OREANDA-NEWS. Coca-Cola HBC AG, a leading bottler of The Coca-Cola Company, reports its financial results for the six-month period ended 3 July 2015.

Underlying volume growth gained momentum in the second quarter, resulting in a 3.8% increase in reported half-year volume; excluding the 2.5% contribution from the four extra selling days in Q1, volumes grew by 1.3%

Volume in the Established markets was broadly unchanged from the prior-year period

Developing segment turnaround continued, with all markets contributing to the 6.2% volume growth

Very good performance in Nigeria, Romania and Ukraine more than offset weakness in Russia, lifting Emerging market volume by 5.4%

FX-neutral revenue per case was stable, with pricing actions in Emerging markets offsetting our affordability measures and deflation in certain Established and Developing markets

Net sales revenue declined by 1.0% as a 4.6% adverse impact from currencies more than offset volume gains

Comparable EBIT was EUR 219.0 million - up 31.2%, leading to a 170 basis point improvement in EBIT margin as favourable input costs, increased volume, benefits from our revenue growth management initiatives and cost efficiencies were partly offset by significant adverse movements in currencies; reported EBIT was EUR 199.1 million

Free cash flow was EUR 219.2 million - up EUR 124.4 million, driven by further improvements in working capital as well as operational profitability

Comparable earnings per share was EUR 0.389 - a 43.5% increase on the prior-year period; reported basic earnings per share was EUR 0.344