UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of August, 2023

Commission File No.: 001-37911

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Brouwerijplein 1

3000 Leuven, Belgium

(Address of principal executive offices )

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Form 20-F    ☒                        Form 40-F    ☐


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

99.1   Press release issued 3 August 2023 regarding second quarter and half-year results.
99.2   Unaudited Interim Report for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

                      

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV SA/NV

(Registrant)

Dated: August 3, 2023         By: /s/ Jan Vandermeersch
              Name:  Jan Vandermeersch
              Title:    Global Legal Director Corporate

Exhibit 99.1

 

        

 

LOGO

   Press Release

 

 

 

    

    

 

Brussels – 3 August 2023 - 7:00am CET

   Regulated information1    

AB InBev Reports Second Quarter 2023

Results

Continued global momentum, partially offset by US performance, delivered high-single digit revenue growth

“Our business delivered another quarter of profitable growth. Revenue increased by 7.2% with an EBITDA increase of 5.0%. We continue to invest in our strategic priorities for the long-term.” – Michel Doukeris, CEO, AB InBev

 

Total Revenue

+7.2%

Revenue increased by 7.2% in 2Q23 with revenue per hl growth of 9.0% and by 10.0% in HY23 with revenue per hl growth of 10.6%.

18.4% increase in combined revenues of our global brands, Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona, outside of their respective home markets in 2Q23, and 16.9% in HY23.

Approximately 64% of our revenue through B2B digital platforms with the monthly active user base of BEES reaching 3.3 million users.

Over 115 million USD of revenue generated by our digital direct-to-consumer ecosystem.

Total Volume

-1.4%

In 2Q23, total volumes declined by 1.4%, with own beer volumes down by 1.8% and non-beer volumes up by 0.5%. In HY23, total volumes declined by 0.3% with own beer volumes down by 0.8% and non-beer volumes up by 2.1%.

Normalized EBITDA

+5.0%

In 2Q23, normalized EBITDA increased by 5.0% to 4 909 million USD with a normalized EBITDA margin contraction of 69 bps to 32.5%. In HY23, normalized EBITDA increased by 9.1% to 9 668 million USD and normalized EBITDA margin contracted by 29 bps to 33.0%. Normalized EBITDA figures of HY22 include an impact of 201 million USD from tax credits in Brazil.

Underlying Profit

1 452 million USD

Underlying profit (profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev excluding non-underlying items and the impact of hyperinflation) was 1 452 million USD in 2Q23 compared to 1 468 million USD in 2Q22 and was 2 762 million USD in HY23 compared to 2 672 million USD in HY22.

Underlying EPS

0.72 USD

Underlying EPS was 0.72 USD in 2Q23, a decrease from 0.73 USD in 2Q22 and was 1.37 USD in HY23, an increase from 1.33 USD in HY22.

Net Debt to EBITDA

3.70x

Net debt to normalized EBITDA ratio was 3.70x at 30 June 2023 compared to 3.86x at 30 June 2022 and 3.51x at 31 December 2022.

 

 

 

The 2023 Half Year Financial Report is available on our website at www.ab-inbev.com.

1The enclosed information constitutes regulated information as defined in the Belgian Royal Decree of 14 November 2007 regarding the duties of issuers of financial instruments which have been admitted for trading on a regulated market. For important disclaimers and notes on the basis of preparation, please refer to page 15.

 

 

ab-inbev.com

       Press release – 3 August 2023 – 1


LOGO

 

Management comments

 

 

Continued global momentum, partially offset by US performance, delivered high-single digit revenue growth

We delivered a top-line increase of 7.2%, with revenue growth in more than 85% of our markets, driven by a revenue per hl increase of 9.0% as a result of pricing actions, ongoing premiumization and other revenue management initiatives. Volumes declined by 1.4%, as growth in the majority of our markets was offset by performance in the US. EBITDA increased by 5.0% with margin compression of 69bps, driven by anticipated commodity cost headwinds and increased sales and marketing investments. Underlying EPS was 0.72 USD.

Progressing our strategic priorities

We continue to execute on and invest in three key strategic pillars to deliver consistent growth and long-term value creation.

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

  

 

Lead and grow the category:

This quarter we delivered volume growth in the majority of our markets and revenue growth in more than 85%.

 

LOGO

  

 

Digitize and monetize our ecosystem:

BEES captured approximately 9.2 billion USD of gross merchandise value (GMV), a 30% increase versus 2Q22 with 64% of our revenue through B2B digital channels. BEES Marketplace is live in 15 markets and generated an annualized GMV of approximately 1.3 billion USD with 63% of BEES customers now also Marketplace buyers.

 

LOGO

  

 

Optimize our business:

In HY23, disciplined overhead management and efficient resource allocation enabled us to invest approximately 2.1 billion USD in capex and 3.5 billion USD in sales and marketing to drive the organic growth of our business. We continue to focus on deleveraging with net debt to EBITDA reaching 3.70x versus 3.86x as of 30 June 2022.

 

LOGO

  

 

Lead and grow the category

 

In HY23, we invested approximately 3.5 billion USD in sales and marketing, a 12.8% increase versus HY22, driving an increase of our portfolio brand power in approximately 60% of our key markets. We are executing on our five proven and scalable levers to drive category expansion:

 

 

Inclusive Category: In 2Q23, the percentage of consumers purchasing our portfolio of brands increased across key markets in Latin America and Africa, according to our estimates. This increase in participation was led by female and lower income consumer groups, driven by continued brand and pack innovation.

 

 

Core Superiority: In 2Q23, our mainstream portfolio delivered a mid-single digit revenue increase as double-digit growth in South Africa and Colombia was partially offset by the revenue decline of Bud Light in the US. Our mainstream brands gained or maintained share of segment in two thirds of our key markets, according to our estimates.

 

 

Occasions Development: Our global no-alcohol beer portfolio delivered approximately 30% revenue growth this quarter, with our performance driven by Budweiser Zero in Brazil and growth of Corona Cero in Canada and Europe. Leveraging our digital direct-to-consumer products we are investing in and developing new consumption occasions. For example, in Brazil, Zé Delivery enabled the launch of Corona Sunset Hours, an everyday activation encouraging consumers to disconnect from work and reconnect with friends in the early evening.

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 2


LOGO

 

 

Premiumization: Our above core beer portfolio grew revenue by more than 10% in 2Q23, led by our global brands and double-digit growth of Modelo in Mexico and Spaten in Brazil. Our global brands grew revenue by 18.4% outside of their home markets, led by Corona, which was recently recognized by Kantar BrandZ as the #1 fastest growing global beer brand by value, which grew by 23.7%. Budweiser delivered a revenue increase of 16.9%, with broad-based growth in 25 markets, and Stella Artois grew by 14.5%.

 

 

Beyond Beer: Our global Beyond Beer business contributed over 385 million USD of revenue in the quarter and grew by mid-single digits as growth globally was partially offset by a soft malt-based seltzer industry in the US. Global growth was primarily driven by the expansion of Brutal Fruit in Africa and the Vicky portfolio in Mexico.

 

LOGO

   Digitize and monetize our ecosystem
 

Digitizing our relationships with more than 6 million customers globally: As of 30 June 2023, BEES is live in 23 markets with approximately 64% of our 2Q23 revenues captured through B2B digital platforms. In 2Q23, BEES had 3.3 million monthly active users and captured approximately 9.2 billion USD in gross merchandise value (GMV), growth of 15% and 30% versus 2Q22 respectively. BEES Marketplace is live in 15 markets with 63% of BEES customers also marketplace buyers. Marketplace captured approximately 340 million USD in GMV from sales of third-party products this quarter, growth of 41% versus 2Q22.

 

 

Leading the way in DTC solutions: Our omnichannel direct-to-consumer (DTC) ecosystem of digital and physical products generated revenue of more than 385 million USD in 2Q23. Our digital DTC products, Zé Delivery, TaDa and PerfectDraft are available in 20 markets, generated 16.5 million ecommerce orders and delivered over 115 million USD in revenue this quarter, representing 18% growth versus 2Q22.

 

LOGO

   Optimize our business

In HY23, disciplined overhead management and efficient allocation of resources across our operations enabled us to invest approximately 2.1 billion USD in capex and 3.5 billion USD in sales and marketing to drive the organic growth of our business, while managing the continued elevated cost environment. Our net debt to EBITDA ratio reached 3.70x versus 3.86x as of 30 June 2022, an increase versus 3.51x as of 31 December 2022 due to the seasonality of our cashflow generation. Underlying EPS was 0.72 USD, a decrease of 0.01 USD per share versus 2Q22, cycling a 0.04 USD per share net benefit from tax credits in Brazil year-over-year.

Advancing our sustainability priorities

We continued to innovate and make progress towards our 2025 Sustainability Goals through key local initiatives with the potential to scale globally. For Climate Action, we invested in a biomass processor in our Jupille brewery in Belgium to produce thermal energy from malt husks, which is expected to reduce our gas consumption by more than 15% and lower our carbon emissions. In Sustainable Agriculture, to strengthen local supply chains we provided technical and financial training to over 900 smallholder barley farmers in Uganda. In Water Stewardship, we installed new vacuum pump technology in breweries across several markets to reduce water usage in bottle fillers by approximately 50%. For Circular Packaging, our business in Brazil launched a nationwide returnable bottle campaign to help increase the use of returnable packaging by promoting affordability and sustainability.

Creating a future with more cheers

In HY23, we delivered 10.0% revenue growth and 9.1% EBITDA growth while continuing to invest for the long-term in our brands, facilities and digital transformation. We remain focused on brewing high quality beer, providing best-in-class service to our customers, generating value for our stakeholders and delivering on our purpose to create a future with more cheers.

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 3


LOGO

 

2023 Outlook

 

 

 

  (i)

Overall Performance: We expect our EBITDA to grow in line with our medium-term outlook of between 4-8% and our revenue to grow ahead of EBITDA from a healthy combination of volume and price. The outlook for FY23 reflects our current assessment of inflation and other macroeconomic conditions.

 

  (ii)

Net Finance Costs: Net pension interest expenses and accretion expenses are expected to be in the range of 200 to 230 million USD per quarter, depending on currency and interest rate fluctuations. We expect the average gross debt coupon in FY23 to be approximately 4%.

 

  (iii)

Effective Tax Rates (ETR): We expect the normalized ETR in FY23 to be in the range of 27% to 29%. The ETR outlook does not consider the impact of potential future changes in legislation.

 

  (iv)

Net Capital Expenditure: We expect net capital expenditure of between 4.5 and 5.0 billion USD in FY23.

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 4


LOGO

 

  Figure 1. Consolidated performance (million USD)               
      

 

2Q22

      

 

2Q23

      

 

Organic

                           growth  

  Total Volumes (thousand hls)

       149 729          147 583          -1.4%   

AB InBev own beer

       131 107          128 750          -1.8%  

Non-beer volumes

       17 544          17 636          0.5%  

Third party products

       1 079          1 197          12.9%  

  Revenue

       14 793          15 120          7.2%  

  Gross profit

       7 997          8 101          5.5%  

  Gross margin

       54.1%          53.6%          -86 bps  

  Normalized EBITDA

       5 096          4 909          5.0%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       34.5%          32.5%          -69 bps  

  Normalized EBIT

       3 811          3 569          2.2%  

  Normalized EBIT margin

       25.8%          23.6%          -114 bps  
                                  

  Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

       1 597          339             

  Underlying profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

       1 468          1 452             
                                  

  Earnings per share (USD)

       0.79          0.17             

  Underlying earnings per share (USD)

       0.73          0.72             
       HY22        HY23        Organic
                           growth  

  Total Volumes (thousand hls)

       289 074          288 131          -0.3%  

AB InBev own beer

       251 692          249 810          -0.8%   

Non-beer volumes

       35 488          36 223          2.1%  

Third party products

       1 894          2 098          12.5%  

  Revenue

       28 027          29 333          10.0%  

  Gross profit

       15 243          15 796          8.8%  

  Gross margin

       54.4%          53.9%          -60 bps  

  Normalized EBITDA

       9 583          9 668          9.1%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       34.2%          33.0%          -29 bps  

  Normalized EBIT

       7 105          7 072          8.3%  

  Normalized EBIT margin

       25.4%          24.1%          -39 bps  
                                  

  Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

       1 692          1 977             

  Underlying profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

       2 672          2 762             
                                  

  Earnings per share (USD)

       0.84          0.98             

  Underlying earnings per share (USD)

       1.33          1.37             

 

  Figure 2. Volumes (thousand hls)                  
                                         
     2Q22      Scope      Organic      2Q23      Organic growth      
                     growth              Total      Own beer  

  North America

     27 361        35        -3 854        23 542        -14.1%        -14.5%   

  Middle Americas

     37 775        -        118        37 893        0.3%        -1.0%  

  South America

     36 421        7        - 691        35 737        -1.9%        -1.5%  

  EMEA

     22 838        60        -14        22 884        -0.1%        -0.3%  

  Asia Pacific

     25 097        -        2 378        27 475        9.5%        9.3%  

  Global Export and Holding Companies

     238        -102        -84        51        -62.3%        -  

  AB InBev Worldwide

     149 729        -        -2 147        147 583        -1.4%        -1.8%  

 

     HY22      Scope      Organic      HY23      Organic growth      
                     growth              Total      Own beer  

  North America

     51 448        51        -4 104        47 395        -8.0%        -8.2%   

  Middle Americas

     72 024        -        141        72 164        0.2%        -0.8%  

  South America

     76 815        -        - 791        76 023        -1.0%        -1.7%  

  EMEA

     42 962        104        - 224        42 842        -0.5%        -0.9%  

  Asia Pacific

     45 385        -        4 204        49 589        9.3%        9.1%  

  Global Export and Holding Companies

     440        -155        -168        117        -58.9%        -  

  AB InBev Worldwide

     289 074        -        - 943        288 131        -0.3%        -0.8%  

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 5


LOGO

 

Key Market Performances

 

United States: Revenue declined by 10.5% impacted by volume performance

 

 

Operating performance:

 

  o

2Q23: Revenue declined by 10.5% with revenue per hl growing by 5.2% driven by revenue management initiatives. Sales-to-wholesalers (STWs) were down by 15.0%. Sales-to-retailers (STRs) declined by 14.0%, underperforming the industry, primarily due to the volume decline of Bud Light. EBITDA declined by 28.2%, with approximately two thirds of this decrease attributable to market share performance and the remainder from productivity loss, increased sales and marketing investments and support measures for our wholesaler partners.

 

  o

HY23: Revenue declined by 3.6% with revenue per hl growth of 5.4%. Our STWs declined by 8.6% and STRs were down by 9.2%. EBITDA declined by 14.8%.

 

 

Commercial highlights: The beer industry continued to demonstrate resilience in 2Q23, delivering revenue growth of 2.3% while volumes declined by 2.5%, according to Circana. Our total beer industry share declined this quarter but has been stable since the last week of April through the end of June. Since April, we actively engaged with over 170 000 consumers across the country through a third-party research firm and the data shows that most consumers surveyed are favorable towards the Bud Light brand and approximately 80% are favorable or neutral. As part of our long-term plan, we increased investments in our key brands, invested in measures to support our wholesalers and continued key initiatives such as partnerships with NFL, NBA, Folds of Honor and Farm Rescue.

Mexico: Double-digit top- and bottom-line growth with continued market share gain

 

 

Operating performance:

 

  o

2Q23: Revenue grew by low-teens with revenue per hl growth of low-teens driven by pricing actions and other revenue management initiatives. Volumes declined by low-single digits, outperforming the industry which was impacted by an earlier Easter. EBITDA grew by mid-teens with margin expansion of over 175bps.

 

  o

HY23: Revenue grew by low-teens with revenue per hl growing by low-teens and volumes flat. EBITDA grew by mid-teens.

 

 

Commercial highlights: Our performance this quarter was driven by ongoing portfolio development and digital transformation. Our above core portfolio continued to outperform, growing revenue by mid-teens, led by the strong performance of Modelo, Michelob Ultra and Pacifico. We continued to progress our digital and physical DTC initiatives this quarter with our digital DTC platform, TaDa, now operating in over 60 major cities and fulfilling on average over 300 000 orders per month and the opening of a further 150 Modelorama stores.

Colombia: High-single digit top- and double-digit bottom-line growth

 

 

Operating performance:

 

  o

2Q23: Revenue grew by high-single digits with high-single digit revenue per hl growth, driven by pricing actions and other revenue management initiatives. Volumes grew by low-single digits, continuing to gain share of total alcohol in an improving consumer environment. EBITDA grew by low-twenties, driven by top-line growth and supported by cycling a loss from the disposal of non-core assets in 2Q22.

HY23: Revenue grew by high-single digits with revenue per hl growth of high-single digits. Volumes declined by low-single digits. EBITDA grew by high-single digits.

 

 

Commercial highlights: Our leading mainstream portfolio drove our performance this quarter, with a particularly strong performance from Poker which grew volumes by mid-teens.

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 6


LOGO

 

Brazil: High-single digit top-line and double-digit bottom-line growth with margin expansion

 

 

Operating performance:

 

  o

2Q23: Revenue grew by 9.4% with revenue per hl growth of 12.2% driven by revenue management initiatives and continued premiumization. Beer volumes declined by 2.6%, underperforming the industry according to our estimates, as we cycled a strong performance in 2Q22 which was supported by post-COVID recovery. Non-beer volumes declined by 2.2% resulting in a total volume decrease of 2.5%. EBITDA increased by 29.0% with margin expansion of approximately 400bps.

 

  o

HY23: Total volumes were flat with beer volumes down 0.9% and non-beer volumes up 2.5%. Both revenue and revenue per hl increased by 12.4%. EBITDA grew by 27.7%.

 

 

Commercial highlights: Our premium and super premium brands continued to outperform this quarter, delivering volume growth in the mid-thirties, led by Original, Spaten and Corona. BEES Marketplace continued to expand, reaching over 700 thousand customers, a 29% increase versus 2Q22, and growing GMV by 64%. Our digital DTC platform, Zé Delivery, reached 4.6 million monthly active users this quarter, a 12% increase versus 2Q22, and increased GMV by 12%.

Europe: High single digit top- and bottom-line growth

 

 

Operating performance:

 

  o

2Q23: Revenue grew by high-single digits with mid-teens revenue per hl growth, driven by pricing actions and the continued momentum of our premium and super premium brands. Volumes declined by mid-single digits, outperforming a soft industry in the majority of our key markets according to our estimates. EBITDA grew by high-single digits.

 

  o

HY23: Revenue grew by double-digits, driven by mid-teens revenue per hl growth. Volumes declined by low-single digits. EBITDA increased by high-single digits.

 

 

Commercial highlights: We continue to drive premiumization across Europe. Our premium and super premium brands delivered double-digit revenue growth this quarter, led by Corona and Budweiser.

South Africa: Double digit top-line growth with continued market share gain

 

 

Operating performance:

 

  o

2Q23: Revenue grew by high-teens, with revenue per hl growth of more than 10%, driven by pricing actions and other revenue management initiatives. Our volumes grew by high-single digits, ahead of the industry according to our estimates, driven by strong consumer demand for our brands and supported by a favorable comparable due to production constraints in 2Q22. EBITDA was flattish as top-line growth was offset primarily by anticipated commodity cost headwinds.

 

  o

HY23: Revenue grew by low-teens with high-single digit revenue per hl growth and a mid-single digit increase in volume. EBITDA declined by low-single digits.

 

 

Commercial highlights: We continue to see strong consumer demand for our portfolio, gaining share of beer and total alcohol according to our estimates. Carling Black Label, the #1 beer brand in the country, led our performance this quarter with high-teens volume growth and our global brands grew volumes by more than 50%, driven by Corona.

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 7


LOGO

 

China: Double-digit top- and bottom-line growth

 

 

Operating performance:

 

  o

2Q23: Volumes grew by 11.0%, outperforming the industry according to our estimates. Revenue per hl increased by 7.6%, driven by on-premise recovery and continued premiumization, resulting in revenue growth of 19.4%. EBITDA grew by 21.8%.

 

  o

HY23: Volumes grew by 9.4% and revenue per hl by 5.4%, leading to a total revenue increase of 15.3%. EBITDA grew by 17.4%.

 

 

Commercial highlights: We delivered volume growth across all segments of our portfolio this quarter, led by mid-twenties volume growth in both our premium and super premium portfolios. The roll out and adoption of the BEES platform continued, with BEES now present in over 220 cities and over 45% of our revenue through digital channels in June.

Highlights from our other markets

 

 

Canada: Revenue increased by low-single digits this quarter with revenue per hl growth of high-single digits, driven by revenue management initiatives and premiumization. Volumes declined by mid-single digits, underperforming a soft industry.

 

 

Peru: Revenue grew by high-single digits this quarter with revenue per hl growing by low-teens, driven primarily by revenue management initiatives. Volumes declined by low-single digits, outperforming a soft industry and gaining share of total alcohol.

 

 

Ecuador: Revenue grew by high-single digits in 2Q23 with volumes increasing by low-single digits, supported by continued share of total alcohol gains. Our above core brands continued to lead our growth, delivering a double-digit revenue increase.

 

 

Argentina: Revenue increased by high-single digits on a reported USD basis and by over 100% on an organic basis in 2Q23, driven by revenue management initiatives in a highly inflationary environment. Beer volumes grew by low-single digits with total volumes declining by low-single digits.

 

 

Africa excluding South Africa: In Nigeria, our top-line grew by mid-teens this quarter with total volumes declining by high-single digits, driven by a soft industry which was impacted by the continued challenging operating environment. In our other markets, we grew volumes in aggregate by high-single digits in 2Q23, driven primarily by Tanzania, Ghana and Uganda.

 

 

South Korea: Total revenue declined by high-single digits, driven by a low-single digit volume decline as we cycled post-COVID recovery in 2Q22. Revenue per hl decreased by mid-single digits, driven primarily by an excise tax increase.

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 8


LOGO

 

Consolidated Income Statement

 

 

                                                                    
  Figure 3. Consolidated income statement (million USD)                     
     2Q22      2Q23      Organic
growth
 

  Revenue

     14 793        15 120        7.2%  

  Cost of sales

     -6 796        -7 019        -9.2%  

  Gross profit

     7 997        8 101        5.5%  

  SG&A

     -4 500        -4 707        -9.4%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

     314        175        47.8%  

  Normalized profit from operations (normalized EBIT)

     3 811        3 569        2.2%  

  Non-underlying items above EBIT (incl. impairment losses)

     -9        -60           

  Net finance income/(cost)

     -1 252        -1 283           

  Non-underlying net finance income/(cost)

     72        -1 078           

  Share of results of associates

     74        55           

  Income tax expense

     -721        -595           

  Profit

     1 975        607           

  Profit attributable to non-controlling interest

     378        269           

  Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     1 597        339           

        

                          

  Normalized EBITDA

     5 096        4 909        5.0%  

  Underlying profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     1 468        1 452           
     HY22      HY23      Organic
growth
 

  Revenue

     28 027        29 333        10.0%  

  Cost of sales

     -12 784        -13 536        -11.5%  

  Gross profit

     15 243        15 796        8.8%  

  SG&A

     -8 616        -9 051        -9.8%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

     478        327        26.2%  

  Normalized profit from operations (normalized EBIT)

     7 105        7 072        8.3%  

  Non-underlying items above EBIT (incl. impairment losses)

     -105        -107           

  Net finance income/(cost)

     -2 444        -2 520           

  Non-underlying net finance income/(cost)

     176        -703           

  Share of results of associates

     129        105           

  Non-underlying share of results of associates

     -1 143        -           

  Income tax expense

     -1 244        -1 192           

  Profit

     2 474        2 655           

  Profit attributable to non-controlling interest

     782        678           

  Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     1 692        1 977           

      

                          

  Normalized EBITDA

     9 583        9 668        9.1%  

  Underlying profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     2 672        2 762           

We are reporting our Argentinean operation applying hyperinflation accounting under IAS 29, following the categorization of Argentina as a country with a three-year cumulative inflation rate greater than 100%, since 2018. Inflation in Argentina has accelerated over the past 12 months, resulting in a more significant impact on the organic revenue growth of AB InBev than historically. For illustrative purposes, fully excluding the Argentinean operation, 2Q23 organic revenue increased for AB InBev would be 4.6% versus the 7.2% reported. For HY23 revenue growth for AB InBev would be 6.7% versus the 10.0% reported.

Consolidated other operating income/(expenses) in 2Q23 increased by 26.2% primarily driven by higher government grants and the impact of disposal of non-core assets year-over-year. In HY22, Ambev recognized 201 million USD income in other operating income related to tax credits. The year-over-year change is presented as a scope change and does not affect the presented organic growth rates.

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 9


LOGO

 

Non-underlying items above EBIT & Non-underlying share of results of associates

 

  Figure 4. Non-underlying items above EBIT & Non-underlying share of results of associates (million USD)  
     2Q22      2Q23      HY22      HY23  

  COVID-19 costs

     -4        -        -13        -  

  Restructuring

     -14        -22        -51        -50  

  Business and asset disposal (incl. impairment losses)

     10        -19        6        -38  

  Legal costs

     -        -19        -        -19  

  AB InBev Efes related costs

     -1        -        -47        -  

  Non-underlying items in EBIT

     -9        -60        -105        -107  

  Non-underlying share of results of associates

     -        -        -1 143        -  

EBIT excludes negative non-underlying items of 60 million USD in 2Q23 and 107 million USD in HY23.

Non-underlying share of results of associates of HY22 includes the non-cash impairment of 1 143 million USD the company recorded on its investment in AB InBev Efes in 1Q22.

Net finance income/(cost)

 

  Figure 5. Net finance income/(cost) (million USD)                            
     2Q22      2Q23      HY22      HY23  

  Net interest expense

     -838        -824        -1 683        -1 630  

  Net interest on net defined benefit liabilities

     -19        -21        -37        -42  

  Accretion expense

     -185        -202        -336        -385  

  Net interest income on Brazilian tax credits

     65        47        113        78  

  Other financial results

     -275        -283        -501        -540  

  Net finance income/(cost)

     -1 252        -1 283        -2 444        -2 520  

Non-underlying net finance income/(cost)

 

  Figure 6. Non-underlying net finance income/(cost) (million USD)                            
     2Q22      2Q23      HY22      HY23  

  Mark-to-market

     65        -1 078        296        -703  

  Gain/(loss) on bond redemption and other

     7        -        -120        -  

  Non-underlying net finance income/(cost)

     72        -1 078        176        -703  

Non-underlying net finance cost in HY23 includes mark-to-market losses on derivative instruments entered into to hedge our shared-based payment programs and shares issued in relation to the combination with Grupo Modelo and SAB.

The number of shares covered by the hedging of our share-based payment program, the deferred share instrument and the restricted shares are shown in figure 7, together with the opening and closing share prices.

 

  Figure 7. Non-underlying equity derivative instruments                            
     2Q22      2Q23      HY22      HY23  

  Share price at the start of the period (Euro)

     54.26        61.33        53.17        56.27  

  Share price at the end of the period (Euro)

     51.36        51.83        51.36        51.83  

  Number of equity derivative instruments at the end of the period (millions)

     100.5        100.5        100.5        100.5  

Income tax expense

 

  Figure 8. Income tax expense (million USD)                            
     2Q22      2Q23      HY22      HY23  

  Income tax expense

     721        595        1 244        1 192  

  Effective tax rate

     27.5%        51.9%        26.3%        31.9%  

  Normalized effective tax rate

     30.3%        27.8%        28.2%        27.3%  

The decrease in normalized ETR in 2Q23 compared to 2Q22 and the decrease in HY23 compared to HY22 is driven by country mix.

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 10


LOGO

 

 Figure 9. Underlying Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev (million USD)

 

               2Q22              2Q23              HY22              HY23  

 Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

       1 597        339        1 692        1 977   

 Net impact of non-underlying items on profit

       -114        1 091        1 006        750  

 Hyperinflation impacts in underlying profit

       -15        22        -26        35  

 Underlying profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

       1 468        1 452        2 672        2 762  

Underlying profit attributable to equity holders in 2Q22 and HY22 were positively impacted by 115 million USD and 152 million USD respectively, and in 2Q23 and HY23 by 29 million USD and 48 million USD respectively, after tax and non-controlling interest related to tax credits in Brazil.

Basic and underlying EPS

 

 Figure 10. Earnings per share (USD)

 

             2Q22              2Q23              HY22              HY23  

 Basic EPS

     0.79        0.17        0.84        0.98   

 Net impact of non-underlying items on profit

     -0.07        0.54        0.50        0.37  

 Hyperinflation impacts in EPS

     -0.01        0.01        -0.01        0.02  

 Underlying EPS

     0.73        0.72        1.33        1.37  

 Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (million)

     2 012        2 016        2 012        2 016  

 

 Figure 11. Key components - Underlying EPS in USD

 

             2Q22              2Q23              HY22              HY23  

 Normalized EBIT before hyperinflation

     1.90        1.78        3.55        3.54   

      Hyperinflation impacts in normalized EBIT

     -0.01        -0.01        -0.02        -0.03  

 Normalized EBIT

     1.90        1.77        3.53        3.51  

      Net finance cost

     -0.62        -0.64        -1.21        -1.25  

      Income tax expense

     -0.39        -0.31        -0.65        -0.62  

      Associates & non-controlling interest

     -0.15        -0.11        -0.32        -0.29  

      Hyperinflation impacts in EPS

     -0.01        0.01        -0.01        0.02  

 Underlying EPS

     0.73        0.72        1.33        1.37  

      Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (million)

     2 012        2 016        2 012        2 016  

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 11


LOGO

 

Reconciliation between normalized EBITDA and profit attributable to equity holders

 

 Figure 12. Reconciliation of normalized EBITDA to profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev (million

 USD)

 

 

               2Q22                2Q23                HY22                HY23  

 Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     1 597        339        1 692        1 977   

      Non-controlling interests

     378        269        782        678  

 Profit

     1 975        607        2 474        2 655  

      Income tax expense

     721        595        1 244        1 192  

      Share of result of associates

     -74        -55        -129        -105  

      Non-underlying share of results of associates

     -        -        1 143        -  

      Net finance (income)/cost

     1 252        1 283        2 444        2 520  

      Non-underlying net finance (income)/cost

     -72        1 078        -176        703  

      Non-underlying items above EBIT (incl. impairment losses)

     9        60        105        107  

 Normalized EBIT

     3 811        3 569        7 105        7 072  

      Depreciation, amortization and impairment

     1 286        1 340        2 477        2 596  

 Normalized EBITDA

     5 096        4 909        9 583        9 668  

Normalized EBITDA and normalized EBIT are measures utilized by AB InBev to demonstrate the company’s underlying performance.

Normalized EBITDA is calculated excluding the following effects from profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev: (i) non-controlling interest; (ii) income tax expense; (iii) share of results of associates; (iv) non-underlying share of results of associates; (v) net finance income or cost; (vi) non-underlying net finance income or cost; (vii) non-underlying items above EBIT; and (viii) depreciation, amortization and impairment.

Normalized EBITDA and normalized EBIT are not accounting measures under IFRS accounting and should not be considered as an alternative to profit attributable to equity holders as a measure of operational performance, or an alternative to cash flow as a measure of liquidity. Normalized EBITDA and normalized EBIT do not have a standard calculation method and AB InBev’s definition of normalized EBITDA and normalized EBIT may not be comparable to that of other companies.

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 12


LOGO

 

Financial position

 

 Figure 13. Cash Flow Statement (million USD)

 

             HY22                HY23  

 Operating activities

                 

      Profit of the period

     2 474        2 655   

      Interest, taxes and non-cash items included in profit

     7 015        7 512  

      Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

     9 489        10 167  

      Change in working capital

     -3 339        -4 615  

      Pension contributions and use of provisions

     -195        -192  

      Interest and taxes (paid)/received

     -3 823        -3 806  

      Dividends received

     50        43  

      Cash flow from operating activities

     2 182        1 597  

 Investing activities

     

      Net capex

     -1 939        -2 063  

      Sale/(acquisition) of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed/ acquired of

     -44        -8  

      Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

     66        10  

      Cash flow from / (used in) investing activities

     -1 917        -2 061  

 Financing activities

                 

      Dividends paid

     -1 276        -1 923  

      Net (payments on)/proceeds from borrowings

     -3 452        155  

      Payment of lease liabilities

     -286        -359  

      Sale/(purchase) of non-controlling interests and other

     -378        -696  

      Cash flow from / (used in) financing activities

     -5 392        -2 823  

 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     -5 128        -3 287  

HY23 recorded a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of 3 287 million USD compared to a decrease of 5 128 million USD in HY22, with the following movements:

 

 

Our cash flow from operating activities reached 1 597 million USD in HY23 compared to 2 182 million USD in HY22. The decrease was driven by changes in working capital for HY23 compared to HY22. Changes in working capital in the first half of 2023 and 2022 reflect higher working capital levels at the end of June than at year-end as a result of seasonality.

 

 

Our cash outflow from investing activities was 2 061 million USD in HY23 compared to a cash outflow of 1 917 million USD in HY22. The increase in the cash outflow from investing activities was mainly due to higher net capital expenditures in HY23 compared to HY22. Out of the total HY23 capital expenditures, approximately 33% was used to improve the company’s production facilities while 49% was used for logistics and commercial investments and 18% was used for improving administrative capabilities and for the purchase of hardware and software.

 

 

Our cash outflow from financing activities amounted to 2 823 million USD in HY23, as compared to a cash outflow of 5 392 million USD in HY22. The decrease is primarily driven by lower debt redemption in HY23 compared to HY22.

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 13


LOGO

 

Our net debt increased to 73.8 billion USD as of 30 June 2023 from 69.7 billion USD as of 31 December 2022.

Our net debt to normalized EBITDA ratio was 3.70x as of 30 June 2023. Our optimal capital structure is a net debt to normalized EBITDA ratio of around 2x.

We continue to proactively manage our debt portfolio. 96% of our bond portfolio holds a fixed-interest rate, 42% is denominated in currencies other than USD and maturities are well-distributed across the next several years.

As of 30 June 2023, we had total liquidity of 16.9 billion USD, which consisted of 10.1 billion USD available under committed long-term credit facilities and 6.8 billion USD of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments in debt securities less bank overdrafts.

 

LOGO

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 14


LOGO

 

Notes

 

 

 

To facilitate the understanding of AB InBev’s underlying performance, the analyses of growth, including all comments in this press release, unless otherwise indicated, are based on organic growth and normalized numbers. In other words, financials are analyzed eliminating the impact of changes in currencies on translation of foreign operations, and scope changes. Scope changes represent the impact of acquisitions and divestitures, the start or termination of activities or the transfer of activities between segments, curtailment gains and losses and year over year changes in accounting estimates and other assumptions that management does not consider as part of the underlying performance of the business. The organic growth of our global brands, Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona, excludes exports to Australia for which a perpetual license was granted to a third party upon disposal of the Australia operations in 2020. All references per hectoliter (per hl) exclude US non-beer activities. Whenever presented in this document, all performance measures (EBITDA, EBIT, profit, tax rate, EPS) are presented on a “normalized” basis, which means they are presented before non-underlying items. Non-underlying items are either income or expenses which do not occur regularly as part of the normal activities of the Company. They are presented separately because they are important for the understanding of the underlying sustainable performance of the Company due to their size or nature. Normalized measures are additional measures used by management and should not replace the measures determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of the Company’s performance. As from 1 January 2023, mark-to-market gains/(losses) on derivatives related to the hedging of our share-based payment programs are reported in the non-underlying net finance income/(cost). The 2022 presentation was amended to conform to the 2023 presentation. We are reporting the results from Argentina applying hyperinflation accounting since 3Q18. The IFRS rules (IAS 29) require us to restate the year-to-date results for the change in the general purchasing power of the local currency, using official indices before converting the local amounts at the closing rate of the period. These impacts are excluded from organic calculations. In HY23, we reported a negative impact on the profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev of 35 million USD. The impact in HY23 underlying EPS was -0.02 USD. Values in the figures and annexes may not add up, due to rounding. 2Q23 and HY23 EPS is based upon a weighted average of 2 016 million shares compared to a weighted average of 2 012 million shares for 2Q22 and HY22.

 

Legal disclaimer

This release contains “forward-looking statements”. These statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events and developments of the management of AB InBev and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. The forward-looking statements contained in this release include statements other than historical facts and include statements typically containing words such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “believe”, “intends”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “targets”, “estimates”, “likely”, “foresees” and words of similar import. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the current views of the management of AB InBev, are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties about AB InBev and are dependent on many factors, some of which are outside of AB InBev’s control. There are important factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different, including, but not limited to the risks and uncertainties relating to AB InBev that are described under Item 3.D of AB InBev’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on 17 March 2023. Many of these risks and uncertainties are, and will be, exacerbated by any further worsening of the global business and economic environment, the ongoing conflict in Russia and Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included elsewhere, including AB InBev’s most recent Form 20-F and other reports furnished on Form 6-K, and any other documents that AB InBev has made public. Any forward-looking statements made in this communication are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by AB InBev will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, AB InBev or its business or operations. Except as required by law, AB InBev undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The second quarter 2023 (2Q23) and half year 2023 (HY23) financial data set out in Figure 1 (except for the volume information), Figures 3 to 5, 6, 8, 9, 12 and 13 of this press release have been extracted from the group’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements as of and for the six months ended 30 June 2023, which have been reviewed by our statutory auditors PwC Réviseurs d’Entreprises SRL / PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Financial data included in Figures 7, 10, 11 and 14 have been extracted from the underlying accounting records as of and for the six months ended 30 June 2023 (except for the volume information). References in this document to materials on our websites, such as www.bees.com, are included as an aid to their location and are not incorporated by reference into this document.

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 15


LOGO

 

Conference call and webcast

 

Investor Conference call and webcast on Thursday, 3 August 2023:

3.00pm Brussels / 2.00pm London / 9.00am New York

Registration details:

Webcast (listen-only mode):

AB InBev 2Q23 Results Webcast

To join by phone, please use one of the following two phone numbers:

Toll-Free: 877-407-8029

Toll: 201-689-8029

 

Investors    Media
Shaun Fullalove    Fallon Buckelew

Tel: +1 212 573 9287

  

Tel: +1 310 592 6319

E-mail: shaun.fullalove@ab-inbev.com

  

E-mail: fallon.buckelew@ab-inbev.com

Maria Glukhova    Michaël Cloots

Tel: +32 16 276 888

  

Tel: +32 497 167 183

E-mail: maria.glukhova@ab-inbev.com

  

E-mail: michael.cloots@ab-inbev.com

Cyrus Nentin   

Tel: +1 646 746 9673

  

E-mail: cyrus.nentin@ab-inbev.com

  

 

About Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev)

Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with secondary listings on the Mexico (MEXBOL: ANB) and South Africa (JSE: ANH) stock exchanges and with American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). As a company, we dream big to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life’s moments, move our industry forward and make a meaningful impact in the world. We are committed to building great brands that stand the test of time and to brewing the best beers using the finest ingredients. Our diverse portfolio of well over 500 beer brands includes global brands Budweiser®, Corona® and Stella Artois®; multi-country brands Beck’s®, Hoegaarden®, Leffe® and Michelob ULTRA®; and local champions such as Aguila®, Antarctica®, Bud Light®, Brahma®, Cass®, Castle®, Castle Lite®, Cristal®, Harbin®, Jupiler®, Modelo Especial®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Sedrin®, and Skol®. Our brewing heritage dates back more than 600 years, spanning continents and generations. From our European roots at the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium. To the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery in St. Louis, US. To the creation of the Castle Brewery in South Africa during the Johannesburg gold rush. To Bohemia, the first brewery in Brazil. Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, we leverage the collective strengths of approximately 167,000 colleagues based in nearly 50 countries worldwide. For 2022, AB InBev’s reported revenue was 57.8 billion USD (excluding JVs and associates).

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 16


LOGO

 

Annex 1: Segment reporting (2Q)

 

 

  AB InBev Worldwide    2Q22              Scope      Currency
  Translation
       Hyperinflation
restatement
       Organic
Growth
     2Q23          Organic
Growth
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

     149 729        -        -        -        -2 147        147 583        -1.4%  

of which AB InBev own beer

     131 107        19        -        -        -2 376        128 750        -1.8%  

  Revenue

     14 793        -20        -870        153        1 065        15 120        7.2%  

  Cost of sales

     -6 796        12        430        -41        - 625        -7 019        -9.2%  

  Gross profit

     7 997        -8        -440        111        440        8 101        5.5%  

  SG&A

     -4 500        -11        264        -38        -421        -4 707        -9.4%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

     314        -186        -15        1        61        175        47.8%  

  Normalized EBIT

     3 811        -205        -191        75        80        3 569        2.2%  

  Normalized EBITDA

     5 096        -205        -263        38        243        4 909        5.0%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

     34.5%                                            32.5%        -69 bps  
  North America    2Q22      Scope      Currency
Translation
     Hyperinflation
restatement
     Organic
Growth
     2Q23      Organic
Growth
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

     27 361        35        -        -        -3 854        23 542        -14.1%  

  Revenue

     4 390        -        -42        -        -395        3 953        -9.0%  

  Cost of sales

     -1 785        -1        15        -        27        -1 745        1.5%  

  Gross profit

     2 604        -1        -28        -        -367        2 208        -14.1%  

  SG&A

     -1 209        -2        14        -        -18        -1 215        -1.5%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

     7        -        -        -        3        10        36.0%  

  Normalized EBIT

     1 402        -3        -14        -        -383        1 003        -27.4%  

  Normalized EBITDA

     1 597        -3        -16        -        -389        1 189        -24.4%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

     36.4%                                            30.1%        -616 bps  
  Middle Americas    2Q22      Scope      Currency
Translation
     Hyperinflation
restatement
     Organic
Growth
     2Q23      Organic
Growth
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

     37 775        -        -        -        118        37 893        0.3%  

  Revenue

     3 594        -        122        -        368        4 084        10.2%  

  Cost of sales

     -1 435        1        -39        -        -98        -1 571        -6.8%  

  Gross profit

     2 159        1        83        -        270        2 513        12.5%  

  SG&A

     -874        -8        -35        -        -68        -985        -7.7%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

     -14        -        -        -        23        10        -  

  Normalized EBIT

     1 271        -6        48        -        225        1 538        17.8%  

  Normalized EBITDA

     1 610        -6        65        -        247        1 916        15.4%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

     44.8%                                            46.9%        210 bps  
  South America    2Q22      Scope      Currency
Translation
     Hyperinflation
restatement
     Organic
Growth
     2Q23      Organic
Growth
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

     36 421        7        -        -        - 691        35 737        -1.9%  

  Revenue

     2 626        -        -651        153        615        2 742        23.8%  

  Cost of sales

     -1 419        -        295        -41        -258        -1 423        -18.4%  

  Gross profit

     1 207        -        -356        111        357        1 319        30.2%  

  SG&A

     -855        -6        205        -38        -232        -926        -27.3%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

     243        -184        -14        1        35        81        59.3%  

  Normalized EBIT

     595        -190        -165        75        160        475        41.0%  

  Normalized EBITDA

     820        -190        -221        38        290        737        47.2%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

     31.2%                                            26.9%        440 bps  

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 17


LOGO

 

  EMEA    2Q22              Scope      Currency
  Translation
       Hyperinflation
restatement
       Organic
Growth
             2Q23        Organic
Growth
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

         22 838        60        -        -        -14            22 884        -0.1%  

  Revenue

     2 140        22        -173        -        259        2 248        12.0%  

  Cost of sales

     -1 087        -12        100        -        -208        -1 207        -18.9%  

  Gross profit

     1 054        10        -74        -        51        1 041        4.8%  

  SG&A

     -680        -17        44        -        -9        -662        -1.2%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

     49        -3        -1        -        1        47        2.5%  

  Normalized EBIT

     423        -9        -31        -        43        426        10.4%  

  Normalized EBITDA

     692        -9        -52        -        49        680        7.2%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

     32.3%                                            30.3%        -134 bps  
  Asia Pacific    2Q22      Scope      Currency
Translation
     Hyperinflation
restatement
     Organic
Growth
     2Q23      Organic
Growth
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

     25 097        -        -        -        2 378        27 475        9.5%  

  Revenue

     1 835        -2        -125        -        266        1 973        14.5%  

  Cost of sales

     -881        -        58        -        -105        -927        -11.9%  

  Gross profit

     954        -2        -67                 161        1 046        17.0%  

  SG&A

     -531        1        37        -        -90        -584        -17.1%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

     26        -        -1        -        -5        21        -17.3%  

  Normalized EBIT

     449        -1        -31        -        66        483        14.8%  

  Normalized EBITDA

     620        -1        -41        -        66        645        10.7%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

     33.8%                                            32.7%        -113 bps  

  Global Export and Holding

  Companies

   2Q22      Scope      Currency
Translation
     Hyperinflation
restatement
     Organic
Growth
     2Q23      Organic
Growth
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

     238        -102        -        -        -84        51        -62.3%  

  Revenue

     208        -41        -        -        -48        119        -28.8%  

  Cost of sales

     -189        24        2        -        17        -147        10.3%  

  Gross profit

     19        -17        2        -        -31        -27        -  

  SG&A

     -350        21        -2        -        -4        -336        -1.3%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

     2        -        1        -        3        7        -  

  Normalized EBIT

     -330        4        1        -        -32        -357        -9.8%  

  Normalized EBITDA

     -242        4        2        -        -21        -257        -8.6%  

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 18


LOGO

 

Annex 2: Segment reporting (HY)

 

 

  AB InBev Worldwide      HY22        Scope        Currency
Translation
       Organic
Growth
       HY23        Organic 
Growth 
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

       289 074          -          -          -943          288 131          -0.3%   

of which AB InBev own beer

       251 692          29          -          -1 911          249 810          -0.8%   

  Revenue

       28 027          -39          -1 459          2 804          29 333          10.0%   

  Cost of sales

       -12 784          21          690          -1 463          -13 536          -11.5%   

  Gross profit

       15 243          -18          -769          1 340          15 796          8.8%   

  SG&A

       -8 616          -16          426          -845          -9 051          -9.8%   

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       478          -204          -19          72          327          26.2%   

  Normalized EBIT

       7 105          -239          -362          567          7 072          8.3%   

  Normalized EBITDA

       9 583          -239          -524          848          9 668          9.1%   

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       34.2%                                           33.0%          -29 bps   
  North America      HY22        Scope        Currency
Translation
       Organic
Growth
       HY23        Organic 
Growth 
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

       51 448          51          -          -4 104          47 395          -8.0%   

  Revenue

       8 192          2          -67          -201          7 926          -2.5%   

  Cost of sales

       -3 349          -2          23          -92          -3 420          -2.7%   

  Gross profit

       4 844          -          -44          -293          4 506          -6.0%   

  SG&A

       -2 279          -28          25          -71          -2 354          -3.1%   

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       28          -          -          -10          18          -35.6%   

  Normalized EBIT

       2 592          -29          -19          -374          2 171          -14.6%   

  Normalized EBITDA

       2 975          -29          -23          -385          2 539          -13.1%   

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       36.3%                                           32.0%          -391 bps   
  Middle Americas      HY22        Scope        Currency
Translation
       Organic
Growth
       HY23        Organic 
Growth 
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

       72 024          -          -          141          72 164          0.2%   

  Revenue

       6 693          -          173          707          7 573          10.6%   

  Cost of sales

       -2 625          1          -58          -245          -2 926          -9.3%   

  Gross profit

       4 068          2          114          463          4 646          11.4%   

  SG&A

       -1 631          -12          -53          -167          -1 863          -10.1%   

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       -12          -          -          19          8           

  Normalized EBIT

       2 425          -10          62          315          2 792          13.0%   

  Normalized EBITDA

       3 060          -10          89          355          3 494          11.6%   

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       45.7%                                           46.1%          44 bps   
  South America      HY22        Scope        Currency
Translation
       Organic
Growth
       HY23        Organic 
Growth 
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

       76 815          -          -          -791          76 023          -1.0%   

  Revenue

       5 333          -          -964          1 480          5 849          28.0%   

  Cost of sales

       -2 792          -          405          -562          -2 949          -20.2%   

  Gross profit

       2 541          -          -558          918          2 900          36.5%   

  SG&A

       -1 609          -13          280          -462          -1 804          -28.7%   

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       312          -201          -13          73          171          66.0%   

  Normalized EBIT

       1 244          -213          -292          529          1 268          52.2%   

  Normalized EBITDA

       1 666          -213          -409          723          1 766          50.3%   

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       31.2%                                           30.2%          469 bps   

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 19


LOGO

 

  EMEA      HY22        Scope        Currency
Translation
       Organic
Growth
       HY23        Organic 
Growth 
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

       42 962          104          -          - 224          42 842          -0.5%   

  Revenue

       3 940          38          -336          429          4 070          10.8%   

  Cost of sales

       -2 000          -20          191          -381          -2 210          -18.9%   

  Gross profit

       1 939          18          -145          48          1 860          2.5%   

  SG&A

       -1 341          -31          94          -29          -1 307          -2.1%   

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       88          -4          -3          2          83          1.9%   

  Normalized EBIT

       685          -16          -55          21          635          3.1%   

  Normalized EBITDA

       1 192          -15          -97          63          1 142          5.3%   

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       30.3%                                           28.1%          -146 bps   
  Asia Pacific      HY22        Scope        Currency
Translation
       Organic
Growth
       HY23        Organic 
Growth 
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

       45 385          -          -          4 204          49 589          9.3%   

  Revenue

       3 471          -6          -262          476          3 679          13.7%   

  Cost of sales

       -1 655          -          125          -219          -1 750          -13.2%   

  Gross profit

       1 816          -7          -137          257          1 929          14.2%   

  SG&A

       - 999          4          73          -110          -1 033          -11.1%   

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       67          -          -4          -10          53          -15.5%   

  Normalized EBIT

       884          -3          -68          136          949          15.5%   

  Normalized EBITDA

       1 232          -3          -91          136          1 273          11.0%   

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       35.5%                                           34.6%          -84 bps   
  Global Export and Holding Companies      HY22        Scope        Currency
Translation
       Organic
Growth
       HY23        Organic 
Growth 
 

  Total volumes (thousand hls)

       440          -155          -          -168          117          -58.9%   

  Revenue

       399          -73          -3          -87          236          -26.6%   

  Cost of sales

       -362          42          4          35          -281          10.9%   

  Gross profit

       36          -31          1          -52          -45           

  SG&A

       -756          64          7          -6          -692          -0.9%   

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       -5          -          1          -2          -6           

  Normalized EBIT

       -725          33          10          -60          -742          -8.6%   

  Normalized EBITDA

       -541          32          7          -43          -545          -8.5%   

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 20


LOGO

 

Annex 3: Consolidated statement of financial position

 

 

  Million US dollar      30 June 2023        31 December 2022 
                       

  ASSETS

                     

  Non-current assets

                     

  Property, plant and equipment

       27 181        26 671  

  Goodwill

       116 168        113 010

  Intangible assets

       40 973        40 209

  Investments in associates

       4 728        4 656

  Investment securities

       179        175

  Deferred tax assets

       2 836        2 300

  Employee benefits

       11        11

  Income tax receivables

       835        883

  Derivatives

       62        60

  Trade and other receivables

       1 895        1 782

  Total non-current assets

       194 868        189 757

  

                     

  Current assets

                     

  Investment securities

       85        97

  Inventories

       6 839        6 612

  Income tax receivables

       912        813

  Derivatives

       157        331

  Trade and other receivables

       6 609        5 330

  Cash and cash equivalents

       6 848        9 973

  Assets classified as held for sale

       35        30

  Total current assets

       21 483        23 186
                       

  Total assets

       216 352        212 943
                       

  EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

                     

  Equity

                     

  Issued capital

       1 736        1 736

  Share premium

       17 620        17 620

  Reserves

       18 835        15 218

  Retained earnings

       39 269        38 823

  Equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

       77 460        73 398

  

                     

  Non-controlling interests

       11 324        10 880

  Total equity

       88 783        84 278

  

                     

  Non-current liabilities

                     

  Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

       78 323        78 880

  Employee benefits

       1 521        1 534

  Deferred tax liabilities

       12 003        11 818

  Income tax payables

       595        610

  Derivatives

       113        184

  Trade and other payables

       872        859

  Provisions

       370        396

  Total non-current liabilities

       93 796        94 282

  

                     

  Current liabilities

                     

  Bank overdrafts

       53        83

  Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

       2 524        1 029

  Income tax payables

       1 263        1 438

  Derivatives

       6 340        5 308

  Trade and other payables

       23 347        26 349

  Provisions

       244        176

  Total current liabilities

       33 773        34 383
                       

  Total equity and liabilities

       216 352        212 943

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 21


LOGO

 

Annex 4: Consolidated statement of cash flows

 

 

  For the six-month period ended 30 June

  Million US dollar

     2023        2022 
                       

  OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                     

  Profit of the period

       2 655          2 474   

  Depreciation, amortization and impairment

       2 595          2 477  

  Net finance cost/(income)

       3 223          2 268  

  Equity-settled share-based payment expense

       286          237  

  Income tax expense

       1 192          1 244  

  Other non-cash items

       321          -225  

  Share of result of associates

       -105          1 014  

  Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

       10 167          9 489  

  Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

       -1 325          -581  

  Decrease/(increase) in inventories

       -228          -833  

  Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

       -3 062          -1 925  

  Pension contributions and use of provisions

       -192          -195  

  Cash generated from operations

       5 360          5 955  

  Interest paid

       -2 322          -2 082  

  Interest received

       512          177  

  Dividends received

       43          50  

  Income tax paid

       -1 996          -1 918  

  Cash flow from operating activities

       1 597          2 182  

  

                     

  INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                     

  Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

       -2 107          -2 002  

  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

       44          63  

  Sale/(acquisition) of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed/ acquired of

       -8          -44  

  Proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

       10          66  

  Cash flow from/(used in) investing activities

       -2 061          -1 917  

  

                     

  FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                     

  Sale/(purchase) of non-controlling interests

       -3          -52  

  Proceeds from borrowings

       181          68  

  Payments on borrowings

       -26          -3 520  

  Cash net finance (cost)/income other than interests

       -693          -326  

  Payment of lease liabilities

       -359          -286  

  Dividends paid

       -1 923          -1 276  

  Cash flow from/(used in) financing activities

       -2 823          -5 392  
                       

  Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

       -3 287          -5 128  

  Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

       9 890          12 043  

  Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

       191          -18  

  Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of period

       6 794          6 897  

 

ab-inbev.com

        Press release – 3 August 2023 – 22

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

LOGO

Unaudited Interim Report

for the six-month period ended

30 June 2023

 

 

 

1


Management report

 

 

Anheuser-Busch InBev is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with secondary listings on the Mexico (MEXBOL: ANB) and South Africa (JSE: ANH) stock exchanges and with American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). As a company, we dream big to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life’s moments, move our industry forward and make a meaningful impact in the world. We are committed to building great brands that stand the test of time and to brewing the best beers using the finest natural ingredients. Our diverse portfolio of well over 500 beer brands includes global brands Budweiser®, Corona® and Stella Artois®; multi-country brands Beck’s®, Hoegaarden®, Leffe® and Michelob Ultra®; and local champions such as Aguila®, Antarctica®, Bud Light®, Brahma®, Cass®, Castle®, Castle Lite®, Cristal®, Harbin®, Jupiler®, Modelo Especial®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Sedrin® and Skol®. Our brewing heritage dates back more than 600 years, spanning continents and generations. From our European roots at the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium. To the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery in St. Louis, US. To the creation of the Castle Brewery in South Africa during the Johannesburg gold rush. To Bohemia, the first brewery in Brazil. Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, we leverage the collective strengths of approximately 167 000 employees based in nearly 50 countries worldwide. For 2022, our reported revenue was 57.8 billion US dollar (excluding joint ventures and associates).

The following management report should be read in conjunction with Anheuser-Busch InBev’s 2022 audited consolidated financial statements and with the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements as at 30 June 2023.

In the rest of this document we refer to Anheuser-Busch InBev as “AB InBev”, “the company”, “we”, “us” or “our”.

Selected financial figures

To facilitate the understanding of our underlying performance, the comments in this management report, unless otherwise indicated, are based on organic and normalized numbers. “Organic” means the financials are analyzed eliminating the impact of changes in currencies on translation of foreign operations, and scopes. Scopes represent the impact of acquisitions and divestitures, the start-up or termination of activities or the transfer of activities between segments, curtailment gains and losses and year-over-year changes in accounting estimates and other assumptions that management does not consider part of the underlying performance of the business.

The tables in this management report provide the segment information per region for the period ended 30 June 2023 and 2022 in the format up to Normalized EBIT level that is used by management to monitor performance.

As from 1 January 2023, mark-to-market gains/(losses) on derivatives related to the hedging of the share-based payment programs are reported in the non-underlying net finance income/(cost). The 2022 presentation was amended to conform to the 2023 presentation.

Whenever used in this report, the term “normalized” refers to performance measures (EBITDA, EBIT, Profit, effective tax rate) before non-underlying items. Non-underlying items are either income or expenses which do not occur regularly as part of the normal activities of the company. They are presented separately because they are important for the understanding of the underlying sustainable performance of the company due to their size or nature. Normalized measures are additional measures used by management and should not replace the measures determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of the company’s performance, but rather should be used in conjunction with the most directly comparable IFRS measures.

 

2


The tables below set out the components of our operating income and operating expenses, as well as the key cash flow figures.

 

  For the six-month period ended 30 June
  Million US dollar
   2023      %      2022      %  

  Revenue1

             29 333                100%                28 027                100%  

  Cost of sales

     (13 536)        46%        (12 784)        46%  
                                     

  Gross profit

     15 796        54%        15 243        54%  

  SG&A

     (9 051)        31%        (8 616)        31%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

     327        1%        478        2%  
                                     

  Normalized profit from operations (Normalized EBIT)

     7 072        24%        7 105        25%  

  Non-underlying items

     (107)        -%        (105)        -%  
                                     

  Profit from operations (EBIT)

     6 965        24%        7 000        25%  
                                     

  Depreciation, amortization and impairment

     2 596        9%        2 477        9%  

  Normalized EBITDA

     9 668        33%        9 583        34%  

  EBITDA

     9 561        33%        9 477        34%  
                                     

  Underlying profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     2 762        9%        2 672        10%  

  Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     1 977        7%        1 692        6%  

  For the six-month period ended 30 June

  Million US dollar

                   2023      2022  

  Operating activities

                                   

  Profit

                       2 655        2 474  

  Interest, taxes and non-cash items included in profit

                       7 512        7 015  
  Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of
  provisions
                       10 167        9 489  
                                     

  Change in working capital

                       (4 615)        (3 339)  

  Pension contributions and use of provisions

                       (192)        (195)  

  Interest and taxes (paid)/received

                       (3 806)        (3 823)  

  Dividends received

                       43      50

  Cash flow from operating activities

                       1 597        2 182  
                                     

  Investing activities

                                   

  Net capex

                       (2 063)        (1 939)  

  Sale/(acquisition) of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed/ acquired of

                       (8)        (44)  

  Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

                       10      66

  Cash flow from / (used in) investing activities

                       (2 061)        (1 917)  
                                     

  Financing activities

                                   

  Dividends paid

                       (1 923)        (1 276)  

  Net (payments on)/proceeds from borrowings

                       155      (3 452)  

  Payment of lease liabilities

                       (359)        (286)  

  Sale/(purchase) of non-controlling interests and other

                       (696)        (378)  

  Cash flow from / (used in) financing activities

                       (2 823)        (5 392)  
                                     

  Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

                       (3 287)        (5 128)  

 

 

1 

Turnover less excise taxes. In many jurisdictions, excise taxes make up a large proportion of the cost of beer charged to the company’s customers.

 

3


Financial performance

We are presenting our results under five regions: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA and Asia Pacific.

The tables in this management report provide the segment information per region for the period ended 30 June 2023 and 2022 in the format down to Normalized EBIT level that is used by management to monitor performance.

The tables below provide a summary of our performance for the period ended 30 June 2023 and 2022 (in million US dollar, except volumes in thousand hectoliters) and the related comments are based on organic numbers.

 

  AB INBEV WORLDWIDE    2022              Scope      Currency
    translation
         Organic
growth
     2023      Organic
    growth %
 

  Volumes

         289 074        -        -        (943)                288 131        (0.3)%  

  Revenue

     28 027        (39)        (1 459)        2 804        29 333        10.0%  

  Cost of sales

     (12 784)        21        690        (1 463)        (13 536)        (11.5)%  

  Gross profit

     15 243        (18)        (769)        1 340        15 796        8.8%  

  SG&A

     (8 616)        (16)        426        (845)        (9 051)        (9.8)%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

     478        (204)        (19)        72        327        26.2%  

  Normalized EBIT

     7 105        (239)        (362)        567        7 072        8.3%  

  Normalized EBITDA

     9 583        (239)        (524)        848        9 668        9.1%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

     34.2%        -        -        -        33.0%        (29) bps  

In the first six months of 2023, our normalized EBITDA increased 9.1%, while our normalized EBITDA margin contracted 29 bps, reaching 33.0%.

Consolidated volumes declined by 0.3%, with own beer volumes down 0.8% and non-beer volumes up 2.1% in the first six months of 2023, as growth in the majority of our markets in the second quarter of 2023 was offset by performance in the US.

Consolidated revenue grew by 10.0% to 29 333m US dollar, with revenue per hectoliter growth of 10.6% as a result of pricing actions, ongoing premiumization and other revenue management initiatives. Combined revenues of our global brands, Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona increased by 13.4% globally and 16.9% outside of their respective home markets.

Consolidated cost of sales increased 11.5%, and increased 12.2% on a per hectoliter basis, driven by anticipated commodity cost headwinds.

Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) increased 9.8% primarily due to increased sales and marketing investments.

In the first six months of 2022, Ambev recognized 201m US dollar income in Other operating income related to tax credits in Brazil. The year-over-year change is presented as a scope change and does not impact the presented organic growth. Additionally, in the first six months of 2022, Ambev recognized 113m US dollar of interest income in Finance income related to these credits. Ambev’s tax credits and interest receivables are expected to be collected over a period exceeding 12 months after the reporting date. As of 30 June 2023, the total amount of such credits and interest receivables represented 1 247m US dollar.

 

4


VOLUMES

The table below summarizes the volume evolution per region and the related comments are based on organic numbers. Volumes include not only brands that we own or license, but also third-party brands that we brew as a subcontractor and third-party products that we sell through our distribution network, particularly in Europe. Volumes sold by the Global Export business, which includes our global headquarters and the export businesses which have not been allocated to our regions, are shown separately.

 

  Thousand hectoliters            2022              Scope              Organic
growth
                 2023      Organic
        growth %
 

  North America

     51 448        51        (4 104)        47 395        (8.0)%  

  Middle Americas

     72 024        -        141      72 164        0.2%  

  South America

     76 815        -        (791)        76 023        (1.0)%  

  EMEA

     42 962        104        (224)        42 842        (0.5)%  

  Asia Pacific

     45 385        -        4 204        49 589        9.3%  

  Global Export and Holding Companies

     440        (155)        (168)        117        (58.9)%  

AB InBev Worldwide

     289 074        -        (943)        288 131        (0.3)%  

North America total volumes decreased by 8.0%

In the United States, our sales-to-wholesalers (“STWs”) declined by 8.6% and our sales-to-retailers (“STRs”) declined by 9.2%, underperforming the industry, primarily due to the volume decline of Bud Light. The beer industry continued to demonstrate resilience in the first half of 2023, delivering revenue growth of 2.6%, while volumes declined by 2.7% according to Circana. Our total beer industry share trend declined in the second quarter of 2023, but has been stable since the last week of April through the end of June. Since April, we actively engaged with over 170 000 consumers across the country through a third-party research firm and the data shows that most consumers surveyed are favorable towards the Bud Light brand and approximately 80% are favorable or neutral. As part of our long-term plan, we increased investments in our key brands, invested in measures to support our wholesalers and continued key initiatives such as partnerships with NFL, NBA, Folds of Honor and Farm Rescue.

In Canada, our volumes declined by low-single digits.

Middle Americas total volumes increased by 0.2%.

In Mexico, our volumes were flat. Our performance in the first half of 2023 was driven by ongoing portfolio development and digital transformation. Our above core portfolio continued to outperform, growing revenue by mid-teens, led by the strong performance of Modelo, Michelob Ultra and Pacifico. We continued to progress our digital and physical DTC initiatives in the second quarter of 2023 with our digital DTC platform, TaDa, now operating in over 60 major cities and fulfilling on average over 300 000 orders per month and the opening of a further 150 Modelorama stores.

In Colombia, our volumes declined by low-single digits. A particularly strong performance from Poker, with a double-digit volume growth, drove our performance in the first half of 2023.

In Peru, our volumes declined by low-single digits.

In Ecuador, our volumes increased by low-single digits, supported by continued share of total alcohol gains. Our above core brands continued to lead our growth in the first half of 2023, delivering a double-digit revenue increase.

South America total volumes decreased by 1.0%.

In Brazil, our total volumes were flat with beer volumes down 0.9% and non-beer volumes up 2.5%. Our premium and super premium brands continued to outperform in the first six months of 2023, delivering volume growth in the mid-thirties, led by Original, Spaten and Corona. BEES Marketplace continued to expand, reaching over 700 thousand customers, a 29% increase versus the second quarter of 2022, and growing GMV by 64%. Our digital DTC platform, Zé Delivery, reached 4.6 million monthly active users this quarter, a 12% increase versus the second quarter of 2022, and increased GMV by 12%.

In Argentina, total volumes declined by mid-single digits.

 

5


EMEA total volumes decreased by 0.5%.

In Europe, our volumes declined by low-single digits. We continue to drive premiumization across Europe. Our premium and super premium brands delivered double-digit revenue growth in the first six months of 2023, led by Corona and Budweiser.

In South Africa, volumes grew by mid-single digits. We continue to see strong consumer demand for our portfolio, gaining share of beer and total alcohol according to our estimates. Carling Black Label, the #1 beer brand in the country, led our performance in the first six months of 2023, with low-teens volume growth and our global brands grew volumes by more than 40%, driven by Corona.

In Africa excluding South Africa, volumes declined by low-teens in Nigeria, driven by a soft industry which was impacted by the continued challenging operating environment. In our other markets, we grew volumes in aggregate by low-single digits in the first six months of 2023, driven primarily by Tanzania, Ghana and Uganda.

Asia Pacific total volumes increased by 9.3%.

In China, volumes grew by 9.4% in the first six months of 2023, outperforming the industry according to our estimates. We delivered volume growth across all segments of our portfolio in the first six months of 2023, led by high-teens volume growth in both our premium and super premium portfolios. The roll out and adoption of the BEES platform continued, with BEES now present in over 220 cities and over 45% of our revenue through digital channels in June.

In South Korea, volumes grew by low single-digits in the first six months of 2023.

 

6


OPERATING ACTIVITIES BY REGION

The tables below provide a summary of the performance of each region, for the period ended 30 June 2023 (in million US dollar, except volumes in thousand hectoliters) and the related comments are based on organic numbers.

 

  AB INBEV WORLDWIDE      2022        Scope        Currency
translation
       Organic
growth
       2023        Organic  
growth %  

  Volumes

       289 074          -          -          (943)          288 131          (0.3)%   

  Revenue

       28 027          (39)          (1 459)          2 804          29 333          10.0%  

  Cost of sales

       (12 784)          21          690          (1 463)          (13 536)          (11.5)%  

  Gross profit

       15 243          (18)          (769)          1 340          15 796          8.8%  

  SG&A

       (8 616)          (16)          426          (845)          (9 051)          (9.8)%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       478          (204)          (19)          72          327          26.2%  

  Normalized EBIT

       7 105          (239)          (362)          567          7 072          8.3%  

  Normalized EBITDA

       9 583          (239)          (524)          848          9 668          9.1%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       34.2%          -          -          -          33.0%          (29) bps  
  North America      2022        Scope        Currency
translation
       Organic
growth
       2023        Organic  
growth %  

  Volumes

       51 448          51          -          (4 104)          47 395          (8.0)%  

  Revenue

       8 192          2          (67)          (201)          7 926          (2.5)%  

  Cost of sales

       (3 349)          (2)          23          (92)          (3 420)          (2.7)%  

  Gross profit

       4 844          -          (44)          (293)          4 506          (6.0)%  

  SG&A

       (2 279)          (28)          25          (71)          (2 354)          (3.1)%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       28          -          -          (10)          18          (35.6)%  

  Normalized EBIT

       2 592          (29)          (19)          (374)          2 171          (14.6)%  

  Normalized EBITDA

       2 975          (29)          (23)          (385)          2 539          (13.1)%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       36.3%          -          -          -          32.0%          (391) bps  
  Middle Americas      2022        Scope        Currency
translation
       Organic
growth
       2023        Organic  
growth %  

  Volumes

       72 024          -          -          141        72 164          0.2%  

  Revenue

       6 693          -          173          707          7 573          10.6%  

  Cost of sales

       (2 625)          1          (58)          (245)          (2 926)          (9.3)%  

  Gross profit

       4 068          2          114          463          4 646          11.4%  

  SG&A

       (1 631)          (12)          (53)          (167)          (1 863)          (10.1)%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       (12)          -          -          19          8          -  

  Normalized EBIT

       2 425          (10)          62          315          2 792          13.0%  

  Normalized EBITDA

       3 060          (10)          89          355          3 494          11.6%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       45.7%          -          -          -          46.1%          44 bps  
  South America      2022        Scope        Currency
translation
       Organic
growth
       2023        Organic  
growth %  

  Volumes

       76 815          -          -          (791)          76 023          (1.0)%  

  Revenue

       5 333          -          (964)          1 480          5 849          28.0%  

  Cost of sales

       (2 792)          -          405          (562)          (2 949)          (20.2)%  

  Gross profit

       2 541          -          (558)          918          2 900          36.5%  

  SG&A

       (1 609)          (13)          280          (462)          (1 804)          (28.7)%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       312          (201)          (13)          73          171          66.0%  

  Normalized EBIT

       1 244          (213)          (292)          529          1 268          52.2%  

  Normalized EBITDA

       1 666          (213)          (409)          723          1 766          50.3%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       31.2%          -          -          -          30.2%          469 bps  
  EMEA      2022        Scope        Currency
translation
       Organic
growth
       2023        Organic  
growth %  

  Volumes

       42 962          104          -          (224)          42 842          (0.5)%  

  Revenue

       3 940          38          (336)          429          4 070          10.8%  

  Cost of sales

       (2 000)          (20)          191          (381)          (2 210)          (18.9)%  

  Gross profit

       1 939          18          (145)          48          1 860          2.5%  

  SG&A

       (1 341)          (31)          94          (29)          (1 307)          (2.1)%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       88          (4)          (3)          2          83          1.9%  

  Normalized EBIT

       685          (16)          (55)          21          635          3.1%  

  Normalized EBITDA

       1 192          (15)          (97)          63          1 142          5.3%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       30.3%          -          -          -          28.1%          (146) bps  

 

7


  Asia Pacific      2022        Scope        Currency
translation
       Organic
growth
       2023        Organic  
growth %  

  Volumes

       45 385          -          -          4 204          49 589          9.3%   

  Revenue

       3 471          (6)          (262)          476          3 679          13.7%  

  Cost of sales

       (1 655)          -          125          (219)          (1 750)          (13.2)%  

  Gross profit

       1 816          (7)          (137)          257          1 929          14.2%  

  SG&A

       (999)          4          73          (110)          (1 033)          (11.1)%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       67          -          (4)          (10)          53          (15.5)%  

  Normalized EBIT

       884          (3)          (68)          136          949          15.5%  

  Normalized EBITDA

       1 232          (3)          (91)          136          1 273          11.0%  

  Normalized EBITDA margin

       35.5%          -          -          -          34.6%          (84) bps  
  Global Export and Holding Companies      2022        Scope        Currency
translation
       Organic
growth
       2023        Organic  
growth %  

  Volumes

       440          (155)          -          (168)          117          (58.9)%  

  Revenue

       399          (73)          (3)          (87)          236          (26.6)%  

  Cost of sales

       (362)          42          4          35          (281)          10.9%  

  Gross profit

       36          (31)          1          (52)          (45)          -  

  SG&A

       (756)          64          7          (6)          (692)          (0.9)%  

  Other operating income/(expenses)

       (5)          -          1          (2)          (6)          -  

  Normalized EBIT

       (725)          33          10          (60)          (742)          (8.6)%  

  Normalized EBITDA

       (541)          32          7          (43)          (545)          (8.5)%  

REVENUE

Our consolidated revenue grew by 10.0% to 29 333m US dollar with revenue per hectoliter growth of 10.6% in the first six months of 2023, as a result of pricing actions, ongoing premiumization and other revenue management initiatives.

COST OF SALES

Our cost of sales increased by 11.5% and increased by 12.2% on a per hectoliter basis, driven by anticipated commodity cost headwinds.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Our total operating expenses increased 9.3% in the six-month period ended 30 June 2023:

 

 

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses (SG&A) increased by 9.8% due primarily to increased sales and marketing investments.

 

 

Other operating income increased 26.2% primarily driven by higher government grants and the impact of disposal of non-core assets year-over-year. In addition, in the first six months of 2022, Ambev recognized 201m US dollar income in Other operating income related to tax credits in Brazil. The year-over-year change is presented as a scope change.

NORMALIZED PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION (NORMALIZED EBITDA)

Our normalized EBITDA increased 9.1% organically to 9 668m US dollar, with an EBITDA margin of 33.0%, representing an EBITDA margin organic contraction of 29 bps, driven by anticipated commodity cost headwinds and increased sales and marketing investments.

Differences in normalized EBITDA margins by region are due to a number of factors such as different routes to market, share of returnable packaging in the region’s sales and premium product mix.

 

8


RECONCILIATION BETWEEN NORMALIZED EBITDA AND PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS

Normalized EBITDA and EBIT are measures utilized by us to demonstrate the company’s underlying performance.

Normalized EBITDA is calculated excluding the following effects from profit attributable to our equity holders: (i) Non-controlling interest, (ii) Income tax expense, (iii) Share of results of associates, (iv) Non-underlying share of results of associates, (v) Net finance cost, (vi) Non-underlying net finance cost, (vii) Non-underlying items above EBIT (including non-underlying impairment) and (viii) Depreciation, amortization and impairment.

Normalized EBITDA and EBIT are not accounting measures under IFRS accounting and should not be considered as an alternative to Profit attributable to equity holders as a measure of operational performance or as an alternative to cash flow as a measure of liquidity. Normalized EBITDA and EBIT do not have a standard calculation method and our definition of normalized EBITDA and EBIT may not be comparable to that of other companies.

 

  For the six-month period ended 30 June

  Million US dollar

     Notes        2023        2022  

  Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

                  1 977          1 692   

  Non-controlling interest

                  678          782  

  Profit of the period

                  2 655          2 474  

  Income tax expense

       9          1 192          1 244  

  Share of result of associates

       13          (105)          (129)  

  Non-underlying share of results of associates

       7/13          -          1 143  

  Non-underlying net finance cost/(income)¹

       8          703          (176)  

  Net finance cost¹

       8          2 520          2 444  

  Non-underlying items above EBIT (including non-underlying impairment)

       7          107          105  

  Normalized EBIT

                  7 072          7 105  

  Depreciation, amortization and impairment (excluding non-underlying impairment)

       10          2 596          2 477  

  Normalized EBITDA

                  9 668          9 583  

Non-underlying items are either income or expenses which do not occur regularly as part of the normal activities of the company. They are presented separately because they are important for the understanding of the underlying sustainable performance of the company due to their size or nature. Details on the nature of the non-underlying items are disclosed in Note 7 Non-underlying items.

 

 

1 As from 1 January 2023, mark-to-market gains/(losses) on derivatives related to the hedging of the share-based payment programs are reported in the non-underlying net finance income/(cost). The 2022 presentation was amended to conform to the 2023 presentation.

 

9


IMPACT OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Foreign currency exchange rates have a significant impact on our financial statements. The following table sets forth the percentage of our revenue realized by currency for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022:

 

      2023        2022  

  US dollar

     27.3%          29.3%   

  Brazilian real

     14.5%          13.7%  

  Mexican peso

     12.3%          10.3%  

  Chinese yuan

     9.6%          9.4%  

  Euro

     5.5%          5.5%  

  Colombian peso

     3.6%          4.1%  

  South African rand

     3.6%          3.9%  

  Argentinean peso¹

     3.4%          3.3%  

  Canadian dollar

     3.2%          3.4%  

  Peruvian nuevo sol

     3.1%          2.8%  

  Dominican peso

     2.1%          2.0%  

  South Korean won

     1.9%          2.1%  

  Pound sterling

     1.9%          2.1%  

  Other

     7.9%          8.0%  

The following table sets forth the percentage of our normalized EBITDA realized by currency for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022:

 

      2023        2022  

  US dollar

     22.9%          29.8%   

  Mexican peso

     17.8%          13.9%  

  Brazilian real

     12.3%          12.4%  

  Chinese yuan

     11.5%          10.1%  

  Peruvian nuevo sol

     5.1%          3.9%  

  Colombian peso

     5.0%          5.0%  

  Argentinean peso¹

     4.2%          3.1%  

  South African rand

     3.5%          4.0%  

  Canadian dollar

     3.3%          2.5%  

  Dominican peso

     3.1%          2.9%  

  Euro

     2.4%          4.3%  

  South Korean won

     1.6%          1.9%  

  Pound sterling

     0.8%          0.1%  

  Other

     6.5%          6.0%  

PROFIT

Underlying profit (profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev excluding non-underlying items and the impact of hyperinflation) was 2 762m US dollar (Underlying EPS 1.37 US dollar) in the first six months of 2023 as compared to 2 672m US dollar in the first six months of 2022 (Underlying EPS 1.33 US dollar) (see Note 16 Changes in equity and earnings per share for more details). Profit attributable to our equity holders for the first six months of 2023 was 1 977m US dollar, compared to 1 692m US dollar for the first six months of 2022 and includes the following impacts:

 

 

Net finance costs (excluding non-underlying net finance items): 2 520m US dollar in the first six months of 2023 compared to a net finance cost of 2 444m US dollar in the first six months of 2022.

 

 

Non-underlying net finance cost: Non-underlying net finance cost amounted to 703m US dollar in the first six months of 2023 compared to 176m US dollar income in the first six months of 2022. 703m US dollar loss resulted from mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments related to the hedging of share-based payment programs and on derivative instruments entered into to hedge the shares issued in connection with the combinations of Grupo Modelo and SAB (30 June 2022: 296m US dollar gain). In the first six months of 2022, we recorded 127m US dollar loss related to the early termination of certain bonds.

 

 

Non-underlying share of results of associates: Non-underlying share of results of associates amounted to 1 143m US dollar in the first six months of 2022 and related to the impairment of our investment in AB InBev Efes.

 

 

Non-underlying items impacting profit from operations: In the first six months of 2023, we incurred 107m US dollar of non-underlying costs (30 June 2022: 105m US dollar) mainly comprising of 50m US dollar of restructuring costs (30 June 2022: 51m US dollar) and 38m US dollar costs related to business and asset disposals (including impairment losses). In the first six months of 2022, we recorded 47m US dollar costs related to the discontinuation of exports to Russia and the forfeiting of company benefits from the operations of the associate AB InBev Efes.

 

 

1 Hyperinflation accounting was adopted in 2018 to report the company’s Argentinian operations.

 

10


 

Income tax expense: 1 192m US dollar in the first six months of 2023 with an effective tax rate of 31.9% compared to 1 244m US dollar in the first six months of 2022 with an effective tax rate of 26.3%. The 2023 and 2022 effective tax rates are impacted respectively by the non-deductible losses and non-taxable gains from derivatives related to the hedging of share-based payment programs and the hedging of the shares issued in a transaction related to the combination with Grupo Modelo and SAB. The normalized effective tax rate was 27.3% in the first six months of 2023 compared to 28.2% in the first six months of 2022.

 

 

Profit attributable to non-controlling interest: 678m US dollar in the first six months of 2023 compared to 782m US dollar in the first six months of 2022.

 

11


Liquidity position and capital resources

CASH FLOWS

 

                                                 
 Million US dollar    2023      2022  

 Cash flow from operating activities

                 1 597                    2 182  

 Cash flow from investing activities

     (2 061)        (1 917)  

 Cash flow from financing activities

     (2 823)        (5 392)  

 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (3 287)        (5 128)  

Cash flow from operating activities

 

 Million US dollar    2023      2022  

 Profit

                 2 655        2 474  

 Interest, taxes and non-cash items included in profit

     7 512                    7 015  

 Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

     10 167        9 489  

 Change in working capital

     (4 615)        (3 339)  

 Pension contributions and use of provisions

     (192)        (195)  

 Interest and taxes (paid)/received

     (3 806)        (3 823)  

 Dividends received

     43       50 

 Cash flow from operating activities

     1 597        2 182  

Our cash flow from operating activities reached 1 597m US dollar in the first six months of 2023 compared to 2 182m US dollar in the first six months of 2022. The decrease was driven by changes in working capital for the first six months of 2023 compared to the first six months of 2022.

Changes in working capital in the first half of 2023 and 2022 reflect higher working capital levels at the end of June than at year-end as a result of seasonality.

Cash flow from investing activities

 

 Million US dollar    2023      2022  

 Net capex

                 (2 063)                    (1 939)  

 Sale/(acquisition) of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed/ acquired of

     (8)        (44)  

 Proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

     10       66 

 Cash flow from/(used in) investing activities

     (2 061)        (1 917)  

Our cash outflow from investing activities was 2 061m US dollar in the first six months of 2023 compared to a cash outflow of 1 917m US dollar in the first six months of 2022. The increase in the cash outflow from investing activities was mainly due to higher net capital expenditures in 2023 compared to 2022.

Our net capital expenditures amounted to 2 063m US dollar in the first six months of 2023 and 1 939m US dollar in the first six months of 2022. Out of the total 2023 capital expenditures approximately 33% was used to improve the company’s production facilities while 49% was used for logistics and commercial investments and 18% was used for improving administrative capabilities and for the purchase of hardware and software.

Cash flow from financing activities

 

 Million US dollar    2023      2022  

 Dividends paid

                 (1 923)                    (1 276)  

 Net (payments on)/proceeds from borrowings

     155       (3 452)  

 Payment of lease liabilities

     (359)        (286)  

 Sale/(purchase) of non-controlling interests and other

     (696)        (378)  

 Cash flow from/(used in) financing activities

     (2 823)        (5 392)  

Our cash outflow from financing activities amounted to 2 823m US dollar in the first six months of 2023, as compared to a cash outflow of 5 392m US dollar in the first six months of 2022. The decrease is primarily driven by lower debt redemption in 2023 compared to 2022.

As of 30 June 2023, we had total liquidity of 16.9 billion US dollar, which consisted of 10.1 billion US dollar available under committed long-term credit facilities and 6.8 billion US dollar of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments in debt securities less bank overdrafts. Although we may borrow such amounts to meet our liquidity needs, we principally rely on cash flows from operating activities to fund the company’s operations.

 

12


CAPITAL RESOURCES AND EQUITY

Our net debt amounted to 73.8 billion US dollar as of 30 June 2023 as compared to 69.7 billion US dollar as of 31 December 2022.

Net debt is defined as non-current and current interest-bearing loans and borrowings and bank overdrafts minus debt securities and cash. Net debt is a financial performance indicator that is used by our management to highlight changes in the company’s overall liquidity position. We believe that net debt is meaningful for investors as it is one of the primary measures our management uses when evaluating our progress towards deleveraging toward our optimal net debt to normalized EBITDA ratio of around 2x.

Our net debt increased by 4.1 billion US dollar as of 30 June 2023 compared to 31 December 2022. Aside from operating results that are net of capital expenditures, the net debt is impacted mainly by the payment of interests and taxes (3.8 billion US dollar increase of net debt), dividend payments to shareholders of AB InBev and Ambev (1.9 billion US dollar increase of net debt) and foreign exchange impact on net debt (0.4 billion US dollar increase of net debt).

Net debt to normalized EBITDA increased from 3.51x for the 12-month period ending 31 December 2022 to 3.70x for the 12-month period ending 30 June 2023. Our optimal capital structure is a net debt to normalized EBITDA ratio of around 2x and we will continue to proactively manage our debt portfolio.

Consolidated equity attributable to our equity holders as at 30 June 2023 was 77 460m US dollar, compared to 73 398m US dollar as at 31 December 2022. The net increase in equity results from the profit attributable to equity shareholders and foreign exchange gains on translation of foreign operations primarily related to the combined effect of the appreciation of the closing rates of the Colombian peso, the Euro, the Mexican peso, the Peruvian sol and the weakening of the closing rate of the South African rand, which resulted in a foreign exchange translation adjustment of 3 610m US dollar as of 30 June 2023 (increase of equity). This increase in equity is partially offset by dividends paid.

Further details on interest-bearing loans and borrowings, repayment schedules and liquidity risk, are disclosed in Note 17 Interest-bearing loans and borrowings and Note 19 Risks arising from financial instruments.

As of 30 June 2023, the company’s credit rating from Standard & Poor’s was A- for long-term obligations and A-2 for short-term obligations, with a stable outlook, and the company’s credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service was A3 for long-term obligations and P-2 for short-term obligations, with a stable outlook.

 

13


Risks and uncertainties

Under the explicit understanding that this is not an exhaustive list, AB InBev’s major risk factors and uncertainties are listed below. There may be additional risks which AB InBev is unaware of. There may also be risks AB InBev now believes to be immaterial, but which could turn out to have a material adverse effect. Moreover, if and to the extent that any of the risks described below materialize, they may occur in combination with other risks which would compound the adverse effect of such risks. The sequence in which the risk factors are presented below is not indicative of their likelihood of occurrence or of the potential magnitude of their financial consequence.

AB InBev’s business, financial condition and operating results have been and may continue to be negatively impacted by risks associated with global, regional and local economic weakness and uncertainty, including those resulting from an economic downturn, inflation, geopolitical instability (such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine), increases in energy prices, the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in government policies and/or increased interest rates. Consumption of beer and other alcohol and non-alcohol beverages in many of the jurisdictions in which AB InBev operates is closely linked to general economic conditions and changes in disposable income. Difficult macroeconomic conditions in AB InBev’s key markets have adversely affected the demand for AB InBev’s products in the past and may in the future have a material adverse effect on the demand for AB InBev’s products, which in turn could result in lower revenue and reduced profit. The prevailing geopolitical instability and sustained inflation (including as a result of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine) have resulted in increased pressure on the supply chain and increased energy costs, which may increase AB InBev’s costs of manufacturing, selling and delivering its products. In cases of sustained and elevated inflation across several of its key markets, it may be difficult for AB InBev to effectively manage the increases to its costs and it may not able to pass these increased costs to its customers. Significant further deterioration in economic conditions may also cause AB InBev’s suppliers, distributors and other third-party partners to experience financial or operational difficulties that they cannot overcome, impairing their ability to satisfy their obligations to AB InBev, in which case AB InBev’s business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

A continuation or worsening of the levels of market disruption and volatility seen in the recent past could have an adverse effect on AB InBev’s ability to access capital, its business, results of operations and financial condition, and on the market price of its shares and American Depositary Shares.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect AB InBev’s business, financial performance and results of operations. In March 2022, AB InBev announced that it is forfeiting all financial benefits as a non-controlling partner from the operations of the AB InBev Efes joint venture, in which it owns a 50% non-controlling stake and which it does not consolidate. In April 2022, AB InBev announced its decision to sell its non-controlling interest in the AB InBev Efes joint venture, and that it is in active discussions with its partner, Turkish Brewer Anadolu Efes, to acquire this interest and that its request to Anadolu Efes to suspend the license granted to AB InBev Efes for the production and sale of Bud in Russia will also be part of a potential transaction. As a result, AB InBev de-recognized the investment in AB InBev Efes and reported a 1.1 billion U.S. dollar non-cash impairment charge in exceptional share of results of associates as of 30 June 2022. Any potential transaction will be subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals in Russia and Ukraine, and there can be no guarantee that necessary regulatory approvals will be obtained or that a transaction will be completed. In connection with the ongoing conflict, various governmental authorities, including in the E.U. and the U.S., have imposed sanctions and other restrictive measures against Russia, including export controls and restrictions on carrying out certain activities in Russia or in support of Russian businesses. As a result of the conflict and international reactions thereto, Russian authorities have also imposed various economic and financial restrictions, including currency controls and restrictions on transacting with non-Russian parties. The implementation or expansion of these sanctions, trade restrictions, export and currency controls and other restrictive measures may make it difficult for AB InBev to divest its non-controlling interest in the AB InBev Efes joint venture or for AB InBev Efes to remit, cash from Russia to other jurisdictions. Any failure to comply with applicable sanctions and restrictions could subject AB InBev to regulatory penalties and reputational risk. Even though AB InBev is forfeiting all financial benefits from the AB InBev Efes joint venture, these developments have had, and may continue to have, an adverse impact on the company’s business, financial performance and results of operations, and could result in damage to its reputation.

Furthermore,the broader geopolitical and economic impacts of the ongoing conflict could have the effect of heightening other risks described herein, including, but not limited to, adverse effects on economic and political conditions in AB InBev’s key markets, further disruptions to global supply chains and increases in commodity and energy prices with follow-on global inflationary impacts, additional sanctions and restrictive measures, increased risk of cyber incidents or other disruptions to AB InBev’s information systems, which could materially and adversely affect AB InBev’s business and results of operations. The ultimate impact of these disruptions depends on events beyond AB InBev’s knowledge or control, including the scope and duration of the conflict and actions taken by parties other than AB InBev to respond to them, and cannot be predicted.

 

14


AB InBev’s results of operations are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates. Any change in exchange rates between AB InBev’s operating companies’ functional currencies and the U.S. dollar will affect its consolidated income statement and statement of financial position when the results of those operating companies are translated into U.S. dollar for reporting purposes as translational exposures are not hedged. Also, there can be no assurance that the policies in place to manage commodity price and transactional foreign currency risks to protect AB InBev’s exposure will be able to successfully hedge against the effects of such foreign exchange exposure, especially over the long-term. Further, the use of financial instruments to mitigate currency risk and any other efforts taken to better match the effective currencies of AB InBev’s liabilities to its cash flows could result in increased costs.

Following the categorization of Argentina in AB InBev’s results for the third quarter of 2018 as a country with a three-year cumulative inflation rate greater than 100%, the country is considered as a hyperinflationary economy in accordance with IFRS rules (IAS 29), resulting in the restatement of certain results for hyperinflation accounting. If the economic or political situation in Argentina further deteriorates, the South America operations may be subject to additional restrictions under new Argentinean foreign exchange, export repatriation or expropriation regimes that could adversely affect AB InBev’s ability to access funds from Argentina, financial condition and operating results.

AB InBev may not be able to obtain the necessary funding for its future capital or refinancing needs and may face financial risks due to its level of debt and uncertain market conditions. AB InBev may be required to raise additional funds for its future capital needs or to refinance its current indebtedness through public or private financing, strategic relationships or other arrangements and there can be no assurance that the funding, if needed, will be available or provided on attractive terms. AB InBev has incurred substantial indebtedness by entering into a senior credit facility and accessing the bond markets from time to time based on its financial needs, including as a result of the acquisition of SAB. For the near term, the portion of AB InBev’s consolidated statement of financial position represented by debt is expected to remain higher as compared to its historical position. AB InBev’s increased level of debt could have significant consequences for AB InBev, including (i) increasing its vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, (ii) limiting its flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and the industry in which AB InBev operates, (iii) impairing its ability to obtain additional financing in the future and limiting its ability to fund future working capital and capital expenditures, to engage in future acquisitions or development activities or to otherwise realize the value of its assets and opportunities fully, (iv) requiring AB InBev to issue additional equity (potentially under unfavorable market conditions), and (v) placing AB InBev at a competitive disadvantage compared to its competitors that have less debt. AB InBev’s ability to repay and renegotiate its outstanding indebtedness will be dependent upon market conditions. Unfavorable conditions, including significant price volatility, dislocations and liquidity disruptions in the global credit markets in recent years, as well as downward pressure on credit capacity for certain issuers without regard to those issuers’ underlying financial strength, could increase costs beyond what is currently anticipated. Such costs could have a material adverse impact on AB InBev’s cash flows, results of operations or both. While AB InBev aims to dynamically allocate its surplus free cash flow to balance its leverage, return cash to shareholders and pursue selective mergers and acquisitions, the company’s level of debt may restrict the amount of dividends it is able to pay.

Also, a credit rating downgrade could have a material adverse effect on AB InBev’s ability to finance its ongoing operations or to refinance its existing indebtedness. In addition, a failure of AB InBev to refinance all or a substantial amount of its debt obligations when they become due, or more generally a failure to raise additional equity capital or debt financing or to realize proceeds from asset sales when needed, would have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

AB InBev’s results could be negatively affected by increasing interest rates. Although AB InBev enters into interest rate swap agreements to manage its interest rate risk and also enters into cross-currency interest rate swap agreements to manage both its foreign currency risk and interest-rate risk on interest-bearing financial liabilities, there can be no assurance that such instruments will be successful in reducing the risks inherent in exposures to interest rate fluctuations.

The ability of AB InBev’s subsidiaries to distribute cash upstream may be subject to various conditions and limitations, including, but not limited to, currency controls and restrictions, accounting principles and illiquidity, inconvertibility or non-transferability of a specified currency. Certain of AB InBev’s subsidiaries, including Ambev, may be required to secure their performance of potential obligations under certain agreements and legal proceedings. If these subsidiaries experience difficulties in obtaining or renewing financial instruments required to secure their performance and AB InBev does not provide guarantees in respect of their obligations under such financial instruments, these subsidiaries may be required to pay higher fees, post additional collateral or use a substantial portion of their cash to secure such obligations, which may adversely affect their available cash flows and liquidity and AB InBev’s subsequent ability to receive cash upstream. The inability to obtain sufficient cash flows from its domestic and foreign subsidiaries and affiliated companies could adversely impact AB InBev’s ability to pay dividends and otherwise negatively impact its business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

15


Changes in the availability or price of raw materials, commodities, energy and water, including as a result of geopolitical instability, inflationary pressures, currency fluctuations, constraints on sourcing and unexpected increases in tariffs on such raw materials and commodities, like aluminum, could have an adverse effect on AB InBev’s results of operations to the extent that AB InBev fails to adequately manage the risks inherent in such volatility, including if AB InBev’s hedging and derivative arrangements do not effectively or completely hedge against foreign currency risks and changes in commodity prices. AB InBev experienced higher commodity, raw materials and logistics costs in 2022 and the first half of 2023, which may continue. Energy prices have been subject to significant price volatility in the recent past, including as a result of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and may be again in the future. High energy prices over an extended period of time and disruptions or constraints in the availability of transportation services may affect the price or availability of raw materials or commodities required for AB InBev’s products, and may adversely affect AB InBev’s operations. AB InBev may not be able to increase its prices to offset these increased costs or increase its prices without suffering reduced volume, revenue and operating income.

Certain of AB InBev’s operations depend on effective distribution networks to deliver its products to consumers, and distributors play an important role in distributing a significant proportion of beer and other beverages. Generally, distributors purchase AB InBev’s products from AB InBev and then sell them either to other distributors or points of sale. Such distributors are either government-controlled or privately owned but independent wholesale distributors, and there can be no assurance that such distributors will not give priority to AB InBev’s competitors. Further, any inability of AB InBev to replace unproductive or inefficient distributors, or any limitations imposed on AB InBev to purchase or own any interest in distributors or wholesalers as a result of contractual restrictions, regulatory changes, changes in legislation or the interpretations of legislation by regulators or courts could adversely impact AB InBev’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The continued consolidation of retailers in markets in which AB InBev operates could result in reduced profitability for the beer industry as a whole and indirectly adversely affect AB InBev’s financial results.

AB InBev relies on key third parties, including key suppliers, for a range of raw materials for its beer, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, and for packaging material. The termination of or any material change to arrangements with certain key suppliers or the failure of a key supplier to meet its contractual obligations could have a material impact on AB InBev’s production, distribution and sale of beer, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks and have a material adverse effect on AB InBev’s business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. Certain of AB InBev’s subsidiaries may purchase nearly all of their key packaging materials from sole suppliers under multi-year contracts. The loss of or temporary discontinuity of supply from any of these suppliers without sufficient time to develop an alternative source could cause AB InBev to spend increased amounts on such supplies in the future.

Negative publicity surrounding the company, its activities, its personnel or its business partners, consumer perception of the company’s response to political and social issues or catastrophic events, and campaigns by activists, whether or not warranted, connecting the company, its personnel, its supply chain or its business partners with a failure to maintain high ethical, business and environmental, social and governance practices, including with respect to human rights, workplace conditions and employee health and safety, whether actual or perceived, could adversely impact the company’s brand image and reputation and may decrease demand for its products, thereby adversely affecting its business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. AB InBev’s sponsorship relations may also subject it to negative publicity as a result of any actual or alleged misconduct by individuals or entities associated with organizations AB InBev sponsors or supports. Activities by the company’s promotional partners that harm their public image or reputation could also have an adverse effect on AB InBev’s reputation or brand image, and may decrease demand for AB InBev’s products, thereby adversely affecting its business.

In addition, a number of key brand names are both licensed to third-party brewers and used by companies over which AB InBev does not have control. Although AB InBev monitors brewing quality to ensure its high standards, to the extent that one of these key brand names or joint ventures, companies in which AB InBev does not own a controlling interest and/or AB InBev’s licensees are subject to negative publicity, it could have a material adverse effect on AB InBev’s business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

A portion of the company’s global portfolio consists of associates in new or developing markets, including investments where the company may have a lesser degree of control over the business operations. The company faces several challenges inherent to these various culturally and geographically diverse business interests. Although the company works with its associates on the implementation of appropriate processes and controls, the company also faces additional risks and uncertainties with respect to these minority investments because the company may be dependent on systems, controls and personnel that are not under the company’s control, such as the risk that the company’s associates may violate applicable laws and regulations, which could have an adverse effect on the company’s business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition.

 

16


AB InBev may have a conflict of interest with its majority-owned subsidiaries. For example, a conflict of interest could arise if a dispute arises concerning an alleged contractual breach, which could materially and adversely affect AB InBev’s financial condition. A conflict of interest may also arise as a result of any dual roles played by AB InBev directors who may also be managers or senior officers in the subsidiary. Notwithstanding policies and procedures to address the possibility of such conflicts of interest, AB InBev may not be able to resolve all such conflicts on terms favorable to AB InBev.

The size of AB InBev, contractual limitations it is subject to and its position in the markets in which it operates may decrease its ability to successfully carry out further acquisitions and business integrations. AB InBev cannot enter into further transactions unless it can identify suitable candidates and agree on the terms with them. The size of AB InBev and its position in the markets in which it operates may make it harder to identify suitable candidates, including because it may be harder for AB InBev to obtain regulatory approval for future transactions. If appropriate opportunities do become available, AB InBev may seek to acquire or invest in other businesses; however, any future acquisition may pose regulatory, antitrust and other risks.

AB InBev entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice in relation to the combination with SAB, pursuant to which, among other matters, AB InBev’s subsidiary, Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, agreed not to acquire control of a distributor if doing so would result in more than 10% of its annual volume being distributed through distributorships controlled by AB InBev in the U.S. AB InBev’s compliance with its obligations under the settlement agreement is monitored by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Monitoring Trustee appointed by them. Were AB InBev to fail to fulfill its obligations under the consent decree, whether intentionally or inadvertently, AB InBev could be subject to monetary fines or other penalties.

A substantial portion of AB InBev’s operations are carried out in developing European, African, Asian and Latin American markets. AB InBev’s operations and equity investments in these markets are subject to the usual risks of operating in developing countries, which include, amongst others, political instability or insurrection, human rights concerns, external interference, financial risks, changes in government policy, political and economic changes, changes in the relations between countries, actions of governmental authorities affecting trade and foreign investment, regulations on repatriation of funds, interpretation and application of local laws and regulations, enforceability of intellectual property and contract rights, local labor conditions and regulations, lack of upkeep of public infrastructure, potential political and economic uncertainty, application of exchange controls, nationalization or expropriation, empowerment legislation and policy, corrupt business environments, crime and lack of law enforcement as well as financial risks, which include risk of illiquidity, inflation, devaluation, price volatility, currency convertibility and country default. Moreover, the economies of developing countries are often affected by changes in other developing market countries, and, accordingly, adverse changes in developing markets elsewhere in the world could have a negative impact on the markets in which AB InBev operates. Such developing market risks could adversely impact AB InBev’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, the global reach of AB InBev’s operations exposes it to risks associated with doing business globally, including changes in tariffs. The Office of the United States Trade Representative has enacted tariffs on certain imports into the United States from China. If significant tariffs or other restrictions are placed on imports from China or any retaliatory trade measures are taken by China, this could have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets, and may significantly reduce global trade, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on AB InBev’s business in one or more of its key markets and results of operations.

Competition and changing consumer preferences in its various markets and increased purchasing power of players in AB InBev’s distribution channels could cause AB InBev to reduce prices of its products, increase capital investment, increase marketing and other expenditures or prevent AB InBev from increasing prices to recover higher costs and thereby cause AB InBev to reduce margins or lose market share. Also, innovation faces inherent risks, and the new products AB InBev introduces may not be successful, while competitors may be able to respond more quickly to the emerging trends, such as the increasing consumer preference for “craft beers” or beyond beer products. In recent years, many industries have seen disruption from non-traditional producers and distributors, in many cases, due to a rapidly evolving digital landscape. AB InBev’s business could be negatively affected if it is unable to anticipate changing consumer preferences for digital platforms or fail to continuously strengthen and evolve its capabilities in digital commerce and marketing. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on AB InBev’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

If any of AB InBev’s products is defective or found to contain contaminants, AB InBev may be subject to product recalls or other associated liabilities. Although AB InBev maintains insurance against certain product liability (but not product recall) risks, it may not be able to enforce its rights in respect of these policies and, in the event that contamination or a defect occurs, any amounts it recovers may not be sufficient to offset any damage it may suffer, which could adversely impact its business, reputation, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

 

17


In recent years, there has been public and political attention directed at the soft drinks and alcoholic beverage industries, as a result of a rising health and well-being trend. Despite the progress made on AB InBev’s Smart Drinking Goals, AB InBev may be criticized and experience an increase in the number of publications and studies debating its efforts to reduce the harmful consumption of alcohol, as advocates try to shape the public discussions. AB InBev may also be subject to laws and regulations aimed at reducing the affordability or availability of beer in some of its markets. Additional regulatory restrictions on AB InBev’s business, such as those on the legal minimum drinking age, product labeling, opening hours or marketing activities, may cause the social acceptability of beer to decline significantly and consumption trends to shift away from it, which would have a material adverse effect on AB InBev’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Negative publicity and campaigns by activists, whether or not warranted, connecting AB InBev, its supply chain or its business partners with workplace and human rights issues, whether actual or perceived, could adversely impact AB InBev’s reputation and may cause its business to suffer. AB InBev has adopted policies making a number of commitments to respect human rights, including its commitment to the principles and guidance contained in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Allegations, even if untrue, that AB InBev is not respecting its commitments or actual or perceived failure by its suppliers or other business partners to comply with applicable workplace and labor laws, including child labor laws, or their actual or perceived abuse or misuse of migrant workers could negatively affect AB InBev’s reputation and brand image and may adversely affect its business. AB InBev is now, and may in the future be, a party to legal proceedings and claims, including collective suits (class actions), and significant damages may be asserted against it. Given the inherent uncertainty of litigation, it is possible that AB InBev might incur liabilities as a consequence of the proceedings and claims brought against it, including those that are not currently believed by it to be reasonably possible, which could have a material adverse effect on AB InBev’s business, results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Important contingencies are disclosed in Note 29 Contingencies of the 2022 consolidated financial statements and Note 21 Contingencies of the 2023 unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

AB InBev could incur significant costs as a result of compliance with, and/or violations of or liabilities under, various regulations that govern AB InBev’s operations or the operations of its licensed third parties, including personal data protection laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation adopted in the European Union, the California Consumer Privacy Act, the Personal Information Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China and the General Personal Data Protection Law adopted in Brazil.

AB InBev may be subject to adverse changes in taxation, which makes up a large proportion of the cost of beer charged to consumers in many jurisdictions. Increases in excise and other indirect taxes applicable to AB InBev’s products tend to adversely affect AB InBev’s revenue or margins, both by reducing overall consumption and by encouraging consumers to switch to other categories of beverages, including unrecorded or informal alcohol products, which could adversely affect the financial results of AB InBev as well as its results of operations. Minimum pricing is another form of fiscal regulation that can affect AB InBev’s profitability. Furthermore, AB InBev may be subject to increased taxation on its operations by national, local or foreign authorities, to higher corporate income tax rates or to new or modified taxation regulations and requirements (including potential changes in Brazil). For example, in response to the increasing globalization and digitalization of trade and business operations, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has been working on international tax reform as an extension of its Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project. The reform initiative incorporates a two-pillar approach: Pillar One, which is focused on the re-allocation of some of the taxable profits of multinational enterprises to the markets where consumers are located; and Pillar Two, which is focused on establishing a global minimum corporate taxation rate. In June 2021, the finance ministers of the G7 nations announced an agreement on the principles of the two-pillar approach. Subsequently, in October 2021, the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework announced that 136 countries and jurisdictions had joined an agreement on the two-pillar approach, including the establishment of a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%. In December 2021, the OECD published detailed rules to assist in the implementation of Pillar Two and in December 2022, the EU Council announced that EU Member States had reached an agreement to implement the minimum tax component (Pillar Two) of the OECD’s global international tax reform initiative effective 1 January 2024. EU Member States are now obliged to adopt these new rules into their domestic legislation by no later than 31 December 2023. Furthermore, on 16 August 2022, US President Joe Biden approved the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), whereunder US companies that report over 1 US billion in profits to shareholders are subject to a 15% minimum tax based on book income. Changes in tax treaties, the introduction of new legislation or updates to existing legislation in countries in which AB InBev operates, or changes to regulatory interpretations of existing legislation as a result of the OECD tax reform initiatives, the IRA or similar proposals could impose additional taxes on businesses and increase the complexity, burden and cost of tax compliance in countries where it operates.

Antitrust and competition laws and changes in such laws or in the interpretation and enforcement thereof, as well as being subject to regulatory scrutiny, could affect AB InBev’s business or the businesses of its subsidiaries. For example, in connection with AB InBev’s previous acquisitions, various regulatory authorities have imposed (and may impose in the future) conditions with which AB InBev is required to comply. The terms and conditions of certain of such authorizations,

 

18


approvals and/or clearances required, among other things, the divestiture of the company’s assets or businesses to third parties, changes to the company’s operations, or other restrictions on the company’s ability to operate in certain jurisdictions. Such actions could have a material adverse effect on AB InBev’s business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. In addition, such conditions could diminish substantially the synergies and advantages which the company expects to achieve from such future transactions.

AB InBev operates its business and markets its products in emerging markets that, as a result of political and economic instability, a lack of well-developed legal systems and potentially corrupt business environments, present it with political, economic and operational risks. Although AB InBev is committed to conducting business in a legal and ethical manner in compliance with local and international statutory requirements and standards applicable to its business, there is a risk that the employees or representatives of AB InBev’s subsidiaries, affiliates, associates, joint ventures/operations or other business interests may take actions that violate applicable laws and regulations that generally prohibit the making of improper payments to foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business, including laws relating to the 1997 OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act.

New or expanded export control regulations, economic sanctions, embargoes or other forms of trade restrictions imposed on Russia, Syria, Cuba, Iran or other countries in which AB InBev or its associates do business may curtail AB InBev’s existing business and may result in serious economic challenges in these geographies, which could have an adverse effect on AB InBev and AB InBev’s associates’ operations, and may result in impairment charges on goodwill or other intangible assets or investments in associates.

Although AB InBev’s operations in Cuba through its subsidiary are quantitatively immaterial, the company’s overall business reputation may suffer, or it may face additional regulatory scrutiny as a result of Cuba being a target of U.S. economic and trade sanctions or its subsidiary’s involvement in legal proceedings regarding its operations in Cuba. If investors decide to liquidate or otherwise divest their investments in companies that have operations of any magnitude in Cuba, the market in and value of AB InBev’s securities could be adversely impacted. In addition, Title III of U.S. legislation known as the “Helms-Burton Act” authorizes private lawsuits for damages against anyone who traffics in property confiscated without compensation by the Government of Cuba from persons who at the time were, or have since become, nationals of the United States. As a result of the activation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, AB InBev may be subject to potential U.S. litigation exposure beginning 2 May 2019, including claims accrued during the prior suspension of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. AB InBev has received notice of claims purporting to be made under the Helms-Burton Act. It remains unclear how the activation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act will impact AB InBev’s U.S. litigation exposure with respect to this notice of claim.

AB InBev relies on the reputation of its brands and its success depends on its ability to maintain and enhance the image and reputation of its existing products and to develop a favorable image and reputation for new products. An event, or series of events, that materially damages the reputation of one or more of AB InBev’s brands could have an adverse effect on the value of that brand and subsequent revenues from that brand or business. Further, any restrictions on the permissible advertising style, media channels and messages used may constrain AB InBev’s marketing activities and thus reduce the value of its brands and related revenues.

AB InBev may not be able to protect its current and future brands and products and defend its intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents, domain names, trade secrets and know-how, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition, and in particular, on AB InBev’s ability to develop its business.

If the business of AB InBev does not develop as expected, impairment charges on goodwill or other intangible assets may be incurred in the future that could be significant and that could have an adverse effect on AB InBev’s results of operations and financial condition.

Climate change or other environmental concerns, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change or other environmental concerns, could have a long-term, material adverse impact on AB InBev’s business and results of operations. In addition, social attitudes, customer preferences and investor sentiment are increasingly influenced by environmental, social and corporate governance (“ESG”) considerations, and as a result AB InBev may face pressure from its shareholders, regulators, suppliers, customers or consumers to further address ESG-related concerns, which may require the company to incur increased costs and expose the company to regulatory inquiry or legal action. If AB InBev fails to meet its 2025 Sustainability Goals or its ambition to achieve net zero emissions across its value chain by 2040 for any reason, its overall reputation may suffer. Further, water scarcity or poor water quality may affect AB InBev by increasing production costs and capacity constraints, which could adversely affect AB InBev’s business and results of operations. Public expectations for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the potential adoption of legal and regulatory requirements designed to address climate change and to increase disclosures related to ESG matters, including climate

 

19


change and mitigation efforts, and disparate and evolving standards for identifying, measuring and reporting ESG metrics may require the company to incur increased costs, make additional investments and implement new practices and reporting processes, and may heighten the company’s compliance burden and risks. Additionally, AB InBev’s inability to meet its compliance obligations under EU emissions trading regulations may also have an adverse impact on AB InBev’s business and results of operations.

AB InBev’s operations are subject to environmental regulations, which could expose it to significant compliance costs and litigation relating to environmental issues.

Further, AB InBev may be exposed to labor strikes, disputes and work stoppages or slowdowns, within its operations or those of its suppliers, or an interruption or shortage of raw materials for any other reason that could lead to a negative impact on AB InBev’s costs, earnings, financial condition, production level and ability to operate its business. AB InBev’s production may also be affected by work stoppages or slowdowns that affect its suppliers, distributors and retail delivery/logistics providers as a result of disputes under existing collective labor agreements with labor unions, in connection with negotiations of new collective labor agreements or as a result of financial distress for its suppliers. A work stoppage or slowdown at AB InBev’s facilities could interrupt the transport of raw materials and commodities from its suppliers or the transport of its products to its customers. Such disruptions could put a strain on AB InBev’s relationships with suppliers and customers and may have lasting effects on its business even after the disputes with its labor force have been resolved, including as a result of negative publicity.

AB InBev relies on information and operational technology systems, networks and services to support its business processes and activities, including procurement and supply chain, manufacturing, sales, human resource management, distribution and marketing, and relies on information systems, including through services operated or maintained by third parties, to collect, process, transmit, and store electronic information, including, but not limited to, sensitive, confidential or personal information of customers and consumers. The integration of e-commerce, fintech and direct sales in AB InBev’s operations and their increasingly significant contribution to the company’s revenues and sales has increased the amount of information that AB InBev processes and maintains, thereby increasing its potential exposure to a security incident. Information systems of AB InBev’s third-party partners, including suppliers and distributors, and those of others on which they rely, are also exposed to cybersecurity incidents which may compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of their information systems and result in unauthorized access to AB InBev’s or its customer’s sensitive data. Compliance with, and changes to, laws and regulations concerning privacy, cybersecurity, and data protection, could result in significant expense, and AB InBev may be required to make additional investments in security technologies. Although AB InBev takes various actions to minimize the likelihood and impact of such cybersecurity incidents and disruptions to information systems, such incidents could impact AB InBev’s business, impact its ability to meet its contractual obligations and expose it to legal claims or regulatory penalties. For example, if outside parties gained access to AB InBev’s confidential data or strategic information and appropriated such information or made such information public, this could harm AB InBev’s reputation or its competitive advantage, or could expose AB InBev or its customers to a risk of loss or misuse of information. More generally, technology disruptions can have a material adverse effect on AB InBev’s business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

AB InBev’s business and operating results could be negatively impacted by natural, social, technical, physical or other disasters, including public health crises and global pandemics. AB InBev’s business and results of operations were negatively impacted by the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions in recent years. While most countries around the world have removed the restrictions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to impact the company’s financial condition and operations depends on factors beyond AB InBev’s control. The emergence of new variants may result in new restrictions in regions and countries where AB InBev operates, lead to further economic uncertainty and heighten many of the other risks described herein.

AB InBev may not be able to recruit or retain key personnel and successfully manage them, which could disrupt AB InBev’s business and have an unfavorable material effect on AB InBev’s financial position, its income from operations and its competitive position.

Although AB InBev maintains insurance policies to cover various risks, it also uses self-insurance for most of its insurable risks. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, this could adversely impact AB InBev’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

AB InBev’s ordinary shares currently trade on Euronext Brussels in euros, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in South African rand, the Mexican Stock Exchange in Mexican pesos and its ordinary shares represented by American Depositary Shares (the “ADSs”) trade on the New York Stock Exchange in U.S. dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rates between the euro, the South African rand, the Mexican peso and the U.S. dollar may result in temporary differences between the value of AB InBev’s ordinary shares trading in different currencies, and between its ordinary shares and its ADSs, which may result in heavy trading by investors seeking to exploit such differences.

 

20


RISKS ARISING FROM FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Note 27 of the 2022 consolidated financial statements and Note 19 of these 2023 unaudited condensed interim financial statements on Risks arising from financial instruments contain detailed information on the company’s exposures to financial risks and its risk management policies.

Events after the reporting date

Please refer to Note 23 Events after the reporting date of the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

21


Statement of the Board of Directors

 

 

The Board of Directors of AB InBev SA/NV certifies, on behalf and for the account of the company, that, to their knowledge, (a) the financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the company and the entities included in the consolidation as a whole and (b) the management report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the company and the entities included in the consolidation as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties they face.

 

22


Independent auditors’ report

 

 

 

LOGO

STATUTORY AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ANHEUSER-

BUSCH INBEV NV/SA ON THE REVIEW OF THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2023

Introduction

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position of Anheuser-Busch InBev NV/SA and its subsidiaries as of June 30, 2023 and the related condensed consolidated interim income statement, the condensed consolidated interim statement of comprehensive income/(loss), the condensed consolidated interim statement of changes in equity and the condensed consolidated interim statement of cash flows for the six-month period then ended, as well as the explanatory notes (collectively referred to as the “condensed consolidated interim financial statements”). The board of directors is responsible for the preparation and presentation of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements in accordance with IAS 34, as adopted by the European Union. Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on these condensed consolidated interim financial statements based on our review.

Scope of Review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements 2410, “Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity.” A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing and, consequently, does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the accompanying consolidated condensed financial information is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34, as adopted by the European Union.

Diegem, August 2, 2023

The Statutory Auditor

PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV - PwC Reviseurs d’Entreprises SRL

Represented by

Koen Hens

Partner

PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV - PwC Reviseurs d’Entreprises SRL - Financial Assurance Services Maatschappelijke zetel/Siège social: Culliganlaan 5, B-1831 Diegem

T: +32 (0)2 710 4211, F: +32 (0)2 710 4299, www.pwc.com

BTW/TVA BE 0429.501.944 / RPR Brussel - RPM Bruxelles / ING BE43 3101 3811 9501 - BIC BBRUBEBB / BELFIUS BE92 0689 0408 8123 - BIC GKCC BEBB

 

23


Unaudited condensed consolidated interim income statement

 

    For the six-month period ended 30 June                         
   

Million US dollar, except earnings per shares in US dollar

       Notes          2023          2022¹  
                                      
   

Revenue

                  29 333          28 027  
   

Cost of sales

                  (13 536)          (12 784)  
   

Gross profit

                  15 796          15 243  
                                      
   

Distribution expenses

                  (3 183)          (3 076)  
   

Sales and marketing expenses

                  (3 518)          (3 304)  
   

Administrative expenses

                  (2 350)          (2 237)  
   

Other operating income/(expenses)

                  327          478  
   

Profit from operations before non-underlying items

                  7 072          7 105  
                                      
   

Non-underlying costs above profit from operations

       7          (107)          (105)  
   

Profit from operations

                  6 965          7 000  
                                      
   

Finance cost

       8          (2 905)          (2 835)  
   

Finance income

       8          385          391  
   

Non-underlying net finance income/(cost)

       8          (703)          176  
   

Net finance income/(cost)

                  (3 223)          (2 268)  
                                      
   

Share of result of associates

       13          105          129  
   

Non-underlying share of results of associates

       7 / 13          -          (1 143)  
   

Profit before tax

                  3 847          3 718  
                                      
   

Income tax expense

       9          (1 192)          (1 244)  
   

Profit of the period

                  2 655          2 474  
                                      
   

Profit of the period attributable to:

                                
   

Equity holders of AB InBev

                  1 977          1 692  
   

Non-controlling interest

                  678          782  
                                      
   

Basic earnings per share

       16          0.98          0.84  
   

Diluted earnings per share

       16          0.96          0.83  
                                      
   

Underlying earnings per share²

       16          1.37          1.33  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

  

 

1 As from 1 January 2023, mark-to-market gains/(losses) on derivatives related to the hedging of the share-based payment programs are reported in the non-underlying net finance income/(cost). The 2022 presentation was amended to conform to the 2023 presentation.

2 Underlying earnings per share is not defined metric in IFRS. Refer to Note 16 Changes in equity and earnings per share for more details.

 

24


Unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of comprehensive income/(loss)

 

    For the six-month period ended 30 June  
   

Million US dollar

       Notes          2023          2022  
                                      
   

Profit of the period

                  2 655          2 474  
                                      
   

Other comprehensive income/(loss): items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

                                
   

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

       16          3        1
                        3        1
   

Other comprehensive income/(loss): items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

                                
   

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

       16          3 574          2 412  
   

Effective portion of changes in fair value of net investment hedges

                  (95)          (417)  
   

Cash flow hedges recognized in equity

                  (497)          189  
   

Cash flow hedges reclassified from equity to profit or loss

                  (103)          (451)  
                        2 879          1 733  
                                      
   

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax

                  2 882          1 734  
                                      
   

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

                  5 538          4 208  
                                      
   

Attributable to:

                                
   

Equity holders of AB InBev

                  5 049          3 584  
   

Non-controlling interest

                  488          624  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

25


Unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position

 

     Million US dollar      Notes        30 June 2023        31 December 2022
                                      
   

ASSETS

                                
   

Non-current assets

                                
   

Property, plant and equipment

       10          27 181        26 671
   

Goodwill

       11          116 168        113 010
   

Intangible assets

       12          40 973        40 209
   

Investments in associates

       13          4 728        4 656
   

Investment securities

       15          179        175
   

Deferred tax assets

                  2 836        2 300
   

Employee benefits

                  11        11
   

Income tax receivables

                  835        883
   

Derivatives

       19          62        60
   

Trade and other receivables

       14          1 895        1 782
   

Total non-current assets

                  194 868        189 757
                                      
   

Current assets

                                
   

Investment securities

       15          85        97
   

Inventories

                  6 839        6 612
   

Income tax receivables

                  912        813
   

Derivatives

       19          157        331
   

Trade and other receivables

       14          6 609        5 330
   

Cash and cash equivalents

       15          6 848        9 973
   

Assets classified as held for sale

                  35        30
   

Total current assets

                  21 483        23 186
                                      
   

Total assets

                  216 352        212 943
                                      
   

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

                                
   

Equity

                                
   

Issued capital

       16          1 736        1 736
   

Share premium

                  17 620        17 620
   

Reserves

                  18 835        15 218
   

Retained earnings

                  39 269        38 823
   

Equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

                  77 460        73 398
                                      
   

Non-controlling interests

                  11 324        10 880
   

Total equity

                  88 783        84 278
                                      
   

Non-current liabilities

                                
   

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

       17          78 323        78 880
   

Employee benefits

                  1 521        1 534
   

Deferred tax liabilities

                  12 003        11 818
   

Income tax payables

                  595        610
   

Derivatives

       19          113        184
   

Trade and other payables

                  872        859
   

Provisions

                  370        396
   

Total non-current liabilities

                  93 796        94 282
                                      
   

Current liabilities

                                
   

Bank overdrafts

       15          53        83
   

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

       17          2 524        1 029
   

Income tax payables

                  1 263        1 438
   

Derivatives

       19          6 340        5 308
   

Trade and other payables

                  23 347        26 349
   

Provisions

                  244        176
   

Total current liabilities

                  33 773        34 383
                                      
   

Total equity and liabilities

                  216 352        212 943

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

26


Unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of changes in equity

 

         Attributable to equity holders of AB InBev              
         Issued     Share     Treasury           Other
comprehensive
income
    Retained          

Non-

controlling

    Total  

  Million US dollar

  Notes              Capital       premium       shares       Reserves       reserves       earnings       Total       interest       Equity  

  As per 1 January 2022

         1 736       17 620       (3 994)       54 001       (34 577)       33 882       68 669       10 671       79 340  

  Profit of the period

         -       -       -       -       -       1 692       1 692       782     2 474  

  Other comprehensive income/(loss)

  16      -       -       -       -       1 892       -       1 892       (158)       1 734  

  Total comprehensive income/(loss)

         -       -       -       -       1 892       1 691       3 584       624     4 208  

  Dividends

         -       -       -       -       -       (1 190)       (1 190)       (219)       (1 409)  

  Treasury shares

         -       -       184     -       -       (112)       72     -       72

  Share-based payments

  18      -       -       -       254     -       -       254     5     259

  Hyperinflation monetary adjustments

         -       -       -       -       -       205     205     127     332

  Scope and other changes

         -       -       -       -       -       (42)       (42)       (9)       (51)  

  As per 30 June 2022

         1 736       17 620       (3 810)       54 254       (32 685)       34 435       71 550       11 200       82 750  
         Attributable to equity holders of AB InBev        
         Issued     Share     Treasury           Other
comprehensive
income
    Retained          

Non-

controlling

    Total  

  Million US dollar

  Notes      Capital       premium       shares       Reserves       reserves       earnings       Total       interest       Equity  

  As per 1 January 2023

         1 736       17 620       (3 706)       54 477       (35 553)       38 823       73 398       10 880       84 278  

  Profit of the period

         -       -       -       -       -       1 977       1 977       678     2 655  

  Other comprehensive income/(loss)

  16      -       -       -       -       3 072       -       3 072       (189)       2 882  

  Total comprehensive income/(loss)

         -       -       -       -       3 072       1 977       5 049       488     5 538  

  Dividends

         -       -       -       -       -       (1 581)       (1 581)       (273)       (1 855)  

  Treasury shares

         -       -       312     -       -       (230)       82     -       82

  Share-based payments

  18      -       -       -       232     -       -       232     12     244

  Hyperinflation monetary adjustments

         -       -       -       -       -       324     324     201     525

  Scope and other changes

         -       -       -       -       -       (44)       (44)       15     (29)  

  As per 30 June 2023

         1 736       17 620       (3 393)       54 709       (32 481)       39 269       77 460       11 324       88 783  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

27


Unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of cash flows

 

  For the six-month period ended 30 June                           

  Million US dollar

       Notes          2023          2022¹  

  OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                                

  Profit of the period

                  2 655          2 474  

  Depreciation, amortization and impairment

                  2 595          2 477  

  Net finance cost/(income)

       8          3 223          2 268  

  Equity-settled share-based payment expense

       18          286        237  

  Income tax expense

       9          1 192          1 244  

  Other non-cash items

                  321        (225)  

  Share of result of associates

       13          (105)          1 014  

  Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

                  10 167          9 489  

  Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

                  (1 325)          (581)  

  Decrease/(increase) in inventories

                  (228)          (833)  

  Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

                  (3 062)          (1 925)  

  Pension contributions and use of provisions

                  (192)          (195)  

  Cash generated from operations

                  5 360          5 955  

  Interest paid

                  (2 322)          (2 082)  

  Interest received

                  512        177  

  Dividends received

                  43        50  

  Income tax paid

                  (1 996)          (1 918)  

  Cash flow from/(used in) operating activities

                  1 597          2 182  
                                  

  INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                                

  Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

       10/12          (2 107)          (2 002)  

  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

                  44        63  

  Sale/(acquisition) of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed/ acquired of

                  (8)          (44)  

  Proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

                  10        66  

  Cash flow from/(used in) investing activities

                  (2 061)          (1 917)  
                                  

  FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                                

  Sale/(purchase) of non-controlling interests

                  (3)          (52)  

  Proceeds from borrowings

       17          181        68  

  Payments on borrowings

       17          (26)          (3 520)  

Cash net finance (cost)/income other than interests

                  (693)          (326)  

  Payment of lease liabilities

                  (359)          (286)  

  Dividends paid

                  (1 923)          (1 276)  

  Cash flow from/(used in) financing activities

                  (2 823)          (5 392)  
                                  

  Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

                  (3 287)          (5 128)  

  Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

                  9 890          12 043  

  Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

                  191        (18)  

  Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of period

       15          6 794          6 897  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

1 The 2022 presentation was amended to conform to the 2023 presentation.

 

28


Notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

       Note  

  Corporate information

     1  

  Statement of compliance

     2  

  Summary of significant accounting policies

     3  

  Use of estimates and judgments

     4  

  Segment reporting

     5  

  Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries

     6  

  Non-underlying items

     7  

  Finance cost and income

     8  

  Income taxes

     9  

  Property, plant and equipment

     10  

  Goodwill

     11  

  Intangible Assets

     12  

  Investments in associates

     13  

  Trade and other receivables

     14  

  Cash and cash equivalents and investment securities

     15  

  Changes in equity and earnings per share

     16  

  Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

     17  

  Share-based payments

     18  

  Risks arising from financial instruments

     19  

  Collateral and contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, loans to customers and other

     20  

  Contingencies

     21  

  Related parties

     22  

  Events after the reporting date

     23  

 

29


1.

Corporate information

Anheuser-Busch InBev is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with secondary listings on the Mexico (MEXBOL: ANB) and South Africa (JSE: ANH) stock exchanges and with American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). As a company, we dream big to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life’s moments, move our industry forward and make a meaningful impact in the world. We are committed to building great brands that stand the test of time and to brewing the best beers using the finest ingredients. Our diverse portfolio of well over 500 beer brands includes global brands Budweiser®, Corona® and Stella Artois®; multi-country brands Beck’s®, Hoegaarden®, Leffe® and Michelob Ultra®; and local champions such as Aguila®, Antarctica®, Bud Light®, Brahma®, Cass®, Castle®, Castle Lite®, Cristal®, Harbin®, Jupiler®, Modelo Especial®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Sedrin® and Skol®. Our brewing heritage dates back more than 600 years, spanning continents and generations. From our European roots at the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium. To the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery in St. Louis, US. To the creation of the Castle Brewery in South Africa during the Johannesburg gold rush. To Bohemia, the first brewery in Brazil. Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, we leverage the collective strengths of approximately 167 000 employees based in nearly 50 countries worldwide. For 2022, AB InBev’s reported revenue was 57.8 billion US dollar (excluding joint ventures and associates).

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the company for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 comprise the company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as “AB InBev” or the “company”) and the company’s interest in associates, joint ventures and operations. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 and 2022 are unaudited; however, in the opinion of the company, the interim data include all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim period.

The consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on 2 August 2023.

 

2.

Statement of compliance

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) and as adopted by the European Union. They do not include all the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the company as at and for the year ended 31 December 2022. AB InBev did not early apply any new IFRS requirements that were not yet effective in 2023 and did not apply any European carve-outs from IFRS.

 

30


3.

Summary of significant accounting policies

The accounting policies applied are consistent with those applied in the annual consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2022.

 

(A)

SUMMARY OF CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A number of amendments to standards became mandatory for the first time for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2023 and have not been listed in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as they either do not apply or are immaterial to AB InBev’s consolidated financial statements.

 

(B)

FOREIGN CURRENCIES

The most important exchange rates that have been used in preparing the financial statements are:

 

     Closing rate      Average rate  
  1 US dollar equals:    30 June 2023      31 December 2022      30 June 2023      30 June 2022  
           

  Argentinean peso

     256.709065      177.131872      -          -    

  Brazilian real

     4.819192      5.217705      5.117130      5.049046

  Canadian dollar

     1.326614      1.353834      1.357985      1.268356

  Colombian peso

     4 183.19      4 807.99      4 638.30      3 920.73

  Chinese yuan

     7.268793      6.898736      6.927067      6.458363

  Euro

     0.920302      0.937559      0.927659      0.913529

  Mexican peso

     17.072031      19.361452      18.297743      20.324130

  Pound sterling

     0.789876      0.831548      0.812848      0.768921

  Peruvian nuevo sol

     3.636005      3.820004      3.773824      3.800274

  South Korean won

     1 322.27      1 260.16      1 301.06      1 221.30

  South African rand

     18.938593      16.968472      18.099957      15.476459

The company applies hyperinflation accounting for its Argentinean subsidiaries. The 2023 results, restated for purchasing power, were translated at the June 2023 closing rate of 256.709065 Argentinean pesos per US dollar (2022 results – at the June 2022 closing rate of 125.210300 Argentinean pesos per US dollar).

 

4.

Use of estimates and judgments

As from 1 January 2023, mark-to-market gains/(losses) on derivatives related to the hedging of the share-based payment programs are reported in Non-underlying net finance income/(cost). The 2022 presentation was amended to conform to the 2023 presentation.

The other significant judgments made by management in applying the company’s accounting policies and the key sources of uncertainty are consistent with those applied in the annual consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2022.

 

31


5.

Segment reporting

Segment information is presented by geographical segments, consistent with the information available to and regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker. AB InBev operates its business through six business segments. Regional and operating company management is responsible for managing performance, underlying risks, and the effectiveness of operations. Internally, AB InBev’s management uses performance indicators such as normalized profit from operations (normalized EBIT) and normalized EBITDA as measures of segment performance and to make decisions regarding the allocation of resources. The organizational structure comprises five regions: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA and Asia Pacific. In addition to these five geographic regions, the company uses a sixth segment, Global Export and Holding Companies, for all financial reporting purposes.

All figures in the table below are stated in million US dollar, except volume (million hls) and Normalized EBITDA margin (in %). The information presented is for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 and 2022, except for segment assets (non-current) with comparatives at 31 December 2022.

 

     North America      Middle Americas      South America      EMEA      Asia Pacific      Global Export and
Holding
companies
    

AB InBev

Worldwide

 
       2023        2022        2023        2022        2023        2022        2023        2022        2023        2022        2023        2022        2023        2022  
                                                                                                                               

  Volume

     47        51        72        72        76        77        43        43        50        45        -          -          288        289  

  Revenue

     7 926        8 192        7 573        6 693        5 849        5 333        4 070        3 940        3 679        3 471        236        399        29 333        28 027  

  Normalized EBITDA

     2 539        2 975        3 494        3 060        1 766        1 666        1 142        1 192        1 273        1 232        (545)        (541)        9 668        9 583  

  Normalized EBITDA margin %

     32.0%        36.3%        46.1%        45.7%        30.2%        31.2%        28.1%        30.3%        34.6%        35.5%        -          -          33.0%        34.2%  

  Depreciation, amortization and impairment

     (368)        (383)        (702)        (635)        (498)        (422)        (507)        (507)        (324)        (348)        (197)        (184)        (2 596)        (2 478)  

  Normalized profit from operations

     2 171        2 592        2 792        2 425        1 268        1 244        635        685        949        884        (742)        (725)        7 072        7 105  

  Non- underlying items (including non-underlying impairment)

     (40)        (22)        (11)        (9)        (27)        (10)        (17)        (18)        (5)        (5)        (7)        (41)        (107)        (105)  

  Profit from operations

     2 131        2 570        2 781        2 416        1 241        1 234        618        667        944        879        (749)        (766)        6 965        7 000  

  Net finance income/(cost)

                                                                                                                 (3 223)        (2 268)  

  Share of results of associates

                                                                                                                 105        129  

  Non-underlying share of results of associates

                                                                                                                 -          (1 143)  

  Income tax expense

                                                                                                                 (1 192)        (1 244)  

  Profit

                                                                                                                 2 655        2 474  
                                                                                                                               

  Segment assets (non-current)

     63 278        63 379        72 260        66 262        15 598        14 297        29 103        30 918        11 800        12 397        2 828        2 505        194 868        189 757  

  Gross capex

     216        222        561        537        402        414        393        329        246        214        288        288        2 107        2 002  

For the six-month period ended 30 June 2023, net revenue from the beer business amounted to 26 071m US dollar (30 June 2022: 25 063m US dollar) while the net revenue from the non-beer business (soft drinks and other business) accounted for 3 262m US dollar (30 June 2022: 2 964m US dollar).

 

32


6.

Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries

The company undertook a series of acquisitions and disposals and/or settled payments related to prior year acquisitions during the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022, with no significant impact in the consolidated financial statements.

 

7.

Non-underlying items

IAS 1 Presentation of financial statements requires that material items of income and expense be disclosed separately. Non-underlying items are items that in management’s judgment need to be disclosed by virtue of their size or incidence so that a user can obtain a proper understanding of the company’s financial information. The company considers these items to be significant and accordingly, management has excluded them from their segment measure of performance in Note 5 Segment Reporting.

The non-underlying items included in the income statement are as follows:

 

  For the six-month period ended 30 June              
  Million US dollar    2023      2022¹  
                   

  COVID-19 costs

     -        (13)  

  Restructuring

     (50)        (51)  

  Business and asset disposal (including impairment losses)

     (38)        6  

  Legal costs

     (19)        -  

  AB InBev Efes related costs

     -        (47)  

  Impact on profit from operations

     (107)        (105)  
                   

  Non-underlying net finance income/(cost)

     (703)        176

  Non-underlying share of results of associates

     -        (1 143)  

  Non-underlying taxes

     51      69

  Non-underlying non-controlling interest

     9      (3)  

  Net impact on profit

     (750)        (1 006)  

The non-underlying restructuring charges for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 total (50)m US dollar (30 June 2022: (51)m US dollar). These charges primarily relate to organizational alignments. These changes aim to eliminate overlapping organizations or duplicated processes, taking into account the matching of employee profiles with new organizational requirements. These one-time expenses provide the company with a lower cost base and bring a stronger focus to AB InBev’s core activities, quicker decision-making and improvements to efficiency, service and quality.

Business and asset disposals (including impairment losses) amount to (38)m US dollar for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 mainly comprising impairment of intangible assets and other non-core assets sold in the period.

The company recorded non-underlying legal costs of (19)m US dollar for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 related to the successful outcome of a series of lawsuits regarding Ambev warrants (see also Note 21 Contingencies).

During the six-month period ended 30 June 2022, the company recorded (47)m US dollar costs related to the discontinuation of exports to Russia and the forfeiting of company benefits from the operations of the associate AB InBev Efes.

The company incurred a non-underlying net finance cost of (703)m US dollar for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 (30 June 2022: net finance income of 176m US dollar) – see Note 8 Finance cost and income.

During the six-month period ended 30 June 2022, the company recorded an impairment of (1 143)m US dollar on its investment in AB InBev Efes — see Note 13 Investments in associates.

All the amounts referenced above are before income taxes. The non-underlying income taxes amounted to 51m US dollar (decrease of income taxes) for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 (30 June 2022: decrease of income taxes by 69m US dollar).

Non-controlling interest on the non-underlying items amounts to 9m US dollar for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 (30 June 2022: (3)m US dollar).

 

 

7 As from 1 January 2023, mark-to-market gains/(losses) on derivatives related to the hedging of the share-based payment programs are reported in the non-underlying net finance income/(cost). The 2022 presentation was amended to conform to the 2023 presentation.

 

33


8.

Finance cost and income

The finance cost and income included in the income statement are as follows:

 

     2023             2022¹  
  Million US dollar        Finance
cost
         Finance
income
             Net                 Finance
cost
         Finance
income
         Net  
                                                          

  Interest income/(expense)

     (1 855)        225      (1 630)           (1 767)        84      (1 683)  

  Net interest on net defined benefit liabilities

     (42)        -          (42)           (37)        -          (37)  

  Accretion expense

     (385)        -          (385)           (336)        -          (336)  

  Net interest income on Brazilian tax credits

     -          78      78         -          113      113

  Other financial results

     (622)        82      (540)           (696)        194      (501)  

  Finance income/(cost) excluding non-underlying items

     (2 905)        385      (2 520)           (2 835)        391      (2 444)  

  Non-underlying finance income/(cost)

     (703)        -          (703)           (127)        303      176

  Finance income/(cost)

     (3 608)        385      (3 223)                 (2 962)        694      (2 268)  

Net finance costs, excluding non-underlying items, were 2 520m US dollar in the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 compared to 2 444m US dollar in the six-month period ended 30 June 2022.

In the six-month period ended 30 June 2023, accretion expense includes interest on lease liabilities of 75m US dollar (30 June 2022: 60m US dollar), unwind of discounts of 262m US dollar on payables (30 June 2022: 225m US dollar), bond fees of 30m US dollar (30 June 2022: 32m US dollar) and interest on provisions of 18m US dollar (30 June 2022: 19m US dollar).

Interest expense is presented net of the effect of interest rate derivative instruments hedging AB InBev’s interest rate risk – see also Note 19 Risks arising from financial instruments.

Other financial results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022 include:

 

     2023             2022¹  
  Million US dollar            Finance
cost
         Finance
income
             Net                 Finance
cost
         Finance
income
             Net  

  Net foreign exchange gains/(losses)

     (149)        -          (149)           (143)        -          (143)  

  Net gains/(losses) on hedging instruments

     (354)        -          (354)           (422)        -          (422)  

  Hyperinflation monetary adjustments

     -          66      66         -          138        138

  Other financial income/(cost), including bank fees and taxes

     (119)        16      (103)           (131)        56        (75)  

  Other financial results

     (622)        82      (540)                 (696)        194        (501)  

Non-underlying finance income/(cost) for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022 includes:

 

   

(703)m US dollar loss resulting from mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments related to the hedging of share-based payment programs and on derivative instruments entered into to hedge the shares issued in relation to the combinations with Grupo Modelo and SAB (30 June 2022: 296m US dollar gain);

   

In the six-month period ended 30 June 2022, (127)m US dollar loss resulting from the early termination of certain bonds, as well as 7m US dollar gain related to the remeasurement of deferred considerations on prior year acquisitions.

No interest income was recognized on impaired financial assets.

 

 

1 As from 1 January 2023, mark-to-market gains/(losses) on derivatives related to the hedging of the share-based payment programs are reported in the non-underlying net finance income/(cost). The 2022 presentation was amended to conform to the 2023 presentation.

 

34


9.

Income taxes

Income taxes recognized in the income statement can be detailed as follows:

 

For the six-month period ended 30 June

Million US dollar

       2023          2022  
                       

Current tax expense

       (1 554)          (1 704)  

Deferred tax (expense)/income

       362        459  

Total income tax expense in the income statement

       (1 192)          (1 244)  

The reconciliation of the effective tax rate with the aggregated weighted nominal tax rate can be summarized as follows:

 

For the six-month period ended 30 June

Million US dollar

       2023          2022  
                       

Profit/(loss) before tax

       3 847          3 718  

Deduct share of results of associates

       105        129

Deduct non-underlying share of results of associates

       -          (1 143)  

Profit before tax and before share of results of associates

       3 741          4 732  
                       

Adjustments to the tax basis

                     

Government incentives

       (346)          (304)  

Non-deductible/(non-taxable) mark-to-market on derivatives

       703        (296)  

Other expenses not deductible for tax purposes

       775        962

Other non-taxable income

       (291)          (346)  
                       

Adjusted tax basis

       4 582          4 748  
                       

Aggregate weighted nominal tax rate

       26.9%          26.9%  
                       

Tax at aggregated nominal tax rate

       (1 235)          (1 277)  
                       

Adjustments on tax expense

                     

Recognition/(de-recognition) of deferred tax assets on tax losses (carried forward)

       (98)          (8)  

(Underprovided)/overprovided in prior years

       (56)          24

Deductions from interest on equity

       323        268

Deductions from goodwill and other tax deductions

       168        5

Change in tax rate

       -          5

Withholding taxes

       (205)          (181)  

Other tax adjustments

       (90)          (81)  
                       

Total tax expense

       (1 192)          (1 244)  
                       

Effective tax rate

       31.9%        26.3%

The total income tax expense for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 amounts to 1 192m US dollar compared to 1 244m US dollar for the six-month period ended 30 June 2022. The effective tax rate for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 was 31.9% compared to an effective tax rate of 26.3% for the six-month period ended 30 June 2022.

The 2023 effective tax rate was negatively impacted by non-deductible losses from derivatives related to hedging of share-based payment programs and hedging of the shares issued in a transaction related to the combination with Grupo Modelo and SAB, while the 2022 effective tax rate was positively impacted by non-taxable gains from these derivatives.

The company benefits from tax exempted income and tax credits which are expected to continue in the future. The company does not have significant benefits coming from low tax rates in any particular jurisdiction.

The normalized effective tax rate for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 is 27.3% (30 June 2022: 28.2%).

Normalized effective tax rate is the effective tax rate adjusted for non-underlying items. Normalized effective tax rate is not an accounting measure under IFRS accounting and should not be considered as an alternative to the effective tax rate. Normalized effective tax rate method does not have a standard calculation method and AB InBev’s definition of normalized tax rate may not be comparable to other companies.

 

35


10.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment comprises owned and leased assets, as follows:

 

  Million US dollar

     30 June 2023        31 December 2022  
                   

  Property, plant and equipment owned

     24 553      24 245

  Property, plant and equipment leased (right-of-use assets)

     2 627      2 426

  Total property, plant and equipment

     27 181      26 671

 

     30 June 2023      31 December 2022  

  Million US dollar

    
Land and
buildings
 
 
    


Plant and
equipment,
fixtures and
fittings
 
 
 
 
    
Under
construction
 
 
     Total        Total  
                                              

  Acquisition cost

                                            

  Balance at end of previous year

     12 591      37 473      2 205      52 269      50 742

  Effect of movements in foreign exchange

     211      671      52      934      (983)  

  Acquisitions

     3      728      1 017      1 748      4 279

  Disposals through sale and derecognition

     (24)        (507)        -        (532)        (1 822)  

  Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

     -        -        -        -        (13)  

  Transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements¹

     172      1 125      (1 130)        167      66

  Balance at end of the period

     12 953      39 491      2 143      54 587      52 269
                                              

  Depreciation and impairment losses

                                            

  Balance at end of previous year

     (4 584)        (23 440)        -        (28 024)        (26 284)  

  Effect of movements in foreign exchange

     (55)        (426)        -        (482)        507

  Depreciation

     (197)        (1 578)        -        (1 775)        (3 530)  

  Disposals through sale and derecognition

     18      476      -        494      1 631

  Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

     -        -        -        -        8

  Impairment losses

     (3)        (57)        -        (60)        (172)  

  Transfer to/(from) other asset categories and other movements¹

     (6)        (180)        -        (186)        (186)  

  Balance at end of the period

     (4 827)        (25 206)        -        (30 033)        (28 024)  
                                              

  Carrying amountat

                                            

  31 December 2022

     8 007      14 033      2 205      24 245      24 245

  at 30 June 2023

     8 126      14 285      2 143      24 553      -  

As at 30 June 2023 and 31 December 2022 there were no significant restrictions on title on property, plant and equipment.

Contractual commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment amounted to 1 030m US dollar as at 30 June 2023 compared to 538m US dollar as at 31 December 2022.

AB InBev’s net capital expenditures in the statement of cash flow amounted to 2 063m US dollar in 2023 compared to 1 939m US dollar for the same period last year. Out of the total 2023 capital expenditures approximately 33% was used to improve the company’s production facilities while 49% was used for logistics and commercial investments and 18% for improving administrative capabilities and for the purchase of hardware and software.

  

 

1 The transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements relates mainly to transfers from assets under construction to their respective asset categories, to contributions of assets to pension plans, to the separate presentation in the statement of financial position of property, plant and equipment held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations and to the restatement of non-monetary assets under hyperinflation accounting in line with IAS 29 Financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies.

 

36


Property, plant and equipment leased by the company (right-of-use assets) is detailed as follows:

 

     30 June 2023  

  Million US dollar

     Land and buildings         

Machinery,
equipment and
other
 
 
 
       Total  
                                

  Net carrying amount at June 30

     1 713        914        2 627

  Depreciation for the period ended June 30

     (223)          (148)          (371)  
     31 December 2022  

  Million US dollar

     Land and buildings         

Machinery,
equipment and
other
 
 
 
       Total  
                                

  Net carrying amount at 31 December

     1 640        786        2 426

  Depreciation for the year ended 31 December

     (398)          (230)          (628)  

Additions to right-of-use assets for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 were 448m US dollar (30 June 2022: 301m US dollar).

Following the sale of Dutch and Belgian pub real estate to Cofinimmo in October 2007, AB InBev entered into lease agreements with a term of 27 years. Furthermore, the company leases a number of warehouses, trucks, factory facilities and other commercial buildings, which typically run for a period of five to ten years. Lease payments are increased annually to reflect market rentals, if applicable. None of the leases include contingent rentals.

The company leases out pub real estate for an average outstanding period of 6 to 8 years and part of its own property under operating leases.

The expense related to short-term and low-value leases and variable lease payments that are not included in the measurement of the lease liabilities is not significant.

 

37


11.

Goodwill

 

  Million US dollar

     30 June 2023        31 December 2022  
                   

  Acquisition cost

                 

  Balance at end of previous year

     115 541        118 461  

  Effect of movements in foreign exchange

     2 664        (3 147)  

  Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

     -        (32)  

  Transfers (to)/from other asset categories

     (17)        (68)  

  Hyperinflation monetary adjustments

     246      328  

  Balance at end of the period

     118 434        115 541  
                   

  Impairment losses

                 

  Balance at end of previous year

     (2 531)        (2 665)  

  Effect of movements in foreign exchange

     265      134  

  Balance at end of the period

     (2 266)        (2 531)  
                   

  Carrying amount

                 

  Balance at end of the period

     116 168      113 010

AB InBev completes a goodwill impairment testing annually, or whenever a triggering event has occurred.

The carrying amount of goodwill was allocated to the different cash-generating units as follows:

 

  Million US dollar

     30 June 2023        31 December 2022  
                   

  United States

     33 562      33 578

  Rest of North America

     2 022      1 981

  Mexico

     14 543      12 823

  Colombia

     14 588      12 692

  Rest of Middle Americas

     23 904      23 242

  Brazil

     3 798      3 508

  Rest of South America

     1 294      1 249

  Europe

     2 141      2 081

  South Africa

     8 558      9 551

  Rest of Africa

     4 899      5 131

  China

     2 960      3 119

  Rest of Asia Pacific

     3 341      3 505

  Global Export and Holding Companies

     559      549

  Total carrying amount of goodwill

     116 168      113 010

 

38


12. Intangible assets

 

     30 June 2023      31 December
2022
 
  Million US dollar    Brands      Commercial
intangibles
     Software      Other      Total      Total   

  

                                                     

  Acquisition cost

                                                     

  Balance at end of previous year

     37 741        2 026        4 050        354      44 170        45 015   

  Effect of movements in foreign exchange

     461        60        149        (3)        667        (751)   

  Acquisitions and expenditures

     6        166        301        9        482        978   

  Disposals through sale and derecognition

     (1)        -        (33)        (6)        (40)        (1 437)   

  Transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements¹

     23      7      338      (223)        145      365 

  Balance at end of period

     38 229        2 259        4 805        131      45 424        44 170   
                                                       

  Amortization and impairment losses

                                                     

  Balance at end of previous year

     (88)        (1 247)        (2 577)        (49)        (3 961)        (4 585)   

  Effect of movements in foreign exchange

     -        (47)        (100)        (3)        (150)        100   

  Amortization

     -        (65)        (262)        (13)        (340)        (647)   

  Impairment

     -        -        (1)        -        (1)        (4)   

  Disposals through sale and derecognition

     -        -        33        1        34        1 339   

  Transfer to/(from) other asset categories and other movements¹

     -        (8)        (15)        (9)        (32)        (164)   

  Balance at end of period

     (88)        (1 367)        (2 923)        (73)        (4 451)        (3 961)   
                                                       

  Carrying value

                                                     

  at 31 December 2022

     37 652        779        1 473        305        40 209        40 209   

  at 30 June 2023

     38 141        892        1 882        58        40 973           

AB InBev is the owner of some of the world’s most valuable brands in the beer industry. As a result, brands and certain distribution rights are expected to generate positive cash flows for as long as the company owns the brands and distribution rights. Given AB InBev’s more than 600-year history, brands and certain distribution rights have been assigned indefinite lives.

Acquisitions and expenditures of commercial intangibles mainly represent supply and distribution rights, exclusive multi-year sponsorship rights and other commercial intangibles.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are comprised primarily of brands and certain distribution rights that AB InBev purchased for its own products and are tested for impairment once a year or whenever a triggering event has occurred.

13. Investments in associates

A reconciliation of the summarized financial information to the carrying amount of the company’s interests in material associates is as follows:

 

       2023               2022  
  Million US dollar      Castel        Anadolu
Efes
              AB InBev
Efes
       Castel        Anadolu 
Efes 
 

  

                                                         

  Balance at 1 January

       3 293        171           1 143        3 400          201   

  Effect of movements in foreign exchange

       52        (48)             -          (245)          (39)   

  Dividends received

       -          (12)             -          -          (16)   

  Share of results of associates

       67        4           -          82        (5)   

  Non-underlying share of results of associates

       -          -             (1 143)          -           

  Balance at 30 June

       3 412        115           -          3 237          141   

During the six-month period ended 30 June 2022 the company reported a (1 143)m US dollar non-underlying share of results of associates related to its investment in AB InBev Efes (Refer to Note 7 Non-underlying items). The investment in AB InBev Efes is classified as non-current asset held for sale.

In the six-month period ended 30 June 2023, associates that are not individually material contributed 34m US dollar to the results of investment in associates (30 June 2022: 52m US dollar).

 

 

1 The transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements mainly relates to transfers from assets under construction to their respective asset categories, to the separate presentation in the statement of financial position of intangible assets held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations and to the restatement of non-monetary assets under hyperinflation accounting in line with IAS 29 Financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies.

 

39


14. Trade and other receivables

 

Million US dollar    30 June 2023        31 December 2022   
                     

  Cash deposits for guarantees

     169        189 

  Loans to customers

     7        10 

  Tax receivable, other than income tax

     170        137 

  Brazilian tax credits and interest receivables

     1 247        1 149 

  Trade and other receivables

     302        298 

  Non-current trade and other receivables

     1 895        1 782 

  

                   

  Trade receivables and accrued income

     4 579        3 637 

  Interest receivables

     83        67 

  Tax receivable, other than income tax

     538        444 

  Loans to customers

     93        71 

  Prepaid expenses

     517        410 

  Other receivables

     798        702 

  Current trade and other receivables

     6 609        5 330 

Ambev’s tax credits and interest receivables are expected to be collected over a period exceeding 12 months after the reporting date. As of 30 June 2023, the total amount of such credits and interest receivables represented 1 247m US dollar (31 December 2022: 1 149m US dollar).

The carrying amount of trade and other receivables is a good approximation of their fair value as the impact of discounting is not significant. The ageing of the current trade receivables and accrued income, interest receivable, other receivables and current and non-current loans to customers can be detailed as follows for 30 June 2023 and 31 December 2022 respectively:

 

      Net carrying
amount as of
30 June 2023
     Of which:
neither
impaired nor
past due on
the
reporting
    

Of which not impaired as of the reporting

date and past due

 
  

 

Less than 30
days

     Between 30
and 59 days
     Between 60
and 89 days
     More than 90 
days 
 
                                                       

  Trade receivables and accrued income

     4 579      4 375      137      31      29      7

  Loans to customers

     100      84      15      1      -        -  

  Interest receivable

     83      83      -        -        -        -  

  Other receivables

     798      768      8      11      11      1
       5 561      5 310      160      43      40      8
      Net carrying
amount as of
31 December
2022
     Of which:
neither
impaired nor
past due on
the
reporting
    

 Of which not impaired as of the reporting

date and past due

 
  

 

Less than 30
days

     Between 30
and 59 days
     Between 60
and 89 days
    

More than 90 

days 

 
                                                       

  Trade receivables and accrued income

     3 637      3 418      151      41      24     

  Loans to customers

     81      78      1      1      1       

  Interest receivable

     67      67      -        -        -         

  Other receivables

     702      684      11      4      3       
       4 487      4 247      162      46      28     

The above analysis of the age of financial assets that are past due as at the reporting date but not impaired also includes non-current loans to customers. Past due amounts were not impaired when collection is still considered likely, for instance because the amounts can be recovered from the tax authorities, AB InBev has sufficient collateral, or the customer entered into a payment plan. Impairment losses on trade and other receivables recognized in the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 amount to 27m US dollar (30 June 2022: 70m US dollar).

AB InBev’s exposure to credit, currency and interest rate risks is disclosed in Note 19 Risks arising from financial instruments.

 

40


15. Cash and cash equivalents and investment securities

 

Million US dollar    30 June 2023        31 December 2022  
                     

  Short-term bank deposits

     2 145        4 685  

  Cash and bank accounts

     4 702        5 288

  Cash and cash equivalents

     6 848        9 973

  

                   

  Bank overdrafts

     (53)          (83)  

  Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows

     6 794        9 890

The cash outstanding as at 30 June 2023 includes restricted cash for an amount of 74m US dollar (31 December 2022: 73m US dollar). This restricted cash mainly relates to amounts deposited on a blocked account in respect to the state aid investigation into the Belgian excess profit ruling system (73m US dollar).

Investment securities

 

Million US dollar    30 June 2023        31 December 2022  
                     

  Investment in unquoted companies

     150        149  

  Investment on debt securities

     29        26

  Non-current investments

     179        175

  

                   

  Investment on debt securities

     85        97

  Current investments

     85        97

As at 30 June 2023, current debt securities of 85m US dollar mainly represented investments in government bonds (31 December 2022: 97m US dollar). The company’s investments in such short-term debt securities are primarily to facilitate liquidity and for capital preservation.

16. Changes in equity and earnings per share

STATEMENT OF CAPITAL

The tables below summarize the changes in issued capital and treasury shares during the six-month period ended 30 June 2023:

 

     Issued capital  
  Issued capital                      Million shares      Million US dollar   
                            

  At the end of the previous year

              2 019      1 736 

  Changes during the period

              -         
                2 019      1 736 

  Of which:

                          

Ordinary shares

              1 737         

Restricted shares

              282         

 

     Treasury shares      Result on the use of 
treasury shares 
 
  Treasury shares            Million shares      Million US dollar      Million US dollar   
                            

  At the end of the previous year

     35.5      (3 706)        (4 559)   

  Changes during the period

     (3.0)        312      (230)   

  At the end of the current period

     32.5      (3 393)        (4 789)   

As of 30 June 2023, the share capital of AB InBev amounts to 1 238 608 344.12 euro (1 736 million US dollar). It is represented by 2 019 241 973 shares without nominal value, of which 32 467 809 are held in treasury by AB InBev and its subsidiaries. All shares are ordinary shares, except for 282 044 859 restricted shares. As of 30 June 2023, the total of authorized, unissued capital amounts to 37m euro.

The treasury shares held by the company are reported in equity in Treasury shares.

The holders of ordinary and restricted shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the company. In respect of the company’s shares that are held by AB InBev and its subsidiaries, the economic and voting rights are suspended.

 

41


The restricted shares are unlisted, not admitted to trading on any stock exchange, and are subject to, among other things, restrictions on transfer until converted into new ordinary shares. As from 11 October 2021 (fifth anniversary of completion of the SAB combination), the restricted shares are convertible at the election of the holder into new ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis and they rank equally with the ordinary shares with respect to dividends and voting rights. By 30 June 2023, from the 326 million restricted shares issued at the time of the SAB combination, 44 million restricted shares were converted into new ordinary shares.

The shareholders’ structure is based on the notifications made to the company pursuant to the Belgian Law of 2 May 2007, which governs the disclosure of significant shareholdings in listed companies. It is included in the Corporate Governance section of AB InBev’s annual report.

CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP INTERESTS

In accordance with IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, the acquisition or disposal of additional shares in a subsidiary is accounted for as an equity transaction with owners.

In the six-month period ended 30 June 2023, there were no significant purchases or disposals of non-controlling interests in subsidiaries.

BORROWED SHARES

In order to fulfill AB InBev’s commitments under various outstanding share-based compensation plans, during the course of 2023, the company had stock lending arrangements in place for up to 30 million shares, which were fully used to fulfill share-based compensation plan commitments. The company shall pay any dividend equivalent after tax in respect of such borrowed shares. This payment will be reported through equity as dividend.

DIVIDENDS

On 26 April 2023, a dividend of 0.75 euro per share or 1 510m euro was approved at the shareholders’ meeting. The dividend was paid out as of 5 May 2023.

On 27 April 2022, a dividend of 0.50 euro per share or 1 004m euro was approved at the shareholders’ meeting. The dividend was paid out as of 5 May 2022.

TRANSLATION RESERVES

The translation reserves comprise all foreign currency exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations. The translation reserves also comprise the portion of the gain or loss on the foreign currency liabilities and on the derivative financial instruments determined to be effective net investment.

HEDGING RESERVES

The hedging reserves comprise the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedges to the extent that the hedged risk has not yet impacted profit or loss.

TRANSFERS FROM SUBSIDIARIES

The amount of dividends payable to AB InBev by its operating subsidiaries is subject to, among other restrictions, general limitations imposed by the corporate laws, capital transfer restrictions and exchange control restrictions of the respective jurisdictions where those subsidiaries are organized and operate. Capital transfer restrictions are also common in certain emerging market countries and may affect AB InBev’s flexibility in implementing a capital structure it believes to be efficient. As of 30 June 2023, the restrictions above mentioned were not deemed significant on the company’s ability to access or use the assets or settle the liabilities of its operating subsidiaries.

Dividends paid to AB InBev by certain of its subsidiaries are also subject to withholding taxes. Withholding taxes, if applicable, generally do not exceed 15%.

 

42


OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME RESERVES

The changes in the other comprehensive income reserves are as follows:

 

                                                                                                               
  Million US dollar    Translation
Reserves
     Hedging
reserves
     Post-
employment
benefits
     Total OCI
Reserves
 
                                     

  As per 1 January 2023

     (34 677)        145      (1 021)        (35 553)  

  Other comprehensive income/(loss)

                                   

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

     3 610        -        -        3 610  

Cash flow hedges

     -        (541)        -        (541)  

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

     -        -        3      3

  Other comprehensive income/(loss)

     3 610        (541)        3      3 072  

  As per 30 June 2023

     (31 067)        (396)        (1 018)        (32 481)  

The decrease in translation reserves is primarily related to the combined effect of the appreciation of the closing rates of the Colombian peso, the Euro, the Mexican peso, the Peruvian sol and the weakening of the closing rate of the South African rand, which resulted in a net foreign exchange translation adjustment of 3 610m US dollar as of 30 June 2023 (increase of equity).

 

                                                                                                               
  Million US dollar    Translation
Reserves
     Hedging
reserves
     Post-
employment
benefits
     Total OCI
Reserves
 

                                   

  As per 1 January 2022

     (33 554)        481      (1 504)        (34 577)  

  Other comprehensive income/(loss)

                                   

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

     2 101        -        -        2 101  

Cash flow hedges

     -        (210)        -        (210)  

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

     -        -        -        -  

  Other comprehensive income/(loss)

     2 101        (210)        -        1 892  

  As per 30 June 2022

     (31 453)        271      (1 504)        (32 685)  

EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of basic earnings per share for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 is based on the profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev of 1 977m US dollar (30 June 2022: 1 692m US dollar) and a weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares outstanding (including deferred share instruments and stock lending) per end of the period, calculated as follows:

 

                                                                   
  Million shares    2023      2022  

                 

  Issued ordinary and restricted shares at 1 January, net of treasury shares

     1 984                1 981  

  Effect of stock lending

     30        30  

  Effect of delivery of treasury shares

     2        1  

  Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares at 30 June

     2 016        2 012  

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 is based on the profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev of 1 977m US dollar (30 June 2022: 1 692m US dollar) and a weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted) outstanding (including deferred share instruments and stock lending) at the end of the period, calculated as follows:

 

                                                       
  Million shares    2023      2022  

                 

  Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares at 30 June

     2 016        2 012  

  Effect of share options, warrants and restricted stock units

     38        35  

  Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted) at 30 June

     2 054        2 047  

 

43


The calculation of the Underlying EPS is based on the profit before non-underlying items and hyperinflation impacts attributable to equity holders of AB InBev. A reconciliation of the profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev to the profit before non-underlying items, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev and underlying profit is calculated as follows:

 

                                                             

  For the six-month period ended 30 June

  Million US dollar

           2023              2022¹  

                 

  Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     1 977        1 692  

  Net impact of non-underlying items on profit (refer to Note 7)

     750      1 006  

  Profit before non-underlying items, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     2 727        2 698  

  Hyperinflation impacts

     35      (26)  

  Underlying profit

     2 762        2 672  

The table below sets out the EPS calculation:

 

                                                             

  For the six-month period ended 30 June

  Million US dollar

           2023              2022  
                   

  Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     1 977        1 692  

  Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares

     2 016        2 012  

  Basic EPS

     0.98      0.84  

        

  Underlying profit

     2 762        2 672  

  Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares

     2 016        2 012  

  Underlying EPS

     1.37      1.33  

                 

  Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     1 977        1 692  

  Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted)

     2 054        2 047  

  Diluted EPS

     0.96      0.83  

Underlying EPS is a non-IFRS measure.

The average market value of the company’s shares for purposes of calculating the dilutive effect of share options and restricted stock units was based on quoted market prices for the period that the options and restricted stock units were outstanding. For the calculation of Diluted EPS, 50m share options were anti-dilutive and not included in the calculation of the dilutive effect as of 30 June 2023 (30 June 2022: 56m share options).

17. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

This note provides information about the company’s interest-bearing loans and borrowings. For more information about the company’s exposure to interest rate and foreign exposure currency risk – refer to Note 19 Risks arising from financial instruments.

 

  Million US dollar            30 June 2023          31 December 2022  

  Unsecured bond issues

     76 160      76 798

  Lease liabilities

     2 034      1 963

  Unsecured other loans

     105      95

  Secured bank loans

     23      24

  Non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

     78 323      78 880

    

                 

  Unsecured bond issues

     1 184      -  

  Lease liabilities

     665        529  

  Secured bank loans

     463        369  

  Unsecured bank loans

     181        100  

  Unsecured other loans

     31        30  

  Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

     2 524      1 029

    

                 

  Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

     80 847      79 909

The current and non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings amount to 80.8 billion US dollar as of 30 June 2023, compared to 79.9 billion US dollar as of 31 December 2022.

 

 

1 As from 1 January 2023, mark-to-market gains/(losses) on derivatives related to the hedging of the share-based payment programs are reported in the non-underlying net finance income/(cost). The 2022 presentation was amended to conform to the 2023 presentation.

 

44


As of 30 June 2023, the company had no outstanding balance on commercial papers (31 December 2022: nil). The commercial papers include programs in US dollar and euro with a total authorized issuance up to 5.0 billion US dollar and 3.0 billion euro, respectively.

Net debt is defined as non-current and current interest-bearing loans and borrowings and bank overdrafts minus debt securities and cash and cash equivalents. Net debt is a financial performance indicator that is used by AB InBev’s management to highlight changes in the company’s overall liquidity position.

AB InBev’s net debt increased to 73.8 billion US dollar as of 30 June 2023, from 69.7 billion US dollar as of 31 December 2022. Aside from operating results that are net of capital expenditures, the net debt is impacted mainly by the payment of interests and taxes (3.8 billion US dollar), dividend payments (1.9 billion US dollar) and foreign exchange impact on net debt (0.4 billion US dollar increase of net debt).

The following table provides a reconciliation of AB InBev’s net debt as at the dates indicated:

 

 Million US dollar    30 June 2023      31 December 2022   
                   

 Non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

     78 323      78 880

 Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

     2 524      1 029

 Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

     80 847      79 909
                   

 Bank overdrafts

     53        83  

 Cash and cash equivalents

     (6 848)        (9 973)  

 Interest bearing loans granted and other deposits (included within Trade and other receivables)

     (184)        (183)  

 Debt securities (included within Investment securities)

     (114)        (123)  
 Net debt    73 755      69 713  

 

Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities

The table below details the changes in the company’s liabilities arising from financing activities, including both cash and non-cash changes. Liabilities arising from financing activities are those for which cash flows were, or future cash flows will be classified in the company’s consolidated cash flow statement from financing activities.

 

  Million US dollar    Long-term debt, net of
current portion
     Short-term debt and 
current portion of long -
term debt 
 

  Balance at 1 January 2023

     78 880        1 029  

  Proceeds from borrowings

     7        174  

  Payments on borrowings

     -        (26)  

  Capitalization / (payment) of lease liabilities

     446        (323)  

  Amortized cost

     30        -  

  Unrealized foreign exchange effects

     569      40

Current portion of long-term debt

     (1 627)        1 627

  (Gain)/Loss on bond redemption and other movements

     17      4  
  Balance at 30 June 2023    78 323      2 524  
  Million US dollar    Long-term debt, net of
current portion
     Short-term debt and
current portion of long-
term debt
 

  Balance at 1 January 2022

     87 369        1 408  

  Proceeds from borrowings

     41        27  

  Payments on borrowings

     (3 218)        (302)  

  Capitalization / (payment) of lease liabilities

     356        (247)  

  Amortized cost

     31        -  

  Unrealized foreign exchange effects

     (2 259)        (13)  

  Current portion of long-term debt

     (302)        302  

  (Gain)/Loss on bond redemption and other movements

     99        10  

  Balance at 30 June 2022

     82 117        1 185  

 

45


18. Share-based payments

Different share-based programs allow company senior management and members of the board of directors to receive or acquire shares of AB InBev, Ambev or Budweiser APAC. AB InBev has three primary share-based compensation plans, the share-based compensation plan (“Share-Based Compensation Plan”), the long-term restricted stock unit (“RSU”) plan for directors (“RSU Plan for Directors”), and the various long-term incentive plans for executives (“LTI Plan Executives”). Except for the ones mentioned below, there were no other grants in the six-month period ended 30 June 2023. Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the average rate of the period, unless otherwise indicated. There were no significant changes to the terms and conditions of the programs disclosed in the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Share-based payment transactions resulted in a total expense of 286m US dollar for 2023, as compared to 237m US dollar for the six-month period ended 30 June 2022.

AB INBEV SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

Share-Based Compensation Plan for Executives

In the six-month period ended 30 June 2023, AB InBev issued 1.7m matching RSUs in relation to bonuses granted to company employees and management (30 June 2022: 4.8m matching RSUs). These matching RSUs represent a fair value of approximately 107m US dollar (30 June 2022: 293m US dollar).

RSU Plan for Directors

In the six-month period ended 30 June 2023, 0.1m RSUs with an estimated fair value of 4m US dollar were granted to directors (30 June 2022: 0.1m with an estimated fair value of 4m US dollar).

Annual LTI Plans for Executives

In the six-month period ended 30 June 2023, AB InBev did not issue RSUs under the Long-term Incentive RSUs plan (30 June 2022: 0.1m with an estimated fair value of 8m US dollar under this plan of which 0.1m RSUs were granted to members of the Executive Committee).

Other Recurring LTI RSU Plans for Executives

In the six-month period ended 30 June 2023, approximately 11 thousand RSUs were granted with an estimated fair value of 1m US dollar under this plan (30 June 2022: approximately 9 thousand RSUs with an estimated fair value of 1m US dollar).

In the six-month period ended 30 June 2023, no RSUs were granted under the People bet share purchase program (30 June 2022: 0.1m RSUs representing a fair value of 7m dollar).

AMBEV SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

Under the 2018 Share-based compensation plan, Ambev issued 6.8m matching RSUs in the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 with an estimated fair value of 17m US dollar (30 June 2022: 19.5m matching RSUs with an estimated fair value of 59m US dollar).

BUDWEISER APAC SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Share-Based Compensation Plan

In the six-month period ended 30 June 2023, Budweiser APAC issued 4.1m matching RSUs in relation to bonuses granted to Budweiser APAC employees with an estimated fair value of 13m US dollar (30 June 2022: 12.5m matching RSUs with an estimated fair value of 39m US dollar).

People Bet Plan

In the six-month period ended 30 June 2023, no RSUs were granted under this program (30 June 2022: 0.5m restricted stock units with an estimated fair value of 2m US dollar).

 

46


19. Risks arising from financial instruments

 

A)

FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Set out below is an overview of financial assets and liabilities held by the company as at the dates indicated:

 

     30 June 2023              31 December 2022  
  Million US dollar    At
amortized
cost
     At fair
value
through
profit or
loss
     At fair
value
through
OCI
     Total      At
amortized
cost
     At fair
value
through
profit or
loss
     At fair
value
through
OCI
     Total  
                                                                         

  Cash and cash equivalents

     6 848        -        -        6 848        9 973        -        -        9 973   

  Trade and other receivables

     6 032        -        -        6 032        4 973        -        -        4 973  

  Investment securities

     29        85        150        264        25        97        149        272  

  Interest rate swaps

     -        4        -        4        -        -        -        -  

  Cross currency interest rate swaps

     -        -        46        46        -        -        63        63  

  Foreign exchange forwards

     -        10        112        122        -        41        182        223  

  Foreign currency futures

     -        -        3        3        -        -        4        4  

  Commodities

     -        -        45        45        -        -        101        101  

  Financial assets

     12 908        98        356        13 362        14 971        139        498        15 608  

Non-current

     507        -        212        720        522        15        193        730  

Current

     12 401        98        143        12 642        14 450        124        305        14 878  

  

                                                                       

  Trade and other payables

     19 754        773        -        20 527        21 983        762        -        22 746  

  Non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

     77 117        1 205        -        78 323        78 880        -        -        78 880  

  Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

     2 524        -        -        2 524        1 029        -        -        1 029  

  Bank overdrafts

     53        -        -        53        83        -        -        83  

  Equity swaps

     -        5 345        -        5 345        -        4 763        -        4 763  

  Cross currency interest rate swaps

     -        -        150        150        -        16        171        187  

  Foreign exchange forwards

     -        8        591        599        -        20        245        265  

  Foreign currency futures

     -        -        3        3        -        -        -        -  

  Commodities

     -        -        353        353        -        -        271        271  

  Interest rate swaps

     -        3        -        3        -        3        2        5  

  Financial liabilities

     99 448        7 334        1 098        107 880        101 975        5 565        689        108 229  

Non-current

     77 504        1 592        113        79 209        79 108        473        168        79 749  

Current

     21 944        5 741        985        28 671        22 867        5 092        521        28 480  

 

47


B)

INTEREST RATE RISK

The table below reflects the effective interest rates of interest-bearing financial liabilities at the reporting date as well as the currency in which the debt is denominated.

 

  30 June 2023      Before hedging        After hedging  

  Interest-bearing financial liabilities

  Million US dollar

     Effective
interest rate
       Amount        Effective
interest rate
       Amount  

  

                                           

  Floating rate

                                           

  Canadian dollar

       -          -          4.73%          954  

  Euro

       3.48%          1 068        3.48%          1 068

  US dollar

       5.67%          518        -          -  

  Brazilian real

       9.58%          26        11.59%          826

  Other

       13.64%          273        13.25%          672

  

                  1 885                   3 520

  Fixed rate

                                           

  Canadian dollar

       4.51%          623        4.37%          3 736

  Chinese yuan

       2.57%          48        2.54%          1 428

  Euro

       2.27%          20 815        2.30%          21 699

  Pound sterling

       5.13%          2 322        5.55%          1 689

  South Korean won

       5.38%          53        1.26%          2 213

  US dollar

       4.99%          53 511        5.23%          45 269

  Other

       9.29%          1 643        10.43%          1 346

  

                  79 015                   77 380
  31 December 2022      Before hedging        After hedging  

  Interest-bearing financial liabilities

  Million US dollar

     Effective
interest rate
       Amount        Effective
interest rate
       Amount

  

                                           

  Floating rate

                                           

  Canadian dollar

       -          -          4.34%          1 455

  Euro

       1.68%          1 048        1.68%          1 048

  Pound sterling

       -          -          3.70%          1 078

  South Korean won

       -          1        3.08%          311

  US dollar

       5.05%          430        -          -  

  Other

       13.39%          252        11.17%          666

  

                  1 730                   4 557

  Fixed rate

                                           

  Canadian dollar

       4.50%          613        4.37%          3 741

  Chinese yuan

       2.44%          50        2.50%          1 230

  Euro

       2.27%          20 391        2.31%          21 242

  Pound sterling

       5.13%          2 208        5.55%          1 607

  South Korean won

       2.96%          46        0.94%          1 896

  US dollar

       4.99%          53 478        5.27%          44 547

  Other

       10.53%          1 476        12.19%          1 172
                    78 261                   75 434

As at 30 June 2023, the total carrying amount of the floating and fixed rate interest-bearing financial liabilities before hedging as listed above includes bank overdrafts of 53m US dollar (31 December 2022: 83m US dollar). As disclosed in the above table, 3 520m US dollar or 4.4% of the company’s interest-bearing financial liabilities bears interest at a variable rate.

 

48


Interest rate sensitivity analysis

The sensitivity analysis has been prepared based on the exposure to interest rates for the floating rate debt after hedging, assuming the amount of liability outstanding at reporting date was outstanding for the whole year to date. The company estimates that an increase or decrease of 100 basis points represents a reasonably possible change in applicable interest rates. Accordingly, if interest rates had been higher/lower by 100 basis points, with all other variables held constant, the interest expense would have been 18m US dollar higher/lower (31 December 2022: 46m US dollar). This impact would have been more than offset by 39m US dollar higher/lower interest income on interest-bearing financial assets (31 December 2022: 93m US dollar). Additionally, the pre-tax impact on equity reserves from the market value of hedging instruments would not have been significant.

 

C)

EQUITY PRICE RISK

AB InBev enters into equity swap derivatives to hedge the price risk on its shares in connection with its share-based payments programs, as disclosed in Note 18 Share-based Payments. AB InBev also hedges its exposure arising from shares issued in connection with the Grupo Modelo and SAB combinations (see also Note 8 Finance cost and income). These derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting and the changes in fair value are recorded in the profit or loss.

As at 30 June 2023, an exposure for an equivalent of 100.5m of AB InBev shares was hedged, resulting in a total loss of (703)m US dollar recognized in the profit or loss account for the period in non-underlying finance income/(cost). As at 30 June 2023, liabilities for equity swap derivatives amounted to 5.3 billion US dollar (31 December 2022: 4.8 billion US dollar).

Equity price sensitivity analysis

The sensitivity analysis on the equity swap derivatives, calculated based on a 20.26% (2022: 27.53%) reasonably possible volatility of the AB InBev share price, with all the other variables held constant, would show 1 158m US dollar positive/negative impact on the 2023 profit before tax (31 December 2022: 1 660m US dollar).

 

D)

CREDIT RISK

Credit risk encompasses all forms of counterparty exposure, i.e., where counterparties may default on their obligations to AB InBev in relation to lending, hedging, settlement and other financial activities. The company has a credit policy in place and the exposure to counterparty credit risk is monitored.

AB InBev mitigates its exposure through a variety of mechanisms. It has established minimum counterparty credit ratings and enters into transactions only with financial institutions of investment grade rating. The company monitors counterparty credit exposures closely and reviews any external downgrade in credit rating immediately. To mitigate pre-settlement risk, counterparty minimum credit standards become more stringent with increases in the duration of the derivatives. To minimize the concentration of counterparty credit risk, the company enters into derivative transactions with different financial institutions.

The company also has master netting agreements with all of the financial institutions that are counterparties to over the counter (OTC) derivatives. These agreements allow for the net settlement of assets and liabilities arising from different transactions with the same counterparty. Based on these factors, AB InBev considers the impact of the risk of counterparty default as at 30 June 2023 to be limited.

Exposure to credit risk

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure of the company. The carrying amount is presented net of the impairment losses recognized. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date was:

 

     30 June 2023      31 December 2022  
  Million US dollar    Gross      Impairment      Net carrying
amount
     Gross      Impairment      Net carrying  
amount  

  

                                                     

  Cash and cash equivalents

     6 848      -        6 848      9 973      -        9 973  

  Trade receivables

     4 964      (385)        4 579      3 980      (343)        3 637

  Other receivables

     1 775      (75)        1 701      1 545      (68)        1 477

  Derivatives

     219      -        219      391      -        391

  Cash deposits for guarantees

     169      -        169      189      -        189

  Investment in unquoted companies

     156      (5)        150      155      (5)        149

  Investment in debt securities

     114      -        114      123      -        123

  Loans to customers

     100      -        100      81      -        81
       14 345      (466)        13 879      16 434      (416)        16 019

 

49


There was no significant concentration of credit risks with any single counterparty as at 30 June 2023 and no single customer represented more than 10% of the total revenue of the group in 2023.

Impairment losses

The allowance for impairment recognized during the period on financial assets was as follows:

 

        30 June 2023        31 December 2022    

  Balance at end of previous year

       (416)          (402)   

  Impairment losses

       (27)          (38)   

  Derecognition

       6          24   

  Currency translation and other

       (28)           

  Balance at end of period

       (466)          (416)   

 

E)

LIQUIDITY RISK

Historically, AB InBev’s primary sources of cash flow have been cash flows from operating activities, the issuance of debt, bank borrowings and equity securities. AB InBev’s material cash requirements have included the following:

 

 

Debt servicing;

 

 

Capital expenditures;

 

 

Investments in companies;

 

 

Increases in ownership of AB InBev’s subsidiaries or companies in which it holds equity investments;

 

 

Share buyback programs; and

 

 

Payments of dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity.

The company believes that cash flows from operating activities, available cash and cash equivalents as well as short term investments, along with related derivatives and access to borrowing facilities, will be sufficient to fund capital expenditures, financial instrument liabilities and dividend payments going forward. It is the intention of the company to continue to reduce its financial indebtedness through a combination of strong operating cash flow generation and continued refinancing.

 

50


The following are the nominal contractual maturities of non-derivative financial liabilities including interest payments and derivative liabilities:

 

       30 June 2023  
  Million US dollar      Carrying
amount¹
      

Contractual
cash

flows

       Less
than
1 year
       1-2 years        2-3 years        3-5 years       

More 

than 
5 years 

  

                                                                            

  Non-derivative financial liabilities

                                                                            

  Unsecured bond issues

       (77 344)          (132 501)          (4 496)          (4 575)          (8 393)          (16 859)          (98 177)  

  Trade and other payables

       (24 219)          (24 507)          (23 388)          (263)          (197)          (312)          (348)  

  Lease liabilities

       (2 699)          (3 149)          (781)          (580)          (452)          (561)          (776)  

  Secured bank loans

       (487)          (497)          (466)          (5)          (5)          (10)          (10)  

  Unsecured bank loans

       (181)          (181)          (181)          -          -          -          -  

  Unsecured other loans

       (136)          (209)          (36)          (88)          (33)          (24)          (27)  

  Bank overdraft

       (53)          (53)          (53)          -          -          -          -  
         (105 119)          (161 097)          (29 400)          (5 512)          (9 079)          (17 767)          (99 339)  
                                                                              

  Derivative financial liabilities

                                                                            

  Equity derivatives

       (5 345)          (5 345)          (5 345)          -          -          -          -  

  Foreign exchange derivatives

       (602)          (602)          (602)          -          -          -          -  

  Cross currency interest rate swaps

       (153)          (153)          (9)          (41)          (57)          (47)          -  

  Commodity derivatives

       (353)          (353)          (353)          -          -          -          -  
         (6 453)          (6 453)          (6 308)          (41)          (57)          (47)          -  
                                                                              

  Of which: related to cash flow hedges

       (961)          (961)          (907)          -          (33)          (20)          -  
       31 December 2022  
  Million US dollar      Carrying
amount¹
      

Contractual
cash

flows

       Less
than
1 year
       1-2 years        2-3 years        3-5 years        More 
than 
5 years 
                                                                              

  Non-derivative financial liabilities

                                                                            

  Unsecured bond issues

       (76 798)          (133 670)          (3 273)          (5 683)          (3 783)          (15 482)          (105 450)  

  Trade and other payables

       (27 208)          (27 453)          (26 376)          (170)          (349)          (260)          (297)  

  Lease liabilities

       (2 492)          (2 840)          (618)          (566)          (414)          (531)          (712)  

  Secured bank loans

       (393)          (405)          (371)          (5)          (5)          (10)          (14)  

  Unsecured bank loans

       (100)          (100)          (100)          -          -          -          -  

  Unsecured other loans

       (125)          (193)          (34)          (78)          (28)          (31)          (23)  

  Bank overdraft

       (83)          (83)          (83)          -          -          -          -  
         (107 199)          (164 745)          (30 856)          (6 501)          (4 579)          (16 313)          (106 496)  
                                                                              

  Derivative financial liabilities

                                                                            

  Equity derivatives

       (4 763)          (4 763)          (4 763)          -          -          -          -  

  Foreign exchange derivatives

       (265)          (265)          (265)          -          -          -          -  

  Cross currency interest rate swaps

       (192)          (191)          (9)          (43)          (47)          (62)          (30)  

  Commodity derivatives

       (271)          (251)          (249)          (2)          -          -          -  

  

       (5 492)          (5 471)          (5 287)          (45)          (47)          (62)          (30)  

  Of which: related to cash flow hedges

       (551)          (530)          (469)          -          (43)          (17)          -  

 

 

1 “Carrying amount” refers to the net book value as recognized in the statement of financial position at each reporting date.

 

51


F)

FAIR VALUE

The following table summarizes for each type of derivative the fair values recognized as assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position:

 

     Assets        Liabilities        Net  
  Million US dollar    30 June
2023
     31 December
2022
       30 June
2023
     31 December
2022
       30 June
2023
     31 December 
2022 

  

                                                         

  Foreign currency

                                                         

  Foreign exchange forwards

     122      223          (599)        (265)          (477)        (42)  

  Foreign currency futures

     3      4          (3)        -          -        4
                                                           

  Interest rate

                                                         

  Interest rate swaps

     4      -          (3)        (5)          1      (5)  

  Cross currency interest rate swaps

     46      63          (150)        (187)          (104)        (124)  
                                                           

  Commodities

                                                         

  Aluminum swaps

     6      52          (181)        (174)          (175)        (122)  

  Sugar futures

     19      4          -        -          19      4  

  Energy

     5      12          (49)        (28)          (44)        (16)  

  Other commodity derivatives

     15      32          (123)        (69)          (109)        (37)  
                                                           

  Equity

                                                         

  Equity derivatives

     -        -          (5 345)        (4 763)          (5 345)        (4 763)  
       219      391          (6 453)        (5 492)          (6 234)        (5 101)  

  Of which:

                                                         

  Non-current

     62      60          (113)        (184)          (50)        (124)  

  Current

     157      331          (6 340)        (5 308)          (6 184)        (4 977)  

The following table summarizes the carrying amount and the fair value of the fixed rate interest-bearing financial liabilities as recognized in the statement of financial position. Floating rate interest-bearing financial liabilities, trade and other receivables and trade and other payables, lease liabilities and derivative financial instruments have been excluded from the analysis as their carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of their fair value:

 

  Interest-bearing financial liabilities

  Million US dollar

     30 June 2023      31 December 2022  
     Carrying amount¹        Fair value      Carrying amount¹        Fair value 
                                           

  Fixed rate

                                         

  US dollar

       (53 029)          (53 976)        (52 993)          (52 158)  

  Euro

       (20 032)          (18 637)        (19 655)          (17 926)  

  Pound sterling

       (2 263)          (2 078)        (2 148)          (2 039)  

  Canadian dollar

       (525)          (478)        (515)          (437)  

  Other

       (465)          (456)        (458)          (448)  
         (76 315)          (75 624)        (75 769)          (73 008)  

 

 

1 “Carrying amount” refers to the net book value as recognized in the statement of financial position at each reporting date.

 

52


The table sets out the fair value hierarchy based on the degree to which significant market inputs are observable:

 

  Fair value hierarchy 30 June 2023

  Million US dollar

   Quoted (unadjusted)
prices - level 1
     Observable market
inputs - level 2
     Unobservable market
inputs - level 3
 
                            

  Financial Assets

                          

  Held for trading (non-derivatives)

     -        9      -   

  Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

     -        10      -  

  Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

     45      86      -  

  Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

     -        4      -  

  Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

     -        74      -  
       45      183      -  

  Financial Liabilities

                          

  Deferred consideration on acquisitions at fair value

     -        -        773

  Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

     -        5 352      -  

  Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

     34      927      -  

  Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

     -        3      -  

  Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

     -        136      -  
       34      6 419      773

  Fair value hierarchy 31 December 2022

  Million US dollar

   Quoted (unadjusted)
prices - level 1
     Observable market
inputs - level 2
     Unobservable market
inputs - level 3
 
                            

  Financial Assets

                          

  Held for trading (non-derivatives)

     -        9      -  

  Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

     -        41      -  

  Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

     36      219      -  

  Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

     -        94      -  
       36      364      -  

  Financial Liabilities

                          

  Deferred consideration on acquisitions at fair value

     -        -        762

  Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

     -        4 799      -  

  Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

     26      525      -  

  Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

     -        4      -  

  Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

     -        138      -  
       26      5 466      762

There were no significant changes in the measurement and valuation techniques, or significant transfers between the levels of the financial assets and liabilities during the period.

Non-derivative financial liabilities

As part of the 2012 shareholders agreement between Ambev and ELJ, following the acquisition of Cervecería Nacional Dominicana S.A. (“CND”), a forward-purchase contract (combination of a put option and purchased call option) was put in place which may result in Ambev acquiring additional shares in CND. In July 2020, Ambev and ELJ amended the Shareholders’ Agreement to extend their partnership and change the terms and the exercise date of the call and put options. ELJ currently holds 15% of CND and the put option is exercisable in 2023, 2024 and 2026. As at 30 June 2023, the put option on the remaining shares held by ELJ was valued at 590m US dollar (31 December 2022: 585m US dollar) and recognized as a deferred consideration on acquisitions at fair value in the “level 3” category above.

 

20.

Collateral and contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, loans to customers and other

In the six-month period ended 30 June 2023, there were no significant changes in collateral and contractual commitments. The commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment increased from 538m US dollar as of 31 December 2022 to 1 030m US dollar as of 30 June 2023.

 

53


21. Contingencies

The company has contingencies for which, in the opinion of management and its legal counsel, the risk of loss is possible but not probable and therefore no provisions have been recorded. Due to their nature, such legal proceedings and tax matters involve inherent uncertainties including, but not limited to, court rulings, negotiations between affected parties and governmental actions, and as a consequence AB InBev’s management cannot at this stage estimate the likely timing of resolution of these matters. The most significant contingencies are discussed below. Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the closing rate of the respective period.

AMBEV TAX MATTERS

As of 30 June 2023 and 31 December 2022, AB InBev’s material tax proceedings are related to Ambev and its subsidiaries. Estimates of amounts of possible loss are as follows:

 

 Million US dollar

     30 June 2023                31 December 2022  
                   

 Income tax and social contribution

     11 322        11 586   

 Value-added and excise taxes

     5 576        4 965  

 Other taxes

     923        854  
       17 821        17 405  

The most significant tax proceedings of Ambev are discussed below.

The company and its subsidiaries have insurance guarantees and letters of guarantee for certain legal proceedings, which are presented as guarantees in civil, labor and tax proceedings.

INCOME TAX AND SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION

Foreign Earnings

Since 2005, Ambev and certain of its subsidiaries have been receiving assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities relating to the profits of its foreign subsidiaries. The cases are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial levels of the courts in Brazil.

The administrative proceedings have resulted in partially favorable decisions, most of which are still subject to review by the Administrative Court. In October 2022, the Lower Administrative Court rendered a favorable decision to Ambev in one case. In March 2023, the Lower Administrative Court rendered two favorable decisions and one partially favorable decision to Ambev on three cases related to the taxation of profits of foreign subsidiaries. Ambev is awaiting formal notification of these decisions to analyze the contents and any applicable legal motions or appeals before the judicial level. In the judicial proceedings, Ambev has received favorable injunctions that suspend the enforceability of the tax credit, as well as favorable first level decisions, which remain subject to review by the second-level judicial court.

The updated assessed amount related to this uncertain tax position as of 30 June 2023 is approximately 6.6 billion Brazilian real (1.4 billion US dollar) and Ambev has not recorded any provisions in connection therewith as it considers the chance of loss to be possible. For proceedings where it considers the chance of loss to be probable, Ambev has recorded a provision in the total amount of 60 million Brazilian real (12 million US dollar).

Goodwill InBev Holding

In December 2011, Ambev received a tax assessment related to the goodwill amortization in calendar years 2005 to 2010 resulting from the InBev Holding Brasil S.A. merger with Ambev. At the administrative level, Ambev received partially favorable decisions at both the Lower and Upper Administrative Court. Ambev filed judicial proceedings to discuss the unfavorable portion of the decisions of the Lower and the Upper Administrative Court and requested injunctions to suspend the enforceability of the remaining tax credit, which were granted.

In June 2016, Ambev received a new tax assessment charging the remaining value of the goodwill amortization in calendar years 2011 to 2013 and filed a defense. Ambev received partially favorable decisions at the first level administrative court and Lower Administrative Court. Ambev filed a Special Appeal which was partially admitted by the Upper Administrative Court. For the unfavorable portion of the decision which became final at the administrative level, Ambev filed a judicial proceeding requesting an injunction to suspend the enforceability of the remaining tax credit, which was granted.

In April 2023, Ambev received a partially favorable decision at the Upper Administrative Court for the portion of the tax assessment which was still awaiting judgment In June 2023, Ambev filed a judicial proceeding to appeal the unfavorable portion of the decision, which awaits judgment by the first judicial level.

 

54


The updated assessed amount related to this uncertain tax position as of 30 June 2023 is approximately 10.7 billion Brazilian real (2.2 billion US dollar) and Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter as it considers the chances of loss to be possible. In the event Ambev is required to pay these amounts, AB InBev will reimburse the amount proportional to the benefit received by AB InBev pursuant to the merger protocol as well as the related costs.

Goodwill Beverage Associate Holding (BAH)

In October 2013, Ambev received a tax assessment related to the goodwill amortization in calendar years 2007 to 2012 resulting from the merger of Beverage Associates Holding Limited (“BAH”) into Ambev. The decision from the first level administrative court was unfavorable to Ambev. Ambev filed an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court against the decision, which was partially granted. Ambev and the tax authorities filed Special Appeals to the Upper Administrative Court. In July 2022, the Upper Administrative Court rendered a partially favorable decision to Ambev. The decision did not recognize the Special Appeal filed by the tax authorities, thereby preserving the portion of the decision rendered by the Lower Administrative Court that was favorable to Ambev with respect to the qualified penalties applied and the statute of limitations for one of the calendar years under discussion; this portion of the decision is final. In January 2023, Ambev filed a judicial proceeding to appeal the unfavorable portion of the decision.

In April and August 2018, Ambev received new tax assessments charging the remaining value of the goodwill amortization in calendar years 2013 to 2014 and filed defenses. In April 2019, the first level administrative court rendered unfavorable decisions to Ambev. As a result thereof, Ambev appealed to the Lower Administrative Court. In November and December 2019, Ambev received partially favorable decisions at the Lower Administrative Court. Ambev and the tax authorities filed Special Appeals to the Upper Administrative Court. In April 2023, the Upper Administrative Court rendered partially favorable decisions to Ambev, related to the qualified penalties, in the Special Appeals. In June 2023, Ambev filed a judicial proceeding to appeal the unfavorable portion of the decisions, which awaits judgment by the first judicial level. The updated assessed amount related to this uncertain tax position as of 30 June 2023 is approximately 2.3 billion Brazilian real (0.5 billion US dollar). Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter as it considers the chance of loss to be possible.

Goodwill CND Holdings

In November 2017, Ambev received a tax assessment related to the goodwill amortization in calendar years 2012 to 2016 resulting from the merger of CND Holdings into Ambev. The decision from the first level administrative court was unfavorable to Ambev. Ambev filed an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court. In February 2020, the Lower Administrative Court rendered a partially favorable decision. Ambev and the tax authorities filed Special Appeals to the Upper Administrative Court. The Special Appeal filed by Ambev was partially admitted and is awaiting judgment.

In October 2022, Ambev received a new tax assessment charging the remaining value of the goodwill amortization in calendar year 2017. Ambev has filed a defense and awaits judgment by the first level administrative court.

The updated assessed amount related to this uncertain tax position as of 30 June 2023 is approximately 1.3 billion Brazilian real (0.3 billion US dollar). Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter as it considers the chances of loss to be possible.

Goodwill MAG

In December 2022, CRBS S.A (a subsidiary of Ambev) received a tax assessment related to the goodwill amortization in calendar years 2017 to 2020, resulting from the merger of RTD Barbados into CRBS. Ambev filed a defense in January 2023, and awaits judgement by the first level administrative court.

The updated assessed amount as of 30 June 2023 is approximately 0.3 billion Brazilian real (0.1 billion US dollar). Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter as it considers the chance of loss to be possible.

Ambev has continued to take the same deductions for the calendar years following the assessed periods (2021 to February 2022). Therefore, if Ambev receives similar tax assessments for this period, Ambev management believes the outcome would be consistent with the already assessed periods.

Disallowance of financial expenses

In 2015, 2016 and 2020, Ambev received tax assessments related to the disallowance of alleged non-deductible expenses and the deduction of certain losses mainly associated to financial investments and loans. Ambev presented defenses and, in November 2019, received a favorable decision at the first level administrative court regarding the 2016 case, which was confirmed by the Upper Administrative Court in April 2023.

In June 2021, Ambev received a partially favorable decision for the 2020 case at the first level administrative court and filed an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court. In March 2023, Ambev received a favorable decision from the Lower Administrative Court, which fully canceled the tax assessment related to 2020, and this decision became final in May 2023.

 

55


In June 2022, Ambev received a partially favorable decision at the first level administrative court regarding the 2015 case and filed an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court. The favorable portion of the decision is also subject to mandatory review by the Lower Administrative Court.

The updated assessed amount related to this uncertain tax position as of 30 June 2023 is approximately 0.3 billion Brazilian real (0.1 billion US dollar). Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter as it considers the chance of loss to be possible.

Disallowance of tax paid abroad

Since 2014, Ambev has been receiving tax assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities, for calendar years as of 2007, related to the disallowance of deductions associated with alleged unproven taxes paid abroad by its subsidiaries and has been filing defenses. The cases are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial levels. In November 2019, the Lower Administrative Court rendered a favorable decision to Ambev in one of the cases (related to the 2010 tax period), which became definitive.

In January 2020, the Lower Administrative Court rendered unfavorable decisions regarding four of these assessments related to the periods of 2015 and 2016, for which Ambev filed Special Appeals to the Upper Administrative Court. In April 2023, Ambev received unfavorable decisions at the Upper Administrative Court in respect of the Special Appeals. Ambev is awaiting formal notification of these decisions, which are not final and remain subject to appeal at the judicial level.

In connection with the tax assessments related to the periods of 2015 and 2016, additional tax assessments were filed to charge isolated fines due to the lack of monthly prepayments of income tax as a result of allegedly undue deductions of taxes paid abroad. In 2021, Ambev received unfavorable decisions from the first level administrative court in two of these assessments with respect to the 2015 and 2016 isolated fine cases, and filed appeals in connection therewith, which are pending judgment by the Lower Administrative Court. In 2022, Ambev received an unfavorable decision from the first level administrative court in the second assessment related to the 2016 isolated fine case, and filed an appeal in connection therewith which awaits judgment by the Lower Administrative Court. In October 2022, Ambev received a new tax assessment charging such isolated fine related to calendar year 2017. Ambev has filed a defense in this case, and awaits judgment by the first level administrative court.

The other cases are still awaiting final decisions at both administrative and judicial courts.

The updated assessed amount as of 30 June 2023 is approximately 13.1 billion Brazilian real (2.7 billion US dollar). Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter as it considers the chance of loss to be possible.

The company has continued to take the same deductions for the calendar years following the assessed periods (2018 to 2023). Therefore, if Ambev receives similar tax assessments for this period, Ambev management believes the outcome would be the same as those tax years already assessed.

Presumed Profit

In April 2016, Arosuco (a subsidiary of Ambev) received a tax assessment regarding the use of the “presumed profit” method for the calculation of income tax and the social contribution on net profits instead of the “real profit” method. In September 2017, Arosuco received an unfavorable first level administrative decision and filed an appeal. In January 2019, the Lower Administrative Court rendered a favorable decision to Arosuco, which became definitive.

In March 2019, Arosuco received a new tax assessment regarding the same subject and filed a defense. In October 2019, Arosuco received an unfavorable first level administrative decision and filed an appeal which is pending judgment.

The updated assessed amount related to this uncertain tax position as of 30 June 2023 is approximately 0.6 billion Brazilian real (0.1 billion US dollar). Arosuco has not recorded any provisions for this matter as it considers the chance of loss to be possible.

Deductibility of IOC expenses

In 2013, as approved in a Shareholders Meeting, Ambev implemented a corporate restructuring with the purpose of simplifying its corporate structure and converting into a single class of shares company, among other factors. One of the steps of such restructuring involved a contribution of shares followed by the merger of shares of its controlled entity, Companhia de Bebidas das Américas, into Ambev. As one of the results of such restructuring, the counterpart register of the positive difference between the value of shares issued for the merger and the net equity value of its controlled entity’s share was accounted, as per IFRS 10/CPC 36 and ICPC09, in an equity account of Ambev referred to as carrying value adjustment.

 

56


In November 2019, Ambev received a tax assessment from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities related to the interest on capital (“IOC”) deduction in 2014. The assessment refers primarily to the accounting and corporate effects of the restructuring carried out by Ambev in 2013 and its impact on the increase in the deductibility of IOC expenses. In August 2020, Ambev received a partially favorable decision at the first level administrative court and filed an Appeal to the Lower Administrative Court, which awaits judgement. The favorable portion of the decision is subject to mandatory review by the Lower Administrative Court.

In December 2020, Ambev received a new tax assessment related to the deduction of the IOC in 2015 and 2016. The defense against such new tax assessment was filed by Ambev in January 2021. In June 2021, Ambev received a partially favorable decision and filed an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court, which also awaits judgment. Similar to the first tax assessment, the favorable portion of the decision is also subject to mandatory review by the Lower Administrative Court.

In December 2022, Ambev received a new tax assessment related to the deduction of the IOC in 2017. The defense against this new tax assessment was filed by Ambev in January 2023, which is pending judgment by the first level administrative court.

The updated assessed amount as of 30 June 2023 is approximately 14.5 billion Brazilian real (3.0 billion US dollar). Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter as it considers the chance of loss to be possible.

The uncertain tax position continued to be adopted by Ambev as it also distributed or accrued IOC in the years following the assessed period (2018-2023) and deducted such amounts from its Corporate Income Taxes taxable basis. Therefore, in a scenario where the IOC deductibility would also be questioned for the period after 2017, on the same basis and arguments as the aforementioned tax assessments, Ambev management estimates that the outcome of such potential further assessments would be consistent with the already assessed periods.

Disallowance on Income Tax deduction

In January 2020, Arosuco, a subsidiary of Ambev, received a tax assessment from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities regarding the disallowance of the income tax reduction benefit provided for in Provisional Measure No. 2199-14/2001, for calendar years 2015 to 2018, and an administrative defense was filed. In October 2020, the first level administrative court rendered an unfavorable decision to Arosuco. Arosuco filed an appeal against the aforementioned decision and awaits judgment by the Lower Administrative Court. The updated assessed amount as of 30 June 2023 is approximately 2.5 billion Brazilian real (0.5 billion US dollar). Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter as it considers the chance of loss to be possible.

This uncertain tax position continued to be applied by the Company impacting calendar years following those assessed (2019-2023) in which it benefited from the income tax reduction provided for in Provisional Measure No. 2199-14/2001. In a scenario Arosuco is questioned on this matter for future periods, on the same basis and arguments as the aforementioned tax assessment, Arosuco management estimates that the outcome of such potential further assessments would be consistent to the already assessed periods.

Tax Loss Offset

Ambev and certain of its subsidiaries received a number of assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities relating to the offset of tax losses carried forward in the context of business combinations.

In February 2016, the Upper Administrative Court ruled unfavorably to Ambev in two of these cases, following which Ambev filed judicial proceedings. In September 2016, Ambev received a favorable first level decision in one of the judicial claims which was confirmed by the second-level judicial court in December 2022. This decision is subject to appeal by the tax authorities. In March 2017, Ambev received an unfavorable first level decision with respect to the second judicial case and filed an appeal, which is pending judgment by the second-level judicial court.

There is a third case being challenged at the administrative level in which Ambev appealed to the Upper Administrative Court against an unfavorable decision rendered by the Lower Administrative Court in June 2019. In January 2023, Ambev received an unfavourable decision at the Upper Administrative Court and has filed a motion for clarification. The amount related to this uncertain tax position as of 30 June 2023 is approximately 0.6 billion Brazilian real (0.1 billion US dollar). Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter as it considers the chance of loss to be possible.

ICMS VALUE ADDED TAX, EXCISE TAX (“IPI”) AND TAXES ON NET SALES

Manaus Free Trade Zone – IPI / Social contributions

In Brazil, goods manufactured within the Manaus Free Trade Zone intended for remittance elsewhere in Brazil are exempt and/ or zero-rated from excise tax (“IPI”) and social contributions (“PIS/COFINS”). With respect to IPI, Ambev’s subsidiaries have been registering IPI presumed tax credits upon the acquisition of exempted goods manufactured therein. Since 2009, Ambev has been receiving a number of tax assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities relating to the disallowance of such credits.

 

57


Ambev and its subsidiaries have also been receiving charges from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities in relation to (i) federal taxes allegedly unduly offset with the disallowed presumed IPI excise tax credits that are under discussion in these proceedings and (ii) PIS/COFINS amounts allegedly due on Arosuco’s remittance to Ambev subsidiaries.

In April 2019, the Federal Supreme Court (“STF”) announced its judgment on Extraordinary Appeal No. 592.891/ /SP, with binding effects, deciding on the rights of taxpayers registering IPI excise tax presumed credits on acquisitions of raw materials and exempted inputs originating from the Manaus Free Trade Zone. As a result of this decision, Ambev reclassified part of the amounts related to the IPI cases as remote losses maintaining as possible losses only issues related to other additional discussions that were not included in the analysis of the STF. The cases are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial levels.

Ambev management estimates the possible loss related to these proceedings to be approximately 6.2 billion Brazilian real (1.3 billion US dollar) as of 30 June 2023. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

IPI Suspension

In 2014 and 2015, Ambev received tax assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities relating to IPI allegedly due over remittances of manufactured goods to other related factories. The cases are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial levels. In 2020, Ambev received a final partially favorable decision at the administrative level in one of the cases. In July 2022, Ambev received the first judicial decision on this matter; the decision was unfavorable to Ambev and it has filed an appeal.

In October 2022, the Upper Administrative Court rendered a partially favorable decision to Ambev in one of the cases related to this matter. Ambev awaits formal notification of this decision to assess whether any portion of the tax assessment may be challenged at the judicial level.

Ambev management estimates the possible loss related to these assessments to be approximately 1.8 billion Brazilian real (0.4 billion US dollar) as of 30 June 2023. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

ICMS tax credits

Ambev is currently challenging tax assessments issued by the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, among others, questioning the legality of ICMS tax credits arising from transactions with companies that have tax incentives granted by other states. The cases are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial level of the courts. On August 2020, the STF issued a binding decision (Extraordinary Appeal No. 628.075) ruling that tax credits granted by the states in the context of the ICMS tax war shall be considered unlawful. The decision also recognized that the states should abide by the tax incentives validation process provided for in Complementary Law No. 160/17. This decision became final (and no longer subject to appeal) in December 2021 and it does not change the likelihood of loss in Ambev’s tax assessments. With respect to the assessments issued by the State of São Paulo, Ambev received unfavorable decisions at the second administrative level in April, May and June 2022. In these cases, Ambev has filed motions for reconsideration to the second administrative level.

Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to these assessments to be approximately 1.7 billion Brazilian real (0.4 billion US dollar) as of 30 June 2023. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

In addition, in 2018 and 2021, Ambev received tax assessments from the States of Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo charging alleged differences in ICMS due to the disallowance of credits arising from transactions with suppliers located in the Manaus Free Trade Zone. With regard to the assessment issued by the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Ambev received a favourable judgment at the second administrative level, which was amended by the third administrative level in favour of the tax authorities. This decision is not final and remain subject to appeal at the judicial level. With respect to the assessments issued by the State of São Paulo, Ambev received unfavourable decisions at the first administrative level in May and June 2022. In these cases, Ambev has filed appeals to the second administrative level. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to these assessments to be approximately 0.8 billion Brazilian real (0.2 billion US dollar) as of 30 June 2023.

ICMS-ST Trigger

Over the years, Ambev has received tax assessments to charge supposed ICMS differences considered due when the price of the products sold by Ambev is above the fixed price table basis established by the relevant states, cases in which the state tax authorities understand that the calculation basis should be based on a value-added percentage over the actual prices and not the fixed table price. Ambev is currently challenging those charges before the courts. The cases are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial levels.

 

58


Ambev management estimates the total possible loss related to this issue to be approximately 10.0 billion Brazilian real (2.1 billion US dollar) as of 30 June 2023. Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter.

SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Since 2015, Ambev has received tax assessments issued by the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities relating to PIS/COFINS amounts allegedly due over bonus products granted to its customers. The cases are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial levels of the courts. In 2019, 2020 and 2023, Ambev received final favorable decisions at the administrative level in some of these cases. In 2023, the Lower Administrative Court rendered favorable decisions to Ambev in two other cases and Ambev is awaiting formal notification of these decisions, which are not final and remain subject to appeal. At the judicial level, one case is pending decision by the second level judicial court after the first level judicial court rendered an unfavorable decision to Ambev.

Ambev management estimates the possible loss related to these assessments to be approximately 1.6 billion Brazilian real (0.3 billion US dollar) as of 30 June 2023. Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter.

AB INBEV’S TANZANIA TAX MATTERS

Tanzania Breweries Limited (“TBL”), a subsidiary of AB InBev in Tanzania, received a tax assessment for 850 billion Tanzanian shillings (0.4 billion US dollar) related to income tax on the alleged capital gain derived from the change in underlying ownership of TBL which the Tanzania Revenue Authority claims was more than 50% following the 2016 combination of SAB and AB InBev. TBL filed an appeal to the Tax Revenue Appeals Board. TBL believes that the assessment is without merit and will vigorously defend against the assessment. No related provision has been made.

AB INBEV’S SOUTH AFRICA TAX MATTERS

The South African Revenue Service (“SARS”) conducted an audit of AB InBev’s South African subsidiary, the South African Breweries (Pty) Ltd. (“SAB”), in relation to the 2017 repurchase of SAB’s equity stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (Pty) Ltd (“CCBA”), the Coca-Cola bottling business in Africa, by CCBA. The assessment from SARS claims that SAB owes 6.4 billion South African Rand (0.4 billion US dollar) in taxes plus penalties and interest, which as at the time of assessment total 17.7 billion Rand (1 billion US dollar). The repurchase transaction also included an indemnity for certain tax liabilities of CCBA. CCBA has notified SAB that CCBA has received an assessment from SARS for 8.9 billion Rand (0.5 billion US dollar). Both of these assessments are contested, but SAB may be required to secure or pre-pay some or all of the amounts assessed, pending the outcome of the challenge and any appeal(s). No related provision for these matters has been made as the chances of loss are not considered to be probable.

OTHER TAX MATTERS

In February 2015, the European Commission opened an in-depth state aid investigation into the Belgian excess profit ruling system. On 11 January 2016, the European Commission adopted a negative decision finding that the Belgian excess profit ruling system constitutes an aid scheme incompatible with the internal market and ordering Belgium to recover the incompatible aid from a number of aid beneficiaries. The Belgian authorities contacted the companies that had benefitted from the system and advised each company of the amount of incompatible aid that is potentially subject to recovery. The European Commission’s decision was appealed to the European Union’s General Court by Belgium on 22 March 2016 and by AB InBev on 12 July 2016. On 14 February 2019, the European General Court concluded that the Belgian excess profit ruling system does not constitute illegal state aid. The European Commission appealed the judgment to the European Court of Justice. The public hearing in the framework of the appeal proceedings took place on 24 September 2020 and AB InBev was heard as an intervening party.

On 3 December 2020, the Advocate General (AG) of the European Court of Justice presented her non-binding opinion on the appeal procedure related to the 11 January 2016 opening decision, stating that, contrary to the 14 February 2019 judgment of the European General Court, the Belgian excess profit ruling system would fulfil the legal requirements for an “aid scheme”. In the initial European General Court judgment, the court limited itself to finding the Belgian excess profit rulings were not an “aid scheme”, but did not consider whether they constituted State aid. Consequently, the AG advised the European Court of Justice to refer the case back to the European General Court to review whether the Belgian excess profit rulings constitute State aid. On 16 September 2021, the European Court of Justice agreed with the AG and concluded that the excess profit ruling system constitutes an aid scheme and set aside the judgment of the European General Court. The case has been referred back to the European General Court to decide whether the Belgian excess profit ruling system constitutes illegal State aid as well as the other remaining open issues in the appeal, where it remains ongoing along with other pending appeals related to the matter.

 

59


Following the initial annulment of the European Commission’s decision by the European General Court in 2019, the European Commission opened new state aid investigations into the individual Belgian tax rulings, including the one issued to AB InBev in September 2019, to remedy the concerns that had led to the annulment. These investigations relate to the same rulings that were the subject of the European Commission’s decision issued on 11 January 2016. AB InBev has filed its observations in respect of the opening decisions with the European Commission. On 28 October 2021, the European Commission stayed the new state aid investigations into the individual Belgian tax rulings pending final resolution of the case.

In addition, the Belgian tax authorities have also questioned the validity and the actual application of the excess profit ruling that was issued in favor of AB InBev and have refused the actual tax exemption which it confers. AB InBev has filed a court claim against such decision before the Brussels court of first instance which ruled in favor of AB InBev on 21 June 2019, and again on 9 July 2021 for subsequent years. The Belgian tax authorities appealed both judgments.

In January 2019, AB InBev deposited 68 million euro (73 million US dollar) on a blocked account. Depending on the final outcome of the European Court procedures on the Belgian excess profit ruling system, as well as the pending Belgian court cases, this amount will either be slightly modified, or released back to the company or paid over to the Belgian State. In connection with the European Court procedures, AB InBev recognized a provision of 68 million euro (73 million US dollar) in 2020.

CERBUCO BREWING ARBITRATION

Cerbuco Brewing Inc., (“Cerbuco”) a Canadian subsidiary of Ambev, owns a 50% equity ownership in Cerveceria Bucanero S.A. (“Bucanero”), a joint venture in Cuba. In 2021, Cerbuco initiated an arbitration proceeding at the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”), relating to the potential breach of certain obligations relating to the joint venture, with the terms of reference being formally executed in 2022. Depending on the outcome of the arbitration, there may be an impact on Cerbuco’s rights. As a result, Ambev’s ability to continue consolidating Bucanero into its financial statements may also be affected. The financial impact has not yet been ascertained, as it depends on the outcome of the arbitration.

WARRANTS

Certain holders of warrants issued by Ambev in 1996 for exercise in 2003 proposed lawsuits to subscribe correspondent shares for an amount lower than Ambev considers as established upon the warrant issuance. If Ambev was defeated in all lawsuits related to this issue, it would be necessary to issue 172,831,574 shares and Ambev would receive, in return, funds significantly lower than the current market value. This could result in a dilution of about 1% to all Ambev’s shareholders. Furthermore, the holders of these warrants claimed that they should receive the dividends relative to these shares since 2003, approximately 1.2 billion Brazilian real (0.2 billion US dollar) in addition to legal fees. Among the seven cases related to this topic, one was settled in previous years. Five cases have been ruled irrevocably favorably to Ambev, with 3 decisions in 2Q23. The last case has already received a favorable decision and is pending before the Superior Court of Justice. Considering all these facts, Ambev and its external counsels strongly believe that the chance of loss in the remaining case is remote and therefore we have not established a provision for this litigation.

PROPOSED CLASS ACTION IN QUEBEC

Labatt and other, third-party defendants have been named in a proposed class action lawsuit in the Superior Court of Quebec seeking unquantified compensatory and punitive damages. The plaintiffs allege that the defendants failed to warn of certain specific health risks of consuming defendants’ alcoholic beverages. A sub-class of plaintiffs further alleges that their diseases were caused by the consumption of defendants’ products. The proposed class action has not yet been authorized by the Superior Court.

22. Related parties

There are no material changes in the company’s related party transactions during the six-month period ended 30 June 2023 as compared to 31 December 2022.

23. Events after the reporting date

None.

 

60


Anheuser Busch Inbev SA NV (NYSE:BUD)
Historical Stock Chart
Von Apr 2024 bis Mai 2024 Click Here for more Anheuser Busch Inbev SA NV Charts.
Anheuser Busch Inbev SA NV (NYSE:BUD)
Historical Stock Chart
Von Mai 2023 bis Mai 2024 Click Here for more Anheuser Busch Inbev SA NV Charts.