| Wed 23 Mar 2005, 9:20 | | SABMILLER PLC MARCH TRADING UPDATE |
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SABMILLER PLC MARCH TRADING UPDATE
SABMiller plc
JSEALPHA CODE : SAB
ISSUER CODE SOSAB
ISIN CODE GB0004835483
SABMiller plc March Trading Update
London and Johannesburg, 23 March 2005. SABMiller plc today issued the
following update on trading for the 11 months to February 2005, as the group`s
financial year nears completion.
The group has recorded organic lager volume growth of over 4% for the 11 months
to February 2005. Group financial performance remains in line with our
expectations as communicated at the time of our interim announcement.
Miller`s domestic sales to retailers (STRs) were 0.9% above prior year for the
11 months. Miller Lite sales have continued to grow, albeit at a slower rate as
a result of cycling higher year-on-year comparables and a weak industry trading
environment. Domestic shipments to wholesalers (STWs) were in line with STRs for
the 11 months.
In Central America, tougher market conditions and an increase in excise on beer
in El Salvador contributed to carbonated soft drink volumes being down 7% for
the year to date, and beer volumes down by 1%.
In Europe, organic lager volume growth for the year to date was almost 5%, with
continuing strong performance from Poland, Russia and Romania being partially
offset by weakness in Italy, Hungary and Slovakia.
The Africa and Asia business has continued to record good growth, with an
increase in organic lager volume, on a year to date comparable basis, of almost
10%.
Beer South Africa volumes grew by 4% on a year to date comparable basis, whilst
ABI achieved a volume growth of 7%. South African volume growth was supported by
continuing robust consumer spending.
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 0191
Affairs Mob: +44 7850 285471
Gary Leibowitz Vice President, Investor Tel: +44 20 7659 0119
Relations Mob: +44 7717 428540
Nigel Fairbrass Head of Media Relations Tel: +44 20 7659 0105
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
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.
