VITL - AB InBev's Plans on Track: Can It Retain Momentum? | Benzinga
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE: BUD), alias AB InBev, has seen its shares rise in the past three months ahead of its industry peers and the broader sector. The momentum in the share price results from the company's undaunted focus on lifting its brands through continued efforts to offer beer variants, a strategy that is in sync with consumers' premiumization trend in the alcohol industry.
Premiumization refers to the growing consumer demand for premium alcohol products. This led alcohol makers to adopt the premiumization strategy to bolster their premium portfolio. AB InBev is no exception to this trend. The premiumization of the beer industry has been a key growth opportunity for AB InBev.
BUD has been investing in developing a diverse portfolio of global, international crafts and specialty premium brands in its markets. Notably, the company's global brands lead the way in premiumization.
BUD's above-core portfolio has been performing well for a while now.
Revenues for its above-core beer portfolio grew in the low-single digits in the first quarter of 2024, driven by strength in global brands and double-digit growth in other local megabrands like Leffe in Europe and Spaten in Brazil. The company's three global brands — Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois — increased first-quarter revenues 5.2% year over year outside of their home markets, led by Corona, which improved 15.5%.
Share Performance
AB InBev's focus on premiumization has been well-reflected in its share price, with the stock outperforming the industry and the sector. Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 4.4% in the past three months against the industry's decline of 3.7%. The ...