SABMILLER PLC - SABMiller Plc - Trading Update

SABMiller Plc - Trading Update

SABMiller plc
JSEALPHA CODE: SAB
ISIN CODE: SOSAB
ISIN CODE: GB0004835483


18 October 2012

SABMILLER plc TRADING UPDATE

SABMiller plc (SABMiller) today provides an update on trading during the six months ended
30 September 2012. The calculation of the organic growth rates excludes the impact of
acquisitions and disposals on volumes and revenues.

On an organic basis lager volumes for the first six months were 4% ahead of the prior year
with good growth across most regions. Soft drinks volumes were 6% higher than the prior
year for the six months on an organic basis. Including the effect of acquisitions and
disposals, total volumes were up 9% compared with the first half of the prior year. Organic,
constant currency group revenue grew by 8% in the half year, with group revenue per
hectolitre up by 3% on the same basis, reflecting selective price increases helped by
improved brand mix in most regions. Overall, financial performance for the half year was in
line with our expectations.

In Latin America lager volumes grew by 4%. While economic expansion continued across the
region, this was at a more modest pace in the second quarter due to weaker consumer
sentiment. Despite selective price increases in April, Colombia’s lager volumes grew by 3%,
assisted by consumer acceptance of the more affordable bulk packs introduced in the prior
year. In Peru lager volumes grew by 6% with consumers continuing to trade up from
informal alcohol to lager, and supported by improved trade coverage. In Ecuador, lager
volumes increased by 4% following strong growth in the comparative period and reflecting
the continued expansion of our direct service model. In Central America lager volumes grew
by 6% on the back of strong trade execution in El Salvador and superior growth of our
premium brands in Panama. Soft drinks volumes were up 3% benefiting from wider
availability and pack range extensions of our non-alcoholic malt brands.

In Europe lager volumes were up 9% on an organic basis, driven by selective price
reductions together with growth in the economy segment. Additionally, the second quarter
benefited from the cycling of a weak comparative period. In Poland increased promotional
spend, resetting of some price points, the launch of various innovations and the effect of
the Euro 2012 football tournament resulted in volume growth of 10%. Domestic volumes in
the Czech Republic were up 2% benefiting from a number of innovation launches and
despite continued weakness in the higher value on-premise channel in which we are
disproportionately represented. In Romania strong performance of the new PET pack of
economy brand Ciucas coupled with the cycling of the weak prior year comparative resulted
in volume growth of 25%. Domestic volumes in the UK rose by 5% driven by continued
growth of Peroni Nastro Azzurro. Growth was moderate across most other markets in
Europe with volumes up by low single digits. Organic results exclude the volumes of Anadolu
Efes following the completion of our strategic alliance in March 2012.

For the six months ended 30 September 2012, MillerCoors’ US domestic sales to retailers
(STRs) declined 1.9% on a trading day adjusted basis, and by 2.4% in the second quarter.
Premium light STRs declined in low single digits in the quarter. Coors Light delivered growth,
up low single digits, with a mid single digit decline in Miller Lite. The Tenth and Blake
division saw double digit growth driven by Leinenkugel’s, including the strong success of
Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy and Blue Moon. The below premium portfolio declined by
mid single digits. Domestic sales to wholesalers (STWs) for the second quarter were down
2.7% against the comparative period and were 1.2% lower for the half year, both on an
organic basis.

Lager volumes in Africa grew by 6% on an organic basis, cycling strong comparatives. Robust
volume growth continued in most African markets although overall growth in the second
quarter was impacted by a significant excise increase in Tanzania. Lager volumes in Zambia
grew strongly at 14% driven by improved availability and enhanced distribution in rural
areas coupled with favourable economic conditions. 10% lager volume growth in
Mozambique was underpinned by robust growth in the mainstream brand, Manica,
together with the continued growth of the cassava-based brand Impala. In Uganda lager
volumes declined by 3% in the context of continuing economic weakness and cycling
particularly strong prior year comparatives. South Sudan continued to grow lager volumes
by double digits despite the political and economic challenges of recent months. A focus on
premiumisation and pack innovation coupled with improved availability helped increase
volumes in our associate in Zimbabwe by 9% on an organic basis. The beer market in
Tanzania was negatively impacted by a 25% excise increase passed through to consumers in
July 2012, which resulted in an 8% decline in our lager volumes for the half year. Our
associate Castel delivered lager growth of 5% on a pro forma basis including the combined
Angola business and their Madagascar acquisition. Other beverage categories contributed
significantly to total volume growth, with soft drinks 8% higher and other alcoholic
beverages up 12%, both on an organic basis.

Lager volumes in Asia Pacific grew by 5% on an organic basis, while reported volumes grew
by 17% reflecting the acquisition of Foster’s and other acquisitions in China. In China, lager
volume grew by 4% on an organic basis with marginally slower growth in the second quarter
due to a volume decline in Sichuan, and in other provinces growth rates remaining broadly
in line with the first quarter. Volumes were up 23% in India with continued strong growth in
Andhra Pradesh, cycling trading restrictions in the state through to the end of August, and
double digit growth across the other states with accelerating growth in the second quarter.
In Australia, lager volumes declined by 8% for the half year on a pro forma basis, slightly
worse than the market, excluding the impact of the termination of some licensed brands
and the loss of two trading days. Including these impacts, CUB lager volumes were down
13% in total. While our share of draught remained firm, a reduction in off-premise share
reflected more constrained customer programmes during the first half of the year and our
focus on revenue optimisation.

In South Africa lager volumes grew by 1% and we continued to gain market share in a
challenging economic and trading environment. Volume growth was driven largely by
ongoing brand investment combined with continued focus on customer service and
execution. The strong performance of Castle Lite continued and Castle Lager also performed
well. Cycling a relatively weak comparative period in the prior year, soft drinks volumes
grew 8%, benefiting from increased channel penetration. Two litre PET packs and still drinks
delivered particularly strong growth.


Notes to editors


SABMiller plc is one of the world’s leading brewers with more than 200 beer brands and
some 70,000 employees in over 75 countries. The group’s portfolio includes global brands
such as Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Miller Genuine Draft and Grolsch; as well as
leading local brands such as Aguila (Colombia), Castle (South Africa), Miller Lite (USA), Snow
(China), Victoria Bitter (Australia) and Tyskie (Poland). SABMiller also has growing soft
drinks businesses and is one of the world’s largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products.

In the year ended 31 March 2012 the group reported EBITA of US$5,634 million and group
revenue of US$31,388 million. SABMiller plc is listed on the London and Johannesburg stock
exchanges.

This announcement is available on the company website: www.sabmiller.com

Further information is also available on:
www.facebook.com/sabmillerplc
www.twitter.com/sabmiller
www.youtube.com/sabmiller

Multi-media content
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Enquiries

SABMiller plc
t: +44 20 7659 0100

Catherine May
Director of Corporate Affairs
SABMiller plc
t: +44 20 7927 4709

Gary Leibowitz
Senior VP, Investor Relations
SABMiller plc
t: +44 20 7659 0174

Richard Farnsworth
Business Media Relations Manager
SABMiller plc
t: +44 20 7659 0188

Sponsor:
J.P. Morgan Equities Limited


This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to
buy or acquire securities of SABMiller plc (the “Company”) or any of its affiliates in any
jurisdiction or an inducement to enter into investment activity.

This announcement includes “forward-looking statements”. These statements may contain the
words “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “expect” and words of similar meaning. All
statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement, including,
without limitation, those regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy, plans
and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and
objectives relating to the Company’s products and services) are forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the
Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business
strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. These forward-
looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement. The Company expressly
disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-
looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change in the Company’s
expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which
any such statement is based. Any information contained in this announcement on the price at
which the Company’s securities have been bought or sold in the past, or on the yield on such
securities, should not be relied upon as a guide to future performance.

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