E-Malt.com News article: Malaysia: Carlsberg Malaysia reports 15.8% increase in FY profit and is optimistic about the outlook for 2013

Carlsberg Malaysia Bhd's earnings rose 8.35% to RM40.48 mln in the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2012 from RM37.35 mln a year ago and the company is optimistic about the outlook for the Malaysian beer market, The Star reported on February, 26.

The brewer said revenue increased by 0.45% to RM336.49 mln from RM334.96 mln a year ago. Earnings per share were higher at 13.24 sen compared with 12.22 sen.

Carlsberg announced a single-tier final and special dividend of 58 sen per share of 50 sen each (2011: 51.1 sen (net of tax) per share) for the year ended Dec 31, 2012.

"On a full year's basis, the group's profit after tax of RM193.8 mln rose by 15.8% from RM167.4 mln in 2011. The group's profit after tax in 2011 comprised a one-off gain from reversal of over provision of royalty expenses in prior year amounting to RM12.0 mln.

"If this was excluded, the group's profit after tax would be 24.7% growth against 2011," it said.

Carlsberg said group revenue was 6.4% higher at RM1.584 bln compared with RM1.489 bln in FY11.

Its managing director Soren Ravn said the group was very pleased with its 2012 group performance.

"We achieved double digit growth in earnings and strong single digit growth in revenue. The Group benefitted from the successful 2012 Chinese New Year festive campaign and the well executed UEFA EURO 2012 consumer campaign in Q2," he said.

Ravn said Carlsberg Green Label continues to lead as the most preferred beer brand among consumers in Malaysia according to Millward Brown Beer Track

"For the 2013 outlook, we are somewhat optimistic that the domestic economy will continue to grow and in this context, the Malaysian beer market is expected to grow moderately," he said.

27 February, 2013