Anheuser-Busch increases second quarter income

Although the U.S. beer market has seen scant growth in recent years, Anheuser-Busch Cos. posted a 1.8 percent increase in second-quarter net income as the company boosted its dividend 12 percent ahead of its planned takeover by InBev and announced planned price increases this fall on 85 percent of its U.S. beer volume.

In July, the brewer reported net income of USD 689.2 million, or 95 cents a share, up from USD 677 million, or 88 cents a share, a year ago.

Gross sales for the maker of Budweiser beer rose 4.1 percent to USD 5.34 billion, while net sales, which exclude excise taxes, climbed 4.6 percent to USD 4.72 billion, it was reported.

However, gross margin remained flat at 32.3 percent.

U.S. sales volume rose 0.5 percent, while international volume increased 4.8 percent, putting total growth at 1.4 percent. Shipments to U.S. wholesalers increased 0.5 percent and sales to retailers climbed 0.4 percent, thanks to the successful launch of Bud Light Lime.

The company’s U.S. market share in the first six months dipped to 48.8 percent from 48.9 percent.