The world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev, posted an increase in third-quarter profit to $5.53 billion.
By ANNA MARIJ VAN DER MEULEN
AMSTERDAM—Anheuser-Busch InBev NV Wednesday reported a rise in third-quarter profit, as a strong performance in Brazil offset weakness in the U.S. and Europe, and said it expects the fourth quarter to be stronger than the third.
The world's largest brewer by sales said that earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or Ebitda, rose to $3.53 billion in the third quarter from $3.17 billion in the same period a year earlier—slightly below market expectations for $3.54 billion.
The figures strip out currency movements as well as the effect of disposals. Total revenue rose to $9.32 billion, from $8.8 billion a year ago.
The Belgium-based brewer of Budweiser and Stella Artois said its comparable volumes rose 4.1%, helped by a 12.5% rise in Brazil, one of its main markets. However, it said North America and western Europe remained challenging, with sales volume declining to the low single digits.
Like peer Heineken NV, Anheuser-Busch InBev reported the biggest drop in the U.K. but—unlike its Dutch rival—it reported a rise in volume in Russia.
It said North American sales volumes dropped 1.5%, but it added it is encouraged by better mix-trends in the U.S. It expects a revenue per hectoliter growth ahead of inflation in the fourth quarter.
This echoes comments from peers Heineken and SABMiller PLC which also reported a drop in European volumes.
The brewer's shares closed at €44.90 (62.88) on Tuesday.
Write to Anna Marij van der Meulen at Anna.VanDerMeulen@dowjones.com
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