1Q13 volumes declined by 4.1% organ. to 89.96m hl vs. our and consensus expectations of 92.30m and 93.87m respectively. Revenue grew by 1.5% organ. to $ 9,169m which compares to our and consensus forecasts of $ 9,440m and $ 9,554m. Revenue per hl grew by 6.9% organically (on a constant geo-mix). Normalized EBITDA increased by 0.9% organ. to $ 3,430m (KBCS $ 3,597m and CSS $ 3,622m). Normalized net profit increased from $ 1,673m to $ 1,853m (KBCS $ 1,466m, CSS $ 1,559m) due to some positive incidentals.
North America: Volumes declined by 5.0% organically to 28.36m hl (KBCS 29.30m, CSS 29.33m). Shipment volumes (STW) declined by 5.2% in the US and the company reckons to have lost a 50bps market share. Beer revenue/hl grew by 4.0% in 1Q13. Norm. EBITDA declined by 4.5% organ. to $ 1,480m (KBCS $ 1,602m, CSS $ 1,566m).
Latin America North:Volumes declined by 5.8% organically to 28.29m hl (KBCS 29.76m, CSS 30.83m). Beer volumes declined by 8.2% in Brazil and market share declined by 90bps to 68.1%, Revenue grew by 1.0% organically and Normalized EBITDA was up by 1.8% organically to $ 1,285m (KBCS $ 1,322m, CSS $ 1,382m). Latin America South: Volumes declined by 10.2% organ. to 9.83m hl (KBCS 9.74m, CSS 9.93m hl) while revenue grew by 7.9% organ. Normal. EBITDA grew by 9.4% organ. to $ 395m (KBCS $ 425m, CSS $ 413m). Western Europe: Volumes declined by 7.1% organically to 5.76m hl (KBCS 5.95m, CSS 6.04m). Norm. EBITDA was down 7.9% organ. to $ 179m (KBCS $ 192m, CSS $ 196m). CEE: Volumes declined by 16.4% organ. to 3.61m hl (KBCS 4.13m and CSS 4.15m). Normal. EBITDA grew by 1.0% to $ 16m (KBCS $ 12m, CSS $ 18m). Asia Pacific: Volumes grew by 15.6% organically to 12.61m hl (KBCS $ 11.79m, CSS $ 11.57m). Norm. EBITDA grew by 58.0% organically to $ 113m (KBCS $ 83m, CSS $ 84m).
Guidance: ABI reduced earlier guidance to grow volumes in Brazil by low to mid single digits in 2013. The new guidance calls for the beer industry volume growth in Brazil in FY13to be either flat or down low single digits. The company still expects solid industry volume growth in China. Revenue per hl is still guided to grow organically ahead of inflation. Cos/hl are still guided to increase organically by mid single digits, including negative FX (1Q13 +9.0%). Distribution expenses are still guided to increase organically by mid single digits. Guidance on sales and marketing expenses has changed from a growth of high single digits to a growth of mid to high single digits (given lower volumes assumptions). Average coupon on net debt is still guided in a 4.8-5.3% range. Guidance on the effective tax rate has changed from a 20-22% range to 19-21%.
Conclusion: 1Q13 volumes were pretty weak, to a significant extent due to Brazil & the US, which were impacted by wet weather & an early (34,82 USD, 1,04%) (Brazil) and low consumer disposable income (US). Bear in mind that consensus was collected before Heineken’s 1Q trading update, which we believe was a bit of an eye-opener on 1Q beer industry performance in Brazil (Heineken talked about a mid single digit volume decline for its beer business and the market). FY guidance is lowered on Brazil volumes. Positive is the (again) strong rev/hl growth. We see no reason to change our Hold rating and € 75 target price.