AB InBev Says 4Q Net Profit Soared; Expects Strong Year Ahead

By Ian Walker

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA (ABI.BT), the world's largest brewer by sales, on Thursday reported a significant rise in fourth-quarter net profit after booking lower costs, and said it expects to deliver strong growth for the year ahead despite a softer first quarter due to stronger comparatives.

The maker of Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona made a net profit for the quarter ended Dec. 31 of $3.04 billion compared with $400 million a year earlier, on revenue that rose to $14.60 billion from $14.20 billion.

Total volumes sold rose 1.6% in the quarter to 146 million hectoliters, with own-beer volumes 2.3% higher at 126.8 million hectoliters.

Normalized earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization--the company's preferred profit measure which strips out exceptionals and other one-off items--rose 21% to $6.19 billion.

The board has declared a final dividend of 2 euros ($2.44) a share, taking the total payout for the year to EUR3.6 a share.

Write to Ian Walker at [e-mail]; @IanWalk40289749

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 01, 2018 01:38 ET (06:38 GMT)

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