Coca-Cola profit fizzles as marketing costs take toll

THE world’s biggest soft-drink maker, Coca Cola, has said fourth-quarter profits fell 28% after it increased marketing to halt a decline in US sales.

Sales in the US rose for the first time in almost a year after Coca-Cola boosted spending 12% to $2.29 billion (€1.91bn).

Net income dropped to $864 million (€721.3m) on expenses to return overseas profit to the US.