Carlsberg profit shows drinkers still swilling pricier beers

Carlsberg stock fell slightly in early trading. Pic: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg

Carlsberg reported better-than-expected half-year profit after consumers shelled out more money for premium beers even after unprecedented price increases.

The Danish brewer said operating income rose to 6.3 billion krone (€845m) in the first half, topping analyst consensus estimates by almost 3%. Revenue per hectolitre, a key metric of pricing power, climbed 10% with growth in all regions, the company said.