finance
Global Markets See Mixed Q1 2026 Results with Growth in Beer Sales and Asian Economies
Anheuser-Busch InBev reported its first volume growth since 2023, driven by strong beer brand sales, while Indonesia and Hong Kong posted robust GDP increases. Cogent Biosciences highlighted progress on drug approvals and financial strength. These updates reflect resilience amid macroeconomic challenges including inflation and geopolitical tensions.
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Belgian brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev reported a return to volume growth in the first quarter of 2026, marking the first increase since 2023. Volumes rose 0.8%, exceeding expectations of a decline, while revenue and profit also beat forecasts. Shares in the company climbed nearly 7% following the announcement.
The growth was fueled by major beer brands such as Corona, Michelob Ultra, and Stella Artois, alongside a 37% revenue jump from non-beer drinks like canned cocktail label Cutwater. In Mexico, a key market, the company outperformed rivals including Heineken, aided by the timing of Easter.
InBev's organic operating profit rose 5.3%, surpassing analyst estimates of 2.6%. The company maintained its full-year guidance, factoring in inflation and macroeconomic conditions, including spillover from the Iran war affecting costs for materials like fertilizer, glass, and aluminum cans.
“Cheers to beer," CEO Michel Doukeris said in a statement, adding the performance reflected the resilience of the category despite weaker demand in key markets.”
The brewer pledged to outperform competitors like Heineken and Carlsberg in 2026, following a challenging 2025 marked by high living costs, shifting habits, and competition from beer alternatives. Siphelele Mdudu, an analyst at Matrix Fund Managers, noted that while calendar effects like Easter contributed, the company's strategy of focusing on key global brands had been effective.
Indonesia reported a 5.61% annual GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026, the fastest since 2022. This figure highlights strong economic performance amid global uncertainties. Hong Kong recorded a 5.9% year-on-year GDP increase in the same period, its strongest quarterly growth in nearly five years.
