Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD) stock traded higher in New York after reporting a 7.9% improvement in first quarter earnings (normalized EBITDA) to $4.86 billion,
Margin rose by 218 basis points, to 35.6%, and earnings per share was marked at 81 cents, up 7.1%.
It comes as AB InBev’s ‘mega brands’ supported revenue, which was up 1.5% organically – and, in terms of revenue by volume was up 3.7% per hectolitre.
The ‘mega brands’ generated a 4.4% uptick in revenue, compared to last year, with Corona notably performing well (up 11.2% outside Mexico), and, the no-alcohol beer trend remains, with that product segment growing revenue by 34% this time around.
CEO Michel Doukeris told investors that earnings were “at the top end” of AB InBev’s guidance.
“Beer is a passion point for consumers,” Doukeris said.
“The strength of the beer category and the continued momentum of our megabrands delivered another quarter of profitable growth.”
He added: “The consistent execution of our strategy by our teams and partners drove a solid start to the year and reinforces our confidence in delivering on our outlook for 2025.”
Nevertheless, at the top line, currency movements meant reported group revenue for the quarter actually declined 6.3% to $13.63 billion. Meanwhile, this year’s late easter holiday and 2024 being a leap year, meanwhile, saw year-over-year beer volumes down 2.5%.
In New York, meanwhile, the stock climbed 1.5% in early trading on Thursday at $66.50.