It says: “Group NPR (net profit ratio) for the full year grew by 5% with volume growth of 2% and price and mix realisation of 3%. Lager volumes grew by 1% for the full year. Our subsidiaries achieved excellent NPR and volume growth of 8% and 5% respectively in the full year, while we have seen a relatively weaker performance in our associates and joint ventures.
“We have seen increasing momentum in lager volumes over the year with growth of 3% in the second half and fourth quarter. Subsidiary lager volumes grew by 6% in the second half of the year.
“For the full year, premium lager brand (both on a subsidiary basis, excluding home markets for global brands) volumes grew by 6%, with good performances across many of our key markets, supported by global lager brands (both on a subsidiary basis, excluding home markets for global brands) volume growth of 9%.
“Soft drinks volumes grew by 6% for the full year and fourth quarter, with growth in Africa held back somewhat by a more subdued performance in Latin America.
“On a reported basis, group NPR declined by 5% for the quarter and by 8% for the full year due to the adverse translational impact on our results of the depreciation of our key operating currencies against the US dollar,” states the update.
SABMiller chief executive Alan Clark said: “We have had a strong year and increased momentum in the second half across all our regions notwithstanding economic volatility and the potential distraction of the AB InBev offer. Our results reflect our strategy to expand the beer category and to grow and premiumise our diverse brand portfolios.”
