The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) named Henrique Braun as its new CEO, succeeding James Quincey on March 31, 2026. Quincey will continue as executive chairman. This change aims to address the slowdown in soft drink demand. KO’s global unit case volume rose 1% in Q3, rebounding from a previous decline.

Under Quincey’s leadership, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) has outperformed PepsiCo, with its namesake brand remaining the top-selling soda in the U.S. Sprite also surpassed Pepsi to become the third-best-selling beverage. KO shares have increased by 13.53% YTD, while Pepsi shares fell by over 0.78%.

KO emphasizes innovation and potential in bolt-on M&A, as highlighted in a recent update. Lower-income consumer purchases have decreased, leading to KO offering cheaper, smaller products. More expensive brands like Fairlife and Smartwater have seen growth. Quincey’s leadership has driven success for KO, especially in the out-of-home sector.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) Sees More Innovation Potential For Bolt-on M&A