SABMiller profit beats expectations, sees tough year ahead

May 13, 2015 7:34 AM

LONDON (Reuters) - SABMiller reported full-year profit above analyst expectations as performance picked up in the latter half of the year, but said trading would continue to be tough in its new financial year.

The maker of Peroni, Grolsch and other beers reported operating earnings fell 1 percent to $6.37 billion in the year ended March 31, above analysts' average estimate of $6.23 billion, according to a consensus compiled by the company.

Net producer revenue fell 2 percent to $26.29 billion, also ahead of analysts' estimates of $26.23 billion. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, revenue was up 5 percent and earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) was up 6 percent, helped by price increases and cost cuts.

The strong U.S. dollar reduced the value of international sales and profits and increased raw material costs since commodities are often traded in the U.S. currency.

SAB had already reported that worldwide beer volume was flat last year, with soft drink volume up 8 percent.

Growth in Africa and Latin America was offset by weakness in North America and China, though China returned to growth during the last three months of the year.

Looking ahead, the company said it expected the trading environment to stay challenging and that its business would continue to be hit by currency volatility.

"However, we are confident in our strategy to drive superior long-term growth," the company said, without giving a specific forecast.

"We're giving a sense of confidence over the longer term but we'd rather avoid short term forecasts," Chief Executive Alan Clark told reporters. "Things can shift so quickly in the short term that it'd just be too risky for me to give a forecast."

Shares were up 1.8 percent at 0720 GMT.