Heineken shares tumble 8pc as global beer sales fall short
The firm's stock was among the biggest losers at the closing bell, down more than eight per cent on the Amsterdam market, which was flat overall on the day.
Heineken, world's second-biggest brewer after AB InBev, reported global first-half beer volumes of 116.4 million hectolitres, compared with 118.2 million in the first six months of 2024.
This was also below the 117.0 million hectolitres expected in analysts' forecasts published by the company.
'Notable growth in Vietnam, India… and Mexico was more than offset by declines in Brazil, the US, and parts of Europe,' said the firm in a statement.
Heineken said total net sales were €14.2 billion (RM70 billion) in the first half year, compared with 14.8 billion euros in the first six months of 2024.
This was roughly in line with expectations.
The firm said this represented 'organic growth' — stripping out the impact of currency fluctuations — of 2.1 per cent.
Operating profits excluding exceptional items and amortisation — the firm's preferred measure — came in at €2.0 billion, fractionally above expectations.
The company, whose brands include Amstel, Kingfisher, and Savanna cider, maintained its full-year outlook for a gain of between four and eight per cent in operating profits, its preferred metric.
Heineken Chief Executive Officer Dolf van den Brink welcomed the deal clinched late Sunday between the EU and the United States that averted a possible trade war.
'I think it's good that the uncertainty ends that. Further escalation has been avoided. We have now clarity going forward for Heineken,' he told reporters.
He said the impact of the tariffs — a flat 15-per cent rate for most EU goods into the US — had already been baked into their profit forecasts.
Virtually all of its products — 95 per cent said the CEO — were manufactured and sold in local markets, so tariffs do not apply.
'As such, the impact for us is manageable,' he said. — AFP
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With over 900 employees at sites in Germany and the USA, VINCORION is ideally positioned for further growth. 175 years of HEIDELBERG – Home of Print press kit | HEIDELBERG Image material and further information about the company are available in the Investor Relations portal and Press Lounge of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at Additional details are also available in the VINCORION newsroom: Important note: This release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even though the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are accurate, the actual future development and results may deviate substantially from these forward-looking statements due to various factors, such as changes in the overall economic situation, in exchange and interest rates, and within the print media industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft provides no guarantee and assumes no liability for future developments and results deviating from the assumptions and estimates made in this press release.
