We are equally concerned with the North American volume results.
Given low expectations heading into the quarter on concerns about the potential currency impact and volumes in key markets such as Europe and South Asia, Coke's Q4 result is a positive.
The stock should react positively to this as there should be some relief from the concerns over raw material prices and the effect of the price increases on the back half of the year.
We were especially pleased with the Pepsi Beverages North America volume number, which had been a slight concern heading into the quarter given the holiday shifts.
This is a pretty aggressive move. I've never heard of anything like it.
We think given guidance is roughly in-line despite the negative currency impact.
The cost situation and trends in Europe are looking less bad than some had feared.
The company is beating expectations despite weakness in some key markets, and if those markets stabilize, there could be more significant upside.
Anheuser-Busch fourth-quarter sales-to-retailers were better than trend but not strong enough versus expectations.
A lot of this is about variety. Consumers want new exciting beverages.
