| Wed 12 Oct 2005, 8:07 | | SABMiller plc - Trading Update |
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SABMiller plc - Trading Update
SABMiller plc
JSEALPHA CODE : SAB
ISSUER CODE SOSAB
ISIN CODE GB0004835483
SABMiller plc Trading Update
London and Johannesburg, 12 October 2005. Prior to the announcement of its
interim results due in November, SABMiller plc has provided an update to the
trading statement made at the Company"s AGM on 28 July 2005.
The group"s financial performance in the six-month period to 30 September 2005
was in line with management"s expectations, and organic growth of some 5% in
lager volumes was recorded.
In North America, Miller"s US domestic sales to retailers (STRs) were down by
0.3% against prior year in a trading environment that has become increasingly
price-competitive and subject to higher input costs, both of which have affected
profitability. STR growth in the Miller Lite franchise was offset by a net
decline in the STRs of other brands.
Volumes of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) in Central America were approximately
3.5% above prior year with growth in both Honduras and El Salvador, whilst beer
volumes were down some 7% principally as a result of excise increases in El
Salvador.
Our Europe business has generated organic growth in lager volumes of 5%, with a
particularly pleasing performance in Poland complemented by more moderate growth
in most other countries.
The Africa and Asia business delivered an organic increase in comparable lager
volume of 13% over the prior year. This was driven by strong organic growth in
China, together with good growth in Mozambique and Tanzania.
Our South Africa Beverages business benefited from the warm winter weather
during the second quarter. Beer volumes over the six months grew by almost 3% on
a comparable basis, reflecting good trading in recent months. The favourable
weather conditions together with successful promotions during the winter months
resulted in an increase in soft drink volumes of some 10%.
Ends
Sponsor: JP Morgan
Notes to editors:
SABMiller plc is one of the world"s largest brewers, with 2004/05 lager volumes
in excess of 148 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 2005, the group reported US$2,194 million pre-tax
profit and a turnover of US$14,543 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.vismedia.co.uk
Enquiries:
SABMiller plc Tel: +44 20 7659 0100
Sue Clark Director of Corporate Tel: +44 20 7659 0184
Affairs
Gary Leibowitz Vice President, Investor Tel: +44 20 7659 0174
Relations
Nigel Fairbrass Head of Media Relations Tel: +44 7799 894265
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: 12/10/2005 08:07:22 AM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
