Coca-Cola

RANK335

Coca-Cola’s $4.9 billion acquisition of the coffee chain Costa—the largest brand acquisition in its history, finalized in January 2019—had a major hand in shaping its performance last year. The buy helped the 134-year-old soft drink company rocket 60 spots up the Global 500, gain an expanded retail footprint, grow to 23,600 employees, and bring in $37.2 billion in revenue—a 17% rise over 2018. But more recent news has been less upbeat. Consumer stockpiling of water and sports drinks ahead of the coronavirus lockdown hasn't outweighed the effects of pandemic-related movie theater and restaurant closures on Coca-Cola's sales and profits. The company withdrew its 2020 outlook in March.