Mexico: Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A. de C.V. ("FEMSA"), the largest beverage company in Latin America, announced on February 25 its operational and financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004. In the forth quarter domestic beer volumes increased 3.1% and export beer volumes increased 7.0%, as the transition to their new US importer. Femsa said its net profit for the October-December period was 1.866 billion pesos ($167 million).

For 2004 Full Year Femsa’s slid performance in all businesses drove a 17.2% increase in consolidated total revenues and an 8.7% increase in operating income. Profitable share gains in domestic and US beer markets. Femsa’s domestic beer volume growth outpaced the industry while operating margin expanded 50 basis points; export beer volumes increased 13.0%.

Jose Antonio Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of FEMSA, commented, "Despite significant competitive and raw material cost pressure, the FEMSA team was able to successfully navigate the challenges of 2004. I am pleased to report our 10th consecutive year of operating income growth.

"Beyond our positive results, we also made great strategic strides. At Coca-Cola FEMSA, we finalized the integration of the new soft-drink territories, which include operations in seven new countries. While there is still much work to do, we are quickly seeing the benefits of our initiatives and continuing to raise our expectations. At FEMSA Cerveza, 2004 was a remarkable year, as we recovered 100% ownership of our beer operations, gained profitable market share in Mexico, established an alliance with Heineken to distribute our beers in the US, and began importing Coors Light into Mexico. For the first time, our return on invested capital at FEMSA Cerveza exceeded 11%. Finally, Oxxo continued consolidating its position as the leading convenience store chain in Mexico, becoming a powerful distribution channel for many consumer products and by far the largest client of The Coca-Cola Company in Mexico and one of its top clients in Latin America."

Mr. Fernandez added, "At FEMSA our good results are a product of a great team, doing the right things with the best technology. In 2004, we underscored our ability to operate successfully in complex market environments such as Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia; to serve customers in a differentiated way through improved execution at the point of sale; and to manage a broad portfolio of strong brands in a precise and effective way.

"In 2005, we will remain focused on delivering high-quality growth and building long-term value for our shareholders."

FEMSA is the leading beverage company in Latin America. It controls an integrated beverage platform that comprises the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the region, Coca-Cola FEMSA; the second largest brewer in Mexico and important beer exporter to the United States, FEMSA Cerveza; and Oxxo, the largest and fastest growing convenience store chain in Mexico with over 3,000 stores.

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