British brewer SABMiller Plc (SAB.L, SBMRY.PK), in its trading update, said its fourth-quarter group revenue advanced by 4% and group revenue per hl up by 1%, both on an organic, constant currency basis.
For the full year, the company announced a 7% growth in Group revenue on an organic, constant currency basis, with group revenue per hectolitre or hl up 3%, reflecting excise-driven price increases and the impact of regional mix. Including the impact of the Foster's transaction and other acquisitions and disposals, and after adverse currency translation effects, annual reported group revenue went up 10%.
On an organic basis, lager volumes were up 3% for the year and 4% for the fourth quarter, and soft drinks volumes rose 4% for the full year and 3% for the recent quarter. The group added that its overall financial performance was in line with its view.
Latin America's lager volumes climbed 3% year-on-year on an organic basis, with a 1% decline in the fourth quarter, and full-year lager volumes in Europe were up 6% on an organic basis with fourth quarter volumes up 3%. Annual lager volumes in Africa grew 6% on an organic basis, despite cycling strong comparatives, with the final quarter up 9%. In the Asia Pacific region, lager volumes climbed by 6% for the year on an organic basis with very strong growth of 12% in the recent quarter.
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