AB InBev raises forecast as beer lovers splash out in Brazil
Revenue rises in Colombia and SA, reflecting easing of Covid-19 restrictions
28 October 2021 - 19:12
by Philip Blenkinsop
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Brussels — AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer and owner of SAB, upgraded its forecast for 2021 earnings growth on Thursday after posting a surprise increase in third-quarter profit, buoyed by beer sales in Brazil.
The maker of Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois said it expects core profit or ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) to grow between 10% and 12% in 2021, compared with an 8%-12% growth forecast earlier.
The Belgium-based company’s shares were up 7.3% at €52.94 on Thursday, making them the strongest performer in the FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares, though they are still 20% down from a mid-June peak.
Some analysts had raised concerns about AB InBev even meeting its original guidance. Broker Nomura noted the new guidance was the brewer’s first upgrade in several years after it outperformed expectations in every region in the third quarter.
AB InBev said core profit rose 3% on a like-for-like basis in the July-Sept period, against an expected 2.3% drop, according to a company-compiled poll.
It said revenue grew 15.3% in Brazil as consumers drank more and purchased higher-priced beers.
Revenue and profits were also higher in Colombia and SA, reflecting easing of Covid-19 restrictions, and in Europe as vaccination rates increased.
However, they declined in the US, where there were supply chain disruptions, as well as in Mexico, a year on from post-lockdown inventory replenishment, and in China, where Covid-19 restrictions disproportionately hit its key regions.
AB InBev’s results follow mixed earnings reported by its rivals on Wednesday.
Carlsberg, the world’s number three brewer, raised its 2021 profit forecast after higher-than-expected third-quarter revenue, helped by recovery in Europe and China.
By contrast, global number two Heineken reported a steeper-than-expected drop in beer sales in the third quarter, hit by a lockdown in Vietnam, while retaining its forecast for full-year results at below pre-pandemic levels.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
AB InBev raises forecast as beer lovers splash out in Brazil
Revenue rises in Colombia and SA, reflecting easing of Covid-19 restrictions
Brussels — AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer and owner of SAB, upgraded its forecast for 2021 earnings growth on Thursday after posting a surprise increase in third-quarter profit, buoyed by beer sales in Brazil.
The maker of Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois said it expects core profit or ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) to grow between 10% and 12% in 2021, compared with an 8%-12% growth forecast earlier.
The Belgium-based company’s shares were up 7.3% at €52.94 on Thursday, making them the strongest performer in the FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares, though they are still 20% down from a mid-June peak.
Some analysts had raised concerns about AB InBev even meeting its original guidance. Broker Nomura noted the new guidance was the brewer’s first upgrade in several years after it outperformed expectations in every region in the third quarter.
AB InBev said core profit rose 3% on a like-for-like basis in the July-Sept period, against an expected 2.3% drop, according to a company-compiled poll.
It said revenue grew 15.3% in Brazil as consumers drank more and purchased higher-priced beers.
Revenue and profits were also higher in Colombia and SA, reflecting easing of Covid-19 restrictions, and in Europe as vaccination rates increased.
However, they declined in the US, where there were supply chain disruptions, as well as in Mexico, a year on from post-lockdown inventory replenishment, and in China, where Covid-19 restrictions disproportionately hit its key regions.
AB InBev’s results follow mixed earnings reported by its rivals on Wednesday.
Carlsberg, the world’s number three brewer, raised its 2021 profit forecast after higher-than-expected third-quarter revenue, helped by recovery in Europe and China.
By contrast, global number two Heineken reported a steeper-than-expected drop in beer sales in the third quarter, hit by a lockdown in Vietnam, while retaining its forecast for full-year results at below pre-pandemic levels.
Reuters
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