After spending much of the past six months at a less-than-impressive two-star rank, Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE: CCE) has impressed enough top-performing members of our 150,000-strong Motley Fool CAPS community to climb to a more palatable three stars. A total of 226 members have given their opinion on the non-alcoholic drink bottler, with many offering analysis and commentary to explain their recent optimism.
As Coca-Cola Enterprises' recent deal with Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) helps to strengthen its partnership with the company, investors like the new doors that the deal could open up for the bottler. In a move that came not long after PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) inked a deal with its own top bottlers, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-B) favorite Coca-Cola will be shedding its ownership in its largest bottler while taking over its North American operations, in hopes of reviving the market. In exchange, Coca-Cola Enterprises will get rid of a mountain of debt, and gain improved financial flexibility and the opportunities of an expanding European business.
Shares of the company shot higher after the deal was announced, helped by the one-time $10-per-share payment shareholders will receive, and other juicy benefits the bottler will gain. With less debt on the books, credit ratings firms like Moody's indicated that they may view the company in a less risky light, which will position Coca-Cola Enterprises better for investment in expansion.
The deal follows a year of strong free cash flow for Coca-Cola Enterprises, and its third consecutive year of increasing profits in Europe. While companies such as Kraft (NYSE: KFT) and Proctor & Gamble (NYSE: PG) eye further growth in emerging markets, Coca-Cola Enterprises investors like the growth potential of its brands in Europe, as well as the emergence of products like Hansen Natural's (Nasdaq: HANS) Monster Energy drink, which are just beginning to scratch the surface there.
Do you think Coca-Cola Enterprises deserves its elevated status? Add your thoughts in the comments box below on this page, or head over to CAPS to rate the company and check out all the information and opinions the community offers, absolutely free.
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Fool contributor Dave Mock owns shares of Coca Cola. Berkshire Hathaway and Coca-Cola are Inside Value recommendations. Hansen Natural is a Rule Breakers pick. Berkshire Hathaway is a Stock Advisor recommendation. Coca-Cola, Pepsico, and Procter & Gamble are Income Investor picks. Motley Fool Options has recommended a diagonal call position on Pepsico. The Fool owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway and Procter & Gamble. The Fool's disclosure policy is in rehab for too many energy-drink binges on the job.
