Budweiser maker reports surge in profits

The world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev, today said its net profit in the fourth quarter nearly doubled compared to the same period a year earlier thanks to strong global growth of its Budweiser and Stella Artois brands.

The Leuven-based company reported today that its net profit was 1.85bn (€1.39bn) compared with US968m (€731.95m) a year earlier. Revenue rose 5.7% to 9.87bn (€7.46bn).

The report said Budweiser performed well in 2011 with global volumes up by 3.1%.

Stella Artois volumes increased by 5.9%, led by a 24% surge in sales in the United States, 13% in Argentina and a massive 200% in Brazil.

Overall, the company's three global brands - Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck's - grew by 3.3%, it said.