1. Fill in some basic information about your company
Name of company The Coca Cola Company[1]
Principal exchange where the company trades New York Stock Exchange[2]
Market price of the stock $56.96 as of 12/07/09[3]
Annual dividend $1.52 per share[4]
Last dividend paid on April 1, 2008[5]
2. Read the business summaries and management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A). Summarize the remarks.
Coca Cola prides itself on being the world’s largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of non-alcoholic beverages worldwide.[6] Although it usually acts as a distributor, it plans to take a more controlling interest in bottling operations in the future.[7] Coca Cola engages in significant marketing expenditures to keep its brand image strong.[8] Coca Cola discusses its four strategies for success: “driving global beverage leadership, accelerating innovation, leveraging balanced geographic portfolio, leading the Coca Cola system for growth.”[9] Some risks and challenges that Coca Cola has to face is adverse health warnings against the company, maintaining superb water quality for its beverages, staying competitive, and being socially responsible.[10]
3. What kind of products and/or services does the corporate provide/sell?
Coca Cola primarily sells non-alcoholic beverages which range in variety. For example, it owns bottled water companies such as Dasani, sports drinks such as Powerade, and most famously soft drinks such as Coke, Diet Coke. Other drink choices include juices, juice drinks, and light beverages.[11]
4. a) Which accounting/auditing firm audited the financial statements?
The company’s independent auditors are Ernst & Young, LLP.
b) Did the auditor’s report indicate any problems or exceptions?
Ernst & Young did not report any problems. They noted, however, that the company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48 related to accounting for uncertainty in income