AB InBev Earnings Review: Lower U.S. Volumes Continue To Drag Down Net Volume Growth

Although the brewer increased sales and marketing expenses this year by 11%, including large investments relating to the FIFA World Cup held in June-July, beer volumes haven't risen as expected. Organic beer volumes fell 2.6% in the quarter, and are up by only 0.8% so far this year, marred by low beer volume sales in the developed world. Volumes were expected to fall in the U.S. and Europe, as consumers in these mature beer markets continue to cut down on beer consumption due to health concerns,...