Dive Summary:
- AB InBev posted its first volume growth in the U.S. last quarter since the second quarter of 2009, as sales volume increased .2% as the company bested investors' profit forecasts.
- Black Crown and Bud Light Platinum were the two new products that seemed to catch on last year, as the company attributes much of its Q4 success to them.
- This rise, although relatively modest, took many analysts by shock as many expected both the craft beer and spirit market and a general softening of beer sales would keep AB InBev from finding profitability in the U.S.
From the article:
The brewer, whose new brands also include Bud Light Lime Lime-A-Rita, is “confident of the potential for margin expansion” in North America, particularly the U.S., it said.
Profitability in the region was hurt last year by increased brand investment, higher distribution expenses and a rise in commodity costs. The North America unit’s margin on so-called normalized earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization narrowed by 1.1 percentage point to 41.8 percent. ...
