| Fri 31 Jul 2009, 12:11 | | SAB - SABMiller Plc - Trading update |
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SAB
SOSAB
SAB - SABMiller Plc - Trading update
SABMiller plc
JSEALPHA CODE: SAB
ISSUER CODE: SOSAB
ISIN CODE: GB0004835483
31 July 2009
SABMiller plc Trading Update
At the Annual General Meeting of SABMiller plc (SABMiller) today, Graham Mackay,
chief executive of SABMiller, commented on the group`s performance for the three
months ended 30 June 20091. The calculation of the organic growth rates below
excludes the effects of acquisitions and disposals.
1Which constitutes SABMiller`s Interim Management Statement for the same
period
Mr Mackay said: "Lager volumes for the quarter were level with the prior year
on an organic basis while soft drinks volumes were 2% ahead, driven by strong
sales in Africa. The global economic slowdown has continued to dampen consumer
demand, although the impact on volumes has varied between our markets.
Across the group, revenue benefited from firm pricing in the prior year, and
we continued to focus on cost efficiencies and, in certain markets,
restructuring activities in order to reduce our cost base. Financial
performance for the quarter was in line with our expectations.
"In Latin America, lager volumes for the quarter were level with the prior
year. In Colombia, lager volumes were 1% below the prior year, an improvement
in performance compared to recent quarters reflecting some easing in economic
conditions, an expansion of pre-selling activities and penetration of our
premium brands. We achieved a substantial further gain in our share of the
alcohol market versus the prior year. In Peru, we grew market share through
successful portfolio management, with lager volumes 1% below the prior year
in a market down 6%. Our business in Ecuador remained resilient, growing
lager volumes 5% notwithstanding double digit growth in the comparative
period. Panama grew lager volumes 10%, although losing share in a rapidly
growing market. Tough economic conditions, a major earthquake and the current
political turmoil all combined to drive a 13% decline in lager volumes in
Honduras. Soft drinks volumes in the region were 1% below the prior year
on an organic basis.
"Europe lager volumes were 7% below the prior year on an organic basis as
household debts, tighter credit control and rising unemployment continued
to depress consumer spending and resulted in beer market contraction across
the region. Poland`s lager volumes were down 8% on an organic basis with an
excise increase, double-digit food inflation and bad weather all significantly
impacting the beer market. However, strong brand equities drove market share
growth. Czech Republic domestic lager volumes declined 4% with a fall in
on-trade consumption reflecting a soft local economy, reduced tourism and
bad weather. Our volume market share was marginally down as we continued to
focus on driving our premium brands. In Russia, lager volumes fell 9% but
market share remained level. In Romania, lager volumes were down 3% against
a strong prior year comparative growth of 22%. We continued to grow share
and achieved market leadership, in a market which declined 9%. In the
United Kingdom, Peroni Nastro Azzurro delivered double digit growth in a
market down 6%.
"In the three months to 30 June 2009, MillerCoors U.S. domestic volume sales
to retailers ("STRs") were down 0.8% against the prior year on a pro forma2
basis. Five of our six focus brands continued to deliver volume growth.
Premium light brand volumes were down slightly in the quarter with a mid-single
digit decline in Miller Lite volumes partly offset by low single digit growth
of Coors Light and accelerated growth of MGD 64. Our craft and imports
business grew volumes slightly, led by continued growth in Blue Moon and
Leinenkugel`s, despite trading down and reduced on-premise occasions in the
industry. The below premium category grew volumes in the low single digits
with strong double-digit growth from Keystone Light in particular.
Domestic sales to wholesalers ("STWs") were down 1.1% against the prior
year on a pro forma basis.
2MillerCoors pro forma figures are based on the comparable volumes for Miller
and Coors` US and Puerto Rico operations for the quarter ended June 2008.
"Africa and Asia delivered lager volume growth of 11% on an organic basis for
the quarter. In Africa, lager volumes were 4% ahead of the prior year with
strong performances from our businesses in Uganda and Zambia, and from our
associate Castel. Sales in Botswana continued to be impacted by the 30%
social levy on alcohol, with lager volumes declining by 41%. Soft drinks
sales in Africa grew 12% on an organic basis with good volumes from Castel
and improved supply and production in Angola. China`s organic lager volumes
grew 17% in a resilient economy, led by a strong performance in the Central
region and further national market share gains for the Snow brand.
"In South Africa, the market grew by some 2% benefiting from the Easter
peak trading period in the current year. The underlying market continues
to be affected by weakening consumer demand, rising unemployment and
constraints on the sale of alcoholic beverages in the Western Cape. Our lager
volumes were down 2% as we lost market share, principally in the premium
segment. Soft drinks volumes were in line with the prior year. On 1 July
2009, we announced a proposal to enter into a broad-based black economic
empowerment transaction in South Africa. This will involve an equity issue
of approximately 10% of our South African Beverage business to a broad base of
black participants, reflecting the group`s long-standing commitment to
socio-economic progress in South African society.
"On 29 May 2009, we completed the acquisition of the outstanding 28.1%
minority interest in our Polish subsidiary, Kompania Piwowarska S.A, in
exchange for the issue of 60 million new SABMiller shares.
"On 17 July 2009 we completed a successful EUR1 billion bond issue, with
a coupon of 4.50%, under our US$5 billion Euro Medium Term Note Programme.
The net proceeds of the offering will be used to repay existing indebtedness
and for general corporate purposes.
Ends
About SABMiller plc
SABMiller plc is one of the world`s largest brewers with brewing interests and
distribution agreements across six continents. The group`s wide portfolio of
brands includes premium international beers such as Grolsch, Miller Genuine
Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as market-leading
local brands such as Aguila, Castle, Miller Lite, Snow and Tyskie. SABMiller
is also one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world.
In the year ended 31 March 2009, the group reported US$3,405 million adjusted
pre-tax profit and group revenue of US$25,302 million. SABMiller plc is listed
on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.
This announcement is available on the company website: www.sabmiller.com
High resolution images are available for the media to view and download
free of charge from www.sabmiller.com or www.newscast.co.uk
Enquiries:
Tel: +44 20 7659 0100
SABMiller plc
Sue Clark Director of Corporate Tel: +44 20 7659 0184
Affairs
Gary Leibowitz Senior Vice President, Tel: +44 20 7659 0174
Investor Relations
Jonathan Oates Media Relations Tel: +44 20 765 90144
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or the
solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire securities of SABMiller plc
(the "Company") or any of its affiliates in any jurisdiction or an
inducement to enter into investment activity.
This document includes "forward-looking statements". These statements
may contain the words "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "expect"
and words of similar meaning. All statements other than statements of
historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation,
those regarding the Company`s financial position, business strategy, plans
and objectives of management for future operations (including development
plans and objectives relating to the Company`s products and services) are
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause
the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially
different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are
based on numerous assumptions regarding the Company`s present and future
business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in
the future. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of
this announcement. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or
undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking
statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change in the
Company`s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Any
information contained in this announcement on the price at which the
Company`s securities have been bought or sold in the past, or on the yield
on such securities, should not be relied upon as a guide to future performance.
Date: 31/07/2009 12:11:02 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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