12,611
19,282
21,759
Total undistributed earnings – basic
$
168,125
$
117,632
$
179,200
$
202,951
Common Stock undistributed earnings – diluted
$
149,745
$
104,775
$
159,678
$
180,768
Class B Common Stock undistributed earnings – diluted
18,380
12,857
19,522
22,183
Total undistributed earnings – diluted
$
168,125
$
117,632
$
179,200
$
202,951
11
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands, except per share data)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Numerator for basic net income per Common Stock share:
Dividends on Common Stock
$
4,185
$
4,185
$
142,273
$
33,476
Common Stock undistributed earnings – basic
149,970
105,021
159,918
181,192
Numerator for basic net income per Common Stock share
$
154,155
$
109,206
$
302,191
$
214,668
Numerator for basic net income per Class B Common Stock share:
Dividends on Class B Common Stock
$
502
$
502
$
17,080
$
4,019
Class B Common Stock undistributed earnings – basic
18,155
12,611
19,282
21,759
Numerator for basic net income per Class B Common Stock share
$
18,657
$
13,113
$
36,362
$
25,778
Numerator for diluted net income per Common Stock share:
Dividends on Common Stock
$
4,185
$
4,185
$
142,273
$
33,476
Dividends on Class B Common Stock assumed converted to Common Stock
502
502
17,080
4,019
Common Stock undistributed earnings – diluted
168,125
117,632
179,200
202,951
Numerator for diluted net income per Common Stock share
$
172,812
$
122,319
$
338,553
$
240,446
Numerator for diluted net income per Class B Common Stock share:
Dividends on Class B Common Stock
$
502
$
502
$
17,080
$
4,019
Class B Common Stock undistributed earnings – diluted
18,380
12,857
19,522
22,183
Numerator for diluted net income per Class B Common Stock share
$
18,882
$
13,359
$
36,602
$
26,202
Denominator for basic net income per Common Stock and Class B Common Stock share:
Common Stock weighted average shares outstanding – basic
8,302
8,369
8,335
8,369
Class B Common Stock weighted average shares outstanding – basic
1,005
1,005
1,005
1,005
Denominator for diluted net income per Common Stock and Class B Common Stock share:
Common Stock weighted average shares outstanding – diluted (assumes conversion of Class B Common Stock to Common Stock)
9,321
9,396
9,354
9,396
Class B Common Stock weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
1,019
1,027
1,019
1,027
Basic net income per share:
Common Stock
$
18.57
$
13.05
$
36.26
$
25.65
Class B Common Stock
$
18.56
$
13.05
$
36.18
$
25.65
Diluted net income per share:
Common Stock
$
18.54
$
13.02
$
36.19
$
25.59
Class B Common Stock
$
18.53
$
13.01
$
35.92
$
25.51
NOTES TO TABLE
(1)
For purposes of the diluted net income per share computation for Common Stock, all shares of Class B Common Stock are assumed to be converted; therefore,
100
% of undistributed earnings is allocated to Common Stock.
(2)
For purposes of the diluted net income per share computation for Class B Common Stock, weighted average shares of Class B Common Stock are assumed to be outstanding for the entire period and not converted.
(3)
For periods presented during which the Company has net income, the denominator for diluted net income per share for Common Stock and Class B Common Stock includes the dilutive effect of unvested performance shares relative to the
Long-Term Performance Equity Plan
. For periods presented during which the Company has net loss, the unvested performance shares granted pursuant to the
Long-Term Performance Equity Plan
are excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share, as the effect would have been anti-dilutive. See Note 2 for additional information on the
Long-Term Performance Equity Plan
.
12
(4)
The Long-Term Performance Equity Plan awards may be settled in cash and/or shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock. Once an election has been made to settle an award in cash, the dilutive effect of unvested performance shares relative to such award is prospectively removed from the denominator in the computation of diluted net income per share.
(5)
The Company did
no
t have anti-dilutive unvested performance shares for any periods presented.
(6)
The Company repurchased
14,391.5
shares of its Common Stock in the Tender Offer, which expired on June 18, 2024, and was obligated to repurchase
598,619
shares of its Common Stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. See Note 2 for additional information on the Tender Offer and the Purchase Agreement.
6.
Short-Term Investments
Short-term investments that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are carried at amortized cost and classified as held-to-maturity. Short-term investments that are not classified as held-to-maturity are carried at fair value and classified as available-for-sale. As of June 28, 2024, all of the Company’s short-term investments were classified as available-for-sale. As of December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any short-term investments. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments are included in net income. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on available-for-sale investments are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
As of June 28, 2024, the Company’s available-for-sale investments consisted of the following cost, unrealized positions and estimated fair value, disaggregated by class of instrument:
Gross Unrealized
(in thousands)
Cost
Gains
Losses
Estimated Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities
$
116,209
$
3
$
(
178
)
$
116,034
Corporate bonds
76,638
6
(
52
)
76,592
Commercial paper instruments
3,574
—
(
1
)
3,573
Asset-backed securities
2,578
—
(
6
)
2,572
Total short-term investments
$
198,999
$
9
$
(
237
)
$
198,771
As of June 28, 2024, all of the Company’s available-for-sale investments were classified as short-term investments in the condensed consolidated balance sheet and had weighted average maturities of less than one year. The Company did not identify any other-than-temporary impairment on its available-for-sale investments during the first half of 2024.
The sale and/or maturity of available-for-sale investments resulted in the following realized activity during the second quarter of 2024 and the first half of 2024:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2024
Gross realized gains
$
—
$
—
Gross realized losses
—
—
Proceeds
15,527
16,643
There was
no
realized activity during the second quarter of 2023 or the first half of 2023, as the Company did
not
have any short-term investments during those periods.
7.
Inventories
Inventories consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Finished products
$
220,046
$
207,912
Manufacturing materials
73,688
71,560
Plastic shells, plastic pallets and other inventories
44,515
42,460
Total inventories
$
338,249
$
321,932
13
8.
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Repair parts
$
32,137
$
35,256
Prepaid software
11,423
9,427
Prepaid marketing
5,925
4,703
Commodity hedges at fair market value
3,574
3,747
Prepaid taxes
1,412
9,020
Other prepaid expenses and other current assets
28,754
26,432
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
83,225
$
88,585
9.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
The principal categories and estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment, net were as follows:
(in thousands)
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Estimated Useful Lives
Land
$
99,858
$
99,858
Buildings
397,546
390,852
8
-
50
years
Machinery and equipment
536,817
498,737
5
-
20
years
Transportation equipment
650,287
611,001
3
-
20
years
Furniture and fixtures
107,701
107,072
3
-
10
years
Cold drink dispensing equipment
451,058
449,508
3
-
17
years
Leasehold and land improvements
179,424
179,146
5
-
20
years
Software for internal use
49,626
49,611
3
-
10
years
Construction in progress
110,348
95,623
Total property, plant and equipment, at cost
2,582,665
2,481,408
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
1,216,611
1,160,845
Property, plant and equipment, net
$
1,366,054
$
1,320,563
10.
Leases
Following is a summary of the weighted average remaining lease term and the weighted average discount rate for the Company’s leases:
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Weighted average remaining lease term:
Operating leases
6.5
years
6.7
years
Financing leases
3.1
years
3.5
years
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases
3.9
%
3.8
%
Financing leases
5.2
%
5.2
%
Following is a summary of the Company’s leases within the condensed consolidated statements of operations:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Operating lease costs
$
7,475
$
8,305
$
15,264
$
16,578
Short-term and variable leases
3,369
4,026
6,399
7,791
Depreciation expense from financing leases
411
411
823
822
Interest expense on financing lease obligations
84
116
176
237
Total lease cost
$
11,339
$
12,858
$
22,662
$
25,428
14
The future minimum lease payments related to the Company’s leases include renewal options the Company has determined to be reasonably certain and exclude payments to landlords for real estate taxes and common area maintenance.
Following is a summary of future minimum lease payments for all noncancelable operating leases and financing leases as of June 28, 2024:
(in thousands)
Operating Leases
Financing Leases
Remainder of 2024
$
14,976
$
1,412
2025
24,428
2,869
2026
21,205
1,233
2027
18,701
338
2028
13,969
345
Thereafter
39,096
620
Total minimum lease payments including interest
$
132,375
$
6,817
Less: Amounts representing interest
16,204
519
Present value of minimum lease principal payments
116,171
6,298
Less: Current portion of lease liabilities
23,923
2,584
Noncurrent portion of lease liabilities
$
92,248
$
3,714
Following is a summary of future minimum lease payments for all noncancelable operating leases and financing leases as of December 31, 2023:
(in thousands)
Operating Leases
Financing Leases
2024
$
29,932
$
2,808
2025
24,329
2,869
2026
21,115
1,233
2027
18,614
338
2028
13,890
345
Thereafter
39,022
620
Total minimum lease payments including interest
$
146,902
$
8,213
Less: Amounts representing interest
18,437
694
Present value of minimum lease principal payments
128,465
7,519
Less: Current portion of lease liabilities
26,194
2,487
Noncurrent portion of lease liabilities
$
102,271
$
5,032
Following is a summary of the Company’s leases within the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows:
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
Cash flows from operating activities impact:
Operating leases
$
14,989
$
16,209
Interest payments on financing lease obligations
176
237
Total cash flows from operating activities impact
$
15,165
$
16,446
Cash flows from financing activities impact:
Principal payments on financing lease obligations
$
1,221
$
1,130
Total cash flows from financing activities impact
$
1,221
$
1,130
11.
Distribution Agreements, Net
Distribution agreements, net, which are amortized on a straight-line basis and have estimated useful lives of
20
to
40
years, consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Distribution agreements at cost
$
990,191
$
990,191
Less: Accumulated amortization
185,494
173,048
Distribution agreements, net
$
804,697
$
817,143
15
12.
Customer Lists, Net
Customer lists, net, which are amortized on a straight-line basis and have estimated useful lives of
five
to
12
years, consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Customer lists at cost
$
25,288
$
25,288
Less: Accumulated amortization
18,600
17,789
Customer lists, net
$
6,688
$
7,499
13.
Supply Chain Finance Program
The Company has an agreement with a third-party financial institution to facilitate a supply chain finance (“SCF”) program, which allows qualifying suppliers to sell their receivables from the Company to the financial institution. The participating suppliers negotiate their outstanding receivable arrangements and associated fees directly with the financial institution, and the Company is not party to those agreements. Once a qualifying supplier elects to participate in the SCF program and reaches an agreement with the financial institution, the supplier elects which individual Company invoices it sells to the financial institution. The supplier invoices that have been confirmed as valid under the SCF program require payment in full by the financial institution to the supplier by the original maturity date of the invoice, or discounted payment at an earlier date as agreed upon with the supplier. The Company’s obligations to its suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment terms, are not impacted by a supplier’s participation in the SCF program.
All outstanding amounts related to suppliers participating in the SCF program are recorded in accounts payable, trade in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and associated payments are included in operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company’s outstanding confirmed obligations included in accounts payable, trade in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $
55.4
million as of June 28, 2024 and $
55.1
million as of December 31, 2023.
14.
Other Accrued Liabilities
Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Current portion of acquisition related contingent consideration
$
74,313
$
64,528
Accrued insurance costs
56,543
54,040
Accrued marketing costs
42,635
55,799
Employee and retiree benefit plan accruals
33,323
34,203
Accrued taxes (other than income taxes)
8,174
7,474
Accrued interest payable
7,967
2,520
All other accrued expenses
31,694
19,430
Total other accrued liabilities
$
254,649
$
237,994
15.
Commodity Derivative Instruments
The Company is subject to the risk of increased costs arising from adverse changes in certain commodity prices. In the normal course of business, the Company manages this risk through a variety of strategies, including the use of commodity derivative instruments. The Company does not use commodity derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. These commodity derivative instruments are not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP and are used as “economic hedges” to manage certain commodity price risk. The Company uses several different financial institutions for commodity derivative instruments to minimize the concentration of credit risk. While the Company would be exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties, the Company does not anticipate nonperformance by these counterparties.
Commodity derivative instruments held by the Company are marked to market on a quarterly basis and are recognized in earnings consistent with the expense classification of the underlying hedged item. The Company generally pays a fee for these commodity derivative instruments, which is amortized over the corresponding period of each commodity derivative instrument. Settlements of commodity derivative instruments are included in cash flows from operating activities in the condensed consolidated
16
statements of cash flows.
The following table summarizes pre-tax changes in the fair values of the Company’s commodity derivative instruments and the classification of such changes in the condensed consolidated statements of operations:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Cost of sales
$
1,075
$
(
1,097
)
$
(
81
)
$
(
1,492
)
Selling, delivery and administrative expenses
254
(
224
)
211
(
2,914
)
Total gain (loss)
$
1,329
$
(
1,321
)
$
130
$
(
4,406
)
All commodity derivative instruments are recorded at fair value as either assets or liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company has master agreements with the counterparties to its commodity derivative instruments that provide for net settlement of derivative transactions. Accordingly, the net amounts of derivative assets are recognized in either prepaid expenses and other current assets or other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the net amounts of derivative liabilities are recognized in either other accrued liabilities or other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The following table summarizes the fair values of the Company’s commodity derivative instruments and the classification of such instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
(in thousands)
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Assets:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
3,574
$
3,747
Other assets
303
—
Total assets
$
3,877
$
3,747
The following table summarizes the Company’s gross commodity derivative instrument assets and gross commodity derivative instrument liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
(in thousands)
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Gross commodity derivative instrument assets
$
3,877
$
3,747
Gross commodity derivative instrument liabilities
—
—
The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding commodity derivative instruments:
(in thousands)
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Notional amount of outstanding commodity derivative instruments
$
52,445
$
50,187
Latest maturity date of outstanding commodity derivative instruments
December 2025
December 2024
16.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
GAAP requires assets and liabilities carried at fair value to be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:
•
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
•
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
•
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
17
The below methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair values of its financial instruments. There were no transfers of assets or liabilities between levels in any period presented.
Financial Instrument
Fair Value
Level
Methods and Assumptions
Deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities
Level 1
The fair value of the Company’s nonqualified deferred compensation plan for certain executives and other highly compensated employees is based on the fair values of associated assets and liabilities, which are held in mutual funds and are based on the quoted market values of the securities held within the mutual funds.
Short-term investments
Level 1
The fair values of the Company’s Level 1 short-term investments, which are U.S. Treasury securities, corporate bonds and asset-backed securities, are based on the quoted market prices of those securities which are actively traded on national exchanges.
Short-term investments
Level 2
The fair values of the Company’s Level 2 short-term investments, which are commercial paper instruments, are based on estimated current market prices and have readily determinable fair market values.
Commodity derivative instruments
Level 2
The fair values of the Company’s commodity derivative instruments are based on current settlement values at each balance sheet date, which represent the estimated amounts the Company would have received or paid upon termination of these instruments. The Company’s credit risk related to the commodity derivative instruments is managed by requiring high standards for its counterparties and periodic settlements. The Company considers nonperformance risk in determining the fair values of commodity derivative instruments.
Long-term debt
Level 2
The carrying amounts of the Company’s variable rate debt approximate the fair values due to variable interest rates with short reset periods. The fair values of the Company’s fixed rate debt are based on estimated current market prices.
Acquisition related contingent consideration
Level 3
The fair value of the Company’s acquisition related contingent consideration is based on internal forecasts and the weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) derived from market data.
The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and the fair values by level of the Company’s deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities, short-term investments, commodity derivative instruments, long‑term debt and acquisition related contingent consideration:
June 28, 2024
(in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
Total
Fair Value
Fair Value
Level 1
Fair Value
Level 2
Fair Value
Level 3
Assets:
Deferred compensation plan assets
$
75,179
$
75,179
$
75,179
$
—
$
—
Short-term investments
198,771
198,771
195,198
3,573
—
Commodity derivative instruments
3,877
3,877
—
3,877
—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liabilities
75,179
75,179
75,179
—
—
Long-term debt
1,785,102
1,790,500
—
1,790,500
—
Acquisition related contingent consideration
657,246
657,246
—
—
657,246
December 31, 2023
(in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
Total
Fair Value
Fair Value
Level 1
Fair Value
Level 2
Fair Value
Level 3
Assets:
Deferred compensation plan assets
$
64,769
$
64,769
$
64,769
$
—
$
—
Commodity derivative instruments
3,747
3,747
—
3,747
—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liabilities
64,769
64,769
64,769
—
—
Long-term debt
599,159
579,000
—
579,000
—
Acquisition related contingent consideration
669,337
669,337
—
—
669,337
The acquisition related contingent consideration was valued using a probability weighted discounted cash flow model based on internal forecasts and the WACC derived from market data, which are considered Level 3 inputs. Each reporting period, the
18
Company adjusts its acquisition related contingent consideration liability related to the distribution territories subject to acquisition related sub-bottling payments to fair value by discounting future expected acquisition related sub-bottling payments required under the CBA using the Company’s estimated WACC.
The future expected acquisition related sub-bottling payments extend through the life of the related distribution assets acquired in each distribution territory, which is generally
40
years. As a result, the fair value of the acquisition related contingent consideration liability is impacted by the Company’s WACC, management’s estimate of the acquisition related sub-bottling payments that will be made in the future under the CBA, and current acquisition related sub-bottling payments (all Level 3 inputs). Changes in any of these Level 3 inputs, particularly the underlying risk-free interest rate used to estimate the Company’s WACC, could result in material changes to the fair value of the acquisition related contingent consideration liability and could materially impact the amount of non-cash expense (or income) recorded each reporting period.
The acquisition related contingent consideration liability is the Company’s only Level 3 asset or liability.
A summary of the Level 3 activity is as follows:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Beginning balance - Level 3 liability
$
649,596
$
576,446
$
669,337
$
541,491
Payments of acquisition related contingent consideration
(
13,976
)
(
6,877
)
(
23,676
)
(
13,376
)
Reclassification to current payables
(
6,200
)
(
700
)
(
10,700
)
(
900
)
Increase in fair value
27,826
25,520
22,285
67,174
Ending balance - Level 3 liability
$
657,246
$
594,389
$
657,246
$
594,389
As of June 28, 2024 and June 30, 2023, a WACC of
9.0
% and
8.9
%, respectively, was utilized in the valuation of the Company’s acquisition related contingent consideration liability. The increase in the fair value of the acquisition related contingent consideration liability in the first half of 2024 was primarily driven by higher projections of future cash flows in the distribution territories subject to acquisition related sub-bottling payments, partially offset by an increase in the WACC used to calculate the fair value of the liability. This fair value adjustment was recorded in mark-to-market on acquisition related contingent consideration in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the first half of 2024.
For the next
five
future years, the Company anticipates that the amount it could pay annually under the acquisition related contingent consideration arrangements for the distribution territories subject to acquisition related sub-bottling payments will be in the range of approximately $
50
million to $
75
million.
17.
Income Taxes
The Company’s effective income tax rate was
25.6
% for the first half of 2024 and
25.8
% for the first half of 2023. The Company’s income tax expense was $
116.5
million for the first half of 2024 and $
83.5
million for the first half of 2023. The increase in income tax expense was primarily attributable to higher income before taxes during the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023.
The Company had uncertain tax positions, including accrued interest, of $
0.4
million on both June 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023, all of which would affect the Company’s effective income tax rate if recognized. While it is expected the amount of uncertain tax positions may change in the next 12 months, the Company does not expect such change would have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Prior tax years beginning in year 2020 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service, and various tax years beginning in year 2000 remain open to examination by certain state tax jurisdictions due to loss carryforwards.
18.
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations
Pension Plans
The Company has historically sponsored
two
pension plans. The primary Company-sponsored pension plan (the “Primary Plan”) was frozen as of June 30, 2006 and no benefits accrued to participants after that date. The Primary Plan was terminated during 2023, as discussed below. The second Company-sponsored pension plan (the “Bargaining Plan”) is for certain employees under collective bargaining agreements. Benefits under the Bargaining Plan are determined in accordance with negotiated formulas for the respective participants.
19
During the second quarter of 2023, the Company began recognizing the termination of the Primary Plan. The Company recognized settlement expense of $
112.8
million during the final three quarters of 2023 in conjunction with the full settlement of the Primary Plan benefit liabilities. This settlement expense related primarily to the reclassification of the gross actuarial losses associated with the Primary Plan out of accumulated other comprehensive loss and was recorded as pension plan settlement expense in the consolidated statement of operations for 2023. See Note 22 for additional information related to the impact on accumulated other comprehensive loss of the Primary Plan termination during 2023.
The components of total pension expense were as follows:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Service cost
$
1,091
$
1,100
$
2,182
$
2,199
Interest cost
588
3,508
1,177
7,016
Expected return on plan assets
(
762
)
(
2,914
)
(
1,525
)
(
5,828
)
Recognized net actuarial loss
—
973
—
1,946
Amortization of prior service cost
4
4
8
8
Net periodic pension cost
921
2,671
1,842
5,341
Settlement expense
—
39,777
—
39,777
Total pension expense
$
921
$
42,448
$
1,842
$
45,118
Contributions to the Bargaining Plan are based on actuarially determined amounts and are limited to the amounts currently deductible for income tax purposes. The Company did not make any contributions to the Bargaining Plan during the first half of 2024. The Company does not expect cash contributions to the Bargaining Plan to exceed $
2
million during 2024.
Postretirement Benefits
The Company provides postretirement benefits for
employees meeting specified qualifying criteria
. The Company recognizes the cost of postretirement benefits, which consist principally of medical benefits, during employees’ periods of active service. The Company does not prefund these benefits and has the right to modify or terminate certain of these benefits in the future.
The components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost were as follows:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Service cost
$
310
$
294
$
620
$
588
Interest cost
781
697
1,562
1,395
Recognized net actuarial loss
26
—
52
—
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
$
1,117
$
991
$
2,234
$
1,983
19.
Other Liabilities
Other liabilities consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Noncurrent portion of acquisition related contingent consideration
$
582,933
$
604,809
Accruals for executive benefit plans
155,494
153,428
Noncurrent deferred proceeds from related parties
98,644
100,176
Other
10,580
8,086
Total other liabilities
$
847,651
$
866,499
20
20.
Long-Term Debt
Following is a summary of the Company’s long-term debt:
(in thousands)
Maturity
Date
Interest
Rate
Interest
Paid
Public/
Nonpublic
June 28,
2024
December 31,
2023
Senior bonds (the “2025 Senior Bonds”)
(1)
11/25/2025
3.800
%
Semi-annually
Public
$
350,000
$
350,000
Senior notes
10/10/2026
3.930
%
Quarterly
Nonpublic
100,000
100,000
Senior bonds (the “2029 Senior Bonds”)
(2)
6/1/2029
5.250
%
Semi-annually
Public
700,000
—
Revolving credit facility
(3)
6/10/2029
Variable
Varies
Nonpublic
—
—
Senior notes
3/21/2030
3.960
%
Quarterly
Nonpublic
150,000
150,000
Senior bonds (the “2034 Senior Bonds”)
(4)
6/1/2034
5.450
%
Semi-annually
Public
500,000
—
Unamortized discount on senior bonds
(1)(2)(4)
Various
(
1,624
)
(
17
)
Debt issuance costs
(
13,274
)
(
824
)
Total long-term debt
$
1,785,102
$
599,159
(1)
The 2025 Senior Bonds were issued at
99.975
% of par.
(2)
The 2029 Senior Bonds were issued at
99.843
% of par.
(3)
The Company’s revolving credit facility has an aggregate maximum borrowing capacity of $
500
million. The Company currently believes all banks participating in the revolving credit facility have the ability to and will meet any funding requests from the Company.
(4)
The 2034 Senior Bonds were issued at
99.893
% of par.
The Company mitigates its financing risk by using multiple financial institutions and only entering into credit arrangements with institutions with investment grade credit ratings. The Company monitors counterparty credit ratings on an ongoing basis.
On May 29, 2024, the Company completed the issuance and sale of $
700
million aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Senior Bonds and $
500
million aggregate principal amount of the 2034 Senior Bonds. The 2029 Senior Bonds and the 2034 Senior Bonds are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and rank equally with the Company’s existing senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The 2029 Senior Bonds mature on June 1, 2029 and the 2034 Senior Bonds mature on June 1, 2034, in each case, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased by the Company. The 2029 Senior Bonds bear interest at a rate of
5.250
% per annum and the 2034 Senior Bonds bear interest at a rate of
5.450
% per annum. The Company will pay interest on the 2029 Senior Bonds and the 2034 Senior Bonds semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2024.
On June 10, 2024, the Company entered into a term loan agreement, providing for a senior unsecured term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $
800
million, maturing on June 10, 2027, and a senior unsecured term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $
500
million, maturing on June 10, 2029 (collectively, the “Term Loan Facilities”). The Company did not draw any loans under the Term Loan Facilities during the second quarter of 2024. On June 20, 2024, the Company gave notice, effective as of June 27, 2024, of its permanent reduction to $
0
of the commitments under the Term Loan Facilities. Upon the effectiveness of the notice, the aggregate commitments under the Term Loan Facilities were reduced in accordance with their terms from $
1.30
billion to $
0
. As of June 28, 2024, there were
no
amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Facilities.
Also on June 10, 2024, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility Agreement”), providing for a
five-year
unsecured revolving credit facility with an aggregate maximum borrowing capacity of $
500
million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), maturing on June 10, 2029. The Revolving Credit Facility Agreement replaced the Company’s previous credit agreement, dated as of July 9, 2021. Subject to obtaining commitments from lenders and satisfying other conditions specified therein, at the Company’s option, the Revolving Credit Facility may be increased by up to $
250
million. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (i) Base Rate (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement) plus an applicable rate or (ii) Term SOFR (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement) plus the SOFR Adjustment (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement) and an applicable rate, depending on the rating for the Company’s long-term senior unsecured, non-credit-enhanced debt (“Debt Rating”). In addition, the Company must pay a facility fee on the lenders’ aggregate commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility ranging from
0.060
% to
0.175
% per annum, depending on the Company’s Debt Rating. The Company currently believes all banks participating in the Revolving Credit Facility have the ability to and will meet any funding requests from the Company.
21
The indentures under which the 2025 Senior Bonds, the 2029 Senior Bonds and the 2034 Senior Bonds were issued do not include financial covenants, but do limit the incurrence of certain liens and encumbrances as well as indebtedness by the Company’s subsidiaries in excess of certain amounts. The agreements under which the Company’s nonpublic debt, including the Revolving Credit Facility, was issued include
two
financial covenants: a consolidated cash flow/fixed charges ratio and a consolidated funded indebtedness/cash flow ratio, each as defined in the respective agreement. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of June 28, 2024. These covenants have not restricted the Company’s liquidity or capital resources.
All outstanding long-term debt has been issued by the Company and
none
has been issued by any of its subsidiaries. There are
no
guarantees of the Company’s long-term debt.
21.
Commitments and Contingencies
Manufacturing Cooperatives
The Company is obligated to purchase at least
80
% of its requirements of plastic bottles for certain designated territories from Southeastern. The Company was also obligated to purchase
17.5
million cases of finished product from SAC on an annual basis through June 2024. Beginning in July 2024, the Company is also obligated to purchase
16.0
million cases of finished product from SAC on an annual basis through June 2034. The Company purchased
11.9
million cases and
13.1
million cases of finished product from SAC in the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2023, respectively.
The following table summarizes the Company’s purchases from these manufacturing cooperatives:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Purchases from Southeastern
$
37,132
$
39,759
$
74,096
$
82,586
Purchases from SAC
49,369
53,107
99,925
102,712
Total purchases from manufacturing cooperatives
$
86,501
$
92,866
$
174,021
$
185,298
The Company guarantees a portion of SAC’s debt, which matures in 2028, based on the ratio of SAC’s total liabilities to SAC’s shareholders’ equity as of December 31 of each year. As of June 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the amount of the Company’s guarantee of SAC’s debt was $
0
and $
9.5
million, respectively. In the event SAC fails to fulfill its commitments under the related debt, the Company would be responsible for payment to the lenders up to the level of the guarantee. The Company does not anticipate SAC will fail to fulfill its commitments related to the debt. The Company further believes SAC has sufficient assets, including production equipment, facilities and working capital, and the ability to adjust the selling prices of its products to adequately mitigate the risk of material loss relating to the Company’s guarantee.
The Company holds no assets as collateral against the SAC guarantee, the fair value of which is immaterial to the condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company monitors its investment in SAC and would be required to write down its investment if an impairment, other than a temporary impairment, was identified.
No
impairment of the Company’s investment in SAC was identified as of June 28, 2024, and there was
no
impairment identified in 2023.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
The Company has standby letters of credit, primarily related to its property and casualty insurance programs. These letters of credit totaled $
39.0
million on June 28, 2024 and $
37.6
million on December 31, 2023.
The Company participates in long-term marketing contractual arrangements with certain prestige properties, athletic venues and other locations. As of June 28, 2024, the future payments related to these contractual arrangements, which expire at various dates through 2033, amounted to $
141.1
million.
As further discussed in Note 2, as of the end of the second quarter of 2024, the Company was obligated to purchase
598,619
shares of its Common Stock from CCCBI, in the Share Repurchase at a price of $
925
per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $
553.7
million. The $
553.7
million aggregate purchase price is reflected as share repurchase obligation to The Coca‑Cola Company in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 28, 2024. The closing of the Share Repurchase occurred on July 5, 2024.
The Company is involved in various claims and legal proceedings which have arisen in the ordinary course of its business. Although it is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome of these claims and legal proceedings, management believes the ultimate
22
disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. No material amount of loss in excess of recorded amounts is believed to be reasonably possible as a result of these claims and legal proceedings.
The Company is subject to audits by tax authorities in jurisdictions where it conducts business. These audits may result in assessments that are subsequently resolved with the authorities or potentially through the courts. Management believes the Company has adequately provided for any assessments likely to result from these audits; however, final assessments, if any, could be different than the amounts recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
22.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI(L)”) is comprised of adjustments to the Company’s pension and postretirement medical benefit plans and unrealized gains/losses on the Company’s short-term investments.
Following is a summary of AOCI(L) for the second quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2023:
(in thousands)
March 29, 2024
Pre-tax Activity
Tax Effect
June 28, 2024
Net pension activity:
Actuarial gain
$
533
$
—
$
—
$
533
Prior service costs
(
94
)
4
(
1
)
(
91
)
Net postretirement benefits activity:
Actuarial gain
741
26
(
6
)
761
Prior service costs
(
624
)
—
—
(
624
)
Unrealized loss on short-term investments
(
176
)
4
(
1
)
(
173
)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects
(
4,809
)
—
—
(
4,809
)
Total AOCI(L)
$
(
4,429
)
$
34
$
(
8
)
$
(
4,403
)
As of June 28, 2024, there were
no
gross actuarial losses or prior service costs included in accumulated other comprehensive loss associated with the Primary Plan, as the Primary Plan settlement was completed during 2023. All pension activity during 2024 was related to the Bargaining Plan.
(in thousands)
March 31, 2023
Pre-tax Activity
Tax Effect
June 30, 2023
Net pension activity:
Actuarial loss
$
(
70,405
)
$
(
2,941
)
$
720
$
(
72,626
)
Prior service costs
(
102
)
4
(
1
)
(
99
)
Pension plan settlement
—
39,777
(
9,736
)
30,041
Net postretirement benefits activity:
Actuarial gain
6,752
—
—
6,752
Prior service costs
(
624
)
—
—
(
624
)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects
(
19,720
)
—
—
(
19,720
)
Total AOCI(L)
$
(
84,099
)
$
36,840
$
(
9,017
)
$
(
56,276
)
Following is a summary of AOCI(L) for the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2023:
(in thousands)
December 31, 2023
Pre-tax Activity
Tax Effect
June 28, 2024
Net pension activity:
Actuarial gain
$
533
$
—
$
—
$
533
Prior service costs
(
97
)
8
(
2
)
(
91
)
Net postretirement benefits activity:
Actuarial gain
721
52
(
12
)
761
Prior service costs
(
624
)
—
—
(
624
)
Unrealized loss on short-term investments
—
(
228
)
55
(
173
)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects
(
4,809
)
—
—
(
4,809
)
Total AOCI(L)
$
(
4,276
)
$
(
168
)
$
41
$
(
4,403
)
23
(in thousands)
December 31, 2022
Pre-tax Activity
Tax Effect
June 30, 2023
Net pension activity:
Actuarial loss
$
(
71,140
)
$
(
1,968
)
$
482
$
(
72,626
)
Prior service costs
(
105
)
8
(
2
)
(
99
)
Pension plan settlement
—
39,777
(
9,736
)
30,041
Net postretirement benefits activity:
Actuarial gain
6,752
—
—
6,752
Prior service costs
(
624
)
—
—
(
624
)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects
(
19,720
)
—
—
(
19,720
)
Total AOCI(L)
$
(
84,837
)
$
37,817
$
(
9,256
)
$
(
56,276
)
23.
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
Changes in current assets and current liabilities affecting cash were as follows:
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
Short-term investments
$
(
2,518
)
$
—
Accounts receivable, trade
(
61,861
)
(
71,681
)
Allowance for doubtful accounts
(
784
)
1,505
Accounts receivable from The Coca‑Cola Company
(
20,504
)
(
21,680
)
Accounts receivable, other
25,725
(
1,132
)
Inventories
(
16,317
)
13,671
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
5,360
9,629
Accounts payable, trade
4,796
30,035
Accounts payable to The Coca‑Cola Company
109,141
32,110
Other accrued liabilities
16,655
14,728
Accrued compensation
(
59,436
)
(
49,142
)
Change in current assets less current liabilities
$
257
$
(
41,957
)
24.
Subsequent Events
As further discussed in Note 2, based on the shares of the Company’s Common Stock the Company repurchased in the Tender Offer, which expired on June 18, 2024, the Company announced on June 21, 2024 its intention to purchase
598,619
shares of its Common Stock from CCCBI in the Share Repurchase at a price of $
925
per share. On July 5, 2024, the Company completed the repurchase of
598,619
shares of its Common Stock from CCCBI in the Share Repurchase for an aggregate purchase price of $
553.7
million. After the completion of the Share Repurchase, The Coca-Cola Company beneficially owns shares of the Company’s Common Stock representing
21.5
% of the Company’s total outstanding shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock and approximately
7
% of the total voting power of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a consolidated basis.
24
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Coca‑Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its majority-owned subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), is intended to help the reader understand our financial condition and results of operations and is provided as an addition to, and should be read in conjunction with, our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and the consolidated operations of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All comparisons are to the corresponding period in the prior year unless specified otherwise.
Each of the Company’s quarters, other than the fourth quarter, ends on the Friday closest to the last day of the corresponding quarterly calendar period. The Company’s fourth quarter and fiscal year end on December 31 regardless of the day of the week on which December 31 falls. The condensed consolidated financial statements presented are:
•
The financial position as of June 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
•
The results of operations, comprehensive income and changes in stockholders’ equity for the three-month periods ended June 28, 2024 (the “second quarter” of fiscal 2024 (“2024”)) and June 30, 2023 (the “second quarter” of fiscal 2023 (“2023”)) and the six-month periods ended June 28, 2024 (the “first half” of 2024) and June 30, 2023 (the “first half” of 2023).
•
The changes in cash flows for the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2023.
Our Business and the Nonalcoholic Beverage Industry
We distribute, market and manufacture nonalcoholic beverages in territories spanning 14 states and the District of Columbia. The Company was incorporated in 1980 and, together with its predecessors, has been in the nonalcoholic beverage manufacturing and distribution business since 1902. We are the largest Coca‑Cola bottler in the United States. Approximately 85% of our total bottle/can sales volume to retail customers consists of products of The Coca‑Cola Company, which include some of the most recognized and popular beverage brands in the world. We also distribute products for several other beverage companies, including Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (“Dr Pepper”) and Monster Energy Company. Our Purpose is to honor God in all we do, to serve others, to pursue excellence and to grow profitably. Our Common Stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “COKE.”
We offer a range of nonalcoholic beverage products and flavors, including both sparkling and still beverages, designed to meet the demands of our consumers. Sparkling beverages are carbonated beverages and the Company’s principal sparkling beverage is Coca‑Cola. Still beverages include energy products and noncarbonated beverages such as bottled water, ready-to-drink tea, ready-to-drink coffee, enhanced water, juices and sports drinks.
Our sales are divided into two main categories: (i) bottle/can sales and (ii) other sales. Bottle/can sales include products packaged primarily in plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Bottle/can net pricing is based on the invoice price charged to customers reduced by any promotional allowances. Bottle/can net pricing per unit is impacted by the price charged per package, the sales volume generated for each package and the channels in which those packages are sold. Other sales include sales to other Coca‑Cola bottlers, post-mix sales, transportation revenue and equipment maintenance revenue. Post-mix products are dispensed through equipment that mixes fountain syrups with carbonated or still water, enabling fountain retailers to sell finished products to consumers in cups or glasses.
The Company’s products are sold and distributed in the United States through various channels, which include selling directly to customers, including grocery stores, mass merchandise stores, club stores, convenience stores and drug stores, selling to on-premise locations, where products are typically consumed immediately, such as restaurants, schools, amusement parks and recreational facilities, and selling through other channels such as vending machine outlets.
The nonalcoholic beverage industry is highly competitive for both sparkling and still beverages. Our competitors include bottlers and distributors of nationally and regionally advertised and marketed products, as well as bottlers and distributors of private label beverages. Our principal competitors include local bottlers of PepsiCo, Inc. products and, in some regions, local bottlers of Dr Pepper products.
The principal methods of competition in the nonalcoholic beverage industry are new brand and product introductions, point-of-sale merchandising, new vending and dispensing equipment, packaging changes, pricing, sales promotions, product quality, retail space management, customer service, frequency of distribution and advertising. We believe we are competitive in our territories with respect to these methods of competition.
25
Business seasonality results primarily from higher unit sales of the Company’s products in the second and third quarters of the fiscal year, as sales of our products are typically correlated with warmer weather. We believe that we and other manufacturers from whom we purchase finished products have adequate production capacity to meet sales demand for sparkling and still beverages during these peak periods. Sales volume can also be impacted by weather conditions. Fixed costs, such as depreciation expense, are not significantly impacted by business seasonality.
Executive Summary
Net sales increased 3.3% to $1.80 billion in the second quarter of 2024 and increased 2.3% to $3.39 billion in the first half of 2024. Sparkling and Still net sales increased 4.4% and 4.2%, respectively, compared to the second quarter of 2023. The net sales growth was driven by pricing actions taken during the first quarter of 2024.
Standard physical case volume was down 1.2% in the second quarter of 2024 and down 0.8% in the first half of the year. For the first half of 2024, comparable standard physical case volume, as defined in the “Comparable and Adjusted Results (Non-GAAP)” section, decreased 0.3% compared to the first half of 2023, which included one additional selling day. Sparkling category volume remained relatively flat during the second quarter of 2024 with strong performance of multi-serve can packages sold in larger retail stores. Still category physical case volume declined 3.5% during the second quarter of 2024. We continue to see softness in Dasani casepack water as well as BODYARMOR but we experienced strength in several key brands including Monster, POWERade, Core Power and vitaminwater.
Direct store delivery (“DSD”) is our preferred and primary route to market. However, as our business becomes more complex with an increasing number of brands and packages, we are expanding our delivery methods to include routes to market outside our traditional DSD capabilities. We receive fees associated with our non-DSD sales that benefit our overall profitability but the volume is not reported as part of our standard physical case volume. For example, we have shifted the distribution of casepack Dasani water sold in Walmart stores to a non-DSD method of distribution which reduced our reported case sales by 0.8% in the second quarter of 2024.
Gross profit in the second quarter of 2024 was $716.7 million, an increase of $45.1 million, or 7%. Gross margin in the second quarter of 2024 improved 130 basis points to 39.9%. Pricing actions taken during the first quarter of 2024 along with steady commodity prices were the largest contributors to the overall improvement in gross margin. Gross profit in the first half of 2024 was $1.36 billion, an increase of $61.6 million, or 4.8%.
Selling, delivery and administrative (“SD&A”) expenses in the second quarter of 2024 increased $19.7 million, or 5%. SD&A expenses as a percentage of net sales increased 30 basis points to 25.5% in the second quarter of 2024. The increase in SD&A expenses as compared to the second quarter of 2023 was primarily driven by an increase in labor costs, mostly related to annual wage adjustments and overall inflation. SD&A expenses in the first half of 2024 increased $26.8 million, or 3.1%. SD&A expenses as a percentage of net sales in the first half of 2024 increased 20 basis points to 26.1% as compared to the first half of 2023.
Income from operations in the second quarter of 2024 was $259.1 million, compared to $233.7 million in the second quarter of 2023, an increase of 11%. For the first half of 2024, income from operations increased $34.8 million to $474.5 million, an increase of 8%. Operating margin for the first half of 2024 was 14.0% as compared to 13.3% for the first half of 2023, an increase of 70 basis points.
Net income in the second quarter of 2024 was $172.8 million, compared to $122.3 million in the second quarter of 2023, an improvement of $50.5 million. On an adjusted basis, as defined in the “Comparable and Adjusted Results (Non-GAAP)” section, net income in the second quarter of 2024 was $192.8 million, compared to $172.5 million in the second quarter of 2023, an increase of $20.3 million. Income tax expense for the second quarter of 2024 was $59.4 million, compared to $42.4 million for the second quarter of 2023, resulting in an effective income tax rate of approximately 26% for both periods.
Net income in the first half of 2024 was $338.6 million, compared to $240.4 million in the first half of 2023, an improvement of $98.1 million. Net income for the second quarter of 2023 and the first half of 2023 was adversely impacted by the partial settlement of our primary pension plan benefit liabilities during the first half of 2023, which resulted in a non-cash charge of $39.8 million.
Cash flows provided by operations for the first half of 2024 were $437.1 million, compared to $383.3 million for the first half of 2023. Cash flows from operations reflected our strong operating performance during the first half of 2024. In the first half of
26
2024, we invested approximately $159 million in capital expenditures as we continue to enhance our supply chain and invest for future growth. For the full year of 2024, we expect our capital expenditures to be between approximately $300 million and $350 million.
Areas of Emphasis
Key priorities for the Company include executing our commercial strategy, executing our revenue management strategy, optimizing our supply chain, generating cash flow, determining the optimal route to market and creating a digitally enabled selling platform.
Commercial Execution
:
Our success is dependent on our ability to execute our commercial strategy within our customers’ stores. Our ability to obtain shelf space within stores and remain in-stock across our portfolio of brands and packages in a profitable manner will have a significant impact on our results. We are focused on execution at every step in our supply chain, including raw material and finished product procurement, manufacturing conversion, transportation, warehousing and distribution, to ensure in-store execution can occur. We continue to invest in tools and technology to enable our teammates to operate more effectively and efficiently with our customers and to drive long-term value in our business.
Revenue Management
:
Our revenue management strategy focuses on pricing our brands and packages optimally within product categories and channels, creating effective working relationships with our customers and making disciplined fact-based decisions. Pricing decisions are made considering a variety of factors, including brand strength, competitive environment, input costs, the roles certain brands play in our product portfolio and other market conditions.
Supply Chain Optimization
:
We are continually focused on optimizing our supply chain, which includes identifying nearby warehousing and distribution operations that can be consolidated into new facilities to increase capacity, expand production capabilities, reduce overall production costs and add automation to allow the Company to better serve its customers and consumers. The Company undertook significant capital expenditures to optimize our supply chain and to invest for future growth during 2023, and expects to continue to make significant investments during 2024. Over the past five years, the Company has made capital expenditures of approximately $200 million related to fleet, $125 million related to automation and $470 million related to supply chain improvements.
Cash Flow Generation
:
We have several initiatives in place to optimize cash flow, improve profitability and prudently manage capital expenditures. We believe strengthening our balance sheet gives us the flexibility to make optimal capital allocation decisions for long-term value creation.
Optimal Route to Market
: We are focused on implementing optimal methods of distribution of our products within our territory. Our typical DSD method uses Company-owned vehicles and warehouses, but we are increasingly using alternative methods of distribution. For example, in instances of post-mix delivery for use in fountain machines, we have shifted our delivery method towards alternative distributors in order to enhance customer service and profitability. In instances of bottle/can delivery, we are shifting certain products for certain customers and channels of business to alternative routes to market. These alternative routes to market include third-party distributors, the manufacturer of the product or the customer’s supply chain infrastructure. These bottle/can arrangements generally come with favorable commercial terms for the Company. During both the second quarter of 2024 and the first half of 2024, more than half of our post-mix gallons and less than 10% of our bottle/can volume was delivered through alternative routes to market.
Digitally Enabled Selling Platform
:
Through our investment in CONA Services LLC, we, along with other Coca-Cola bottlers, are building a digitally enabled selling platform called MyCoke 360 that we believe will enable us to better serve our customers. This platform will enable a more seamless order and payment platform for certain customers and we expect this platform will enable us to enhance customer service and create more selling opportunities for our teammates. This platform is targeted to certain on-premise and small store customers.
27
Results of Operations
Second Quarter Results
The Company’s results of operations for the second quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2023 are highlighted in the table below and discussed in the following paragraphs.
Second Quarter
(in thousands)
2024
2023
Change
Net sales
$
1,795,943
$
1,738,832
$
57,111
Cost of sales
1,079,233
1,067,255
11,978
Gross profit
716,710
671,577
45,133
Selling, delivery and administrative expenses
457,570
437,907
19,663
Income from operations
259,140
233,670
25,470
Interest (income) expense, net
(1,620)
1,353
(2,973)
Mark-to-market on acquisition related contingent consideration
27,826
25,520
2,306
Pension plan settlement expense
—
39,777
(39,777)
Other expense, net
709
2,268
(1,559)
Income before taxes
232,225
164,752
67,473
Income tax expense
59,413
42,433
16,980
Net income
172,812
122,319
50,493
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
26
27,823
(27,797)
Comprehensive income
$
172,838
$
150,142
$
22,696
Net Sales
Net sales increased $57.1 million, or 3.3%, to $1.80 billion in the second quarter of 2024, as compared to $1.74 billion in the second quarter of 2023. The largest driver of the increase in net sales was higher average bottle/can sales price per unit charged to retail customers, which increased net sales by approximately $65 million. The increase in net sales was partially offset by a decline in external freight revenue and lower case sales volume as compared to the second quarter of 2023.
Net sales by product category were as follows:
Second Quarter
(in thousands)
2024
2023
% Change
Bottle/can sales:
Sparkling beverages
$
1,048,874
$
1,004,438
4.4
%
Still beverages
597,485
573,641
4.2
%
Total bottle/can sales
1,646,359
1,578,079
4.3
%
Other sales:
Sales to other Coca‑Cola bottlers
92,393
93,207
(0.9)
%
Post-mix sales and other
57,191
67,546
(15.3)
%
Total other sales
149,584
160,753
(6.9)
%
Total net sales
$
1,795,943
$
1,738,832
3.3
%
The decline in post-mix sales and other in the second quarter of 2024 as compared to the second quarter of 2023 was related to a shift in how we deliver post-mix products to our customers. The Company has shifted to a broader use of alternative distributors, rather than Company-owned vehicles and warehouses, to deliver post-mix products to customers in our territory. We receive a fee from a vendor on these post-mix gallons delivered to locally managed customers in our territory, which is recorded as a reduction to cost of sales. This transition has occurred over the past several years but accelerated in 2023 and is expected to continue to be more prevalent throughout 2024. More than half of the post-mix gallons sold to local customers in our franchise territory in the second quarter of 2024 were delivered using these alternative distribution methods.
28
Product category sales volume of standard physical cases (as defined below) and the percentage change by product category were as follows:
Second Quarter
(in thousands)
2024
2023
% Change
Bottle/can sales volume:
Sparkling beverages
67,662
67,900
(0.4)
%
Still beverages
23,791
24,655
(3.5)
%
Total bottle/can sales volume
91,453
92,555
(1.2)
%
A standard physical case is a volume metric used to standardize differing package configurations in order to measure delivered cases on an equivalent basis. As the Company evaluates its volume metrics, it reassesses the way in which physical case volume is measured, which may lead to differences from previously presented results in order to conform with current period standard volume measurement techniques, as used by management. Additionally, as the Company introduces new products, it reassesses the category assigned to its products at the SKU level, therefore categorization could differ from previously presented results in order to conform with current period categorization. Any differences are not material.
The bottle/can sales volume above represents volume that is delivered directly to our customer outlets using Company-owned vehicles and warehouses. In order to serve our customers in the most efficient way, as well as in response to customer demands, the Company has, in certain circumstances, shifted the delivery of our products to third-party distributors, the manufacturer of the product or the customer’s supply chain infrastructure, rather than through Company-owned vehicles and warehouses.
As a result of not physically delivering the product, the sales volume delivered using these alternative methods of distribution is not reflected in our volume metrics. However, because we have the exclusive distribution rights for nonalcoholic beverages within our franchise territory, we receive fees for the delivery of qualified product in our territory. These fees are reported in net sales. Changes in the delivery of our products to our customers has impacted, and will continue to impact, our reported volume and net sales. This transition has occurred over the past several years but accelerated in 2023 and is expected to continue to be more prevalent throughout 2024. Less than 10% of the bottle/can volume sold in our franchise territory in the second quarter of 2024 was delivered using these alternative distribution methods.
Cost of Sales
Inputs representing a substantial portion of the Company’s cost of sales include: (i) purchases of finished products, (ii) raw material costs, including aluminum cans, plastic bottles, carbon dioxide and sweetener, (iii) concentrate costs and (iv) manufacturing costs, including labor, overhead and warehouse costs. In addition, cost of sales includes shipping, handling and fuel costs related to the movement of finished products from manufacturing plants to distribution centers, amortization expense of distribution rights, distribution fees of certain products and marketing credits and post-mix funding from brand companies. Raw material costs, excluding concentrate, represent approximately 20% of total cost of sales on an annual basis.
Cost of sales increased $12.0 million, or 1.1%, to $1.08 billion in the second quarter of 2024, as compared to $1.07 billion in the second quarter of 2023. The increase in cost of sales was driven by higher input costs, including concentrate and manufacturing costs, which increased cost of sales by approximately $30 million. The increase in cost of sales was partially offset by a decline in external freight volume and lower case sales volume as compared to the second quarter of 2023.
The Company relies on advertising and sales promotions in the marketing of its products. The Coca‑Cola Company and other beverage companies that supply concentrates, syrups and finished products to the Company make substantial marketing and advertising expenditures, including national advertising programs, to develop their brand identities and to promote sales in the Company’s territories. Certain of these marketing and advertising expenditures are made pursuant to annual arrangements. Total marketing funding support from The Coca‑Cola Company and other beverage companies, which includes both direct payments to the Company and payments to customers for marketing programs, was $49.3 million in the second quarter of 2024 and $46.1 million in the second quarter of 2023.
Selling, Delivery and Administrative Expenses
SD&A expenses include the following: sales management labor costs, distribution costs resulting from transporting finished products from distribution centers to customer locations, distribution center overhead including depreciation expense, distribution center warehousing costs, delivery vehicles and cold drink equipment, point-of-sale expenses, advertising expenses, cold drink
29
equipment repair costs, amortization of intangible assets and administrative support labor and operating costs. Labor costs represent approximately 60% of total SD&A expenses on an annual basis.
SD&A expenses increased $19.7 million, or 4.5%, to $457.6 million in the second quarter of 2024, as compared to $437.9 million in the second quarter of 2023. SD&A expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 25.5% in the second quarter of 2024 from 25.2% in the second quarter of 2023. The increase in SD&A expenses was primarily driven by an increase in labor costs, mostly related to annual wage adjustments and overall inflation.
Shipping and handling costs included in SD&A expenses were $200.0 million in the second quarter of 2024 and $192.8 million in the second quarter of 2023.
Interest (Income) Expense, Net
Interest (income) expense, net changed $3.0 million, or 219.7%, to $1.6 million of interest income, net in the second quarter of 2024, as compared to $1.4 million of interest expense, net in the second quarter of 2023. The change in interest (income) expense, net was primarily a result of an increase in interest income due to higher cash, cash equivalent and short-term investment balances, partially offset by an increase in interest expense on higher debt balances in the second quarter of 2024, as compared to the second quarter of 2023.
Mark-to-Market on Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration
Mark-to-market on acquisition related contingent consideration increased $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2024 as compared to the second quarter of 2023.
Each reporting period, the Company adjusts its acquisition related contingent consideration liability related to the distribution territories subject to acquisition related sub-bottling payments to fair value. The fair value is determined by discounting future expected acquisition related sub-bottling payments required under the Company’s comprehensive beverage agreements, which extend through the life of the related distribution assets acquired in each distribution territory, using the Company’s estimated weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), which is impacted by many factors, including long-term interest rates and future cash flow projections. The life of these distribution assets is generally 40 years. The Company is required to pay the current portion of the acquisition related sub-bottling payments on a quarterly basis.
The change in the fair value of the acquisition related contingent consideration liability in the second quarter of 2024 as compared to the second quarter of 2023 was primarily driven by changes in the future cash flow projections and WACC used to calculate the fair value of the liability.
Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net decreased $1.6 million to $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2024, as compared to $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2023. The decrease in other expense, net was primarily driven by changes in the actuarial assumptions related to our pension and postretirement plan liabilities.
Income Tax Expense
The Company’s effective income tax rate was 25.6% for the second quarter of 2024 and 25.8% for the second quarter of 2023. The Company’s income tax expense increased $17.0 million, or 40.0%, to $59.4 million for the second quarter of 2024, as compared to $42.4 million for the second quarter of 2023. The increase in income tax expense was primarily attributable to higher income before taxes during the second quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023.
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income, net of tax decreased $27.8 million in the second quarter of 2024 as compared to the second quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily related to the partial settlement of the primary Company-sponsored pension plan (the “Primary Plan”) benefit liabilities during the second quarter of 2023, which resulted in the reclassification of the gross actuarial losses associated with the Primary Plan out of accumulated other comprehensive loss during that period.
30
First Half Results
Our results of operations for the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2023 are highlighted in the table below and discussed in the following paragraphs.
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
Change
Net sales
$
3,387,569
$
3,310,474
$
77,095
Cost of sales
2,030,300
2,014,791
15,509
Gross profit
1,357,269
1,295,683
61,586
Selling, delivery and administrative expenses
882,723
855,959
26,764
Income from operations
474,546
439,724
34,822
Interest (income) expense, net
(4,336)
4,282
(8,618)
Mark-to-market on acquisition related contingent consideration
22,285
67,174
(44,889)
Pension plan settlement expense
—
39,777
(39,777)
Other expense, net
1,537
4,537
(3,000)
Income before taxes
455,060
323,954
131,106
Income tax expense
116,507
83,508
32,999
Net income
338,553
240,446
98,107
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
(127)
28,561
(28,688)
Comprehensive income
$
338,426
$
269,007
$
69,419
Net Sales
Net sales increased $77.1 million, or 2.3%, to $3.39 billion in the first half of 2024, as compared to $3.31 billion in the first half of 2023. The largest driver of the increase in net sales was higher average bottle/can sales price per unit charged to retail customers, which increased net sales by approximately $115 million. The increase in net sales was partially offset by lower case sales volume and a decline in external freight revenue as compared to the first half of 2023. The first half of 2024 included one less selling day compared to the first half of 2023.
Net sales by product category were as follows:
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
% Change
Bottle/can sales:
Sparkling beverages
$
1,996,385
$
1,918,695
4.0
%
Still beverages
1,108,392
1,082,876
2.4
%
Total bottle/can sales
3,104,777
3,001,571
3.4
%
Other sales:
Sales to other Coca‑Cola bottlers
171,096
179,652
(4.8)
%
Post-mix sales and other
111,696
129,251
(13.6)
%
Total other sales
282,792
308,903
(8.5)
%
Total net sales
$
3,387,569
$
3,310,474
2.3
%
Product category sales volume of standard physical cases and the percentage change by product category were as follows:
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
% Change
Bottle/can sales volume:
Sparkling beverages
129,448
129,144
0.2
%
Still beverages
44,116
45,880
(3.8)
%
Total bottle/can sales volume
173,564
175,024
(0.8)
%
31
The following table summarizes the percentage of the Company’s total bottle/can sales volume to its largest customers, as well as the percentage of the Company’s total net sales that such volume represents:
First Half
2024
2023
Approximate percent of the Company’s total bottle/can sales volume:
Walmart Inc.
(1)
21
%
21
%
The Kroger Co.
(2)
15
%
13
%
Total approximate percent of the Company’s total bottle/can sales volume
36
%
34
%
Approximate percent of the Company’s total net sales:
Walmart Inc.
(1)
17
%
16
%
The Kroger Co.
(2)
12
%
11
%
Total approximate percent of the Company’s total net sales
29
%
27
%
(1)
Includes bottle/can sales volume related to the Walmart, Sam’s Club and Walmart Neighborhood Market chains.
(2)
Includes bottle/can sales volume related to the Kroger and Harris Teeter chains.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales increased $15.5 million, or 0.8%, to $2.03 billion in the first half of 2024, as compared to $2.01 billion in the first half of 2023. The increase in cost of sales was driven by higher input costs, including concentrate and manufacturing costs, which increased cost of sales by approximately $50 million. The increase in cost of sales was partially offset by a decline in external freight volume and lower case sales volume as compared to the first half of 2023.
Total marketing funding support from The Coca‑Cola Company and other beverage companies was $94.6 million in the first half of 2024, as compared to $83.1 million in the first half of 2023.
Selling, Delivery and Administrative Expenses
SD&A expenses increased $26.8 million, or 3.1%, to $882.7 million in the first half of 2024, as compared to $856.0 million in the first half of 2023. SD&A expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 26.1% in the first half of 2024 from 25.9% in the first half of 2023. The increase in SD&A expenses was primarily driven by an increase in labor costs, mostly related to annual wage adjustments and overall inflation.
Shipping and handling costs included in SD&A expenses were $393.0 million in the first half of 2024 and $386.0 million in the first half of 2023.
Interest (Income) Expense, Net
Interest (income) expense, net changed $8.6 million, or 201.3%, to $4.3 million of interest income, net in the first half of 2024, as compared to $4.3 million of interest expense, net in the first half of 2023. The change in interest (income) expense, net was primarily a result of an increase in interest income due to higher cash, cash equivalent and short-term investment balances, partially offset by an increase in interest expense on higher debt balances in the first half of 2024, as compared to the first half of 2023.
Mark-to-Market on Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration
Mark-to-market on acquisition related contingent consideration decreased $44.9 million in the first half of 2024 as compared to the first half of 2023.
The change in the fair value of the acquisition related contingent consideration liability in the first half of 2024 as compared to the first half of 2023 was primarily driven by changes in the WACC and future cash flow projections used to calculate the fair value of the liability.
32
Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net decreased $3.0 million to $1.5 million in the first half of 2024, as compared to $4.5 million in the first half of 2023. The decrease in other expense, net was primarily driven by changes in the actuarial assumptions related to our pension and postretirement plan liabilities.
Income Tax Expense
The Company’s effective income tax rate was 25.6% for the first half of 2024 and 25.8% for the first half of 2023. The Company’s income tax expense increased $33.0 million, or 39.5%, to $116.5 million for the first half of 2024, as compared to $83.5 million for the first half of 2023. The increase in income tax expense was primarily attributable to higher income before taxes during the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023.
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax was $0.1 million in the first half of 2024 and other comprehensive income, net of tax was $28.6 million in the first half of 2023. The change was primarily related to the partial settlement of the Primary Plan benefit liabilities during the first half of 2023, which resulted in the reclassification of the gross actuarial losses associated with the Primary Plan out of accumulated other comprehensive loss during that period.
Segment Operating Results
The Company evaluates segment reporting in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 280, Segment Reporting, each reporting period, including evaluating the reporting package reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”). The Company has concluded the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as a group, represent the CODM. Asset information is not provided to the CODM.
The Company believes three operating segments exist. Nonalcoholic Beverages represents the vast majority of the Company’s consolidated net sales and income from operations. The additional two operating segments do not meet the quantitative thresholds for separate reporting, either individually or in the aggregate, and, therefore, have been combined into “All Other.”
The Company’s segment results are as follows:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net sales:
Nonalcoholic Beverages
$
1,780,152
$
1,714,862
$
3,354,864
$
3,260,274
All Other
86,598
95,174
174,700
187,550
Eliminations
(1)
(70,807)
(71,204)
(141,995)
(137,350)
Consolidated net sales
$
1,795,943
$
1,738,832
$
3,387,569
$
3,310,474
Income from operations:
Nonalcoholic Beverages
$
255,025
$
234,211
$
467,167
$
443,990
All Other
4,115
(541)
7,379
(4,266)
Consolidated income from operations
$
259,140
$
233,670
$
474,546
$
439,724
(1)
The entire net sales elimination represents net sales from the All Other segment to the Nonalcoholic Beverages segment. Sales between these segments are recognized at either fair market value or cost depending on the nature of the transaction.
Comparable and Adjusted Results (Non-GAAP)
The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide users of the financial statements with additional, meaningful financial information that should be considered, in addition to the measures reported in accordance with GAAP, when assessing the Company’s ongoing performance. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company’s performance. Non-GAAP financial measures
33
should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s non-GAAP financial information does not represent a comprehensive basis of accounting.
The following tables reconcile reported results (GAAP) to comparable and adjusted results (non-GAAP):
Second Quarter 2024
(in thousands, except per share data)
Gross profit
SD&A expenses
Income from operations
Income before taxes
Net income
Basic net income per share
Reported results (GAAP)
$
716,710
$
457,570
$
259,140
$
232,225
$
172,812
$
18.57
Fair value adjustment of acquisition related contingent consideration
(1)
—
—
—
27,826
20,950
2.25
Fair value adjustments for commodity derivative instruments
(2)
(1,075)
254
(1,329)
(1,329)
(1,001)
(0.11)
Total reconciling items
(1,075)
254
(1,329)
26,497
19,949
2.14
Adjusted results (non-GAAP)
$
715,635
$
457,824
$
257,811
$
258,722
$
192,761
$
20.71
Second Quarter 2023
(in thousands, except per share data)
Gross profit
SD&A expenses
Income from operations
Income before taxes
Net income
Basic net income per share
Reported results (GAAP)
$
671,577
$
437,907
$
233,670
$
164,752
$
122,319
$
13.05
Fair value adjustment of acquisition related contingent consideration
(1)
—
—
—
25,520
19,214
2.05
Fair value adjustments for commodity derivative instruments
(2)
1,097
(224)
1,321
1,321
994
0.10
Pension plan settlement expense
(3)
—
—
—
39,777
29,948
3.19
Total reconciling items
1,097
(224)
1,321
66,618
50,156
5.34
Adjusted results (non-GAAP)
$
672,674
$
437,683
$
234,991
$
231,370
$
172,475
$
18.39
Results for the first half of 2023 include one additional selling day compared to the first half of 2024. For comparison purposes, the estimated impact of the additional selling day in the first half of 2023 has been excluded from our comparable volume results.
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
Change
Standard physical case volume
173,564
175,024
(0.8)
%
Volume related to extra day in fiscal period
—
(923)
Comparable standard physical case volume
173,564
174,101
(0.3)
%
First Half 2024
(in thousands, except per share data)
Gross
profit
SD&A
expenses
Income from
operations
Income before taxes
Net
income
Basic net income
per share
Reported results (GAAP)
$
1,357,269
$
882,723
$
474,546
$
455,060
$
338,553
$
36.26
Fair value adjustment of acquisition related contingent consideration
(1)
—
—
—
22,285
16,778
1.80
Fair value adjustments for commodity derivative instruments
(2)
81
211
(130)
(130)
(98)
(0.01)
Total reconciling items
81
211
(130)
22,155
16,680
1.79
Adjusted results (non-GAAP)
$
1,357,350
$
882,934
$
474,416
$
477,215
$
355,233
$
38.05
34
First Half 2023
(in thousands, except per share data)
Gross
profit
SD&A
expenses
Income from
operations
Income before taxes
Net
income
Basic net income
per share
Reported results (GAAP)
$
1,295,683
$
855,959
$
439,724
$
323,954
$
240,446
$
25.65
Fair value adjustment of acquisition related contingent consideration
(1)
—
—
—
67,174
50,575
5.40
Fair value adjustments for commodity derivative instruments
(2)
1,492
(2,914)
4,406
4,406
3,317
0.35
Pension plan settlement expense
(3)
—
—
—
39,777
29,948
3.19
Total reconciling items
1,492
(2,914)
4,406
111,357
83,840
8.94
Adjusted results (non-GAAP)
$
1,297,175
$
853,045
$
444,130
$
435,311
$
324,286
$
34.59
Following is an explanation of non-GAAP adjustments:
(1)
This non-cash, fair value adjustment of acquisition related contingent consideration fluctuates based on factors such as long-term interest rates and future cash flow projections of the distribution territories subject to acquisition related sub-bottling payments.
(2)
The Company enters into commodity derivative instruments from time to time to hedge some or all of its projected purchases of aluminum, PET resin, diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline in order to mitigate commodity price risk. The Company accounts for its commodity derivative instruments on a mark-to-market basis.
(3)
This non-cash settlement expense relates to the partial settlement of the Primary Plan benefit liabilities during the second quarter of 2023.
Financial Condition
Total assets were $5.66 billion as of June 28, 2024, which was an increase of $1.37 billion from December 31, 2023. Net working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, was $1.50 billion as of June 28, 2024, which was an increase of $882.9 million from December 31, 2023.
Significant changes in net working capital as of June 28, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023 were as follows:
•
An increase in cash and cash equivalents of $1.06 billion, primarily as a result of bond proceeds received of $1.20 billion and strong operating performance, partially offset by purchases of short-term investments of $213.1 million, dividend payments of $159.4 million and capital expenditures of $159.4 million.
•
An increase in short-term investments of $198.8 million, primarily due to the purchase of short-term investments during the first half of 2024.
•
An increase in accounts receivable, trade of $61.9 million, driven primarily by increased net sales.
•
An increase in accounts payable to The Coca-Cola Company of $109.1 million, primarily due to the timing of cash payments.
•
An increase in share repurchase obligation to The Coca-Cola Company of $553.7 million, due to a purchase agreement executed during the first half of 2024, as further discussed below and in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
•
A decrease in accrued compensation of $59.4 million, primarily as a result of the timing of bonus and incentive payments in the first half of 2024.
•
A decrease in dividends payable of $154.7 million, due to the payment of a special cash dividend during the first half of 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s sources of capital include cash flows from operations, available credit facilities and the issuance of debt and equity securities. As of June 28, 2024, the Company had $1.70 billion in cash and cash equivalents. The Company’s cash equivalent balance consisted predominantly of investments in money market funds and U.S. Treasury securities with maturities of 90 days or less. As of June 28, 2024, the Company had $198.8 million in short-term investments, which consisted primarily of U.S. Treasury securities and investment-grade corporate bonds with maturities of one year or less. The Company has obtained its long-term debt from public markets, private placements and bank facilities. Management believes the Company has sufficient sources of capital available to finance its business plan, to meet its working capital requirements and to maintain an appropriate level of capital spending for at least the next 12 months from the issuance of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
35
On May 6, 2024, the Company announced its intention to purchase up to $3.10 billion in value of its Common Stock through both a modified “Dutch auction” tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) for up to $2.00 billion of its Common Stock and a separate share purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Carolina Coca-Cola Bottling Investments, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca‑Cola Company (“CCCBI”). On May 20, 2024, the Company launched its offer to purchase, for cash, shares of its Common Stock at prices specified by the tendering stockholders of not less than $850 nor greater than $925 per share, with shares having an aggregate purchase price of no more than $2.00 billion. On June 21, 2024, the Company announced the final results of the Tender Offer, which expired on June 18, 2024. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, the Company repurchased 14,391.5 shares of its Common Stock at a price of $925 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $13.3 million, excluding fees and expenses relating to the Tender Offer. The shares repurchased represented 0.2% of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock that were issued and outstanding as of June 18, 2024.
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement entered into on May 6, 2024 with CCCBI, the Company agreed to purchase and CCCBI agreed to sell, at the purchase price in the Tender Offer, a number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Share Repurchase”) such that CCCBI would beneficially own shares of the Company’s Common Stock representing 21.5% of the Company’s total outstanding shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock immediately following the closing of the Share Repurchase (calculated assuming all issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock were converted into Common Stock and taking into account the shares of Common Stock purchased in the Tender Offer, which is referred to herein as the “fully diluted calculation”). The Share Repurchase was conditioned on, among other things, completion of the Tender Offer and, in the case of CCCBI’s obligation to close, the purchase price being no less than $925 per share. Based on the fully diluted calculation following the expiration of the Tender Offer, the Company announced on June 21, 2024 its intention to purchase 598,619 shares of its Common Stock from CCCBI in the Share Repurchase at a price of $925 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $553.7 million. The Share Repurchase closed on July 5, 2024.
The Company’s long-term debt as of June 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was as follows:
(in thousands)
Maturity Date
June 28, 2024
December 31, 2023
Senior bonds (the “2025 Senior Bonds”) net of unamortized discount
(1)
11/25/2025
$
349,988
$
349,983
Senior notes
10/10/2026
100,000
100,000
Senior bonds (the “2029 Senior Bonds”) net of unamortized discount
(2)(3)
6/1/2029
698,919
—
Revolving credit facility
(4)
6/10/2029
—
—
Senior notes
3/21/2030
150,000
150,000
Senior bonds (the “2034 Senior Bonds”) net of unamortized discount
(3)(5)
6/1/2034
499,469
—
Debt issuance costs
(13,274)
(824)
Total long-term debt
$
1,785,102
$
599,159
(1)
The 2025 Senior Bonds were issued at 99.975% of par.
(2)
The 2029 Senior Bonds were issued at 99.843% of par.
(3)
The 2029 Senior Bonds and the 2034 Senior Bonds were issued in connection with the financing of the Tender Offer and the Share Repurchase initiated during the second quarter of 2024, as discussed above.
(4)
The Company’s revolving credit facility has an aggregate maximum borrowing capacity of $500 million. The Company currently believes all banks participating in the revolving credit facility have the ability to and will meet any funding requests from the Company.
(5)
The 2034 Senior Bonds were issued at 99.893% of par.
On May 29, 2024, the Company completed the issuance and sale of $700 million aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Senior Bonds and $500 million aggregate principal amount of the 2034 Senior Bonds. The 2029 Senior Bonds and the 2034 Senior Bonds are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and rank equally with the Company’s existing and future senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The 2029 Senior Bonds mature on June 1, 2029 and the 2034 Senior Bonds mature on June 1, 2034, in each case, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased by the Company. The 2029 Senior Bonds bear interest at a rate of 5.250% per annum and the 2034 Senior Bonds bear interest at a rate of 5.450% per annum. The Company will pay interest on the 2029 Senior Bonds and the 2034 Senior Bonds semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2024.
36
On June 10, 2024, the Company entered into a term loan agreement, providing for a senior unsecured term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $800 million, maturing on June 10, 2027, and a senior unsecured term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $500 million, maturing on June 10, 2029 (collectively, the “Term Loan Facilities”). The Company did not draw any loans under the Term Loan Facilities during the second quarter of 2024. On June 20, 2024, the Company gave notice, effective as of June 27, 2024, of its permanent reduction to $0 of the commitments under the Term Loan Facilities. Upon the effectiveness of the notice, the aggregate commitments under the Term Loan Facilities were reduced in accordance with their terms from $1.30 billion to $0. As of June 28, 2024, there were no amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Facilities.
Also on June 10, 2024, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility Agreement”), providing for a five-year unsecured revolving credit facility with an aggregate maximum borrowing capacity of $500 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), maturing on June 10, 2029. The Revolving Credit Facility Agreement replaced the Company’s previous credit agreement, dated as of July 9, 2021. Subject to obtaining commitments from lenders and satisfying other conditions specified therein, at the Company’s option, the Revolving Credit Facility may be increased by up to $250 million. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (i) Base Rate (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement) plus an applicable rate or (ii) Term SOFR (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement) plus the SOFR Adjustment (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement) and an applicable rate, depending on the rating for the Company’s long-term senior unsecured, non-credit-enhanced debt (“Debt Rating”). In addition, the Company must pay a facility fee on the lenders’ aggregate commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility ranging from 0.060% to 0.175% per annum, depending on the Company’s Debt Rating. The Company currently believes all banks participating in the Revolving Credit Facility have the ability to and will meet any funding requests from the Company.
The indentures under which the 2025 Senior Bonds, the 2029 Senior Bonds and the 2034 Senior Bonds were issued do not include financial covenants, but do limit the incurrence of certain liens and encumbrances as well as indebtedness by the Company’s subsidiaries in excess of certain amounts. The agreements under which the Company’s nonpublic debt, including the Revolving Credit Facility, was issued include two financial covenants: a consolidated cash flow/fixed charges ratio and a consolidated funded indebtedness/cash flow ratio, each as defined in the respective agreement. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of June 28, 2024. These covenants have not restricted, and are not expected to restrict, the Company’s liquidity or capital resources.
All outstanding long-term debt has been issued by the Company and none has been issued by any of its subsidiaries. There are no guarantees of the Company’s long-term debt.
The Company’s credit ratings are reviewed periodically by certain nationally recognized rating agencies. Changes in the Company’s operating results or financial position could result in changes in the Company’s credit ratings. Lower credit ratings could result in higher borrowing costs for the Company or reduced access to capital markets, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operating results or financial position. As of June 28, 2024, the Company’s credit ratings and outlook for its long-term debt were as follows:
Credit Rating
Rating Outlook
Moody’s
Baa1
Stable
Standard & Poor’s
BBB+
Negative
The Company’s Board of Directors has declared, and the Company has paid, dividends on the Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock and each class of common stock has participated equally in all dividends each quarter for more than 30 years. The amount and frequency of future dividends will be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors in light of the earnings and financial condition of the Company at such time, and no assurance can be given that dividends will be declared or paid in the future.
We review supplier terms and conditions on an ongoing basis, and have negotiated payment term extensions in recent years in connection with our efforts to improve cash flow and working capital. Separate from those term extension actions, the Company has an agreement with a third-party financial institution to facilitate a supply chain finance (“SCF”) program, which allows qualifying suppliers to sell their receivables from the Company to the financial institution in order to negotiate shorter payment terms on outstanding receivable arrangements. The Company’s obligations to its suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment terms, are not impacted by a supplier’s participation in the SCF program. See Note 13 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the Company’s SCF program.
37
The Company’s only Level 3 asset or liability is the acquisition related contingent consideration liability. There were no transfers from Level 1 or Level 2 in any period presented. Fair value adjustments were non-cash and, therefore, did not impact the Company’s liquidity or capital resources. Following is a summary of the Level 3 activity:
Second Quarter
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Beginning balance - Level 3 liability
$
649,596
$
576,446
$
669,337
$
541,491
Payments of acquisition related contingent consideration
(13,976)
(6,877)
(23,676)
(13,376)
Reclassification to current payables
(6,200)
(700)
(10,700)
(900)
Increase in fair value
27,826
25,520
22,285
67,174
Ending balance - Level 3 liability
$
657,246
$
594,389
$
657,246
$
594,389
Cash Sources and Uses
A summary of cash-based activity is as follows:
First Half
(in thousands)
2024
2023
Cash Sources:
Proceeds from bond issuance
$
1,200,000
$
—
Net cash provided by operating activities
(1)
437,131
383,338
Proceeds from the disposal of short-term investments
16,643
—
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
250
267
Total cash sources
$
1,654,024
$
383,605
Cash Uses:
Purchases of short-term investments
$
213,123
$
—
Additions to property, plant and equipment
159,400
92,893
Cash dividends paid
159,353
37,495
Payments of acquisition related contingent consideration
23,676
13,376
Payments related to share repurchases
14,471
—
Debt issuance fees
12,212
154
Investment in equity method investees
6,549
6,033
Payments on financing lease obligations
1,221
1,130
Total cash uses
$
590,005
$
151,081
Net increase in cash during period
$
1,064,019
$
232,524
(1)
Net cash provided by operating activities included net income tax payments of $109.8 million in the first half of 2024 and $90.2 million in the first half of 2023.
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
During the first half of 2024, cash provided by operating activities was $437.1 million, which was an increase of $53.8 million as compared to the first half of 2023. The increase was primarily a result of our strong operating performance during the first half of 2024.
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
During the first half of 2024, cash used in investing activities was $362.2 million, which was an increase of $263.5 million as compared to the first half of 2023. The increase was primarily a result of the purchase of short-term investments of $213.1 million during the first half of 2024, as well as additions to property, plant and equipment, which were $159.4 million during the first half of 2024 and $92.9 million during the first half of 2023. There were $29.5 million and $23.4 million of additions to property, plant and equipment accrued in accounts payable, trade as of June 28, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively.
The additions to property, plant and equipment reflect the Company’s focus on optimizing its supply chain and investing for future growth. The Company anticipates additions to property, plant and equipment in 2024 to be in the range of approximately
38
$300 million to $350 million, with remaining anticipated expenditures in the second half of 2024 of approximately $140 million to $190 million. Over the next five years, the Company anticipates additions to property, plant and equipment to be in the range of approximately $250 million to $300 million annually.
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
During the first half of 2024, cash provided by financing activities was $989.1 million, as compared to cash used in financing activities of $52.2 million during the first half of 2023, a change of $1.04 billion. The change was primarily the result of bond proceeds of $1.20 billion, offset by dividend payments of $159.4 million, during the first half of 2024. The dividend payments of $159.4 million included a special cash dividend of $16.00 per share, as compared to dividend payments of $37.5 million during the first half of 2023, which included a special cash dividend of $3.00 per share. The Company also paid $14.5 million during the first half of 2024 related to share repurchases and associated fees.
The Company had cash payments for acquisition related contingent consideration of $23.7 million during the first half of 2024 and $13.4 million during the first half of 2023. For the next five future years, the Company anticipates that the amount it could pay annually under the acquisition related contingent consideration arrangements for the distribution territories subject to acquisition related sub-bottling payments will be in the range of approximately $50 million to $75 million.
Hedging Activities
The Company uses commodity derivative instruments to manage its exposure to fluctuations in certain commodity prices. Fees paid by the Company for commodity derivative instruments are amortized over the corresponding period of the instrument. The Company accounts for its commodity derivative instruments on a mark-to-market basis with any expense or income being reflected as an adjustment to cost of sales or SD&A expenses, consistent with the expense classification of the underlying hedged item.
The Company uses several different financial institutions for commodity derivative instruments to minimize the concentration of credit risk. The Company has master agreements with the counterparties to its commodity derivative instruments that provide for net settlement of derivative transactions. The net impact of the commodity derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations was as follows:
Certain statements made in this report, or in other public filings, press releases, or other written or oral communications made by the Company, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which we expect will or may occur in the future and may impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could” and similar expressions are intended to identify those forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s best judgment based on current information, and, although we base these statements on circumstances that we believe to be reasonable when made, there can be no assurance that future events will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking information. As such, the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may vary materially from the projected results and expectations discussed in this report. Factors that might cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: increased costs (including due to inflation), disruption of supply or unavailability or shortages of raw materials, fuel and other supplies; the reliance on purchased finished products from external sources; changes in public and consumer perception and preferences, including concerns related to product safety and sustainability, artificial ingredients, brand reputation and obesity; changes in government regulations related to nonalcoholic beverages, including regulations related to obesity, public health, artificial ingredients and product safety and sustainability; decreases from historic levels of marketing funding support provided to us by The Coca‑Cola Company and other beverage companies; material changes in the performance requirements for marketing funding support or our inability to meet such requirements; decreases from historic levels of advertising, marketing and product innovation spending by The Coca‑Cola Company
and other beverage companies, or advertising campaigns that are negatively perceived by the public;
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any failure of the several Coca‑Cola system governance entities of which we are a participant to function efficiently or on our best behalf and any failure or delay of ours to receive anticipated benefits from these governance entities; provisions in our beverage distribution and manufacturing agreements with The Coca‑Cola Company that could delay or prevent a change in control of us or a sale of our Coca‑Cola distribution or manufacturing businesses; the concentration of our capital stock ownership; our inability to meet requirements under our beverage distribution and manufacturing agreements; changes in the inputs used to calculate our acquisition related contingent consideration liability; technology failures or cyberattacks on our information technology systems or our effective response to technology failures or cyberattacks on our customers’, suppliers’ or other third parties’ information technology systems; unfavorable changes in the general economy; the concentration risks among our customers and suppliers; lower than expected net pricing of our products resulting from continued and increased customer and competitor consolidations and marketplace competition; the effect of changes in our level of debt, borrowing costs and credit ratings on our access to capital and credit markets, operating flexibility and ability to obtain additional financing to fund future needs; the failure to attract, train and retain qualified employees while controlling labor costs, and other labor issues; the failure to maintain productive relationships with our employees covered by collective bargaining agreements, including failing to renegotiate collective bargaining agreements; changes in accounting standards; our use of estimates and assumptions; changes in tax laws, disagreements with tax authorities or additional tax liabilities; changes in legal contingencies; natural disasters, changing weather patterns and unfavorable weather; climate change or legislative or regulatory responses to such change; the impact of any pandemic or public health situation; and the risks discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2023 and elsewhere in this report.
Caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this report. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. In evaluating forward-looking statements, these risks and uncertainties should be considered, together with the other risks described from time to time in the Company’s reports and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The Company is subject to interest rate risk on its revolving credit facility and did not have any outstanding borrowings on its revolving credit facility as of June 28, 2024. As such, assuming no changes in the Company’s capital structure, if market interest rates average 1% more over the next 12 months than the interest rates as of June 28, 2024, there would be no change to interest expense for the next 12 months.
The Company’s acquisition related contingent consideration liability, which is adjusted to fair value each reporting period, is also impacted by changes in interest rates. The risk-free interest rate used to estimate the Company’s WACC is a component of the discount rate used to calculate the present value of future expected acquisition related sub-bottling payments due under the Company’s comprehensive beverage agreements. As a result, any changes in the underlying risk-free interest rate could result in material changes to the fair value of the acquisition related contingent consideration liability and could materially impact the amount of non-cash expense (or income) recorded each reporting period. The Company estimates a 10-basis point change in the underlying risk-free interest rate used to estimate the Company’s WACC would result in a change of approximately $6 million to the Company’s acquisition related contingent consideration liability.
The Company is exposed to certain market risks and commodity price risk that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company may enter into commodity derivative instruments to manage or reduce market risk. The Company does not use commodity derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
The Company is also subject to commodity price risk arising from price movements for certain commodities included as part of its input costs, which predominately relate to our Sparkling products. The Company estimates a 10% increase in the market prices of input costs (which includes the underlying commodities) over the current market prices would cumulatively increase costs during the next 12 months by approximately $71 million assuming no change in volume.
The Company manages its commodity price risk in some cases by entering into contracts with adjustable prices to hedge commodity purchases, including our aluminum input costs and fuel expenses related to our selling and distribution activities. The Company periodically uses commodity derivative instruments in the management of this risk, and estimates a 10% decrease in the underlying commodity prices would have decreased the fair value of our commodity derivative instruments by approximately $3 million as of June 28, 2024.
Fees paid by the Company for agreements to hedge commodity purchases are amortized over the corresponding period of the agreement. The Company accounts for its commodity derivative instruments on a mark-to-market basis with any expense or
40
income being reflected as an adjustment to cost of sales or SD&A expenses, consistent with the expense classification of the underlying hedged item.
The rate of inflation in the United States, as measured by year-over-year changes in the Consumer Price Index (the “CPI”), was 3.0% in June 2024, as compared to 3.4% in December 2023 and 6.5% in December 2022. Inflation in the prices of those commodities important to the Company’s business is reflected in changes in the CPI.
The principal effect of inflation in both commodity and consumer prices on the Company’s operating results is to increase both cost of goods sold and SD&A expenses. Although the Company can offset these cost increases by increasing selling prices for its products, consumers may not have the buying power to cover these increased costs and may reduce their volume of purchases of those products. In that event, selling price increases may not be sufficient to offset completely the Company’s cost increases.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 28, 2024.
There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 28, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
The Company is involved in various claims and legal proceedings which have arisen in the ordinary course of its business. Although it is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome of these claims and legal proceedings, management believes the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. No material amount of loss in excess of recorded amounts is believed to be reasonably possible as a result of these claims and legal proceedings.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
The following table sets forth information about the shares of Common Stock the Company repurchased during the second quarter of 2024:
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
March 30, 2024 - April 26, 2024
—
$
—
—
$
—
April 27, 2024 - May 24, 2024
—
—
—
—
May 25, 2024 - June 28, 2024
14,391.50
925.00
14,391.50
—
Total
14,391.50
14,391.50
NOTES TO TABLE
(1)
On May 6, 2024, the Company announced its offer to purchase, for cash, up to $2.00 billion of its Common Stock at a price of not less than $850 nor greater than $925 per share through a modified “Dutch auction” tender offer.
(2)
On June 21, 2024, the Company announced the final results of the Tender Offer, which expired on June 18, 2024. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, the Company repurchased 14,391.5 shares of its Common Stock at a price of $925 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $13.3 million, excluding fees and expenses relating to the Tender Offer.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for 2023.
Item 5. Other Information.
Insider Trading Arrangements
During the quarter ended June 28, 2024,
none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted, modified or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or a “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” (as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K)
.
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Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit
No.
Description
Incorporated by Reference or
Filed/Furnished Herewith
Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
Cover Page Interactive Data File – the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
Filed herewith.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
(REGISTRANT)
Date: July 31, 2024
By:
/s/ F. Scott Anthony
F. Scott Anthony
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer of the Registrant)
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