Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, European alcohol-free beverage distributor Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Co.
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Coca-Cola HBC's business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.
Coca-Cola HBC facts
| Headquarters (Founded) | Athens (1969) |
| Market Cap | $7.2 billion |
| Industry | Soft drinks |
| Trailing-12-Month Revenue | $9 billion |
| Management | CEO Dimitris Lois (since July 2011) CFO Robert Murray (since January 2009) |
| Return on Equity (Average, Past 3 Years) | 10.2% |
| Cash/Debt | $843.2 million / $3.1 billion |
| Competitors |
Dr Pepper Snapple Group Nestle Waters PepsiCo |
Sources: S&P Capital IQ and Motley Fool CAPS.
On CAPS, 96% of the 273 members who have rated Coca-Cola HBC believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward.
Earlier this month, one of those Fools, FiscalFriend, nicely summed up the bull case for our community:
Like a good, risk-minimizing investor, [Coca-Cola HBC] spreads its sales across established (well-off), developing (increasingly competitive) and emerging (now up-and-coming) markets. In 2010, [Coca-Cola HBC] was able to offset losses in established and developing markets with a whopping 32 percent EBIT increase in emerging markets like Russia and Nigeria, which compose 44 percent of [Coca-Cola HBC's] total income. ... The EBIT numbers also show that emerging markets are amplifying their purchasing power and preference for Coca-Cola products; demand is just beginning to blossom. You will see a return on your investment simply because people in different areas of the world are drinking more Coca-Cola.
What do you think about Coca-Cola HBC, or any other stock for that matter? If you want to retire rich, you need to put together the best portfolio you can. Owning exceptional stocks is a surefire way to secure your financial future, and on Motley Fool CAPS, thousands of investors are working every day to find them. CAPS is 100% free, so get started!
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