Coca-Cola weighs $1-bn IPO of Indian bottling unit

DEAL WILL PROBABLY OCCUR NEXT YEAR

- RAJESH MASCARENHAS

COCA-COLA CO. is considering taking its Indian bottling unit public in a deal that may fetch $1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

The company has met with bankers in recent weeks to discuss the possible initial public offering (IPO) of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, which would value the unit at about $10 billion, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing a private matter. It's still early in the process and the firm hasn't hired bankers for the deal yet, according to the people.