Coca-Cola announced today that it was adjusting its forecasts for sales, profits and dividends downward in an attempt to adjust to new realities in the beverage market. Coke's stock was down approximately two percent as a result of the annoucnement.

'We have underperformed since 1997,' said Neville Isdell, who was named CEO of the company in May of this year. 'The emerging consumer trends in health and wellness were missed,' Isdell said. 'We stopped driving carbonated soft drinks, and we're the world leader.'

Coke's income forecast was at 11-12 percent but has been readjusted to six to eight percent. Still, Isdell tried to focus on the positive for the long term.

'2005 is not going to deliver the kinds of returns that are going to be acceptable to me, as a shareholder. ... But we can't save our way to prosperity, we have to grow our way to prosperity,' Isdell proclaimed.

The company also plans to increase and improve its advertising on a national level. Healthier drinks such as bottled water and juices will also be promoted more vigorously.

Isdell predicted that results would take 18-24 months to achieve.