Q4 2024 Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Earnings Call

February 26, 2025

Are you... Beckham!

Speaker Change: Dave Beckham. No way. Hey what'd you say your name was? David. Try one of these. That is the best buffalo wing in the county. You eat buffalo? No, it's just chicken. It was invented in Buffalo, the city. So it's not Buffalo.

Speaker Change: You all right, man? Still got it? Come on, guys. Sorry, it's a thing I do.

Speaker Change: You drink Stella. I have taste, David. There's something I have to tell you.

Speaker Change: My brother is a famous soccer player? Yeah. So how famous are you? Like Matt Damon famous? Maybe Ben Affleck famous. That's a shame.

Operator: Welcome to AB InBev's Full Year 2024 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast. Hosting the call today from AB InBev are Mr. Michel Doukeris, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Fernando Tennenbaum, Chief Financial Officer. To access the slides accompanying today's call, please visit AB InBev's website at www.ab-inbev.com and click on the Investors tab and the Reports and Results Center page. Today's webcast will be available for on-demand playback later today. At this time, all participants have been placed in a listen-only mode, and the floor will be open for your questions following the presentation. If you would like to ask a question at that time, please press star one on your touch-tone phone. If at any point your question has been answered, you may remove yourself from the queue by pressing star two. If you should require operator assistance, please press star zero.

Speaker Change: Welcome to A.B. and Bev's full-year 2020 Forearnings Conference Call and Webcast. Hosting the call today from A.B. and Bev are Mr. Michelle Dukaris, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Fernando Tenenbaum, Chief Financial Officer.

Speaker Change: To access the slides accompanying today's call, please visit AB InBev's website at www.ab-inbev.com and click on the Investors tab in the Reports and Results Center page.

Speaker Change: Today's webcast will be available for on-demand playback later today. At this time, all participants have been placed in a listen-only mode and the floor will be open for your questions following the presentation.

Speaker Change: If you would like to ask a question at that time, please press star 1 on your touchtone phone. If at any point your question has been answered, you may remove yourself from the queue by pressing star 2. If you should require operator assistance, please press star 0.

Operator: Some of the information provided during the conference call may contain statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements. These expectations are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. It is possible that AB InBev's actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect AB InBev's future results, see Risk Factors in the company's latest annual report on Form 20-F, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 11 March 2024. AB InBev assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information provided during the conference call and shall not be liable for any action taken in reliance upon such information.

Speaker Change: Some of the information provided during the conference call may contain statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements.

Speaker Change: These expectations are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties.

Speaker Change: It is possible that AP and BEV's actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements.

Speaker Change: For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect A, B, and Bev's future results, see risk factors in the company's latest annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the 11th of March, 2024.

Speaker Change: AB InBev assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information provided during the conference call, and shall not be liable for any action taken in reliance upon such information.

Operator: It is now my pleasure to turn the floor over to Mr. Michel Doukeris. Sir, you may begin.

Speaker Change: It is now my pleasure to turn the floor over to Mr. Michelle Dukaris. Sir, you may begin.

Michel Doukeris: Thank you, and welcome everyone to our Full Year 2024 Earnings Call. It is a great pleasure to be speaking with you all today. Today, Fernando and I will take you through our operating highlights for the year and provide you with an update on the progress we have made in executing our strategic priorities. After that, we'll be happy to answer your questions. Let's start with the key highlights for the year. We made consistent progress across the three pillars of our strategy in 2024. Our global momentum continued delivering all-time high US dollar revenues with growth in 75% of our markets. Our business in the US is building momentum. Our portfolio is reaching an inflection point, and we are increasing investments in our brands to fuel growth.

Speaker Change: Thank you and welcome everyone to our full year 2024 earnings call. It is a great pleasure to be speaking with you all today.

Speaker Change: Today, Fernando and I will take you through our operating highlights for the year and provide you with an update on the progress we have made in executing our strategic priorities.

After that, we'll be happy to answer your questions.

Let's start with the key highlights for the year.

Speaker Change: We made consistent progress across the three pillars of our strategy in 2024.

Speaker Change: Our global momentum continues delivering all-time high U.S. dollar revenues with growth in 75% of our markets.

Speaker Change: Our business in the U.S. is building momentum. Our portfolio is reaching an inflection point and we are increasing investments in our brands to fuel growth.

Michel Doukeris: BEES Marketplace continued to accelerate and deliver $2.5 billion in GMV this year, a 57% increase versus last year. EBITDA grew at the top end of our outlook for the year, reaching nearly $21 billion, with margin expansion across all five of our operating regions. The ongoing optimization of our business drove a 15% increase in underlying US dollar EPS, as well as a step change in our free cash flow generation, which increased by $2.5 billion versus last year. We also delivered an important milestone in our deleveraging journey with our net debt-to-EBITDA ratio reaching 2.89x, below 3x for the first time since 2015. With this progress, we have increased flexibility in our capital allocation choices. The board has proposed a full-year dividend of EUR 1 per share, a 22% increase versus last year.

Speaker Change: Biz Marketplace continues to accelerate and deliver $2.5 billion in GMV this year, a 57% increase versus last year.

Speaker Change: EBITDA grew at the top end of our outlook for the year, reaching nearly $21 billion, with margin expansion across all five of our operating regions.

Speaker Change: The ongoing optimization of our business drove a 15% increase in underlying U.S. dollar EPS, as well as a step change in our free cash flow generation.

which increased by $2.5 billion versus last year.

Speaker Change: We also delivered an important milestone in our deleveraging journey, with our net debt to EBITDA ratio reaching 2.89 times, below three times for the first time since 2015.

Speaker Change: With this progress, we have increased flexibility in our capital location choices.

Speaker Change: The Board has proposed a full-year dividend of 1 euro per share, a 22% increase versus last year.

Michel Doukeris: Now turning to our operating performance. Total revenue grew by 2.7% this year, with our revenue management choices and ongoing premiumization driving revenue per hectoliter growth of 4.3%. EBITDA increased by 10.1% in Q4 and by 8.2% in the full year, increasing by $1 billion versus 2023. Our overall volume performance in 2024 was, however, constrained by the unusually soft consumer environments in both China and Argentina, which drove a total volume decline of 1.4%. While the performance in these two markets this year does not reflect our full potential, we remain confident in the long-term growth opportunity and are investing to rebuild momentum. Outside of these two countries, the beer category globally remains vibrant, and we are winning with consumers across our footprint.

Now turning to our operating performance.

Total revenue grew by 2.7% this year.

Speaker Change: with our revenue management choices and ongoing premiumization driving revenue per hectolitre growth of 4.3 percent.

Speaker Change: EBITDA increased by 10.1% in the fourth quarter and by 8.2% in the full year, increasing by $1 billion versus 2023.

Speaker Change: Our overall volume performance in 2024 was however constrained by the unusually soft consumer environment in both China and Argentina, which drove a total volume decline of 1.4%.

Speaker Change: While the performance in these two markets this year does not reflect our full potential, we remain confident in the long-term growth opportunity and are investing to rebuild momentum.

Speaker Change: Outside of these two countries, the beer category globally remains vibrant, and we are winning with consumers across our footprint.

Michel Doukeris: Volumes grew in the majority of our markets. We estimate we gained or maintained market share in 2/3 of them, and our volumes increased by 0.9% in all other markets. Turning to our top-line performance, our revenues reached a new all-time high of $59.8 billion, with organic growth more than offsetting translational effects headwinds. Net revenue per hectoliter growth improved sequentially throughout the year. Our financial performance was broad-based with revenue increase in 75% of our markets and EBITDA growth in four of our five operating regions. Now I'll take a few minutes to walk you through the operational highlights for the year from our key regions, starting with North America. In the US, our business is building momentum. Our portfolio is reaching an inflection point, and we are increasing investments in our brands to fuel growth.

Volumes grew in the majority of our markets.

Speaker Change: We estimate we gained or maintained market share in two-thirds of them, and our volumes increased by 0.9% in all other markets.

Speaker Change: Turning to our top-line performance, our revenues reach a new all-time high of $59.8 billion, with organic growth more than offsetting translational effects headwinds.

Net revenue per hectolitre growth improved sequentially throughout the year.

Speaker Change: Our financial performance was broad-based, with revenue increasing 75% of our market and EBITDA growth in four of our five operating regions.

Speaker Change: Now we'll take a few minutes to walk you through the operational highlights for the year.

from our key regions, starting with North America.

In the U.S., our business is building momentum.

Speaker Change: Our portfolio is reaching an inflection point, and we are increasing investments in our brands to fuel growth.

Michel Doukeris: Our STR volumes grew in Q4 and regained volume share in the industry, driven by Michelob ULTRA and Busch Light, which were the top two volume share gainers in the industry. The beer industry overall remained resilient in 2024, improving in both volume and revenue trends sequentially since Q2, and gained share of total alcohol by volume. Now, moving to Middle Americas. In Mexico, our momentum continued as we gained share of industry and delivered record high volumes for the year. In Colombia, we delivered record high volumes, with our portfolio continued to gain share of total alcohol. In South America, our business in Brazil delivered total volume growth of 1.5% with double-digit bottom line growth. Our beer portfolio is estimated to have outperformed the industry with market share gains driven by our premium and super premium brands.

Speaker Change: Our FTR volumes grew in the fourth quarter and we gained volume share in the industry.

Speaker Change: driven by Michelob Ultra and Bushlight, which were the top two volume share gainers in the industry.

Speaker Change: The beer industry overall remained resilient in 2024, improving in both volume and revenue trends sequentially since the second quarter, and gained its share of total alcohol by volume.

Now, moving to Middle America.

Speaker Change: In Mexico, our momentum continued as we gained its share of industry and delivered record high volumes for the year.

Speaker Change: In Colombia, we deliver record high volumes with our portfolio continue to gain share of total alcohol.

Speaker Change: In South America, our business in Brazil delivered total volume growth of 1.5% with double digit bottom line growth.

Speaker Change: Our BIA portfolio is estimated to have outperformed the industry with market share gains driven by our premium and super premium brands.

Michel Doukeris: In Europe, EBITDA increased by mid-teens through a combination of top-line growth and continued margin recovery. Our volumes grew slightly, outperforming the industry in five of our six key markets, led by Corona and Stella Artois. In South Africa, our momentum continued, with volumes growing by mid-single digits, gaining share of both beer and beyond beer. In APAC, in China, the soft consumer environment impacted the overall beer industry and particularly the on-premise channel, which disproportionately impacted our business. We underperformed the industry, and we know our business in China has far more potential than we delivered in 2024. We remain confident in the growth opportunities for beer and continue to invest for the long term. The close of 2024 also marks three years since we introduced our three pillar strategy and our medium term growth outlook.

Speaker Change: In Europe, EBITDA increased by mid-teens through a combination of top-line growth and continued margin recovery.

Speaker Change: Our volumes grew slightly, outperforming the industry in five of our six key markets, led by Corona and Stellar Plot.

Speaker Change: In South Africa, our momentum continued, with volumes growing by mid-single digits, gaining share of both beer and beyond beer.

See you soon. Bye.

Speaker Change: In China, the soft consumer environment impacted the overall beer industry and particularly the on-premise channel, which disproportionately impacted our business.

Speaker Change: We underperformed the industry and we know our business in China has far more potential than we delivered in 2024. We remain confident in the growth opportunities for Beard and continue to invest for the long term.

Speaker Change: The close of 2024 also marks three years since we introduced our three-pillar strategy.

Speaker Change: and our medium-term growth outlook. And I would like to take a few minutes to reflect on the progress we have made in executing our strategy.

Michel Doukeris: I would like to take a few minutes to reflect on the progress we have made in executing our strategy. Let's start with our perspective on the overall beer category. The category and our brands are a passion point for consumers. We believe beer has a long runway for future volume growth and premiumization across our footprint, supported by favorable demographics, economic growth, and significant opportunities to increase category participation. In 2024, according to IWSR, the beer and beyond beer category continued to gain share of total alcohol by volume globally and has now gained more than 200 basis points since 2021. Looking ahead, beer is expected to grow volumes globally and continue to gain share of total alcohol. Our diversified geographic footprint and leadership positions across developing, emerging, and developed markets has us best positioned to capture this growth.

Let's start with our perspective on the overall beer category.

Speaker Change: The category and our brands are a passion point for consumers.

Speaker Change: We believe beer has a long runway for future volume growth and premiumization across our footprint.

Speaker Change: supported by favorable demographics, economic growth and significant opportunities to increase category participation.

Speaker Change: In 2024, according to IWSR, the Beer and Beyond Beer category continued to gain share of total alcohol by volume globally, and has now gained more than 200 basis points since 2021.

Speaker Change: And looking ahead, beer is expected to grow volumes globally and continue to gain share of total alcohol.

Speaker Change: Our diversified geographic footprint and leadership positions across developing, emerging and developing markets has us best positioned to capture this growth.

Michel Doukeris: Developing markets represent 55% of our volume and are mostly comprised of countries where we have strong leadership positions and are expected to account for 34% of the category volume growth over the next 5 years. This cluster has been a key growth engine for our business over the last 3 years, with record high volumes in key markets such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and South Africa, and double-digit top and bottom line growth in US dollars. Emerging markets represent only 10% of our volumes, but they are expected to drive nearly 50% of the category volume growth. We have leadership positions across Africa and lead the fastest growing premium and super premium segments in India. Our volumes across this cluster have grown by 10% over the last 3 years, with significant opportunities to increase category participation as these economies develop.

Developing markets represent 55% of our volume.

Speaker Change: are mostly comprised of countries where we have strong leadership positions.

Speaker Change: and are expected to account for 34% of the category volume growth over the next five years.

Speaker Change: This cluster has been a key growth engine for our business.

over the last three years.

with record high volumes in key markets.

Speaker Change: such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and South Africa, and double-digit top and bottom line growth in U.S. dollars.

Emerging markets represent only 10% of our volumes.

Speaker Change: but are expected to drive nearly 50% of the category volume growth.

Speaker Change: We have leadership positions across Africa and lead the fast-growing premium and super-premium segments in India.

Speaker Change: Our volumes across this cluster have grown by 10% over the last three years, with significant opportunities to increase category participation as these economies develop.

Michel Doukeris: Developed markets represent 24% of our volume. With leadership positions across key markets in Europe, the US, Canada, and South Korea, are expected to account for 14% of the category volume growth. In the US, our portfolio is at an inflection point. In Europe, our premium and super premium portfolio now make up 57% of our revenue, and EBITDA increased by double digits in 2024. In South Korea, our revenue increased by low teens in 2024, with our market share reaching the highest level in the last 10 years. In China, while 2024 has been a challenging year for both the industry and our business, we remain confident that the long term premiumization trend in the industry is a compelling, profitable growth opportunity.

Developed markets represent 24% of our volume.

Speaker Change: with leadership positions across key markets in Europe, the U.S., Canada, and South Korea, and are expected to account for 14% of the category volume growth.

In the U.S., our portfolio is at an inflection point.

Speaker Change: In Europe, our premium and super premium portfolio now make up 57% of our revenue, and EBITDA increased by double digits in 2024.

Speaker Change: And in South Korea, our revenue increased by low teens in 2024 with our market share reaching the highest level in the last 10 years.

Speaker Change: And in China, while 2024 has been a challenging year for both the industry and our business, we remain confident that the long-term premiumization trend in the industry is a compelling profit pool growth opportunity.

Michel Doukeris: We are the leaders in the premium and super premium segment and are investing in our portfolio, innovation, and geographic expansion to regain our momentum. We have evolved our portfolio management approach to focus our investments in our mega brands and drive efficient, profitable growth. Our mega brands have increased revenue by nearly 40% since 2021 and now represent 57% of our total business. In 2024, we invested $7.2 billion in sales and marketing and averaged more than $7 billion per year since 2021. Our investments are more effective than ever, as we have concentrated behind mega brands and mega platforms and have leveraged the data and our digital platforms to drive efficiency. Led by our global brands, we are the leader in the premium beer segment globally and see a long runway for the category to continue to premiumize.

Speaker Change: We are the leaders in the premium and super premium segment and are investing in our portfolio, innovation and geographic expansion to regain our momentum.

Speaker Change: We have evolved our portfolio management approach to focus our investments in our mega brands and drive efficient, profitable growth.

Speaker Change: Our mega brands have increased revenue by nearly 40% since 2021 and now represent 57% of our total business.

Speaker Change: In 2024, we invested $7.2 billion in sales and marketing, and averaged more than $7 billion per year since 2021.

Speaker Change: Our investments are more effective than ever, as we have concentrated behind mega-brands and mega-platforms.

Speaker Change: and have leveraged the data and our digital platforms to drive efficiency.

Speaker Change: Led by our global brands, we are the leader in the premium beer segment globally and see a long runway for the category to continue to premiumize.

Michel Doukeris: The premium beer segment is forecast to grow volumes across all geographic clusters and at more than double the rate of the category overall. Within premium, the Corona brand continues to grow from strength to strength in leading the growth of our portfolio globally. In 2025, we'll be celebrating 100 years since its original launch. Since 2018, the volumes of Corona have nearly doubled, and in 2024, volumes increased by 9.4% in markets outside of Mexico. In its home market of Mexico, Corona is the number one brand in the industry, and volumes grew by mid-single digits. The quality, brand power, and consumer preference for Corona has earned the right for a premium price point. Corona sells on average at 20% premium to the nearest competitor.

Speaker Change: The premium beer segment is forecast to grow volumes across all geographic clusters.

Speaker Change: And that's more than double the rate of the category overall.

Speaker Change: Within premium, the Corona brand continues to grow from strength to strength in leading the growth of our portfolio globally. In 2025, we will be celebrating 100 years since its original launch.

Speaker Change: Since 2018, the volumes of corona have nearly doubled, and in 2024, volumes increased by 9.4% in markets outside of Mexico.

Speaker Change: In its home market of Mexico, Corona is the number one brand in the industry and volumes grew by mid-single digits.

Speaker Change: The quality, brand power, and consumer preference for Corona have earned the right for a premium price point.

Speaker Change: Corona sells on average at 20% premium to the nearest competitor.

Michel Doukeris: In recognition of this past performance and its future potential, Corona was namely the most valuable beer brand in the world in 2024. We continue to focus on innovating to develop the category and expand occasions to meet consumer needs. Our balanced choice portfolio includes options for consumers seeking low carb, low calories, sugar-free, gluten-free, and non-alcohol alternatives. Our brands across these consumer trends are growing ahead of the overall beer category and are becoming a meaningful part of our overall business, now representing approximately 10% of our beer revenue. Looking specifically at no alcohol beer, our portfolio momentum continued to accelerate. Led by the triple digit growth of Corona Cero, we estimate we gained share globally in 2024.

Speaker Change: In recognition of this past performance and its future potential, Corona was named the most valuable beer brand in the world in 2024.

Speaker Change: We continue to focus on innovating to develop the category and expand occasions to meet consumer needs.

Speaker Change: Our balanced choice portfolio includes options for consumers seeking low-carb, low-calories, sugar-free, gluten-free, and non-alcohol alternatives.

Speaker Change: Our brands across these consumer trends are growing ahead of the overall beer category and are becoming a meaningful part of our overall business. Now representing approximately 10% of our beer revenue.

Speaker Change: Looking specifically at no-alcohol beer, our portfolio momentum continues to accelerate. Led by the triple-digit growth of Corona Cero, we estimate we gained its share globally in 2024.

Michel Doukeris: While no alcohol beer is currently a relatively small portion of our global beer volume, we believe it is a key opportunity to develop new beer consumption occasions, increase category participation, and drive incremental volume growth. In addition to beer, we have been developing our portfolio of beyond beer brands to meet consumer needs and increase our total addressable market. The strength of our brands and our production and route to market capabilities provides us a strong right to win this segment. In South Africa, Brutal Fruit and Flying Fish are two of the leading flavored malt beverages in the country, which have been expanded across Africa over the last couple of years. In the US, Cutwater is the number one canned cocktail brand in the country, and NÜTRL is the number two vodka seltzer brand.

Speaker Change: While no alcohol beer is currently a relatively small portion of our global beer volume, we believe it is a key opportunity to develop new beer consumption occasions, increase category participation, and drive incremental volume growth.

Speaker Change: In addition to beer, we have been developing our portfolio of Beyond Beer Brands to meet consumer needs and increase our total addressable market.

Speaker Change: The strength of our brands and our production and raw-to-market capabilities provides us a strong right to win this segment.

Speaker Change: In South Africa, Brutal Fruit and Flying Fish are two of the leading flavored malt beverages in the country, which have been expanded across Africa over the last couple of years.

Speaker Change: In the U.S. cut water is the number one brand in the country and neutral is the number two brand.

Michel Doukeris: The combined revenue of our focus is spirit-based RTD and flavored malt beverage brands have increased by approximately 20% since 2021, and the category is forecast to grow volumes at double the rate of the overall beer category. Now let's turn to our second strategic pillar, digitize and monetize our ecosystem. In 2024, this captured $49 billion in gross merchandising value, a 19% increase versus last year, with 124 million orders transacted through the platform. BEES GMV has now more than doubled versus 2021, with our percentage of revenue transacted through digital channels increasing from around 50 to 75%. BEES Marketplace continued to accelerate and deliver $2.5 billion in GMV this year, a 57% increase versus last year.

Speaker Change: The combined revenue of our focus is spirit-based RTD and flavored malt beverage brands have increased by approximately 20% since 2021, and the category is forecast to grow volumes at double the rate of the overall beer category.

Speaker Change: Now, let's turn to our second strategic pillar, digitize and monetize our ecosystem.

Speaker Change: In 2024, BIS captured $49 billion in gross merchandising value, a 19% increase versus last year.

with 124 million orders transacted through the platform.

Speaker Change: BGMV has now more than doubled versus 2021, with our percentage of revenue transacted through digital channels increasing from around 50 to 75%.

Speaker Change: BIS Marketplace continues to accelerate and deliver $2.5 billion in GMV this year, a 57% increase versus last year.

Michel Doukeris: In D2C, our digital platforms are enabling a one-to-one connection with our consumers and the development of new consumption occasions. We have expanded the availability for digital platforms to 21 markets with revenue reaching $560 million. With that, I would like to hand it over to Fernando to discuss the third pillar of our strategy, optimize our business.

Speaker Change: And in D2C, our digital platforms are enabling a one-to-one connection with our consumers and the development of new consumption occasions.

Speaker Change: We have expanded the availability of our digital platforms to 21 markets with revenue reaching $560 million.

Speaker Change: With that, I would like to hand it over to Fernando to discuss the third pillar of our strategy, optimize our business.

Fernando Tennenbaum: Thank you, Michel. Good morning. Good afternoon, everyone. For the next few minutes, I want to take you through a few tangible examples of what we mean by optimizing our business and the financial results we are driving. In 2024, we made progress on four key areas of focus, improving margins, compounding US dollar EPS growth, growing our free cash flow, and making disciplined capital allocation choices. Our EBITDA margin improved by 179 basis points this year, with margin expansion across all five of our operating regions. We know that each year will be different, but are confident that the combination of our leadership advantages, disciplined revenue management, continued premiumization, and efficient operating model create an opportunity for further margin expansion over time. Moving on to EPS. This year, we delivered underlying profit growth of $900 million.

Thank you, Michel.

Good morning, good afternoon, everyone.

Speaker Change: For the next few minutes, I want to take you through a few tangible examples of what we mean by optimizing our business and the financial results we are driving.

Speaker Change: In 2024, we made progress on four key areas of focus.

Improving margins.

compounding U.S. dollar EPS growth.

Speaker Change: growing our free cash flow, and making disciplined capital allocation choices.

Our EBITDA margin improved by 179 basis points this year.

with margin expansion across all five of our operating regions.

Speaker Change: We know that each year will be different, but are confident that the combination of our leadership advantages

Discipline Revenue Management

Speaker Change: Continued premiumization and efficient operating model create an opportunity for further margin expansion over time.

Moving on to EPS.

This year, we delivered underlying profit growth of $900 million.

Fernando Tennenbaum: Underlying EPS was $3.53 per share, a 15.4% increase versus last year and a 7% CAGR since 2021. Organic EBITDA growth accounted for an $0.81 per share increase this year with a $0.26 per share headwind from translational effects. As we continue to optimize our businesses, improvements in below EBITDA items drove the balance of our EPS growth, such as lower net interest expense from active net debt management and continued deleveraging, as well as lower costs of hedging and reduced FX losses. Next, let's take a look at free cash flow.

Speaker Change: Underlying EPS was $3.53 per share, a 15.4% increase versus last year, and a 7% CAGR since 2021.

Speaker Change: Organic EBITDA growth accounted for a $0.81 per share increase this year, with a $0.26 per share headwind from translational effects.

as we continue to optimize our business.

Speaker Change: Improvements in below EBITDA items drove the balance of our EPS growth, such as lower net interest expense from active net-debt management and continued leveraging.

Speaker Change: as well as lower costs of hedging and reduced effects losses.

Next, let's take a look at Free Cash Flow.

Fernando Tennenbaum: Through a combination of revenue growth and margin expansion, reducing our net interest expense through deleveraging, optimizing our net working capital, and improving the efficiency of our CapEx through disciplined resource allocation, we increased our free cash flow by $2.5 billion to reach $11.3 billion in 2024. With this increase in cash generation, we continue to make progress on our deleveraging journey and delivered an important milestone for our business. Net debt to EBITDA reached 2.89 times, below 3 times for the first time since 2015. In 2024, we continued to strengthen our debt maturity profile while maintaining our weighted average coupon. Our bond portfolio remains well distributed, with no relevant medium-term refinancing needs.

Fernando Tennenbaum: Through a combination of revenue growth and margin expansion, reducing our net interest expense through deleveraging, optimizing our net working capital, and improving the efficiency of our CapEx through disciplined resource allocation, we increased our free cash flow by $2.5 billion to reach $11.3 billion in 2024. With this increase in cash generation, we continue to make progress on our deleveraging journey and delivered an important milestone for our business. Net debt to EBITDA reached 2.89 times, below three times for the first time since 2015. In 2024, we continued to strengthen our debt maturity profile while maintaining our weighted average coupon. Our bond portfolio remains well distributed, with no relevant medium-term refinancing needs.

to a combination of revenue growth and margin expansion.

Reducing our net interest expense through the leveraging.

optimizing our net working capital.

Speaker Change: and improving the efficiency of our CAPEX through disciplined resource allocation.

Speaker Change: We increased our free cash flow by $2.5 billion to reach $11.3 billion in 2024.

Speaker Change: With this increase in cash generation, we continued to make progress on our deleveraging journey and delivered an important milestone for our business.

Net debt to EBITDA reached 2.89 times

below three times for the first time since 2015.

Speaker Change: In 2024, we continue to strengthen our debt maturity profile while maintaining our weighted average coupon.

Speaker Change: Our bond portfolio remains well distributed with no relevant medium-term refinancing needs.

Fernando Tennenbaum: We have approximately $3 billion worth of bonds maturing through 2026, a weighted average maturity of 13 years, and no financial covenants. As we continue to make progress on our deleveraging, we have increased flexibility in our capital allocation choices. The board has proposed a full-year dividend of EUR 1 per share, a 22% increase versus last year, with the ambition to continue a progressive dividend over time. Additionally, we have completed approximately $750 million of our $2 billion share buyback program announced last year. As we look ahead to 2025, we expect EBITDA to grow between 4% and 8% on an organic basis, in line with our medium-term outlook.

Speaker Change: We have approximately 3 billion U.S. dollars worth of bonds maturing through 2026.

Speaker Change: A weighted average maturity of 13 years and no financial covenants.

Speaker Change: As we continue to make progress on our de-leveraging, we have increased flexibility in our capital allocation choices.

Speaker Change: The board has proposed a full year dividend of 1 euro per share, a 22% increase versus last year.

with the ambition to continue a progressive dividend over time.

Speaker Change: As we look ahead to 2025, we expect EBITDA to grow between 4% and 8% on an organic basis.

in line with our medium-term outlook.

Fernando Tennenbaum: In terms of phasing of growth in the year, it is worthwhile reminding that due to technical factors such as fewer selling days, the timing of Easter, and shipment phasing comparables in the US and China, Q1 will have a high comparison base. As we continue to invest to execute our strategy while optimizing our resource allocation, we expect net CapEx to be between $3.5 and 4 billion. We expect our normalized effective tax rate to be between 26% to 28%. With that, I would like to hand it back to Michel for some final comments before we start our Q&A session.

Speaker Change: such as fewer selling days, the timing of Easter, and shipment phasing comparables in the US and China, the first quarter will have a high comparison base.

Speaker Change: As we continue to invest to execute our strategy while optimizing our resource allocation, we expect net CAPEX to be between $3.5 and $4 billion.

Speaker Change: And we expect our normalized effective tax rate to be between 26 to 28 percent.

Michel: With that, I would like to hand it back to Michel for some final comments before we start our Q&A session.

Michel Doukeris: Thanks, Fernando. Before opening for Q&A, I would like to take a moment to recap on 2024 and look ahead at the opportunities our brands have to activate the category in 2025. Driven by the consistent execution of our strategy, we delivered high-quality financial results in 2024. EBITDA grew at the top end of our outlook. Underlying EPS increased by 15% in US dollars, and our free cash flow grew by $2.5 billion. Our geographic footprint, leadership positions, and portfolio of mega brands position us well to capture future category growth. With leverage below 3, we have increased capital allocation flexibility. While the operating environment has been dynamic over the last few years, we are encouraged by the consistent performance of our business.

Thanks, Fernando.

Michel: Before opening for Q&A, I would like to take a moment to recap on 2024 and look ahead at the opportunities our brands have to activate the category in 2025.

Michel: Driven by the consistent execution of our strategy, we delivered high-quality financial results in 2024.

Michel: EBITDA grew at the top end of our outlook, underlying EPS increased by 15% in US dollars, and our free cash flow grew by $2.5 billion.

Michel: Our geographic footprint, leadership positions, and portfolio of mega brands position us well to capture future category growth.

With leverage below three, we have increased capital allocation flexibility.

Michel: While the operating environment has been dynamic over the last few years, we are encouraged by the consistent performance of our business.

Michel Doukeris: EBITDA has grown within or above our medium-term growth outlook in every quarter over the last three years, and we are confident in our ability to deliver in 2025. Looking ahead, we are uniquely positioned to activate the category. The combination of our mega brands with the key global platforms that consumers love and that bring people together is a powerful opportunity to lead and grow the category. From the NBA to the FIFA Club World Cup to Wimbledon, and music platforms like Tomorrowland and Lollapalooza, we will be focused on connecting with consumers and bringing to life our purpose of creating a future with more cheers. With that, I will hand it back to the operator for the Q&A.

Michel: EBITDA has grown within or above our medium-term growth outlook in every quarter over the last three years, and we are confident in our ability to deliver in 2025.

Looking ahead, we are uniquely positioned to activate the category.

Michel: The combination of our mega brands with the key global platforms that consumers love and that bring people together is a powerful opportunity to lead and grow the category.

Michel: From the NBA to the FIFA Club World Cup, to Wimbledon and music platforms like Tomorrowland and Lollapalooza. We will be focused on connecting with consumers and bringing to life our purpose.

of creating a future with more cheers.

Michel: With that, I will hand it back to the operator for the Q&A.

Operator: Thank you. The floor is now open for questions. In the interest of time, we will limit participants to one question and one follow-up question. Again, if you have a question or comment, please press star one on your touch tone phone. If at any point your question has been answered, you may remove yourself from the queue by pressing star two. We do ask that while you pose your question, you pick up your handset to provide optimal sound quality. Our first question is coming from the line of Edward Mundy with Jefferies. Please proceed with your question.

Thank you. The floor is now open for questions.

Michel: In the interest of time, we will limit participants to one question and one follow-up question.

Michel: Again, if you have a question or comment, please press star 1 on your touchtone phone.

Michel: If at any point your question has been answered, you may remove yourself from the queue by pressing star 2. We do ask that while you pose your question, you pick up your handset to provide optimal sound quality.

Speaker Change: Our first question is coming from the line of Edward Mundy with Jeffreys. Please proceed with your question.

Edward Mundy: Morning. Good afternoon, everyone. 2 questions, please. There's been a huge step change in free cash flow. I was hoping to try and sort of tease out the types of things that you might be able to consider given this increased flexibility that previously might not have been on the table. I think, Michel, you laid out very clearly on slide 16 and 17 that you've got a best-in-class footprint and strong brand portfolio. That argues against the need to make major acquisitions. Is this really around getting a balance right between deleveraging and accelerating returns to shareholders? Is that. That's the first question. And then the second question is on China. You've appointed someone internal with very strong commercial and supply chain background. Can you help us think about the balance between both investing for growth and optimizing that footprint?

Edward Mundy: Morning. Good afternoon, everyone. two questions, please. There's been a huge step change in free cash flow. I was hoping to try and sort of tease out the types of things that you might be able to consider given this increased flexibility that previously might not have been on the table. I think, Michel, you laid out very clearly on slide sixteen and seventeen that you've got a best-in-class footprint and strong brand portfolio. That argues against the need to make major acquisitions. Is this really around getting a balance right between deleveraging and accelerating returns to shareholders? Is that. That's the first question. And then the second question is on China. You've appointed someone internal with very strong commercial and supply chain background. Can you help us think about the balance between both investing for growth and optimizing that footprint?

Good morning, good afternoon, everyone. Two questions, please.

Speaker Change: There's been a huge step change in free cash flow. I'm hoping to try and sort of.

Michel: tease out the types of things that you might be able to consider.

Michel: given this increased flexibility that previously might not have been on the table.

Speaker Change: I think, Michelle, you laid out very clearly on slide 16 and 17 that you've got a best-in-class footprint and strong brand portfolio, so that argues against the need to make major acquisitions. Is this really around giving a balance between deleveraging and accelerating returns to shareholders? That's the first question.

Michel: The second question is on China. You've pointed at someone in China with a very strong commercial and supply chain background. Can you help us think about the balance between both investing for growth and optimising that footprint?

Fernando Tennenbaum: Hi, Edward. This is Fernando here. Let me take the first question. The first question is on capital allocation. It's worth reminding that the objective of our capital allocation policy is value creation. It's kind of the framework hasn't changed and we remain disciplined in our choices. Priority number one has always been investing in the organic growth of our business. We have a very good business with no shortage of opportunities to invest. If you look from 2021 to 2024, we invested around $55 billion across CapEx and S&M to drive organic growth. With the excess cash that we generate, then we need to solve for maximizing value creation. We always dynamically balance between leverage, return of capital to shareholders, and selective M&A.

Michel: Hi, Eddie. This is Fernando here. Let me take the first question.

Michel: So, the first question is on capital allocation. It's worth reminding that the objective of our capital allocation policy is value creation.

And it's kind of a...

Michel: The framework isn't changed and we remain disciplined in our choices.

Michel: So, priority number one has always been investing in the organic growth of our business.

Michel: We have a very good business with no shortage of opportunities to invest. And if you look from 2021 to 2024, we invested like around $55 billion across CapEx and S&M to drive organic growth.

Michel: With the excess cash that we generate, then we need to solve for maximizing value creation. And we always dynamic balance between the leveraging, return of capital to shareholders, and selective M&A.

Fernando Tennenbaum: If you look at 2024, in the organic growth of our business, we invested in S&M $7.2 billion and in CapEx $3.7 billion. When you add all of those, almost $11 billion. On the net debt side, we reduced it $6.9 billion, so almost $7 billion of a net debt reduction. We were able to do all that while announcing a share buyback of $2 billion and also increasing dividend by 22% to EUR 1. With net leverage now below 3x, it's fair to say that we have increased flexibility in our capital allocation choices to continue to invest for growth and return capital to our shareholders. On the second question to you, Michel.

Michel: If you look at 2024, in the organic growth of our business, we invested in S&M $7.2 billion and in CapEx $3.7. So when you add all of those, almost $11 billion.

Michel: On the net debt side, we reduced it $6.9 billion, so almost $7 billion of net debt reduction.

Michel: And we were able to do all that while announcing a share buyback of $2 billion and also increasing dividend by 22% to 1 euro.

We've never leveraged now below three times.

Michel: It's fair to say that we have increased flexibility in our capital allocation choices.

Michel: to continue to invest for growth and return capital to our shareholders.

On the second question to you, Michel.

Michel Doukeris: Hi, Ed. I would just comment here on what Fernando described on the capital allocation. If you can please confirm that your second question was in China? I think that I heard that, but just please confirm to me.

Speaker Change: I will just compliment here on what Fernando described on the capital location. And then, if you can please confirm that your second question was in China. I think that I heard that, but just please confirm to me.

Edward Mundy: Yeah.

Michel Doukeris: Okay, thank you. On the cash flow generation and the strategy that we have today, we've been articulating this to you over time, that the main priority is organic growth. We believe that based on the scale that we have today, the footprint that we have today, the compounding effect of this organic growth is a massive value creation opportunity. Of course, as we materialize and execute this strategy, generate the cash, reduce leverage, as Fernando said, we gain financial flexibility, so we can reallocate capital in different ways. Priority number one is organic growth. With the compounding effect, we gain growing financial flexibility. In China, I think that there is a couple of things. First, last year, last two years, very soft consumer environment. We have seen some shifts in channels.

Michel: On the cash flow generation and the strategy that we have today, so we've been articulating this to you over time that the main priority is organic growth.

Michel: And we believe that based on the scale that we have today, the footprint that we have today, the compounding effect of this organic growth is a massive value creation opportunity.

And, of course, as we materialize and execute this strategy.

Generate the cash. Reduce leverage.

Michel: As Fernando said, we gain financial flexibility, so we can really allocate capital in different ways.

Michel: So, priority number one is organic growth, but with the compounding effect, we gain growing financial flexibility.

Speaker Change: In China, I think that there is a couple of things. First, last year, last two years, very soft consumer environment.

We have seen some shifts in channels.

Michel Doukeris: We see geographically the eastern part of China having more difficult than the western part of China and central China. Nevertheless, we think that our business there has much more potential than what we have delivered in the last two years. We have a plan in place since the end of last year. We've increased investments, more focus on our mega brands, huge execution now during Chinese New Year, where we saw Budweiser in the big stage, front and center on everything that we are doing. We have been introducing innovation in the market with Harbin Zero, and we want to increase the level of execution, so we can harness the opportunities that we have there and reignite the business for growth. Once now, we expect this year the comps in China to sequentially improve as we get through the year. Thanks for the questions.

We see geographically

Speaker Change: the eastern part of China having more difficulties than the western part of China and central China. Nevertheless, we think that our business there has much more potential than what we have delivered in the last two years.

Speaker Change: We have a plan in place since the end of last year, we have increased investments.

more focus on our mega brands.

Speaker Change: Huge execution now during Chinese New Year, where we saw Budweiser in the big stage.

front and center on everything that we are doing.

We have been introducing innovation in the market.

We've hard been zero.

Speaker Change: And we want to increase the level of execution so we can harness the opportunities that we have there and reignite the business for growth.

Speaker Change: Once now, we expect this year the comps in China to sequentially improve as we get through the year.

Thank you for the questions.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question is coming from the line of Simon Hales with Citi. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker Change: Thank you. Our next question is coming from the line of Simon Hales with Citi. Please proceed with your question.

Simon Hales: Thanks. Hi, Michel. Hi, Fernando. So a couple from me, please. Can we start on the US and the margin delivery, particularly in Q4? It's clearly a little bit lower, the expansion we saw there than we've seen in the prior couple of quarters. I think, Michel, you referenced in your presentation the investment we've seen going into the business. I think we've also seen probably higher costs and some of the aluminum tariffs have kicked in. How should we think about sort of the outlook for margins in the US as we head into 2025 and the trade-off perhaps between further productivity savings versus the investment into the business and those ongoing cost pressures?

Simon Hales: Hi Michelle, hi Fernando. So a couple for me, please. Can you start on the US and the margin delivery, particularly in Q4? It's clearly a little bit lower, the expansion we saw there than we've seen in the prior couple of quarters. I think, Michelle, you referenced in your presentation the investment we've seen going into the business. I think we've also seen probably higher COGS and some of the aluminium tariffs kicked in. How should we think about the outlook for margins in the US as we head into 2025?

Speaker Change: the trade-off perhaps between further productivity savings versus the investment into the business and those ongoing COGS pressures. And then secondly and maybe just a quick one for you Fernando around you know the number of the factors you highlighted as we head into Q1 which will be weighing a little bit on volume performance.

Simon Hales: Secondly, and maybe just a quick one for you, Fernando, around, you know, the factors you highlighted as we head into Q1, which will be weighing a little bit on volume performance. Can you share a little bit more detail perhaps on how we should think about the scale of those combined factors on volumes in Q1, please?

Speaker Change: Can you share a little bit more detail perhaps on how we should think about the scale of those combined factors on volumes in Q1, please?

Bye-bye.

Michel Doukeris: Hi, Simon. Thanks for the question. I'll take on the US first. Each quarter, of course, is unique and it's gonna be different. The important thing here is in the US, we are gaining momentum. Our portfolio now much healthier and accelerating, reaching an inflection point, I would say, because with the number one and number two share volume brands in the market growing as Michelob ULTRA is growing and Busch Light, we start seeing this market share growing every week and every month. Margins are recovering, and we continue to work on productivity. The main priority for us now is to invest, to make sure that this portfolio continues to accelerate. We are doing this, of course, as we always do in a very efficient way.

Speaker Change: Thank you for the question. I will take on the U.S. first. I think that each quarter, of course, is different, but I will take on the U.S. first.

Speaker Change: unique and it's going to be different. The important thing here is

in the U.S.

Speaker Change: We are gaining momentum. Our portfolio now much healthier and accelerating, reaching an inflection point, I would say, because with the number one and number two share volume.

Speaker Change: brands in the market growing, as Michaela Boulter is growing, and Bush Light, we start seeing this market share growing every week and every month.

Margins are recovering and we continue to work on productivity.

Speaker Change: But the main priority for us now is to invest to make sure that this portfolio continues to accelerate.

Speaker Change: And we are doing this, of course, as we always do, in a very...

Efficient way?

Michel Doukeris: We continue to work very hard on our productivity across all lines and generate efficiencies in the business. What we really are glad to see is the commercial momentum and the share momentum that the portfolio has, in the US now. Simon, on your question, maybe try to give some more color here. The first one is that 2024 was a leap year, so it means 1 extra selling day. If you just do a simple extrapolation, that's a 1% impact. The second one is Easter phasing. Easter is going to be three weeks later in 2025, so it's gonna be April 20. The inventory build shifting from March to April. On the US, we have the STWs versus STRs. Remember that last year, we built contingency inventory ahead of labor negotiations.

Speaker Change: We continue to work very hard on our productivity across all lines.

Speaker Change: and generate efficiencies in the business. But what we really are glad to see is the commercial momentum and the share momentum that the portfolio has in the US now.

Speaker Change: And, Simon, on your question, maybe try to give some more color here. The first one is that 2024 was a leap year, so it means one extra selling day. If you just do a simple extrapolation, that's a 1% impact.

Speaker Change: The second one is Easter phasing. So Easter is going to be three weeks later in 2025, so it's going to be April 20. So the inventory will be shifting from March to April.

Speaker Change: Then on the U.S., we have the STWs versus STRs. Remember that last year we viewed contingency inventory ahead of labor negotiations, so this will have somewhat of an impact.

Michel Doukeris: This will have somewhat of an impact. China, we mentioned China as well, is a third component on a relative basis because volumes declined 6.2% in Q1 of 2024, and they trended more negative throughout the year. This is kind of try to give some color and hopefully you can be able to quantify a little bit more of the higher base in Q1.

Speaker Change: And China, we mentioned China as well, is a tough company on a relative basis because volumes declined 6.2% in the first queue of 24.

Speaker Change: and they trended more negative throughout the year. So this is kind of a try to give some color and hopefully you can be able to quantify a little bit more of the higher base in Q1.

Simon Hales: Great. Thank you.

Great. Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question is from the line of James Edwardes Jones with RBC. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker Change: Thank you. Our next question is from the line of James Edward Jones with RBC. Please proceed with your question.

James Edwardes Jones: Thank you. Hi, everyone. I guess following on from Simon's question, you're talking assertively about investing in the US and behind mega brands, but the ratio of marketing and selling costs as a percent of sales fell last year. Will it increase in future years? And how's it affected by your increasing digital capabilities? And secondly, can you just say a word about the raw material outlook and COGS? I know you don't guide on it specifically, but there has, I think, been quite a lot of concern, particularly around currency depreciation in Latin America and the effect that that might have.

Thank you. Hello, everyone. All right.

Speaker Change: I guess following on from Simon's question, you're talking assertively about investing in the US and behind mega brands, but the ratio of marketing and selling costs as essentially sales fell last year.

Will it increase in future years?

How is it affected by your increasing digital capabilities?

Speaker Change: And secondly, can you just say a word about the raw material outlook and COGS? I know you don't guide on it specifically, but there has, I think, been quite a lot of concern, particularly around currency depreciation in Latin America and the effect that that might have.

Michel Doukeris: Hey, James. Michel here. Thank you for the question. We've been talking about this ratio and absolute dollars and efficiency of the dollars that we deploy for quite a while. I always go back to the point that we look at ratios, but we are not guided by ratios. As we look at the decisions that we are making, as we grow our business and we optimize the business, it's very important always to highlight that we made very important portfolio decisions with this idea of focus on mega brands. We streamlined the portfolio by reducing SKUs and secondary brands. Therefore, we are putting more weight in less brands and getting, as a consequence, more pressure, if you say, on the system execution and what we are doing. At the same time, we elevated our game massively in terms of data.

Speaker Change: Hey James, Michel here, thank you for the question, we've been talking about this racial

Speaker Change: and absolute dollars and efficiency of the dollars that we deploy for quite a while. And I always go back to the point that we look at ratios, but we are not guided by ratios.

Speaker Change: And as we look at the decisions that we are making as

We grow our business and we optimize the business.

Speaker Change: It's very important always to highlight that we made very important portfolio decisions.

with this idea of focus.

Speaker Change: on mega brands. So we streamline the portfolio by reducing SKUs and secondary brands. Therefore, we are putting more weight in less brands.

Speaker Change: and getting, as a consequence, more pressure, if you say, on the system, execution, and what we are doing. At the same time, we elevated our game.

massively in terms of data.

Michel Doukeris: Through this, through D2C, we have much more data today that we leverage with our draftLine, our internal agency, so we can target better, we can be more agile in the way that we organize our campaigns, and focus more with the resources that we have to get better reach and better amplification on our campaigns. The combination of these brands, data, and the mega platforms, they allow us to drive in a more effective way the dollars that we have. The same dollars, they work much harder. Therefore, we measure the ratios, we measure the total dollars, but our main leading KPI is effectiveness. If I can give you an example.

Speaker Change: And through this, through D2C, we have much more data today that we leverage with our draft line, our internal agency, so we can target better, we can be more agile in the way that we organize our campaigns.

Speaker Change: and focus more with the resources that we have to get better reach and better amplification on our campaigns.

And the combination of these brands.

data, and the mega platforms.

Speaker Change: They allow us to drive in a more effective way the dollars that we have. So the same dollars, they work much harder.

Speaker Change: And therefore we measure the ratios, we measure the total dollars, but our main leading KPI is effectiveness.

Speaker Change: And if I can give you an example, so Super Bowl this year, we got

Michel Doukeris: Super Bowl this year, we got incredible ads that were integrated very well in our execution, that they allowed us to have leadership in terms of visibility and engagement during Super Bowl with consumers. Our share accelerated in the market in both off-premise and on-premise during the Super Bowl week. In the on-premise, we had the number one and number two brands, and it was a while that we didn't have this combination. To top it up, Budweiser got the number one spot on that Ad Meter and our four brands got very well positioned amongst the top 10 brands in consumers view in terms of quality of advertisement. It's really great creative, good usage of data, a very good quantum in terms of dollars that we invest, but invested in a much more effective way. We are looking at the return.

Michel Doukeris: Super Bowl this year, we got incredible ads that were integrated very well in our execution, that they allowed us to have leadership in terms of visibility and engagement during Super Bowl with consumers. Our share accelerated in the market in both off-premise and on-premise during the Super Bowl week. In the on-premise, we had the number one and number two brands, and it was a while that we didn't have this combination. To top it up, Budweiser got the number one spot on that Ad Meter and our four brands got very well positioned amongst the top ten brands in consumers view in terms of quality of advertisement. It's really great creative, good usage of data, a very good quantum in terms of dollars that we invest, but invested in a much more effective way. We are looking at the return.

Incredible ads.

Speaker Change: that were integrated very well in our execution that they allowed us to have leadership in terms of visibility and engagement during Super Bowl of Consumers.

Our share accelerated.

Speaker Change: in the market in both off-premise and on-premise during the Super Bowl week. In the on-premise, we had the number one and number two brands.

Speaker Change: It was a while that we didn't have this combination. To top it up Budweiser got the number one spot on that meter and our four brands.

Speaker Change: got very well positioned among the top ten brands in consumer's view in terms of quality of advertisement. So it's really great creative

Speaker Change: good usage of data, a very good quantum in terms of dollars that we invest, but invested in a much more effective way. So we are looking at the return, we are not holding ourselves in any of the ratios specifically.

Michel Doukeris: We are not holding ourselves in any of the ratios specifically.

Fernando Tennenbaum: James, Fernando here. You asked about raw material cost of goods sold, and we said last year on our Q3 earnings call that 2025 is looking more like a normal year. More like a normal year on average, more or less in line with inflation. If I could try to qualify or quantify what a normal year is. Having said that, our hedging policy always hedges 12 months in advance. You know that by hedging 12 months in advance, most of the emerging markets currencies devalued throughout the middle of last year. One could expect easier comps on the first half of the year, and higher comps on the second half of the year. For the full year, on average, a normal year.

Fernando Tennenbaum: James, Fernando here. You asked about raw material cost of goods sold, and we said last year on our Q3 earnings call that 2025 is looking more like a normal year. More like a normal year on average, more or less in line with inflation. If I could try to qualify or quantify what a normal year is. Having said that, our hedging policy always hedges twelve months in advance. You know that by hedging twelve months in advance, most of the emerging markets currencies devalued throughout the middle of last year. One could expect easier comps on the first half of the year, and higher comps on the second half of the year. For the full year, on average, a normal year.

Speaker Change: James, Fernando here, you asked about raw material, cost of goods sold, and we said last year on our third quarter earnings call that 2025 is looking more like a normal year.

Speaker Change: More like a normal year on average, more or less in line with inflation, if I could try to qualify or quantify what a normal year is.

Speaker Change: But having said that, our hedging policy always hedges 12 months in advance. And then you know that by hedging 12 months in advance, most of the emerging markets currently devaluated throughout the middle of last year. So one could expect easier comps.

Speaker Change: on the first half of the year, and higher comps on the second half of the year. But for the full year, on average, a normal year.

James Edwardes Jones: Thank you.

Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. The next question is coming from the line of Sanjeet Aujla with UBS. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker Change: Thank you. The next question is coming from the line of Sanjit Aldula with UBS. Please proceed with your question.

Sanjeet Aujla: Hey, Michel, Fernando. Two from me please. Firstly, coming back to free cash flow and CapEx in particular. Fernando, can you just help me perhaps understand where you're seeing the CapEx efficiencies? What is maintenance CapEx for the business these days? And secondly, just coming back to China. Michel, you highlighted there you've got a plan in place since the end of last year. Can you just elaborate a little bit more on that? How are you evolving your strategy for the new normal in China? Thanks.

Speaker Change: First, coming back to free cash flow and CapEx in particular, Fernando, can you just help us understand where you're seeing the CapEx deficiencies?

What is maintenance capex for the business these days?

Speaker Change: And secondly, just going back to China, Michelle, you highlighted there you've got a plan in place since the end of last year. Can you just elaborate a little bit more on that? How are you evolving your strategy for the new normal in China? Thanks.

Fernando Tennenbaum: Hi, Sanjeet. Fernando here. Let me take the first one. As we continue to implement our strategy, we look to optimize all lines of our business with our disciplined capital allocation. CapEx is one of the areas where we're making meaningful progress. As we deploy CapEx capital for CapEx projects and $3.5 to 4 billion is a meaningful investment to support growth, we are doing this in an ever more efficient way with the following focus areas. The first one is technology. We are deploying, for example, deploying AI, improving our ability to code with less man-hours to deliver products. The other one is capacity. We are using our scale and a ZBB approach to be able to design better, procure better, and build in a more efficient way.

Speaker Change: Hi Sanjit, Fernando here, let me take the first one. So as we continue to implement our strategy, we look to optimize all lines of our business with our disciplined capital allocation. CapEx is one of the areas that are making meaningful progress.

as we deploy CAPTO for CAPTX projects.

Speaker Change: And $3.5 to $4 billion is a meaningful investment to support growth. We are doing this in an ever more efficient way with the following focus items. The first one is technology.

Speaker Change: We are deploying, for example, AI, improving our ability to code with less man-hours to deliver products.

Speaker Change: The other one is capacity, we are using our scale and our ZBV approach to be able to design better, procure better, and build in a more efficient way.

Fernando Tennenbaum: Kind of almost like looking project by project, taking almost like a ZBB approach for CapEx as well. While we are increasing our efficiency, we are still very committed to investing in our business. I can give you a few examples. We invested in additional brewing, packaging, and distribution capacity in multiple countries such as Brazil, Colombia, where we are in the middle of the process of finishing a $400 million greenfield brewery in Honduras, in Mexico, South Africa, and the US. This optimization is not something new. This has been ongoing for the last 2, 3 years. We optimize our CapEx in 2023, again in 2024, and we do all of that while maintaining a quite healthy growth for our business.

Fernando Tennenbaum: Kind of almost like looking project by project, taking almost like a ZBB approach for CapEx as well. While we are increasing our efficiency, we are still very committed to investing in our business. I can give you a few examples. We invested in additional brewing, packaging, and distribution capacity in multiple countries such as Brazil, Colombia, where we are in the middle of the process of finishing a $400 million greenfield brewery in Honduras, in Mexico, South Africa, and the US. This optimization is not something new. This has been ongoing for the last 2to 3 years. We optimize our CapEx in 2023, again in 2024, and we do all of that while maintaining a quite healthy growth for our business.

Speaker Change: And kind of almost like looking project by project, taking almost like a ZBB approach for CAPEX as well. So, we are increasing our efficiency.

Speaker Change: We are still very committed to invest in our business, I can give you a few examples.

Speaker Change: We invested in additional brewing, packaging, and distribution capacity in multiple countries.

Speaker Change: such as Brazil, Colombia, where we are in the middle of the process of finishing a $400 million greenfield brewery, in Honduras, in Mexico, South Africa, and the U.S.

Speaker Change: But this optimization is not something new, this has been ongoing for the last 2-3 years. We optimized our CAPEX in 2023, again in 2024, and we do all of that while maintaining a quite healthy growth for our business.

Fernando Tennenbaum: If you look at for the long terms, we believe our CapEx outlook is appropriate to drive long-term growth.

Speaker Change: And if you look for the long-term, we believe our CAPEX outlook is...

appropriate to drive long-term growth.

Michel Doukeris: Yes, Sanjit. Michel here. I think that for China, I get the question of what people keep saying new normal. I think that we are for like two or three years trying to find what the new normal means for China. My experience in China is that you go through cycles. When you think that you are landing somewhere, things can move very quickly. What you see in the market today there is everything that I said before, like more west, less east. You see last year, very tough. The beginning of this year looks a little bit better, but things are settling, and I don't think that we can discount or call this a new normal to China because we need to give more time, see how the year will unfold.

Speaker Change: Yes, I'm just Michelle here. I think that's for China. I

Speaker Change: I get the question of what people keep saying new normal and I think that we are for like two or three years trying to find what the new normal means for China. My experience in China is that you go through cycles.

Speaker Change: When you think that you are landing somewhere, things can move very quickly. What you see in the market today is everything that I said before, like more west, less east.

Speaker Change: You see last year very tough, the beginning of this year looks a little bit better.

Speaker Change: But things are settling, and I don't think that we can discount or call this a new normal to China, because we need to give more time, see how the year will unfold. And our strategy, I think, that is...

Michel Doukeris: Our strategy, I think that is pretty much the same because it's focused on premiumization, making sure that we increase availability and leverage our route to market in China, but our execution can be better. We are putting more resources on less brands. We are making the execution behind this brand more comprehensive and at the level that each brand deserves. We want to accelerate the way that we leverage this brand, our route to market when we go to the key selling moments, sell more beer, execute better, get closer to consumer. It's just the beginning of the year, but was a very good Chinese New Year, and we saw that sales to retailers, they moved somehow in line with the last year. The sales to consumers so far, it looks like better than was last year.

Thank you.

Speaker Change: Pretty much the same, because it's focused on pre-immunization, making sure that we increase availability and leverage our role to market in China, but our execution can be better.

Speaker Change: And we are putting more resources on last brand. We are making the execution behind this brand more comprehensive and at the level that each brand deserves.

Speaker Change: And we want to accelerate the way that we leverage this brand, our role to market when we go to the key selling moments.

Sell more beer, execute better, get closer to consumer.

Speaker Change: And we saw that sales to retailers, they moved somehow in line with the last year.

Speaker Change: But the sales to consumers, so far, it looks like better than it was last year. I cannot precisely say yet by how much, but it was...

Michel Doukeris: Cannot precisely say yet by how much, but we are just like two weeks into looking at the numbers. We need now to see spring, beginning of summer to see how things will develop in the year. Maybe we can talk later, Q2, Q3 on what the normal for the year of 2025 look like. Thanks for the question.

We are just like two weeks.

Speaker Change: into looking at the numbers, but we need now to see spring, beginning of summer, to see how things will...

Bye.

Speaker Change: in the year, and then maybe we can talk later, second quarter, third quarter, on what the normal for the year of 2025 looks like.

Thanks for the question.

Bye.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question is coming from the line of Robert Ottenstein with Evercore ISI. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker Change: Thank you. Our next question is coming from the line of Rob Ottenstein with Evercore ISI. Please proceed with your question.

Robert Ottenstein: Great. Thank you, Michel. It's a little bit of a complicated, nuanced question, so let me go slowly. You've been, you know, leading a cultural change at the company and I'd like to understand where you are with that. I think, you know, part of the cultural change, and correct me if I'm wrong, is maybe getting a better balance on the marketing side between local and central decision-making. You operate in enormous markets, right? I mean, China, Brazil, the US, incredible diversity of consumers. You know, the consumer in Mississippi is very different than the consumer in San Francisco or New York. I'm sure you have similar sorts of differences, you know, in China and Brazil. It's always kinda tricky, right?

Speaker Change: Great. Thank you, Michelle. It's a little bit of a complicated, nuanced question so let me go slowly. You've been, you know, leading a cultural change at the company.

Speaker Change: and I'd like to understand where you are with that. And I think part of the cultural change, and correct me if I'm wrong, is maybe getting a better balance.

Speaker Change: On the marketing side, between local and central decision-making, you operate in enormous markets.

Right? I mean, China, Brazil.

Speaker Change: the U.S. incredible diversity of consumer, you know, the consumer in Mississippi is.

Speaker Change: very different than the consumer in San Francisco or New York and I'm sure you have similar sorts of differences you know in China and in Brazil and so it's always kinda tricky right you know you want to have the scale of central decision-making and the big brands

Robert Ottenstein: You know, you wanna have the scale of central decision-making and the big brands. If you're consumer-centric, you've got to be sensitive to what's going on in the local markets and what the local consumers want. In that context, I'm just, you know, very interested to know if you've changed that balance at all, between centralized marketing decisions and local decisions. What role maybe data and AI is playing in that, and perhaps whether that change in balance is helping you drive the very strong share gains that you've had this year. Thank you.

Speaker Change: But if you're consumer-centric, you've got to be sensitive to what's going on in the local markets and what the local consumers want.

So, in that context...

Speaker Change: I'm just very interested to know if you've changed that balance at all between centralized marketing decisions and local decisions.

Speaker Change: what role maybe data and AI is playing in that and and perhaps whether that is you know that change in balance is is helping you drive you know the very strong share gains that you've had this year. Thank you.

Bye.

Michel Doukeris: Hi, Robert. Thank you for the question. I'll try to answer here the best I can, and I'm happy to follow up this question, as we meet either Friday or in the weeks to come. Okay? I think that, yes, when you think about cultural change, I would just try to qualify what do we mean by cultural in this case. I think that is the strategy and the discussion that we had in moving the company from an inorganic growth-led company to an organic growth-led company. In a nutshell, means less growth by acquisitions and more growth, granular, bottoms up, focused on growing the brands that we have in the operations that we have with the consumers that, as you said, are local.

All right, Robert, thanks for the question.

Speaker Change: I'll try to answer here the best I can and I'm happy to follow up this question as we meet either Friday or in the weeks to come.

Speaker Change: Yes, when you think about cultural change, I would just try to qualify what we mean by cultural in this case. I think that is... Thank you.

Speaker Change: The strategy and the discussion that we had in moving the company from an inorganic growth led company to an organic growth led company. In a nutshell, it means to move from an inorganic growth led company to an organic growth led

Less growth by acquisitions.

Speaker Change: And more growth, granular, bottoms up, focus on growing the brand that we have in the operations that we have with the consumers that as you said are local.

Michel Doukeris: We operate, as you qualified very well in very diverse markets, but we operate with this idea of best of local and global. The combination of efforts focused on doing what is best for our consumers and our markets. The way that we got organized on that, which I think is getting this complexity and trying to distill into simple concepts, is the mega brands. The mega brands are up to five brands in each market that will lead our growth. They are not global brands. They can be global brands, but they are the five relevant brands for each market. We have in this market the rest of the portfolio that we are either expanding or sustaining investments, but the leading brands are the mega brands.

Speaker Change: And we operate, as you qualified very well, in very diverse markets, but we operate with this idea of best of local and global, the combination of efforts.

Speaker Change: focused on doing what is best for our consumers and our markets.

Speaker Change: And the way that we got organized on that, which I think that is getting this complexity.

and trying to distill into simple concepts.

Speaker Change: is the Mega Brands. So the Mega Brands are up to five brands in each market.

that will lead our growth.

Speaker Change: So, they are not global brands, they can be global brands, but they are the five relevant brands for each market.

Speaker Change: We have in this market the rest of the portfolio that we are either expanding or sustaining investments, but the leading brands are the mega brands.

Michel Doukeris: These brands, they grew from $25 billion roughly in 2021 to be today more than $33 billion. Today they are more than 57% of our portfolio and means that this optimization is working because bigger brands with more investments growing more. The second part of that is leveraging our scale with what we call these mega platforms. These mega platforms can be sports events like Olympics or FIFA, or they can be platforms that support our brands like music or like food or like, one type of sport, which is tennis, that we are trying to elevate globally with Stella. We are getting mega brands, mega platforms, and all the data that we are generating with our digital products to create a process, a one ABI way of marketing that can be used and deployed across all markets.

Speaker Change: And these brands, they grew from $25 billion roughly in 2021 to be today more than $33 billion.

Speaker Change: So, today there are more than 57% of our portfolio and it means that this optimization is working because bigger brands with more investments, growing more.

Speaker Change: The second part of that is leveraging our scale with what we call these mega-platforms.

Speaker Change: These mega platforms can be sports events like Olympics or FIFA or they can be platforms that support our brands like music or like food or like

Speaker Change: One type of sport, which is tennis, that we are trying to elevate globally with Stella.

Speaker Change: And we are getting mega-brands, mega-platforms, and all the data that we are generating with our digital products.

Speaker Change: to create a process, a one ABI way of marketing that can be used and deployed across all markets.

Michel Doukeris: We have the portfolio segmentation, we have the investments in the mega brands, we have the data that now is common and granular across all countries. All wrapped up in a process that everybody can use. Then this process, the brands, the consumers are our local consumers. It's a very interesting combination of having a more simple approach for a global company like ours that can be used in all markets while continuing to be laser-focused on the consumers and in each market. One of the slides that we shared here today on the presentation, which I think is a very interesting one, is how we are getting this one global insight, which is healthier choices and healthier lifestyle, and deploying with our balanced choices with different propositions across all markets. For the US, it's less carbs, and it's Michelob ULTRA.

Speaker Change: So, we have the portfolio segmentation, we have the investments in the megabrands, we have the data that now is common and granular across all countries.

Speaker Change: All wrap it up in a process that everybody can use. But then this process, the brands, the consumers, are our local consumers. So it's a very interesting combination of having.

Speaker Change: A more simple approach for a global company like ours that can be used in all markets

Speaker Change: while continuing to be laser-focused on the consumers and in each market. So one of the slides...

Speaker Change: that we shared here today in the presentation, which I think is a very interesting one, is how we are getting this one global insight.

which is healthier choices and a healthier lifestyle.

and deploy with our balanced choices.

with different propositions across all markets.

Speaker Change: So, for the U.S., it's less carbs and it's Michelob Ultra.

Michel Doukeris: For South Korea, it's Cass Zero Sugar. For Brazil, it's Stella Gluten Free. Globally, it's Corona Cero. Same insight, same way of addressing the site with different propositions and innovation, but then catering for each and every local consumer need. I'm happy to take on this question more when we next meet, and I hope that the answer could address your question. Okay. Thank you very much.

For South Korea, it's cash, zero sugar.

Speaker Change: For Brazil, it's Stella gluten-free, and globally, it's Corona zero alcohol.

So, same insight.

Speaker Change: Same way of addressing the site with different propositions and innovation, but then catering for each and every local consumer need.

Speaker Change: So, I'm happy to take on this question more when we next meet, and I hope that the answer could address your question, okay? Thank you very much.

Operator: Thank you. The next question is coming from Trevor Stirling with Bernstein. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker Change: Thank you. The next question is coming from Trevor Sterling with Bernstein. Please proceed with your question.

Trevor Stirling: Hi, Michel and Fernando. My two questions. The first one, Michel, you've got a range for organic EBITDA growth of 4 to 8%. Please talk about what do you think the key factors are that might actually lead you to rather the bottom end or the high end of that range. Second one, probably for Fernando. Fernando, a big step up in cash flow this year. In 2024, as I look forward to 2025, would it be right to think, well, hopefully there'll be a bit of organic sort of dollar EBITDA growth. Hopefully, again, dollar interest will fall a little bit. CapEx, you've already guided to, and working capital probably to be more or less neutral across the year. Is that the right way to think about the 2025 cash flow?

Trevor Stirling: Hi, Michel and Fernando. My two questions. The first one, Michel, you've got a range for organic EBITDA growth of four to 8%. Please talk about what do you think the key factors are that might actually lead you to rather the bottom end or the high end of that range. Second one, probably for Fernando. Fernando, a big step up in cash flow this year. In 2024, as I look forward to 2025, would it be right to think, well, hopefully there'll be a bit of organic sort of dollar EBITDA growth. Hopefully, again, dollar interest will fall a little bit. CapEx, you've already guided to, and working capital probably to be more or less neutral across the year. Is that the right way to think about the 2025 cash flow?

Trevor Sterling: Hi, Michelle and Fernando. My two questions. The first one, Michelle, you've got a range for organic EBITDA growth of 4% to 8%. Please talk about what do you think the key factors are that might lead you to the bottom end or the high end of that range?

Trevor Sterling: And second one probably for Fernando. Fernando, a big step up in cash flow this year. As I look forward to 2024, as I look forward to 2025, would it be right to think, well, hopefully there'll be a bit of organic, sort of dollar EBITDA growth?

Speaker Change: Hopefully again, dollar interest will fall a little bit. CapEx we've already guided to and working capital probably to be more or less neutral across the year. Is that the right way to think about the 2025 cashflow?

Michel Doukeris: Hi, Trevor. Michel here. I'll take on the first one and leave Fernando for the cash flow question. I think that just, maybe stepping back on the idea of the guidance, you remember this, I repeat this, and I hope that this point is very boring repetition to you all, that we provided the guidance because we were in the transition from inorganic to organic. The idea was grow organically, maintaining the financial discipline and this range of 4 to 8 being like a ballpark to make everybody's life a little bit easier in terms of the projections. We've been delivering, as we stated before, 13 quarters in a row within or above this range. There is many things out there happening. Each and every quarter might be different.

Speaker Change: Hi Trevor, Michel here, I'll take on the first one and leave Fernando for the cash flow question. I think that just...

Speaker Change: Maybe stepping back on the idea of the guidance, you remember this, I repeat this and I hope that this point is very boring repetition to you all, that we provided the guidance because we were in the transition from inorganic to organic.

Speaker Change: And the idea was to grow organically, maintaining the financial discipline and this range of 4 to 8.

Speaker Change: Being like a ballpark to make everybody's life a little bit easier in terms of the projections. And we've been delivering, as we stated before, 13 quarters in a row within or above this rank.

Speaker Change: There are many things out there happening, each and every quarter might be different. In reality, if you look at the three years, they were all very different in itself, but

Michel Doukeris: In reality, if you look at the three years, they were all very different, in itself. We've been managing with the leverage that we have to maintain the focus on the long term and grow while delivering on this compounding growth on the EBITDA line. If we do this and we optimize business in the way that we've been optimizing, then the consequence is a growing flow in our free cash flow. I think that this is what Fernando will be talking about now. I think that at this point, it's too early for us to give any specifics on what could impact the high range or the low range. I think that we need a little bit more time to see how the year will develop, and we'll probably go back to your question during Q1 or Q2 results.

Speaker Change: managing with the leverage that we have to maintain the focus on the long-term and grow.

while delivering on this compounding.

Growth on the Bidder line.

Speaker Change: And if we do this and we optimize business in the way that we've been optimizing, then the consequence...

Speaker Change: is a growing flow in our free cash flow. And I think that this is what Fernando will be talking about now. And I think that at this point, it's too early for us to give any specifics on what could impact.

Speaker Change: The high range or the low range, I think that we need a little bit more time to see how the year will develop and we will probably go back to your question during quarter one or quarter two results and have to take this more in detail there, but today we are encouraged

Michel Doukeris: I'm happy to take this more in detail there. Today, we are encouraged by the momentum that we have, and we see that the Q4 is solid as an outlook for the year of 2025. Thank you.

Speaker Change: by the momentum that we have, and we see that the 428 is solid as an outlook for the year of 2025. Thank you. And Trevor, Fernando here. So on your cash flow question, you're right. When you look at our improvement...

Fernando Tennenbaum: Trevor, Fernando Tennenbaum here. On your cash flow question, you're right. When you look at our improvement, 2023 versus 2024, we start with an EBIT increasing. The EBIT increase around $1 billion, so that helped cash. We continued to deleverage, so we saved in net interest. This was like $300 million. We had a good improvement on working capital. We mentioned in 2023 about the impact from extended credit terms to our wholesalers and lower payables because we're optimizing inventory purchase and CapEx, and now we're getting to a more normal level. The efficient CapEx is spent. Between 2023 and 2024, we had a $700 million improvement there. When you look forward on the EBITDA side, we just talked about it.

Fernando Tenenbaum: In 2023 versus 2024, we started with an EBIT increasing, the EBIT increased around a billion dollars, so that helped cash. We continued to leverage, so we saved in net interest, this was like $300 million.

We had a good improvement on working capital.

Speaker Change: We mentioned in 2023 about the impact from extended credit terms to our wholesalers and lower payables because they're optimizing inventory, purchase and capex, and now we're getting to a more normal level.

Speaker Change: and the efficient CAPEX we spent. So between 2023 and 2024, we had a $700 million improvement there. When you look forward, on the Ibiza side, we just talked about it. We have our outlook, so outlook should deliver another organic growth on top of what we had.

Fernando Tennenbaum: We have our outlook. Outlook should deliver another organic growth on top of what we had. Net working capital, it's kind of, we had in the past some more large swings year-over-year, driven by COVID and some supply chain disruptions. 2024 is what we can call more normalized change in working capital. Since we have a negative working capital cycle as we grow, this should also help drive cash flow. The EBIT outlook, we remain slightly better than the outlook from last year, but consistent with where we are.

Speaker Change: Then the networking capital, it's kind of, we had in the past some more large swings year over year, driven by COVID and some supply chain disruptions.

Speaker Change: 2024 is what we can call a more normalized change in working capital and since we have a negative working capital cycle as we grow, this should also help.

Speaker Change: drive cash flow. And the ETL outlook we remain slightly better than the outlook from last year, but consistent with where we are. So all in all, I think we're in a good position to continue to generate strong cash flows going forward.

Michel Doukeris: All in all, I think we are in a good position to continue to generate strong cash flows going forward.

Trevor Stirling: Super. Thank you very much, Michel and Fernando.

Thank you very much, Michelle and Fernando.

Operator: Thank you. Our final question is coming from the line of Gen Cross with BNP Paribas. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker Change: Thank you. Our final question is coming from the line of Gen Cross with BNB Paribas. Please proceed with your question.

Gen Cross: Hi, everyone. Thank you for the question. First question is just on the US, where SDR is positive in Q4, and you commented on gaining share, clearly a momentum in both the businesses. It sounds like the beer industry overall improved through the course of 2024. Michel, you talked about the portfolio reaching an inflection point. I wonder if you could comment on whether you think, you know, modestly positive SDR growth is now sustainable in the US business. Second question is just on Mexico. Again, there's comment on improved consumer momentum in Q4. Could you just share some color on what you think drove that and whether that's sustained into the start of 2025? Thank you.

Genevieve 'Gen' Cross: Hi, everyone. Thank you for the question. First question is just on the US, where SDR is positive in Q4, and you commented on gaining share, clearly a momentum in both the businesses. It sounds like the beer industry overall improved through the course of 2024. Michel, you talked about the portfolio reaching an inflection point. I wonder if you could comment on whether you think, you know, modestly positive SDR growth is now sustainable in the US business. Second question is just on Mexico. Again, there's comment on improved consumer momentum in Q4. Could you just share some color on what you think drove that and whether that's sustained into the start of 2025? Thank you.

Gen Cross: Hi everyone. Thank you for the question. The first question is just on the US, where SDR is positive in Q4 and you commented on gaining share, clearly momentum in both the businesses. It sounds like the beer industry overall improved.

Speaker Change: through the course of 2024. And Michelle, you talked about the portfolio reaching an inflection point. I wonder if you could comment on whether you think modestly positive STR growth is now sustainable in the US business.

Speaker Change: And the second question is just on Mexico, again, there's comment on improved consumer momentum in Q4. Could you just share some color on what you think drove that and whether that's sustained into the start of 2025? Thank you.

Michel Doukeris: Hi. Good morning again. On the US, you are right. We saw during last year a sequential improvement in the industry. Slow start. Summer was somehow bad weather. Then on the second half of the year, we saw improvements in Q3 and Q4 was a more normal. We've been seeing this year as well, very big correlation with weather events. A normal week is a more normal industry. Weeks where we have disruptions being cold or rain, we've been seeing that the industry is reacting a lot to that. I don't think that the industry is at a positive volume point yet, but we've been seeing dollar-wise the industry, stable growing. When we have good weekends, good months, you see some dollar growth.

Speaker Change: So in the U.S., you are right, we saw during last year a sequential improvement.

in the industry. So, slow start.

summer was.

Speaker Change: somehow bad, bad weather, and then on the second half of the year we saw improvements in quarter three and quarter four was more normal. And we've been seeing this this year as well, so a very big correlation with weather events.

And a normal week is a more normal industry.

Speaker Change: where we have disruptions being cold or rain, we've been seeing that the industry is reacting a lot to that. I don't think that the industry is at a positive level.

Speaker Change: volume point yet, but we've been seeing dollar wise, the industry stable growing and when we have good weekends, good months, you see some dollar growth.

Michel Doukeris: Our portfolio had somehow a very similar path last year, so we improved quarter after quarter. Being the Q4, one that was positive for our share with both Michelob ULTRA and Busch Light gaining a lot of momentum and being the number one and two brands in share growth in the industry. I think that we on our side, we can, let's say, control better the performance of the brands and the relative market share. It's complicated to have a very strong forecast on the industry. Again, because there are many things in play at this moment. There is some economic pressures in some segments of the population. You have this migration issue in some zip codes where you have more Hispanic consumers, you see that the performance is likely negative to the average.

Speaker Change: Our portfolio had somehow a very similar path last year, so we improved quarter after quarter, being the quarter for one that was positive for our share with both Michaela Boulter and Bush Light.

Speaker Change: gaining a lot of momentum and being the number one and two brands in share growth in the industry.

I think that we, on our side, we can...

Let's say control better the performance of the brands.

and their relative market share.

Speaker Change: And it's complicated to have a very strong forecast on the industry, again, because there are many things in play at this moment. So there is some economic pressures in some segments of the population.

Speaker Change: migration issue and some zip codes where you have more Hispanic consumers you see that the performance is

Slightly negative to the average.

Michel Doukeris: Weather in our favor, I think this year we should have a better summer. Let's see how Q1 will unfold. Let's see what are the tailwinds during the summer. We'll be able to talk a little bit more about what the outlook for the volume is, as we look at the numbers down the road. I think that's too early to make any call at this moment. Fernando also said before that there is some technicals on the Q1. There is one last trading day. There is Easter. There is some inventory that we build up last year ahead of the labor negotiations. This will phase out through Q1 into Q2. I think that by the time that we get to the summer, we will have a very good view of what the year will be.

Speaker Change: But we, in our favor, I think this year, we should have a better summer.

Speaker Change: So, let's see how Q1 will unfold. Let's see what are the tailwinds during the summer, so we'll be able to talk a little bit more about what the outlook for the volume is.

Speaker Change: as we look at the numbers down the road. I think that's too early to make any call at this moment.

Fernando also said before that there is...

Speaker Change: some technicals on the quarter one, so there is one last trading day, there is Easter, there is some inventory that we build up last year ahead of the labor negotiations. This will phase out through quarter one into quarter two.

Speaker Change: And I think that by the time that we get to the summer, we will have a very good view of what the year will be.

Michel Doukeris: In Mexico similarly, Mexico had like phasing last year, but a different one. It was like government spending on Q1 and then elections on Q2 that hold on the spending. Q3 start to normalize. Of course, there is a lagging effect, right? You stop spending Q2, consumer purchasing power goes down Q3. You normalize it Q3. Q4, we saw more normal Mexico. I think that this is so far what we've been seeing this year as well. With this cold weather that hit the US, and we saw snow in Florida, snow in New Orleans, also taking a little bit of the northern part of Mexico, which was colder than average. On average, Mexico is okay as it was last year.

Speaker Change: And Mexico, similarly, Mexico had like phasing last year but a different one, was like government

Speaker Change: spending on the quarter one and then elections on quarter two that hold on this spending, quarter three start to normalize.

Speaker Change: And, of course, there is a lagging effect, right? So you stop spending quarter two, consumer purchase power goes down quarter three. You normalize it quarter three. Quarter four, we saw more normal Mexico.

Speaker Change: And I think that this is, so far, what we've been seeing this year as well.

Speaker Change: With this cold weather that hit the U.S. and we saw snow in Florida, snow in New Orleans, also taking a little bit of the northern part of Mexico.

Speaker Change: which was colder than average, but on average, Mexico is okay as it was last year. And again, I think that as we go from quarter one to quarter two, we will see a much better picture down there as well.

Michel Doukeris: Again, I think that as we go from Q1 to Q2, we will see a much better picture down there as well. Thank you for your question.

Thank you for your question.

Gen Cross: Thank you.

Genevieve 'Gen' Cross: Thank you.

Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. This was the final question. If your question has not been answered, please feel free to contact the investor relations team. I will now turn the floor back over to Mr. Michel Doukeris for closing remarks.

Speaker Change: Thank you. This was the final question. If your question has not been answered, please feel free to contact the Investor Relations team. I will now turn the floor back over to Mr. Michelle Dukaris for closing remarks.

Michel Doukeris: Thank you, Jesse. Thank you everyone for the time today, for the ongoing partnership and support to our business. Stay safe and well, and we will see you guys on our next calls and one-to-one interactions. Thanks so much. Have a good day.

Speaker Change: Thank you, Jesse. So thank you everyone for the time today, for the ongoing partnership and support to our business. Stay safe and well, and we will see you guys on our next calls and one-to-one interactions. Thanks so much. Have a good day.

Operator: Thank you. This concludes today's earnings conference call and webcast. Please disconnect your lines and have a wonderful day.

Speaker Change: Thank you. This concludes today's earnings conference call and webcast. Please disconnect your lines and have a wonderful day.

Q4 2024 Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Earnings Call

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