SABMiller reported higher first-quarter sales as the brewer enters the final stretch before being bought by Anheuser-Busch InBev in the industry’s biggest deal.
Net producer revenue advanced two per cent on an organic, constant-currency basis, the London-based maker of Zambezi lager said Thursday. The sales update came hours after AB InBev announced it won US antitrust approval for the $102 billion takeover.
“This was another quarter of good underlying momentum,” Chief Executive Officer Alan Clark said in the statement, pointing to strong performances in Europe, South Africa, Colombia, Peru and Australia.
SABMiller is facing mounting pressure from investors to seek a higher cash bid from AB InBev after a drop in the pound following Britain’s vote to leave the European Union raised concerns about valuation and soured appetite for the deal. The takeover - set to be the largest in UK history - still hinges on a regulatory nod in China. In Europe, AB InBev is selling SABMiller’s flagship Peroni, Grolsch and Pilsner Urquell brands to obtain clearance, and has also agreed to give up ownership of the Miller brand.
SABMiller shares rose 0.3 percent to 4,437.5 pence at 8:12 a.m. in London. AB InBev gained 0.4 percent to €113.40 in Brussels.
Reported sales declined four per cent in the three months through June, weighed down by the strength of the dollar, SABMiller said.
News by Bloomberg, edited by Hospitality Ireland
