BEER BREWERS
AB InBev results flatten the brewer’s latent JSE recovery
Second-quarter results from Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) cut short the brewer’s latent JSE recovery, with stock down 3.7% on Thursday as its key US market posted weaker revenues and continued to lose market share. This is the biggest drop since May 10. But those incessant World Cup adverts featuring Budweiser beer drone deliveries appear to have paid off. Describing it as “the best World Cup we’ve done this far”, CEO Carlos Brito said the campaign was used to introduce Budweiser into new markets such as Nigeria and SA and that it had lifted beer volumes by 45 basis points over the course of the tournament. Still, AB InBev, which snaffled SABMiller in a $79bn buyout two years ago, posted overall volume growth of just 0.8% for the June quarter, as strong performances in China and Mexico were offset by volume declines in the US and SA. Avior Research analyst Janine van Wyk said “a structural shift is taking place, with US consumers increasingly moving to no-or low-alcohol alternativ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.