| Wed 18 Jan 2006, 9:00 | | SABMiller plc - Trading Update |
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SAB
SOSAB
SABMiller plc - Trading Update
SABMiller plc
JSE ALPHA CODE : SAB
ISSUER CODE : SOSAB
ISIN CODE: GB0004835483
SABMiller plc Trading Update
London and Johannesburg, 18 January 2006. Following the summer peak
season in South Africa, SABMiller plc today issued its trading update
for the group"s third quarter and for the nine months ended 31 December
2005. The calculation of the organic growth rates included below
excludes volumes for Bavaria SA which became part of the group in
October 2005.
The group"s organic lager volume growth for the third quarter was 1.8%,
and 4.5% for the year to date. Volumes were impacted by cool and wet
weather during December in South Africa, and South Africa Beverages
achieved a marginal increase in beer volumes during the quarter, cycling
the 4% growth reported in the prior year"s third quarter. Underlying
economic performance and consumer confidence in South Africa remain
positive, contributing to further mix improvements. In South Africa,
year to date beer volumes are up 1.8% on a comparable basis. Soft drink
volumes were also impacted by the December weather, and a 4% increase
was recorded in the quarter, with year to date growth of 7%.
Miller"s third quarter domestic sales to retailers (STRs) were 1.0%
below prior year when adjusted for the reduced number of trading days in
the quarter (down 2.5% unadjusted) in a market that was characterized by
intense competitive pricing pressure. For the year to date, Miller"s
domestic STRs declined 0.4% (0.9% unadjusted). Despite strong prior year
comparables, retail sales of flagship brand Miller Lite have continued
to grow.
The transaction with Bavaria SA closed on 12 October 2005. On a pro
forma basis, South America lager volumes for the three months to 31
December 2005 were some 7% above the prior year, in line with our
expectations at the time of the transaction. This performance reflects
continuing growth in Colombia and robust growth in Peru, despite
including two fewer public holidays over the Christmas period in the
current year.
In Central America, carbonated soft drink volumes were up 6%, and 4%
year to date, with growth being achieved in both countries. Beer
volumes were 7% lower in the quarter, consistent with year to date
trading, principally as a result of the excise increase in El Salvador.
In Europe, organic lager volume growth for the third quarter was 4%, in
line with the year to date, influenced by continuing good performances
from Poland, Russia and Romania.
Lager volume growth was recorded in both Africa and Asia, and overall a
12% organic increase on a comparable basis was delivered, in line with
year to date, following strong growth in China.
The group"s 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 brewing
interests or distribution agreements in over 60 countries across five
continents. The group"s brands include premium international beers such
as Miller Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as
well as an exceptional range of market leading local brands. Outside
the USA, SABMiller plc is also 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: 18/01/2006 09:00:10 AM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
