| Tue 18 Jan 2005, 9:43 | | SABMiller Plc - SABMiller plc January Trading Upda |
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SABMiller Plc - SABMiller plc January Trading Update
SABMILLER PLC
JSE Alpha Code : SAB
Issuer Code : SOSAB
ISIN Code : GB0004835483
SABMiller plc January Trading Update
London and Johannesburg, 18 January 2005. Following the summer peak season in
South Africa, SABMiller plc today issued the following trading update for the
group`s third quarter and for its financial year to date comprising the nine
months ended 31 December 2004.
The group`s volume growth for the third quarter was strong, with organic growth
of some 5% in total lager beer volumes. Beer South Africa volumes grew by 4% on
a comparable basis, in line with year to date. ABI achieved a volume growth of
6%, against year to date growth of 7%. South African volume growth was supported
by good weather and continuing robust consumer spending.
Miller`s domestic sales to retailers (STRs) were 0.3% below prior year for the
quarter, in a weak industry trading environment, which resulted in an increase
in market share. Miller Lite sales, although cycling higher year-on-year
comparables, continued to grow in line with our expectations. Domestic STRs for
the year to date were 1.5% higher than prior year. Domestic shipments to
wholesalers (STWs) were in line with STRs on both a quarterly and year to date
basis.
In Central America, trade purchases ahead of an anticipated excise increase
contributed to a 3% growth in beer volumes in the quarter, and to 2% year to
date. Carbonated soft drink volumes were down 8%, against 6% year to date,
reflecting tough market conditions in El Salvador.
In Europe, organic lager volume growth for the third quarter was 6%, and 5% for
the year to date, influenced by continuing strong performances from Poland,
Russia and Romania, which more than offset weakness in Italy, Hungary and
Slovakia.
Good growth in both Africa and Asia led to the business delivering a 10%
increase, on a comparable basis, in organic lager volume over the third quarter
of the prior year, in line with year to date growth.
The group has continued the momentum of organic growth achieved in the first
half of its financial year, and the financial performance has been in line with
our expectations as outlined at the time of our interim results announcement.
Ends
Notes to Editors
SABMiller plc is one of the world`s largest brewers, with 2003/04 lager volumes
in excess of 137 million hectolitres. It has a brewing presence in over 40
countries across four continents and a portfolio of strong brands and leading
market shares in many of the countries in which it has brewing operations.
Outside the USA, SABMiller plc is one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola
products in the world.
In the year ended 31 March 2004, the group generated US$1,391 million pre-tax
profit from a turnover of US$12,645 million. SABMiller plc is listed on the
London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.
Enquiries:
SABMiller plc Tel: +44 20 7659 0100
Sue Clark Director of Corporate Tel: +44 20 7659 0171
Affairs Mob: +44 7850 285471
Gary Leibowitz Vice President, Investor Tel: +44 20 7659 0119
Relations Mob: +44 7717 428540
Nigel Fairbrass Head of Corporate Tel: +44 20 7659 0105
Communications (Finance) Mob: +44 7799 894265
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.vismedia.co.uk
Visit www.thenewsmarket.com/SABMiller to download broadcast-standard MPEG2 video
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accredited journalists and news producers.
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: 18/01/2005 09:00:06 AM
Produced by the JSE SENS Department
