AB InBev sold less beer in the third quarter, but still managed to increase its profits. That money will go towards an interim dividend, a share buyback, and possibly also a major sponsorship deal with the Champions League – to the detriment of rival Heineken.
Focus on premium beers
Due to disappointing beer sales in China and Brazil, two important markets for the brewer, sales volume fell by 3.7% last quarter. That is below expectations. However, the organic operating profit growth of 3.3% reported by AB InBev is significantly better than expected, despite a modest increase in turnover of 0.9%.
