BRUSSELS: Anheuser-Busch InBev NV reported fourth-quarter earnings that missed analysts’ estimates as sales volume dropped, underlining the need for the brewer to complete its acquisition of SABMiller PLC for US$100 billion to expand in markets like Africa.
Adjusted operating income rose 6.6 percent on an organic basis to US$4.31 billion, the company said in a statement yesterday.
The US beer market should improve this year, while Brazil would have a weak first quarter and the economy would be challenging this year, the brewer said. AB InBev also forecast it would outperform the market in China, where volume would remain under pressure.
