Coca-Cola sales fall for fourth quarter on weak demand in Europe

Coca-Cola Co's sales fell for the fourth straight quarter as demand for its fizzy drinks declined in Europe and a strong dollar eroded the value of sales in markets outside the United States, including Latin America. 

Shares of the maker of Sprite soda and Minute Maid juices fell about 1% to $46 in premarket trading on Wednesday. 

Coke and rival PepsiCo Inc have been hurt as consumers increasingly turn health-conscious, cutting back on fizzy drinks and turning to teas, fruit juices and smoothies.

The rise in the dollar has also hit the companies, which have a sizeable presence in markets outside the United States, including China, Europe and Brazil. 

The average value of the dollar rose 2.6% in the first quarter from a year earlier. The US currency had risen 18% gain in the first three months of 2015. 

Coke's sales in Europe declined 1% to $1.20 billion in the quarter ended April 1, accounting for nearly 12% of total revenue.

The net income attributable to Coke`s shareholders fell 4.5% to $1.48 billion, or 34 cents per share. 

Excluding items, Coke earned 45 cents per share, beating the average analyst estimate of 44 cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Net operating revenue fell 4% to $10.28 billion.

Excluding the impact of acquisitions, divestitures and currency movements, total revenue rose 2%.