Fizz goes out of Coke profits

The fizz went out of the Irish arm of Coca-Cola’s pre-tax profits last year as they declined by more than €1m — or 12% — to €7.14m.

Newly-filed accounts show Coca-Cola HBC – which bottles the iconic brand for the Irish market - recorded the drop in profits as revenues remained flat at €167m. Some of the firm’s best known brands include Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite and Powerade

The company last year paid a dividend of €7m and this followed a €5m dividend payout in 2014.