Beckham’s beer does the business for AB InBev

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 31, 2026

AB InBev reported a 5.8 percent rise in second-quarter operating profit, driven by strong sales of its key brands boosted by the 2026 World Cup sponsorship. Despite challenges like volume declines in China and the U.S., the company’s growth marks a turnaround with continued investor confidence lifting its stock by over a third this year.

AB InBev reported strong second-quarter results, driven in part by its sponsorship of the 2026 World Cup, which boosted sales of its key brands Corona, Stella Artois, and Michelob Ultra. The brewer posted a 5.8 percent increase in operating profit for the period ended June, exceeding analyst expectations of 4.6 percent growth. Revenue and volumes also surpassed forecasts, marking the second consecutive quarter of volume growth following several years of declines.

The company’s “megabrands” experienced notable revenue gains outside their home markets, with Corona rising 17 percent, Stella Artois up 19 percent, and Michelob Ultra increasing 21 percent. These gains were attributed to heightened visibility during the World Cup, despite the early elimination of teams from some of AB InBev’s significant markets, such as Brazil and Mexico. Spain’s victory in the tournament had a limited impact due to the brewer’s relatively smaller market presence in European countries like Spain.

AB InBev’s shares dipped slightly by 0.2 percent in Brussels to €73.76 following the announcement, despite the stronger-than-expected quarterly figures. The stock has nevertheless gained over one-third in value during 2026 amid renewed investor confidence in the beer sector after a challenging 2025.

Chief Executive Michel Doukeris described the quarter as “very good,” while acknowledging there was room for improvement. He cited several headwinds, including a 9.7 percent decline in volumes in China, where AB InBev underperformed compared to competitors amid a broader industry slowdown. In the United States, the company saw a decrease in sales to wholesalers and retailers during the quarter.

Doukeris also pointed to external factors affecting results, noting a slight reduction in consumer confidence between the first and second quarters. This was largely attributed to rising gas and oil prices linked to ongoing conflict in Iran. Additionally, extreme heat across Europe was said to have negatively impacted beer consumption.

Industry analysts offered cautious optimism. James Edwardes Jones of RBC Capital Markets described AB InBev’s performance as “solid,” highlighting a balance of positive and negative factors in the quarter’s results.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.