Johannesburg - SABMiller on Thursday reported adjusted headline earnings per share of 847.1 cents for the year ended March, up 21 percent from the previous year's 699.2 cents. This amounted to 120 US cents from 109.1 cents before.
Revenue was 22 percent higher at $18.62 billion, while adjusted earnings grew 20 percent to $1.796 billion.
The dividend, at 50 US cents, was up 14 percent on the previous year's 44 cents.
Group lager volumes were up 23 percent to 216 million hectolitres (hl), reflecting organic growth of 10 percent.
The group said South America delivered pro forma volume growth of 12 percent, which was ahead of expectations, while excellent Europe organic volume growth of 11 percent was recorded, with market share gains.
Good constant currency growth in South Africa was supported by a strong economic backdrop and continued strong volume growth rates were experienced in China and India.
However, difficult trading conditions persisted in North America, said the group.
Chairperson Meyer Kahn said the results demonstrate that the momentum of recent years is continuing across SABMiller's businesses.
"I am particularly pleased by the successful implementation of the South America strategy that is delivering volume and revenue growth ahead of expectations following a substantial integration project. Our Europe business continues to deliver strong results and is reporting a sixth consecutive year of double digit earnings growth. Both SA Beverages and Africa and Asia divisions reported double digit growth in organic constant currency EBITA," he noted.
SABMiller said it has established a compelling portfolio of brands and businesses.
"Given the strong growth in many markets, we will be increasing our investments behind these assets in the coming year. While we face some challenges, including increasing commodity cost pressures and the need to rebuild our share of the premium segment in South Africa, we expect the group's underlying progress of recent years to continue." - I-Net Bridge