AB InBev Q1 Profit Surges 7.9% Despite Sales Decline

Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer, reported a significant rise in first-quarter profit, with net profit reaching $2.15 billion, nearly double from a year earlier. Despite a 2.2% global decline in beer sales volumes and a 5.1% drop in U.S. revenues—attributed to fewer selling days, late Easter, and bad weather—the company exceeded analysts' expectations for profit growth. Operating profit increased by 7.9%, more than double what analysts anticipated, as the brewer successfully grew margins and sales of its top brands such as Stella Artois and Michelob Ultra. CEO Michel Doukeris credited consistent execution for the strong results and expressed confidence in meeting the company's 2025 outlook.