By Razak Musah Baba
LONDON--SABMiller PLC (SAB.LN) Thursday posted organic growth in
revenue during the fourth quarter, but said the depreciation of key
currencies adversely affected its reported results.
On an organic basis, which excludes the impact of acquisitions
and disposals, the brewer and soft drinks firm's group net producer
revenue, or NPR, for the fourth quarter ended March 31, grew by 6%,
with total beverage volume growth of 4%. For the year, NPR was up
4% and total beverage volume growth was 1%.
However, on a reported basis group NPR for the full year
declined by 2% and was down 5% for the fourth quarter.
The company, which has a portfolio that includes Pilsner
Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Grolsch, said depreciation of
key currencies against the U.S. dollar, particularly during the
second half of the year, adversely affected its reported
results.
"Our topline performance was strong in the final quarter, driven
by double digit revenue growth in Africa and sustained growth in
Latin America. Asia Pacific also returned to growth during the last
three months of the year as larger volumes in China returned to
growth, Alan Clark, chief executive, said.
-Write to Razak Musah Baba at razak.baba@wsj.com; Twitter:
@Raztweet
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