Beer sales are on the up and up, and Heineken is understandably stoked about that.
The world’s second largest brewer is expected to see a massive boost in earning this year, with Reuters reporting growth in every region last year, sending Heineken’s shares up 4%.
The reason? More and more people are opting for a brewski, and not just any brewski.
They want the good stuff.
The Dutch maker of Heineken, Europe’s top-selling lager, as well as Tiger, Sol and Strongbow cider, said on Wednesday that revenue growth should be above the industry average and that operating profit should grow at roughly the same rate as 2018’s 6.4 percent increase.
Shares in the brewer, the world’s second-largest after Anheuser Busch InBev, which reports results on Feb. 28, were up 4.5 percent by 0839 GMT, making them among the strongest in the FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European stocks.
Barley, aluminium and transport costs are likely to increase over the year, but that won’t get in the way of Heineken going from strength to strength.
The brewer’s operating profit before one-offs rose 6.4 percent on a like-for-like basis in 2018 to 3.87 billion euros ($4.39 billion), just above the average forecast of 3.85 billion euros in a Reuters poll.
All of this is good news for beer drinkers. If you’re one of the people switching to the good stuff, then congrats on choosing wisely, especially if you’ve swapped out a boring beer for something sunny and sophisticated like a Sol.
Sol is the authentic Mexican beer that invites you to embrace Espiritu Libre, or the spirit of freedom.
Established in 1899, when a brewmaster took inspiration from a ray of sunlight shining through a hole in the brewery’s roof, it’s become increasingly popular at some of the country’s premier locations and parties.
How about that Secret Garden Party, right?
Sol’s even welcomed a rather well-known brand ambassador on board – the sun – so you know they’re taking summer seriously.
Wherever you are in the world, and whatever you’re sipping on, we hope you enjoy your next cold one.
[source:reuters]
