Consistent execution of our strategy delivered double-digit EBITDA growth with margin expansion of 236bps and a 25% increase in Underlying EPS

BRUSSELS -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Anheuser-Busch InBev (Brussel:ABI) (BMV:ANB) (JSE:ANH) (NYSE:BUD):

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Regulated information1

“Our global momentum continued this quarter. The strength of our diversified footprint and consumer demand for our megabrands delivered another quarter of broad-based top- and bottom-line growth. EBITDA grew by double-digits and the continued optimization of our business drove a 25% increase in Underlying EPS. We are encouraged with our performance in the first half of the year and remain focused on consistent execution of our strategy.” – Michel Doukeris, CEO, AB InBev

The 2024 Half Year Financial Report is available on our website at www.ab-inbev.com

Management comments

Consistent execution of our strategy delivered double-digit EBITDA growth with margin expansion of 236bps and a 25% increase in Underlying EPS

Top-line increased by 2.7%, with revenue growth in approximately 65% of our markets, driven by a revenue per hl increase of 3.6% as a result of revenue management initiatives. Volume growth in our Middle Americas, South America, Europe and Africa regions was primarily offset by performance in China and Argentina, resulting in an overall volume decline of 0.8%. EBITDA increased by 10.2% with production cost efficiencies and disciplined overhead management driving EBITDA margin expansion of 236bps. Underlying EPS was 0.90 USD, a 25% increase versus 2Q23, driven primarily by nominal EBITDA growth.

Progressing our strategic priorities

We continue to execute on and invest in three key strategic pillars to deliver consistent growth and long-term value creation.

(1) Lead and grow the category:

We delivered volume growth in 50% of our markets in 2Q24 and gained market share in the majority in HY24, according to our estimates.

(2) Digitize and monetize our ecosystem:

BEES captured 11.7 billion USD of gross merchandise value (GMV), a 20% increase versus 2Q23 with approximately 70% of our revenue through B2B digital channels. BEES Marketplace captured 530 million USD in GMV from sales of third-party products, a 55% increase versus 2Q23.

(3) Optimize our business:

We continue to make progress on deleveraging with net debt to EBITDA reaching 3.42x as of 30 June 2024 versus 3.70x as of 30 June 2023. In HY24, we invested 5.3 billion USD in capex and sales and marketing while delivering free cash flow of approximately 0.9 billion USD, a 1.4 billion USD improvement versus HY23.

(1) Lead and grow the category

We continued to invest in our megabrands, mega platforms and brand building capabilities this quarter. According to the Kantar BrandZ 2024 report, our portfolio now holds 8 of the top 10 most valuable beer brands in the world, with Corona and Budweiser #1 and #2 respectively. Our marketing effectiveness and creativity were recognized by again being named the most effective marketer in the world by both Effies and the World Advertising Research Center and being the most awarded beverage company at the 2024 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Our performance across each of our 5 category expansion levers was led by our megabrands which delivered continued volume growth and a 3.3% revenue increase in 2Q24.

• Category Participation: Through our focus on brand, pack and liquid innovations, the percentage of consumers purchasing our portfolio of brands increased in approximately 40% of our markets in 2Q24, according to our estimates. Participation increases were led by improvements with all consumer groups in the US.
• Core Superiority: Our mainstream portfolio delivered a mid-single digit revenue increase in 2Q24, driven by double-digit growth in Colombia, South Korea and the Dominican Republic.
• Occasions Development: Our global no-alcohol beer portfolio delivered high-teens revenue growth this quarter. Corona Cero, the official partner of the Olympic Games, is now available in approximately 40 markets and delivered triple-digit volume growth in 2Q24. The combination of our digital direct-to-consumer (DTC) products and our megabrands is developing new consumption occasions. For example, across markets in Latin America, Zé Delivery and TaDa Delivery significantly increased soccer game-time beer orders versus 2Q23 by engaging consumers with Copa America and other key event related activations.
• Premiumization: In 2Q24, the Corona brand grew revenue by mid-single digits globally, outside of Mexico. Our overall above core beer portfolio growth was constrained by a soft industry in China. The combined revenue of our global brands declined by 1.7% outside of their home markets, while our overall above core beer portfolio delivered slight revenue growth, driven by Corona, our global brands in South Africa, and the double-digit growth of Modelo in Mexico and Spaten in Brazil.
• Beyond Beer: Our global Beyond Beer business contributed approximately 375 million USD of revenue in 2Q24, a low-single digit decrease versus 2Q23, as growth in key brands such as Brutal Fruit, Cutwater, Nutrl and Beats was primarily offset by a soft malt-based seltzer industry in North America.

(2) Digitize and monetize our ecosystem

• Digitizing our relationships with more than 6 million customers globally: As of 30 June 2024, BEES is live in 27 markets with approximately 70% of our 2Q24 revenues captured through B2B digital platforms. In 2Q24, BEES had 3.8 million monthly active users and captured 11.7 billion USD in gross merchandise value (GMV), growth of 18% and 20% versus 2Q23 respectively.
  
  BEES Marketplace generated 8.3 million orders and captured 530 million USD in GMV from sales of third-party products in 2Q24, growth of 33% and 55% versus 2Q23 respectively.

• Leading the way in DTC solutions: Our omnichannel DTC ecosystem of digital and physical products generated revenue of approximately 400 million USD in 2Q24. Our DTC megabrands, Zé Delivery, TaDa Delivery and PerfectDraft, are available in 21 markets, generated 18.6 million ecommerce orders and delivered 140 million USD in revenue, representing approximately 10% growth versus 2Q23.

(3) Optimize our business

• Maximizing value creation: Our Underlying EPS was 0.90 USD this quarter, a 25% increase versus 2Q23, driven primarily by nominal EBITDA growth. Our net debt to EBITDA ratio reached 3.42x versus 3.70x as of 30 June 2023, a slight increase versus 3.38x as of 31 December 2023 due to the seasonality of our cash flow generation. The combination of EBITDA growth, our relentless focus on optimization of our net finance costs and net working capital, and improved capex efficiency delivered free cash flow of approximately 0.9 billion USD in HY24, a 1.4 billion USD improvement versus HY23.
• Advancing our sustainability priorities: In Climate Action, our Scopes 1 and 2 emissions per hectoliter of production was 4.32 kgCO2e/hl in HY24, a reduction of approximately 4% from HY23. In Water Stewardship, our water use efficiency ratio improved to 2.50 hl per hl in HY24 versus 2.54 hl per hl in HY23, progressing towards our ambition to reach 2.50 hl per hl on an annual basis by 2025.

Creating a future with more cheers

In the first half of this year, our business delivered EBITDA growth of 7.8% with margin expansion of 165bps, while we continued to invest for the long-term in our brands, facilities and digital initiatives. Our nominal EBITDA growth and the continued optimization of our business drove strong operating leverage, resulting in an Underlying EPS increase of 21% in HY24. Our performance is made possible by the dedication and hard work of our people and we take this opportunity to thank all our colleagues globally for their passion and commitment. The beer category is large and growing, and our unique global leadership advantages, replicable growth drivers and superior profitability position us well to deliver on our purpose to create a future with more cheers.

2024 Outlook

1. Overall Performance: We expect our EBITDA to grow in line with our medium-term outlook of between 4-8%. The outlook for FY24 reflects our current assessment of inflation and other macroeconomic conditions.
2. Net Finance Costs: Net pension interest expenses and accretion expenses are expected to be in the range of 220 to 250 million USD per quarter, depending on currency and interest rate fluctuations. We expect the average gross debt coupon in FY24 to be approximately 4%.
3. Effective Tax Rates (ETR): We expect the normalized ETR in FY24 to be in the range of 27% to 29%. The ETR outlook does not consider the impact of potential future changes in legislation.
4. Net Capital Expenditure: We expect net capital expenditure of between 4.0 and 4.5 billion USD in FY24.