Coca-Cola: Stronger volume lifts profit

(AP) NEW YORK - The Coca-Cola Co. (KO) says its net income rose 8 percent in the first quarter as it sold more drinks around the world.

The world's biggest drinks maker says it earned $2.05 billion, or 89 cents per share, for the three months ended March 30. That's compared with a net income of $1.9 billion, or 82 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

Analysts on average expected a profit of 88 cents per share, according to Fact Set.

The Atlanta-based company says the higher profit was driven by a 5 percent increase in global volume, with growth across all regions.