Anheuser-Busch InBev stock gains 5.4% as Q3 growth meets China drag

Anheuser-Busch InBev reported stronger third-quarter operating results on Thursday, October 29, while China remained a clear regional weak spot. The brewer's release, carried by AFP, showed organic revenue growth alongside higher underlying earnings.

Third-quarter growth broadens

Organic revenue increased 4.9 percent in the third quarter, while total volumes rose 0.4 percent. Revenue per hectoliter advanced 4.2 percent, supported by revenue management, premiumization and the Beyond Beer portfolio.

Normalized EBITDA grew 3.9 percent to 5.957 billion United States dollars, although the normalized EBITDA margin narrowed by 34 basis points to 36.1 percent. Underlying EPS increased 22.4 percent to 1.21 United States dollars. These are normalized or underlying measures and therefore differ from the company's reported IFRS figures.

China remains the main drag

Asia Pacific performance remained under pressure. China volumes declined 16.8 percent in the quarter, while regional EBITDA fell 30.5 percent. AB InBev cited inventory management, abnormal weather and continued weakness in the on-premise channel.

The contrast with other markets was material. The company said it delivered record third-quarter volumes in 15 markets, including Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, South Africa, the Dominican Republic and India. Management maintained its full-year outlook for normalized EBITDA growth in line with a medium-term range of 4 to 8 percent.

Buyback adds capital support

AB InBev also approved an interim dividend of 0.40 euros per share for fiscal 2026, compared with 0.15 euros for fiscal 2025. A separate SENS disclosure published on November 3 said the company repurchased 214,572 shares between October 26 and October 30 at an average price of 73.1153 euros. The purchases brought total buybacks under the program to 35,358,463 shares, or 1.75 percent of shares outstanding.

Weekly market signal

Anheuser-Busch InBev stock closed on Xetra at 75.78 euros on Friday, November 6, up 5.40 percent from the 71.90-euro close on Friday, October 30. The weekly advance came as investors weighed broad-based growth and capital returns against weaker Chinese demand and margin pressure.

On Saturday, November 7, Anheuser-Busch InBev stock traded at 75.14 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 11:53 CET, 0.84 percent below the Xetra close of Friday, November 6. Investors can follow the real-time quote of Anheuser-Busch InBev stock.

European equities remain the relevant market backdrop for the Belgian brewer; see the Euro Stoxx 50 market theme for broader regional developments.

More reporting on the company, its regional performance and capital allocation is available in more news and analyses on Anheuser-Busch InBev stock.