COMPANIES
SABMiller lifts revenue by 19%
Posted Fri, 19 May 2006
SABMiller on Thursday said revenue had increased by 19 percent for its financial year to March 2006, representing a "good performance following two years of outstanding growth".
According to the group, revenue grew to $15.307-billion from $12.901-billion in 2005, while the group hiked its dividend by 16 percent to 44 US cents from a previous 38 US cents.
In its South African operations, the group said that despite there being no Easter period, lager and soft drinks "continued there positive volume growth".
It added however that due to cooler weather and lower-than-expected wage growth in the second half of the financial year, lager volumes grew by just one percent on a comparable basis.
Premium SABMiller drinks, which include Miller Genuine Draft, grew by 45 percent, while total soft drink volumes grew by five percent.
According to SABMiller's chairperson Meyer Kahn, “This was another year of good growth in volumes, margins and earnings reflecting the
growth profile that the group has built over the years.
"Our track record reflects well-judged acquisitions and investments, successful integration and subsequent operational improvements."
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