Beer powerhouse Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD) missed Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales flat year on year at $15.13 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.99 per share was 3.9% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Is now the time to buy BUD? Find out in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

StockStory’s Take

Anheuser-Busch's third quarter was shaped by challenging weather conditions in the Americas and a weaker consumer environment in China, resulting in flat overall sales and declining volumes. Management pointed to continued momentum in its premium and Beyond Beer brands, and cited disciplined revenue management and productivity gains as reasons for resilient profit margins. CEO Michel Doukeris noted, “Despite the challenging environment, we delivered another quarter of top and bottom-line growth, margin expansion, and U.S. dollar EPS growth.”

Looking ahead, management sees opportunity in expanding its mega brands, accelerating innovation in non-alcohol and Beyond Beer, and leveraging major sporting events, particularly the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America. The company expects normalized inflation and improved consumer sentiment to support a return to volume growth in key markets. Doukeris said, “With strong free cash flow generation, we have increased capital allocation flexibility... and as we look to 2026, there is an incredible opportunity to activate the beer category because next year, on top of our powerful lineup of mega platforms, we have the FIFA World Cup in North America.”

Key Insights from Management’s Remarks

Management attributed the quarter’s performance to premiumization, disciplined cost control, and portfolio innovation, while highlighting geographic challenges and ongoing category investments.

• Portfolio premiumization focus: Continued investments in mega brands such as Michelob Ultra and Corona drove share gains in multiple markets. Michelob Ultra became the top U.S. beer brand by volume year-to-date, and Corona grew revenue by 6.3% outside Mexico.
• Weather and consumer headwinds: Unseasonable weather in Latin America, particularly Brazil, and soft consumer demand in China contributed to volume declines. Management emphasized these as both cyclical and one-off factors impacting near-term results.
• Beyond Beer momentum: The Beyond Beer segment, including brands like Cutwater and Flying Fish, achieved rapid growth. Cutwater, now a top 10 U.S. spirits brand, posted triple-digit revenue increases, illustrating the company’s push into higher-margin, adjacent beverage categories.
• Digital and direct-to-consumer expansion: The BEES digital platform’s marketplace GMV increased 66% year over year, approaching $1 billion quarterly, while DTC channels served nearly 12 million consumers and generated $138 million in revenue.
• Capital allocation evolution: The board approved a new $6 billion share buyback program and an interim dividend, reflecting improved balance sheet flexibility. Management also announced a $2 billion bond redemption, supporting ongoing capital structure optimization.

Drivers of Future Performance

Management expects volume growth to recover as consumer sentiment improves, inflation normalizes, and major events like the FIFA World Cup drive demand.

• Event-driven demand tailwinds: The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is expected to boost beer consumption globally, with management highlighting previous tournaments’ positive impact on category volumes. The company aims to leverage this event to activate its brands and expand occasions for consumption.
• Non-alcohol and Beyond Beer growth: The company is investing in non-alcohol beer and Beyond Beer innovation, with non-alcohol brands gaining share in key markets and Beyond Beer now accounting for 2% of portfolio volume but growing rapidly. Management believes these segments offer incremental occasions and higher profitability per unit.
• Cost and pricing environment: As inflation moderates, management expects less pricing pressure on consumers, with disciplined revenue management and premiumization supporting margins. However, regional input cost variability and FX movements remain potential headwinds to profitability.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In future quarters, the StockStory team will monitor (1) the pace of volume recovery in key markets as consumer sentiment and weather conditions normalize, (2) the impact of major sports sponsorships and the FIFA World Cup on brand activation and sales, and (3) continued growth and profitability expansion in non-alcohol and Beyond Beer segments. Execution on innovation and digital platform scaling will also be important signposts.

Anheuser-Busch currently trades at $60.45, down from $61.47 just before the earnings. In the wake of this quarter, is it a buy or sell? The answer lies in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

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