The Coca-Cola Company (KO: chart) today reported fourth quarter earnings per share of $0.52, an increase of 79% versus the prior year on a reported basis, and $0.58 after considering items impacting comparability, an increase of 12%.

Earnings per share for the quarter included a net charge of $0.06 per share primarily related to restructuring charges and asset write-downs.

Earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2006 were $0.29 and included a net charge of $0.23 per share primarily related to a non-cash impairment charge at Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., an equity investee.

Earnings per share for the year were $2.57, an increase of 19% versus the prior year on a reported basis, and $2.70 after considering items impacting comparability, an increase of 14%. Earnings per share for the year included a net charge of $0.13 per share primarily related to restructuring charges and asset write-downs.

Full year 2006 earnings per share were $2.16 and included a net charge of $0.21 per share primarily related to a non-cash impairment charge at CCE.

Unit case volume increased 5% in the quarter and 6% for the year. Acquisitions contributed 1 point of unit case volume growth for the quarter and year. International operations delivered 7% unit case volume growth in the quarter and 8% growth for the year, reflecting broad-based growth across all groups.

The Company continued to deliver strong growth in sparkling beverages, which increased unit case volume 4% in the quarter and for the year. Key brands drove the results with Coca-Cola growing unit case volume 3% in the quarter and 4% for the year.

Brand Fanta increased unit case volume 4% for the quarter and 5% for the year, and Trademark Sprite increased unit case volume 4% in the quarter and 8% for the year.

Still beverage unit case volume increased 11% in the quarter and 12% for the year. Trademarks Dasani and Powerade continued their strong performance, each increasing unit case volume 9% in the quarter and 10% for the year.