USA: Anheuser-Busch's fourth-quarter profit rose 31%

Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. reported in its press release, February 1 that full year 2006 net sales increased 4.5 percent and diluted earnings per share (excluding one-time items in both years) increased 9.1 percent. For the fourth quarter of 2006, net sales increased 1.8 percent and diluted earnings per share improved 31.6 percent.

“2006 was a successful year for the company,” said August A. Busch IV, president and chief executive officer of the company. “Growth momentum was restored in the domestic beer business, significant progress was made on several strategic initiatives to enhance shareholder value, and earnings per share were up at the high end of our 7 percent to 10 percent long-term growth objective.”

In the domestic beer business, Anheuser-Busch shipments were up 1.2 percent for the year and wholesaler sales to retailers were up 1.1 percent, with a strong performance in the fourth quarter. Revenue per barrel 2/ was up 1.4 percent in 2006 and productivity improvement reduced costs by almost $100 million.

The company has made substantial progress to increase its participation in the high-margin and fast-growing import and craft segments of the beer market, including import alliances with InBev, Grolsch, Kirin, Tiger and the Czechvar brand, the acquisition of the Rolling Rock brands, and the introduction of several internally developed specialty brands. In addition, the company significantly expanded its participation in the fast growing energy drink business through a distribution agreement with Hansen Natural, including their Monster energy brands.