Coke Boosts Spending On Capital Projects

The Coca-Cola Co. said Thursday it will spend $1.5 billion next year for capital projects around the world, a 36 percent hike over 1995.

The company also said it would split its stock 2-for-1 and expects to meet analysts expectations for 1995 earnings of 52 cents per share

The $1.5 billion investment plan is the biggest in the company’s history, exceeding 1995’s record amount of $1.1 billion.

The projects, ranging from a new production plant in Russia to a cold drink equipment program in Brazil, are aimed at taking advantage of what the Atlanta-based company said were unprecedented opportunities for international growth. Though the United States remains Coke’s largest single market, most of its profits now come from overseas.

Individual projects will each cost $85 million or less.

The company’s global bottling system also is expected to invest at least as much on capital projects.