MAM
Coca Cola, PepsiCo report growth in first quarter
NEW YORK: PepsiCo reported a 13 per cent increase in its first-quarter ’03 earnings and Coca-Cola Co posted a jump in revenue and net profit for its first quarter despite weaker-than-expected sales in North America and many other markets.
Earnings for PepsiCo increased to $ 777 million in the three months ended in March from $ 689 million, a year earlier. For the first three months 2003, Coca-Cola made a net profit of $ 835 million. This compares with a loss of $ 194 million in the same period last year. The revenue for the first quarter was $ 4.5 billion, up 10 per cent from $ 4.08 billion a year ago.
PepsiCo officials said that unit volume rose 3 percent for both snacks and beverages during the quarter, while net revenue rose to $ 5.53 billion from $ 5.31 billion. Analysts pointed out that PepsiCo, the No. 2 worldwide soft-drink maker behind Coca-Cola Co, is trying to sell more of its products by linking drinks and foods together. Ads recently pitched Lay’s potato chips and Pepsi soft drinks, and the company is also pushing Quaker breakfast foods alongside Tropicana juices.
PepsiCo showed growth in all of its major business areas. Overall worldwide sales increased 3 per cent while global sales of snacks and beverages each increased 3 per cent. But the continued growth at Frito-Lay North America was the brightest spot in the report.
MAM
Cipla appoints Achin Gupta as MD and global CEO
Veteran pharma leader with 20-plus years takes charge from 1 April 2026, succeeding current MD.
MUMBAI: Cipla’s next chapter just got a seasoned prescription because when it comes to leading a pharma giant, Achin Gupta knows exactly which dose delivers results. The Mumbai-based drugmaker announced on 23 February 2026 that Achin Gupta, currently global chief operating officer, will step up as managing director and global chief executive officer from 1 April 2026. He succeeds the outgoing leadership team and will steer Cipla’s worldwide operations, market expansion, operational efficiency, and innovation pipeline across its broad portfolio of generics, specialty drugs, and consumer healthcare treatments.
Gupta brings more than 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience to the corner office. Before rejoining Cipla, he spent over eight years at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals in senior roles, having also worked there earlier between 2004 and 2012. His career path also includes key stints at Abbott Laboratories and management consulting firm A.T. Kearney, giving him a well-rounded view of global pharma strategy, operations, and growth.
In his current COO role, Gupta has already been deeply involved in streamlining Cipla’s supply chain, boosting manufacturing agility, and driving digital transformation moves that positioned the company strongly amid post-pandemic supply challenges and rising competition. As MD and Global CEO, he’ll now have full accountability for executing Cipla’s long-term vision, from deepening presence in key markets like the US, Europe, and emerging regions to accelerating R&D in complex generics and biosimilars.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for Cipla, as the industry navigates pricing pressures, regulatory shifts, and the push for affordable innovation in chronic therapies. Gupta’s track record of scaling operations and delivering consistent performance makes him a logical internal choice to keep the momentum going.
For a company that’s long been a household name in affordable medicines, this leadership handoff is less about a big shake-up and more about steady continuity with fresh energy ensuring the next dose of growth is as effective as the last.
