UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM20-F

(Mark One)

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended31 December 20162018

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report

Commission File No.: 001-37911

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

N/A

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

Belgium

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Brouwerijplein 1,

3000 Leuven, Belgium

(Address of principal executive offices)

Sabine ChalmersJohn Blood

Chief Legal OfficerGeneral Counsel and Company Secretary

Brouwerijplein 1, 3000 Leuven

Belgium

Telephone No.: + 32 16 27 61 11

Email:Fax No.: + 32 16 50 61 11Corporategovernance@ab-inbev.com

(Name, Telephone,E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Ordinary shares without nominal value New York Stock Exchange*
American Depositary Shares, each representing one ordinary share without nominal value New York Stock Exchange
6.375% Notes due 2040 (issued January 2010) New York Stock Exchange
5.375% Notes due 2020 (issued January 2010) New York Stock Exchange
4.375% Notes due 2021 (issued January 2011) New York Stock Exchange
6.875% Notes due 2019 (issued February 2011) New York Stock Exchange
1.375% Notes due 2017 (issued July 2012)New York Stock Exchange
2.500% Notes due 2022 (issued July 2012) New York Stock Exchange
3.750% Notes due 2042 (issued July 2012) New York Stock Exchange
1.250% Notes due 2018 (issued January 2013)New York Stock Exchange
2.625% Notes due 2023 (issued January 2013) New York Stock Exchange
4.000% Notes due 2043 (issued January 2013) New York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Notes due 2019 (issued January 2014) New York Stock Exchange
2.150% Notes due 2019 (issued January 2014)New York Stock Exchange
3.700% Notes due 2024 (issued January 2014) New York Stock Exchange
4.625% Notes due 2044 (issued January 2014) New York Stock Exchange
1.900% Notes due 2019 (issued January 2016)New York Stock Exchange
2.650% Notes due 2021 (issued January 2016) New York Stock Exchange
3.300% Notes due 2023 (issued January 2016) New York Stock Exchange
3.650% Notes due 2026 (issued January 2016) New York Stock Exchange
4.700% Notes due 2036 (issued January 2016) New York Stock Exchange
4.900% Notes due 2046 (issued January 2016) New York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Notes due 2021 (issued January 2016) New York Stock Exchange
2.200% Notes due 2018 (issued December 2016)New York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Notes due 2018 (issued December 2016)New York Stock Exchange
3.750% Notes due 2022 (issued December 2016) New York Stock Exchange
4.950% Notes due 2042 (issued December 2016) New York Stock Exchange
6.500% Notes due 2018 (issued December 2016)New York Stock Exchange
6.625% Notes due 2033 (issued December 2016) New York Stock Exchange
5.875% Notes due 2035 (issued December 2016) New York Stock Exchange
3.500% Notes due 2024 (issued April 2018)New York Stock Exchange
4.000% Notes due 2028 (issued April 2018)New York Stock Exchange
4.375% Notes due 2038 (issued April 2018)New York Stock Exchange
4.600% Notes due 2048 (issued April 2018)New York Stock Exchange
4.750% Notes due 2058 (issued April 2018)New York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Notes due 2024 (issued April 2018)New York Stock Exchange
4.150% Notes due 2025 (issued January 2019)New York Stock Exchange
4.750% Notes due 2029 (issued January 2019)New York Stock Exchange
4.900% Notes due 2031 (issued January 2019)New York Stock Exchange
5.450% Notes due 2039 (issued January 2019)New York Stock Exchange
5.550% Notes due 2049 (issued January 2019)New York Stock Exchange
5.800% Notes due 2059 (issued January 2019)New York Stock Exchange

 

*

Not for trading, but in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares, pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

None

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None

(Title of Class)

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

1,608,242,1561,693,242,156 ordinary shares without nominal value

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

      Yes      No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.       Yes      No

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.       Yes      No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of RegulationS-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).*      Yes      No

*This requirement does not apply to the registrant in respect of this filing.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or anon-accelerated filer. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer, and large accelerated filer”“emerging growth company” in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer    Accelerated filer    Non-accelerated filer  
Emerging growth company   

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP   

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued

by the International Accounting Standards Board  

  Other  

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. N/A      Item 17      Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in RuleRule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).       Yes      No

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. N/A      Yes      No

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

        Page 

GENERAL INFORMATION

   iii 

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

   iii 

PRESENTATION OF MARKET INFORMATION

   iv 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   v 

ITEM 1.

   

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

   1 

A.

   

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

   1 

B.

   

ADVISERS

   1 

C.

   

AUDITORS

   1 

ITEM 2.

   

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

   1 

A.

   

OFFER STATISTICS

   1 

B.

   

METHOD AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

   1 

ITEM 3.

   

KEY INFORMATION

   1 

A.

   

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   1 

B.

   

CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

   2 

C.

   

REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS

   2 

D.

   

RISK FACTORS

   2 

ITEM 4.

   

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

   23 

A.

   

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

   23 

B.

   

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

   26 
 

1.

  

STRENGTHS AND STRATEGY

   26 
 

2.

  

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND PRODUCTS

   30 
 

3.

  

MAIN MARKETS

   37 
 

4.

  

COMPETITION

   38 
 

5.

  

WEATHER AND SEASONALITY

   39 
 

6.

  

BREWING PROCESS; RAW MATERIALS AND PACKAGING; PRODUCTION FACILITIES; LOGISTICS

   39 
 

7.

  

DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS

   43 
 

8.

  

LICENSING

   43 
 

9.

  

BRANDING AND MARKETING

   44 
 

10.

  

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

   45 
 

11.

  

REGULATIONS AFFECTING OUR BUSINESS

   46 
 

12.

  

INSURANCE

   48 
 

13.

  

SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY MATTERS

   48 

C.

   

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

   52 

D.

   

PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT

   53 

ITEM 4A.

   

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

   53 

ITEM 5.

   

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

   53 

A.

   

KEY FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   53 

B.

   

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

   61 

C.

   

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

   66 

D.

   

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

   67 

E.

   

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   67 

F.

   

IMPACT OF CHANGES IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

   90 

G.

   

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

   91 

H.

   

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND CONTINGENCIES

   102 

I.

   

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

   104 

J.

   

OUTLOOK AND TREND INFORMATION

   104 

ITEM 6.

   

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

   105 

A.

   

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

   105 

B.

   

COMPENSATION

   118 

C.

   

BOARD PRACTICES

   135 

D.

   

EMPLOYEES

   137 

E.

   

SHARE OWNERSHIP

   138 

ITEM 7.

   

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

   139 

A.

   

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

   139 

-i-


GENERAL INFORMATION

vi

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

vi

PRESENTATION OF MARKET INFORMATION

viii

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

viii

ITEM 1.

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

1

A.

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

1

B.

  

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONSADVISERS

   1421 

C.

  

INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSELAUDITORS

   1461 

ITEM 8.2.

  

FINANCIAL INFORMATIONOFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

   1461 

A.

  

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATIONOFFER STATISTICS

   1461 

B.

  

SIGNIFICANT CHANGESMETHOD AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

   1551

ITEM 3.

KEY INFORMATION

1

A.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

1

B.

CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

2

C.

REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS

2

D.

RISK FACTORS

2

ITEM 4.

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

26

A.

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

26

B.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

29

C.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

62

D.

PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT

63

ITEM 4A.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

63

ITEM 5.

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

63

A.

KEY FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

64

B.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

73

C.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

80

D.

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

81

E.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

82

F.

IMPACT OF CHANGES IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

114

G.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

115

H.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND CONTINGENCIES

126

I.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

128

J.

OUTLOOK AND TREND INFORMATION

128

ITEM 6.

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

130

A.

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

130

B.

COMPENSATION

145

C.

BOARD PRACTICES

164

D.

EMPLOYEES

167

E.

SHARE OWNERSHIP

168

ITEM 7.

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

168

A.

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

168

B.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

172

C.

INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

175

-iv-


ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

175

A.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

175

B.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

184 

ITEM 9.

   

THE OFFER AND LISTING

   155184 

A.

   

THE OFFER AND LISTING

   155184 

B.

   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   156185 

C.

   

MARKETS

   156185 

D.

   

SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

   157186 

E.

   

DILUTION

   157186 

F.

   

EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE

   157186 

ITEM 10.

   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   157186 

A.

   

SHARE CAPITAL

   157186 

B.

   

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION AND OTHER SHARE INFORMATION

   157186 

C.

   

MATERIAL CONTRACTS

   166196 

D.

   

EXCHANGE CONTROLS

   171199 

E.

   

TAXATION

   171199 

F.

   

DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS

   176206 

G.

   

STATEMENT BY EXPERTS

   176206 

H.

   

DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

   176206 

I.

   

SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION

   177207 

ITEM 11.

   

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   177207 

ITEM 12.

   

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

   179209 

A.

   

DEBT SECURITIES

   179209 

B.

   

WARRANTS AND RIGHTS

   179209 

C.

   

OTHER SECURITIES

   179209 

D.

   

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

   180209 

ITEM 13.

   

DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

   183214 

ITEM 14.

   

MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

   183214 

ITEM 15.

   

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   183214 

ITEM 16A.

   

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

   184215 

ITEM 16B.

   

CODE OF ETHICS

   184215 

ITEM 16C.

   

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

   185215 

ITEM 16D.

   

EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

   186216 

ITEM 16E.

   

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER

   186216 

ITEM 16F.

   

CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

   187217 

ITEM 16G.

   

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

   187218 

ITEM 16H.

   

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

   187218 

ITEM 17.

   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   188219 

ITEM 18.

   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   188219 

ITEM 19.

   

EXHIBITS

   188

AB INBEV GROUP AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

F-1219 

 

-ii--v-


GENERAL INFORMATION

In this annual report on Form20-F (“Form20-F”) references to:

 

AB InBev,” “we,” “us” and “our” are, as the context requires, to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (formerly Newbelco SA/NV) or Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and the group of companies owned and/or controlled by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV;NV and consolidated into our results;

 

AB InBev Group” or “Combined Group” are to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and the group of companies owned and/or controlled by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV;

 

Ambev” are to Ambev S.A., a Brazilian company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and on the São Paulo Stock Exchange, and successor of Companhia de Bebidas das Américas—Ambev (as described in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Ambev Stock Swap Merger”);Ambev;

 

Anheuser-Busch” are to Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, and the group of companies owned and/or controlled by Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, as the context requires;

 

former AB InBev” are, as the context requires, to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV or Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and the group of companies owned and/or controlled by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV prior to the completion of the Transaction;combination with SAB on 10 October 2016;

 

Grupo Modelo” are to GrupoCervecería Modelo de México, S. de R.L. de C.V., a Mexican limited liability company;

 

Newbelco” are to Newbelco SA/NV prior to 10 October 2016;

 

Ordinary Shares” are to ordinary shares without nominal value issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV;

 

Restricted Shares” are to shares without nominal value issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV to former SABMillerSAB shareholders in connection with the Transaction,combination with SAB, which are unlisted, not admitted to trading on any stock exchange and are subject to, among other things, restrictions on transfer until they are converted into Ordinary Shares;

 

SABMillerSAB” are, as the context requires, to ABI SAB Group Holding Limited (formerly SABMiller Limited (formerlyand prior to that SABMiller plc) or to SABMillerABI SAB Group Holding Limited and the group of companies owned and/or controlled by SABMiller Limited;ABI SAB Group Holding Limited prior to the combination between AB InBev and ABI SAB Group Holding Limited on 10 October 2016; and

 

SABMillerSAB Group” are to SABMillerABI SAB Group Holding Limited and the group of companies owned and/or controlled by SABMiller Limited; andABI SAB Group Holding Limited.

Transaction” are to the business combination between SABMiller Limited and AB InBev, which completed on 10 October 2016.

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

We have prepared our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016,2018, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (“IFRS”). Unless otherwise specified, the financial information analysis in this Form20-F is based on our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018. Unless otherwise specified, all financial information included in this Form20-F has been stated in U.S. dollars.

-iii-


All references in this Form20-F to (i) “euro” or “EUR” are to the common currency of the European Union, (ii) “U.S. dollar,” “$” or “USD” are to the currency of the United States of America, (iii) “CAD” (Canadian dollar) are to the currency of Canada, (iv) “R$,” “real” or “reais” are to the currency of Brazil, (v) “GBP” (pound

-vi-


sterling) are to the currency of the United Kingdom, (vi) “AUD” (Australian dollar) are to the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, (vii) “MXN” (Mexican peso) are to the currency of Mexico, (viii) “RUBZAR(Russian ruble)(South African rand) are to the currency of Russia andSouth Africa, (ix) “UAHCOP(Ukrainian hryvnia)(Colombian peso) are to the currency of Ukraine.Colombia, (x) “PEN” (Peruvian nuevo sol) are to the currency of Peru, (xi) “ARS” (Argentinean peso) are to the currency of Argentina and (xii) “CNY” (Chinese renminbi) are to the currency of China.

Unless otherwise specified, volumes, as used in this Form20-F, include beer (including near beer) andnon-beer (primarily carbonated soft drinks) volumes. In addition, unless otherwise specified, our volumes include not only brands that we own or license, but also third-party brands that we brew or otherwise produce as a subcontractor, and third-party products that we sell through our distribution network, particularly in Western Europe. Our volume figures in this Form20-F reflect 100% of the volumes of entities that we fully consolidate in our financial reporting and a proportionate share of the volumes of entities that we proportionately consolidate in our financial reporting, but do not include volumes of our associates, joint ventures ornon-consolidated entities.

Following the combination with Grupo Modelo, we are fully consolidating Grupo Modelo in our financial reporting as of 4 June 2013. Effective 1 April 2014, we discontinued the reporting of volumes sold to Constellation Brands, Inc. under the interim supply agreement, since these volumes do not form part of the underlying performance of our business.

The Oriental Brewery business is reported in the Asia Pacific region as from 1 April 2014.

FromSince 1 October 2016, we are reportinghave reported our financial results under the following six regions: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA and Asia Pacific. We are continuingcontinue to separately report the results of Global Export and Holding Companies, which includes our global headquarters and the export businesses which have not been allocated to the regions and the interim supply agreement with Constellation Brands, Inc. until its termination in December 2016.regions. Our six geographic regions plus our Global Export and Holding Companies comprise our seven segments for all financial reporting purposes. For a list of the countries comprising our geographic reporting regions, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—3. Main Markets.”

Following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we are consolidating SABMillerconsolidated SAB and reportingreport results and volumes of the retained SABMillerSAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

On 4 October 2017, we completed the transition of the 54.5% equity stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (“CCBA”) and stopped consolidating CCBA in our consolidated financial statements as of that date. Furthermore, on 30 March 2018, we completed the 50:50 merger of AB InBev’s and Anadolu Efes Biracilik ve Malt Sanayii AŞ’s (“Anadolu Efes”) existing Russia and Ukraine businesses. Following the closing of this transaction, the operations of AB InBev and Anadolu Efes in Russia and Ukraine are combined under AB InBev Efes (“AB InBev Efes”). The combined business is fully consolidated in the Anadolu Efes financial accounts. As a result of the transaction, we stopped consolidating our Russia and Ukraine businesses and account for our investment in AB InBev Efes under the equity method.

As announced on 26 July 2018, effective 1 January 2019, we are reorganizing our regional reporting structure. Going forward, our results will be reported under the following five regions: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA and Asia Pacific. We will continue to separately report the results of Global Export and Holding Companies. The key changes in the company’s structure are as follows: (i) the new Middle Americas region will combine the current Latin America West region and the Dominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Caribbean, which were previously reported in Latin America North region and (ii) the new South America region will combine the current Latin America South region and Brazil, which was previously reported in Latin America North region.

Effective 1 January 2019, IFRS 16Leases will replace the current lease accounting requirements and introduce significant changes to lessee accounting. It requires a lessee to recognize aright-of-use asset and a lease liability at lease commencement date, together with a different recognition of lease costs.

We will report results in our new regional structure and apply the new IFRS 16Leases standard for the first time for the three months ending 31 March 2019.

See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—B. Significant Accounting Policies—Summary of Changes in Accounting Policies” for further information on how our accounting policies changed in 2016.2018.

-vii-


PRESENTATION OF MARKET INFORMATION

Market information (including market share, market position and industry data for our operating activities and those of our subsidiaries or of companies acquired by us) or other statements presented in this Form20-F regarding our position (or that of companies acquired by us) relative to our competitors largely reflect the best estimates of our management. These estimates are based upon information obtained from customers, trade or business organizations and associations, other contacts within the industries in which we operate and, in some cases, upon published statistical data or information from independent third parties. Except as otherwise stated, our market share data, as well as our management’s assessment of our comparative competitive position, has been derived by comparing our sales figures for the relevant period to our management’s estimates of our competitors’ sales figures for such period, as well as upon published statistical data and information from independent third parties, and, in particular, the reports published and the information made available by, among others, the local brewers’ associations and the national statistics bureaus in the various countries in which we sell our products. The principal sources generally used include IRI, Plato Logic Limited and AC Nielsen, as well as internal estimations based on data from the Beer Institute and IRI (for the United States), the Brewers Association of Canada (for Canada), CIES (for Bolivia), AC Nielsen (for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Paraguay, Russia, Ukraine and Uruguay), Cámara Nacional de la Industria de la Cerveza y de la Malta (commonly known as Cerveceros de Mexico) (for Mexico), Belgian Brewers Association (for Belgium), German Brewers Association (for Germany), Seema International Limited (for China), the British Beer and Pub Association (for the United Kingdom), Centraal

-iv-


Brouwerij Kantoor—CBK (for the Netherlands), Association des Brasseurs de France and IRI (for France), Plato Logic Limited (for Australia, Italy, Peru, South Africa and Uganda), the Korean International Trade Association (for South Korea) and other local brewers’ associations.Nielsen. You should not rely on the market share and other market information presented herein as precise measures of market share or of other actual conditions.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

There are statements in this Form20-F, such as statements that include the words or phrases “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “might,” “could,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “potential,” “we aim,” “our goal,” “our vision,” “we intend” or similar expressions that are forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those suggested by these statements due to, among others, the risks or uncertainties listed below. See also “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” for further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could impact our business.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Rather, they are based on current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control and are difficult to predict, that may cause actual results or developments to differ materially from any future results or developments expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others:

 

local, regional, national and international economic conditions, including the risks of a global recession or a recession in one or more of our key markets, and the impact they may have on us and our customers and our assessment of that impact;

 

financial risks, such as interest rate risk, foreign exchange rate risk (in particular as against the U.S. dollar, our reporting currency), commodity risk, asset price risk, equity market risk, counterparty risk, sovereign risk, liquidity risk, inflation or deflation;deflation, including inability to achieve our optimal net debt level;

 

continued geopolitical instability, which may result in, among other things, economic and political sanctions and currency exchange rate volatility, and which may have a substantial impact on the economies of one or more of our key markets;

 

changes in government policies and currency controls;

 

continued availability of financing and our ability to achieve our targeted coverage and debt levels and terms, including the risk of constraints on financing in the event of a credit rating downgrade;

 

  

the monetary and interest rate policies of central banks, in particular the European Central Bank, the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System, the Bank of England,Banco Central do Brasil,, Banco Central de la República Argentina, the Central Bank of China, the South African Reserve Bank,Banco de la República in Colombia, the Bank of Mexico and other central banks;

 

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changes in applicable laws, regulations and taxes in jurisdictions in which we operate, including the laws and regulations governing our operations and changes to tax benefit programs, as well as actions or decisions of courts and regulators;

 

limitations on our ability to contain costs and expenses;

 

our expectations with respect to expansion plans, premium growth, accretion to reported earnings, working capital improvements and investment income or cash flow projections;

 

our ability to continue to introduce competitive new products and services on a timely, cost-effective basis;

 

-v-


the effects of competition and consolidation in the markets in which we operate, which may be influenced by regulation, deregulation or enforcement policies;

 

changes in consumer spending;

 

changes in pricing environments;

 

volatility in the prices of raw materials, commodities and energy;

 

difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees;

 

regional or general changes in asset valuations;

 

greater than expected costs (including taxes) and expenses;

 

the risk of unexpected consequences resulting from acquisitions, (including the Transaction), joint ventures, strategic alliances, corporate reorganizations or divestiture plans, and our ability to successfully and cost-effectively implement these transactions and integrate the operations of businesses or other assets we have acquired;

 

an inability to realize synergies and cost savings from the Transaction;combination with SAB;

 

the outcome of pending and future litigation, investigations and governmental proceedings;

 

natural and other disasters;

 

any inability to economically hedge certain risks;

 

inadequate impairment provisions and loss reserves;

 

technological changes and threats to cybersecurity;

 

other statements included in this annual report that are not historical; and

 

our success in managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

Our statements regarding financial risks, including interest rate risk, foreign exchange rate risk, commodity risk, asset price risk, equity market risk, counterparty risk, sovereign risk, inflation and deflation, are subject to uncertainty. For example, certain market and financial risk disclosures are dependent on choices about key model characteristics and assumptions and are subject to various limitations. By their nature, certain of the market or financial risk disclosures are only estimates and, as a result, actual future gains and losses could differ materially from those that have been estimated.

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Certain of the cost savings and synergies information related to the Transactioncombination with SAB set forth in “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—1. Strengths and Strategy—Strengths” of this Form20-F constitute forward-looking statements and may not be representative of the actual cost savings and synergies that will result from the Transaction.combination with SAB. Such information included in this Form20-F reflects potential opportunities for cost savings and synergies identified by us based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties which are difficult to predict, and accordingly there can be no assurance that these cost savings and synergies will be realized. The statements relating to the synergies, cost savings and business growth opportunities we expect to continue to achieve following the Transactioncombination with SAB are based on assumptions. However, these expected synergies, cost savings and business growth opportunities may not be achieved. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to implement successfully the strategic and operational initiatives that are intended.

-vi-


We caution that the forward-looking statements in this Form20-F are further qualified by the risk factors disclosed in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Subject to our obligations under Belgian and U.S. law in relation to disclosure and ongoing information, we undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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PART I

 

ITEM 1.

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Not applicable.

B. ADVISERS

Not applicable.

C. AUDITORS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2.

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

A. OFFER STATISTICS

Not applicable.

B. METHOD AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3.

KEY INFORMATION

A. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected historical financial information presented below as of 31 December 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 2014, 2013 and 2012,2014, and for the five years ended 31 December 2016,2018, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (“IFRS”). Our financial statements presentation and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. Unless otherwise specified, all financial information included in this Form20-F has been stated in U.S. dollars.

The selected historical financial information presented in the tables below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes as of 31 December 20162018 and 20152017 and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 have been included in this FormForm 20-F.

The financial information in this Form20-F and our consolidated financial statements represent the continuation of the financial statements of former AB InBev, ourpredecessor-in-interest.

 

  2016(7)   2015   2014   2013   2012   2018(7)   2017   2016(6)   2015   2014 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Income Statement Data

                    

Revenue(1)

   45,517    43,604    47,063    43,195    39,758    54,619    56,444    45,517    43,604    47,063 

Profit from operations

   12,882    13,904    15,111    20,443    12,747    17,106    17,152    12,882    13,904    15,111 

Profit from continuing operations

   2,721    9,867    11,302    16,518    9,325    5,691    9,155    2,721    9,867    11,302 

Profit

   2,769    9,867    11,302    16,518    9,325 

Profit of the period

   5,691    9,183    2,769    9,867    11,302 

Profit attributable to our equity holders

   1,241    8,273    9,216    14,394    7,160    4,368    7,996    1,241    8,273    9,216 

Weighted average number of Ordinary and Restricted Shares (million shares)(2)

   1,717    1,638    1,634    1,617    1,600 

Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary and Restricted Shares (million shares)(3)

   1,755    1,668    1,665    1,650    1,628 

Basic earnings per share (USD)(4)

   0.72    5.05    5.64    8.90    4.48 

   2016(7)   2015   2014   2013   2012 
   (USD millions) 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (USD) (4)

   0.69    5.05    5.64    8.90    4.48 

Diluted earnings per share (USD)(5)

   0.71    4.96    5.54    8.72    4.40 

Dividends per share (USD)

   3.85    3.95    3.52    2.83    2.24 

Dividends per share (EUR)

   3.60    3.60    3.00    2.05    1.70 

Financial Position Data

          

Total assets

   258,381    134,635    142,550    141,666    122,621 

Equity

   81,425    45,719    54,257    55,308    45,453 

Equity attributable to our equity holders

   71,339    42,137    49,972    50,365    41,154 

Issued capital

   1,736    1,736    1,736    1,735    1,734 

Other Data

          

Volumes (million hectoliters)

   500    457    459    426    403 

Weighted average number of Ordinary and Restricted Shares (million shares)(2)

   1,975    1,971    1,717    1,638    1,634 

Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary and Restricted Shares
(million shares)(3)

   2,011    2,010    1,755    1,668    1,665 

Basic earnings per share (USD)(4)

   2.21    4.06    0.72    5.05    5.64 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (USD)(4)

   2.21    4.04    0.69    5.05    5.64 

Diluted earnings per share (USD)(5)

   2.17    3.98    0.71    4.96    5.54 

Dividends per share (USD)

   2.05    4.33    3.85    3.95    3.52 

Dividends per share (EUR)

   1.80    3.60    3.60    3.60    3.00 

Financial Position Data

          

Total assets

   232,103    246,126    258,381    134,635    142,550 

Equity

   71,904    80,220    81,425    45,719    54,257 

Equity attributable to our equity holders

   64,486    72,585    71,339    42,137    49,972 

Issued capital

   1,736    1,736    1,736    1,736    1,736 

Other Data

          

Volumes (million hectoliters)

   567    613    500    457    459 

 

Notes:

 

(1)

Turnover less excise taxes and discounts. In many jurisdictions, excise taxes make up a large proportion of the cost of beer charged to our customers (see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Excise Taxes”).

(2)

Weighted average number of Ordinary and Restricted Shares means, for any period, the number of shares outstanding at the beginning of the period, adjusted by the number of shares cancelled,canceled, repurchased or issued during the period, including deferred share instruments and stock lending, multiplied by a time-weighting factor.

(3)

Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary and Restricted Shares means the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares, adjusted by the effect of share options issued.

(4)

Earnings per share means, for any period, profit attributable to our equity holders for the period divided by the weighted average number of Ordinary and Restricted Shares.

(5)

Diluted earnings per share means, for any period, profit attributable to our equity holders for the period divided by the diluted weighted average number of Ordinary and Restricted Shares.

(6)2012 as reported, adjusted to reflect

Following the changes to the revised IAS 19 Employee Benefits.

(7)Following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we are consolidating SABMillerconsolidated SAB and reportingreport results and volumes of the retained SABMillerSAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016. For more information on the Transaction,combination with SAB, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company.”

(7)

The financial information for 2018 is presented under IFRS 9Financial Instruments and IFRS 15Revenue from Contracts with Customers which was adopted by us with effect on 1 January 2018 in accordance with the modified retrospective application. For more information on changes in accounting policies, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—B. Significant Accounting Policies.”

B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

Not applicable.

C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not applicable.

D. RISK FACTORS

Investing in our shares involves risk. We expect to be exposed to some or all of the risks described below in our future operations. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the risk factors described below. Any of the risk factors described below, as well as additional risks of which we are not currently aware, could also affect our

business operations and have a material adverse effect on our business activities, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and cause the value of our shares to decline. Moreover, if and to the extent that any of the risks described below materialize, they may occur in combination with other risks which would compound the adverse effect of such risks on our business activities, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Investors in our shares and American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) could lose all or part of their investment.

You should carefully consider the following information in conjunction with the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this document. The sequence in which the risk factors are presented below is not indicative of their likelihood of occurrence or of the potential magnitude of their financial consequences.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We are exposed to the risks of an economic recession, credit and capital markets volatility and economic and financial crisis, which could adversely affect the demand for our products and adversely affect the market price of our Ordinary Shares and ADSs.

We are exposed to the risk of a global recession or a recession in one or more of our key markets, credit and capital markets volatility and an economic or financial crisis, which could result in lower revenue and reduced profit.

Beer, other alcoholic beverage and soft drink consumption in many of the jurisdictions in which we operate is closely linked to general economic conditions, with levels of consumption tending to rise during periods of rising per capita income and fall during periods of declining per capita income. Additionally, per capita consumption is inversely related to the sale price of our products.

Besides moving in concert with changes in per capita income, beer and other alcoholic beverage consumption also increases or decreases in accordance with changes in disposable income.

Currently, disposable income is low in many of the developing countries in which we operate compared to disposable income in more developed countries. Any decrease in disposable income resulting from an increase in inflation, income taxes, the cost of living, unemployment levels, political or economic instability or other factors would likely adversely affect the demand for beer. Moreover, because a relevant portion of our brand portfolio consists of premium beers, our volumes and revenue may be impacted to a greater degree than those of some of our competitors, as some consumers may choose to purchase value or discount brands rather than premium or core brands. For additional information on the categorization of the beer market and our positioning, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—2. Principal Activities and Products—Beer.”

Capital and credit marketsmarket volatility, such as that experienced in recent years, may result in downward pressure on stock prices and the credit capacity of issuers. Potential changes in social, political, regulatory and economic conditions in the U.S. and the European Union, including the United Kingdom’s planned exit from the European Union and changes in policies governing foreign trade and imports, may be significant drivers of capital and credit market volatility. A continuation or worsening of the levels of market disruption and volatility seen in the recent past could have an adverse effect on our ability to access capital, on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and on the market price of our Ordinary Shares and our ADSs.

Our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates.

Although we report our consolidated results in U.S. dollars, in 2016,2018, we derived approximately 67%71% of our revenue from operating companies that havenon-U.S. dollar functional currencies (in most cases, in the local currency of the respective operating company). Consequently, any change in exchange rates between our operating companies’ functional currencies and the U.S. dollar will affect our consolidated income statement and balance sheet when the results of those operating companies are translated into U.S. dollars for our reporting purposes, as we cannot hedge against translational exposures. Decreases in the value of our operating companies’ functional currencies against the U.S. dollar will tend to reduce those operating companies’ contributions in dollar terms to our financial condition and results of operations.

During 2015 and 2016,2018, several currencies, such as the ArgentineArgentinean peso, the Mexican peso, the CanadianAustralian dollar, the Brazilian real, the Chinese yuan, the Russian ruble,Colombian peso and the South African rand, and the euro, depreciated against the U.S. dollar, which generally strengthened during the same period. Our total consolidated revenue was USD 45.554.6 billion for the year ended 31 December 2016, an increase2018, a decrease of USD 1.91.8 billion compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. The negative impact of unfavorable currency translation effects on our consolidated revenue in the year ended 31 December 20162018 was USD 2.82.3 billion, primarily as a result of the impact of the currencies listed above.

Following the categorization of Argentina as a country with a three-year cumulative inflation rate greater than 100%, the country is considered as a hyperinflationary economy in accordance with IFRS rules (IAS 29Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies), requiring us to restate the results of our operations for the year ended 31 December 2018 in hyperinflationary economies for the change in the general purchasing power of the local currency, using official indices before converting the local amounts at the closing rate of the period. If the economic or political situation in Argentina further deteriorates, our Latin America South operations may be subject to restrictions under new Argentinean foreign exchange, export repatriation or expropriation regimes that could adversely affect our liquidity and operations, and our ability to access funds from Argentina. See “—We are exposed to developing market risks, including the risks of devaluation, nationalization and inflation” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Foreign Currency.”

Significant changes in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar could adversely affect the amounts we record for our foreign assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and could have a negative effect on our results of operations and profitability. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—E. Results of Operations—Year Ended 31 December 20162018 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2015”2017” for further details on the impact of currency translation effects on our results of operations.

In addition to currency translation risk, we incur currency transaction risks whenever one of our operating companies enters into transactions using currencies other than its respective functional currency, including purchase or sale transactions and the issuance or incurrence of debt. Although we have hedging policies in place to manage commodity price and foreign currency risks to protect our exposure to currencies other than our operating companies’ functional currencies, there can be no assurance that such policies will be able to successfully hedge against the effects of such foreign exchange exposure, particularly over the long term.exposure.

Much of our debt is denominated in U.S. dollars, while a significant portion of our cash flows is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. From time to time we enter into financial instruments to mitigate currency risk, but these transactions and any other efforts taken to better match the effective currencies of our liabilities to our cash flows could result in increased costs. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Market Risk, Hedging and Financial Instruments”,Instruments,” note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016,2018, for further details on our approach to hedging commodity price and foreign currency risk.

Changes in the availability or price of raw materials, commodities, energy and energywater, including as a result of unexpected increases in tariffs on such raw materials and commodities, like aluminum, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

A significant portion of our operating expenses is related to raw materials and commodities, such as malted barley, wheat, corn grits, corn syrup, rice, hops, flavored concentrate, fruit concentrate, sugar, sweetener, water, glass, polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) and aluminum bottles, aluminum or steel cans and kegs, aluminum can stock, labels, plastic crates, metal and plastic closures, folding cartons, cardboard products and plastic films.

The supply and price of raw materials and commodities used for the production of our products can be affected by a number of factors beyond our control, including the level of crop production around the world, export demand, quality and availability of supply, speculative movements in the raw materials or commodities markets, currency fluctuations, governmental regulations and legislation affecting agriculture, trade agreements among producing and consuming nations, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, economic factors affecting growth decisions, political developments, various plant diseases and pests.

We cannot predict future availability or prices of the raw materials or commodities required for our products. The markets in certain raw materials or commodities have experienced and may in the future experience shortages and significant price fluctuations.fluctuations, including as a result of unexpected increases in tariffs on such raw materials and commodities like aluminum. The foregoing may affect the price and availability of ingredients that we use to manufacture our products, as well as the cans and bottles in which our products are packaged. We may not be able to increase our prices to offset these increased costs or increase our prices without suffering reduced volume, revenue and operating income. To some extent, derivative financial instruments and the terms of supply agreements can protect against increases in materials and commodities costs in the short term. However, derivatives and supply agreements expire and upon expiry are subject to renegotiation and therefore cannot provide complete protection over the medium or longer term. To the extent we fail to adequately manage the risks inherent in such volatility, including if our hedging and derivative arrangements do not effectively or completely hedge against changes in commodity prices, our results of operations may be adversely impacted. In addition, it is possible that the hedging and derivative instruments we use to establish the purchase price for commodities in advance of the time of delivery may lock us into prices that are ultimately higher than actual market prices at the time of delivery. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Market Risk, Hedging and Financial Instruments” for further details on our approach to hedging commodity price risk.

The production and distribution of our products require material amounts of energy, including the consumption ofoil-based products, natural gas, biomass, coal and electricity. Energy prices have been subject to significant price volatility in the recent past and may be again in the future. High energy prices over an extended period of time, as well as changes in energy taxation and regulation in certain geographies, may result in a negative effect on operating income and could potentially challenge our profitability in certain markets. There is no guarantee that we will be able to pass along increased energy costs to our customers in every case.

The production of our products also requires large amounts of water, including water consumedconsumption in the agricultural supply chain, seechain. Changes in precipitation patterns and the frequency of extreme weather events may affect our water supply and, as a result, its physical operations. Water may also be subject to price increases in certain areas and changes in water taxation and regulation in certain geographies may result in a negative effect on operating income which could potentially challenge our profitability in certain markets. There is no guarantee that we will be able to pass along increased water costs to our customers in every case. See “—Climate change or other environmental concerns, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change or other environmental concerns, may negatively affect our business or operations, including the availability of key production inputs.”

We may not be able to obtain the necessary funding for our future capital or refinancing needs and may face financial risks due to our level of debt, (including as a result of the Transaction), uncertain market conditions and as a result of the potential downgrading of our credit ratings.

We may be required to raise additional funds for our future capital needs or to refinance our current indebtedness through public or private financing, strategic relationships or other arrangements. There can be no assurance that the funding, if needed, will be available on attractive terms, or at all.terms.

Following completion of the Transaction, we expectcombination with SAB, the portion of our consolidated balance sheet represented by debt to remainis significantly higher as compared to former AB InBev’s historical position.position and we expect it to remain so for some time. To fund the Transaction,combination with SAB, former AB InBev entered into, a USD 75.0 billion senior facilities agreement (the “2015 Senior Facilities Agreement”) on 28 October 2015. Former AB InBev subsequently cancelled certain of the facilities under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement in connection withamong others, the following transactions:

 

in January 2016, our subsidiary Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. (“ABIFI”) issued bonds in debt capital markets offerings resulting in aggregate net proceeds of approximately USD 47.0 billion, as a result of which former AB InBev cancelled a total of USD 42.5 billion under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement;billion; and

in March 2016, former AB InBev issued bonds in a debt capital markets offering under our Euro Medium-Term Notes Programme (“EMTN Programme”) resulting in aggregate net proceeds of approximately EUR 13.1 billion, to which we are thesuccessor-in-interestsuccessor-in-interest.

Since the combination with SAB we have undertaken further debt issuance and as a result of which former AB InBev cancelled an additional USD 12.5 billion under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement.

In October 2016, former AB InBev borrowed USD 18.0 billion under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement, of which USD 8.0 billion under a five-year term facility remains outstanding and unpaid.

Seedebt liability management exercises; see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Funding Sources—Borrowings” for more information on Transaction-relatedour financing activities, including the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement, and “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SABMiller—2015 Senior Facilities Agreement” for more information on the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement. activities.

Our continued increased level of debt could have significant consequences, including:

 

increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

limiting our ability to fund future working capital and capital expenditures, to engage in future acquisitions or development activities or to otherwise realize the value of our assets and opportunities fully;

 

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

 

impairing our ability to obtain additional financing in the future, or requiring us to obtain financing involving restrictive covenants;

 

requiring us to issue additional equity (possibly under unfavorable conditions), which could dilute our existing shareholders’ equity; and

 

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt.

In addition, ratings agencies may downgrade our credit ratings below their current levels, including as a result of the incurrence of the financial indebtedness related to the Transaction. Prior to 15 September 2015, the date on which renewed public speculation relating to the possible business combination between former AB InBev and SABMiller began, former AB InBev had been assigned a rating of A (stable outlook) by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and A2 (positive outlook) by Moody’s Investors Service. Since 15 September 2015, S&P Global Ratings (formerly Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services) downgraded its rating for former AB InBev’s long-term debt obligations toA-with stable outlook.SAB. In September 2015,October 2018, Moody’s Investors Service changed formerplaced AB InBev’s outlookA3 senior unsecured ratings on review to “Developing,”downgrade, citing downward rating pressure following completion of the Transaction due to higherhigh financial leverage and certain integration risks.our slow path to deleveraging following the October 2016 acquisition of SAB. In May 2016,December 2018, Moody’s Investors Service concluded its ratings review and assigned a definitive rating of A3Baa1 (stable outlook) to former AB InBev’s long-term debt obligations. As of the date of this annual report, our credit rating from S&P Global Ratings wasA- for long-term obligations andA-2 for short-term obligations, with a stableNegative outlook, and our credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service was A3Baa1 for long-term obligations andP-2 for short-term obligations, with a stable outlook. Any credit rating downgrade could materially adversely affect our ability to finance our ongoing operations and our ability to refinance the debt incurred to fund the Transaction,combination with SAB, including by increasing our cost of borrowing and significantly harming our financial condition, results of operations and profitability, including our ability to refinance our other existing indebtedness.

In recent years, we have given priority, among other things, to deleveraging, with surplus free cash flow being used to reduce the level of outstanding debt. In light of the increased debt we assumed in connection with the Transaction,combination with SAB, deleveraging remains a priority and may restrict the amount of dividends we are able to pay.

Our ability to repay and renegotiate our outstanding indebtedness will depend upon market conditions. In recent years, the global credit markets experienced significant price volatility, dislocations and liquidity disruptions that caused the cost of debt financings to fluctuate considerably. The markets also put downward pressure on stock prices and credit capacity for certain issuers without regard to those issuers’ underlying financial strength. Reflecting concern about the stability of the financial markets generally and the strength of counterparties, many lenders and institutional investors reduced and, in some cases, ceased to provide funding to

borrowers. If such uncertain conditions persist, our costs could increase beyond what is anticipated. Such costs could have a material adverse impact on our cash flows, results of operations or both. In addition, an inability to refinance all or a substantial amount of our debt obligations when they become due, or more generally a failure to raise additional equity capital or debt financing or to realize proceeds from asset sales when needed, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our results could be negatively affected by increasing interest rates.

We use issuances of debt and bank borrowings as a source of funding and we carry a significant level of debt. Nevertheless, pursuant to our capital structure policy, we aim to optimize shareholder value through cash flow distribution to us from our subsidiaries, while maintaining an investment-grade rating and minimizing cash and investments with a return below our weighted average cost of capital. There can be no assurance that we will be able to pursue a similar capital structure policy in the future.

Some of the debt we have issued or incurred was issued or incurred at variable interest rates, which exposes us to changes in such interest rates. As of 31 December 2016,2018, after certain hedging and fair value adjustments, USD 24.07 billion, or 19.5%1.8%, of our interest-bearing financial liabilities (which include loans, borrowings and bank overdrafts) bore a variable interest rate, while USD 98.8102.9 billion, or 80.5%98.2%, bore a fixed interest rate. Moreover, a significant part of our external debt is denominated innon-U.S. dollar currencies, including the Australian dollar, the Brazilian real, the Canadian dollar, the euro, the pound sterling, the South African rand and the South Korean won. Although we enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage our interest rate risk, and also enter into cross-currency interest rate swap agreements to manage both our foreign currency risk and interest-rate risk on interest-bearing financial liabilities, there can be no assurance that such instruments will be successful in reducing the risks inherent in exposures to interest rate fluctuations. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Market Risk, Hedging and Financial Instruments”,Instruments,” note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for further details on our approach, currency and interest rate risk.

Certain of our operations depend on independent distributors or wholesalers to sell our products, and we may be unable to replace distributors or acquire interests in wholesalers or distributors. In addition, we may be adversely impacted by the consolidation of retailers.

Certain of our operations are dependent on government-controlled or privately owned but independent wholesale distributors for distribution of our products for resale to retail outlets. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—7. Distribution of Products” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—11. Regulations Affecting Our Business” for further information in this respect. There can be no assurance as to the financial affairs of such distributors or that these distributors, who often act both for us and our competitors, will not give our competitors’ products higher priority, thereby reducing their efforts to sell our products.

In the United States, for instance, we sell the vast majority of our beer to independent wholesalers for distribution to retailers and ultimately consumers. As independent companies, wholesalers make their own business decisions that may not always align themselves with our interests. If our wholesalers do not effectively distribute our products, our financial results could be adversely affected.

In addition, contractual restrictions and the regulatory environment of many markets may make it very difficult to change distributors and, in some markets, we may be prevented from acquiring interests in wholesalers or distributors (for example, see “—Our failure to satisfy our remaining obligations under the SABMillerSAB settlement agreement could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations”operations.”). In certain cases, poor performance by a distributor or wholesaler is not a sufficient reason for replacement. Our consequent inability to replace unproductive or inefficient distributors could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Moreover, the retail industry, particularly in Europe, North America and other countries in which we operate, continues to consolidate, resulting in larger retailers with increased purchasing power, which may affect our competitiveness in these markets. Larger retailers may seek to improve their profitability and sales by asking for lower prices or increased trade spending. The efforts of retailers could result in reduced profitability for the beer industry as a whole and indirectly adversely affect our financial results.

We may be unable to influence our associates in which we have minority investments.

A portion of our global portfolio consists of associates in new or developing markets, including investments where we may have a lesser degree of control over the business operations. For example, through our investment in the beverage operations of Société des Brasseries et Glacières Internationales and B.I.H. Brasseries Internationales Holding Limited we have exposure to a number of countries in Africa, through our investment in Anadolu Efes, we have exposure to Turkey and countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States, and through our investment in AB InBev Efes, we have exposure to Russia and Ukraine.

We face several challenges inherent to these various culturally and geographically diverse business interests. Although we work with our associates on the implementation of appropriate processes and controls, we also face additional risks and uncertainties with respect to these minority investments because we may be dependent on systems, controls and personnel that are not under our control, such as the risk that our associates may violate applicable laws and regulations, which could have an adverse effect on our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition. For more information, see “—If we do not successfully comply with applicable anti-corruption laws, export control regulations and trade restrictions, we could become subject to fines, penalties or other regulatory sanctions, as well as to adverse press coverage, which could cause our reputation, our sales or our profitability to suffer.

We operate our business and market our products in emerging markets that, as a result of political and economic instability, a lack of well-developed legal systems and potentially corrupt business environments, present us with political, economic and

operational risks. Although we are committed to conducting business in a legal and ethical manner in compliance with local and international statutory requirements and standards applicable to our business, there is a risk that employees or representatives of our subsidiaries, affiliates, associates, joint ventures or other business interests may take actions that violate applicable laws and regulations that generally prohibit the making of improper payments to foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business, including laws relating to the 1997 OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act and Brazilian Law No. 12,846/13 (an anti-bribery statute that was enacted in January 2014). Such actions could expose us to potential liability and the costs associated with investigating potential misconduct. In addition, any press coverage associated with misconduct under these laws and regulations, even if unwarranted or baseless, could damage our reputation and sales.

In respect of the FCPA, we cooperated with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with their investigations into the relationships of our current and former affiliates in India, including our formernon-consolidated Indian joint venture, which we exited during 2015. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings.” On 8 June 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice notified us that it was closing its investigation and would not be pursuing enforcement action in this matter. On 28 September 2016, we entered into a settlement agreement with the SEC, pursuant to which we agreed to pay an aggregate amount (including disgorgement and penalties) of approximately USD 6 million to the SEC and assume certain ongoing reporting and cooperation obligations.

In Brazil, governmental authorities are currently investigating consulting services provided by a firm part-owned by a former elected government official who has been subject to prosecution. Our subsidiary, Ambev, has, in the past, hired the services of this consulting firm. We have reviewed our internal controls and compliance procedures in relation to these services and have not identified any evidence of misconduct.

As a global brewer, we also operate our business and market our products in countries that may be subject to export control regulations, embargoes, economic sanctions and other forms of trade restrictions imposed by the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and other participants in the international community. For example, we indirectly own subsidiaries in Russia and Ukraine, the net combined revenues of which accounted for less than 1.5% of our total revenues in 2016. We do not sell directly into the Crimea region but are aware that indirect shipments may occur. In addition, certain of our associates also operate their business and market their products in countries subject to trade restrictions. For example, our associate Anadolu Efes Biracilik ve Malt Sanayii AŞ (“Anadolu Efes”) has an indirect interest in a Syrian soft drinks bottler and has limited distribution to Iran and Crimea. Furthermore, our subsidiary Ambev operates a joint venture in Cuba with the Government of Cuba, see “—Our subsidiary Ambev operates a joint venture in Cuba, in which the Government of Cuba is its joint venture partner. Cuba remains subject to comprehensive economic and trade sanctions by the United States and Ambev’s operation in Cuba may adversely affect our reputation and the liquidity and value of our securities.

If we or any of our associates fail to comply with economic sanctions or trade restrictions imposed by the United States, the European Union or other national or international authorities that are applicable to us or them, we may be exposed to potential legal liability and the costs associated with investigating potential misconduct, as well as potential reputational damage. Moreover, new or expanded export control regulations, economic sanctions, embargoes or other forms of trade restrictions imposed on Russia, Ukraine, Syria, Cuba or other countries in which we or our associates do business may curtail our existing business and may result in serious economic challenges in these geographies, which could have a material adverse effect on our and our subsidiaries’ operations, and may result in impairment charges on goodwill or other intangible assets.

Competition and changing consumer preferences could lead to a reduction in our margins, increase costs and adversely affect our profitability.

We compete with both brewers and other drinks companies and our products compete with other beverages. Globally, brewers, as well as other players in the beverage industry, compete mainly on the basis of brand image, price, quality, distribution networks and customer service. Consolidation has significantly increased the capital base and geographic reach of our competitors in some of the markets in which we operate, and competition is expected to increase further as the trend towards consolidation among companies in the beverage industry continues. Consolidation activity has also increased along our distribution channels—in the case of bothon-trade points of sale, such as pub companies, andoff-trade retailers, such as supermarkets. Such consolidation could increase the purchasing power of players in our distribution channels. For more information, see “—Certain of our operations depend on independent distributors or wholesalers to sell our products, and we may be unable to replace distributors or acquire interests in wholesalers or distributors. In addition, we may be adversely impacted by the consolidation of retailers.”

Concurrently, competition in the beverage industry is expanding and the market is becoming more fragmented, complex and sophisticated as consumer preferences and tastes change. Such preferences can change rapidly and in unpredictable ways due to a variety of factors, including changing levels of health consciousness among target consumers (including concerns about obesity and alcohol consumption), changes in prevailing economic conditions, changes in the demographicmake-up of target consumers, changing social trends and attitudes regarding alcoholic beverages, changes in travel, vacation or leisure activity patterns, negative publicity resulting from regulatory action or litigation against us or comparable companies or a downturn in economic conditions. Consumers also may begin to prefer the products of competitors or may generally reduce their demand for products in the category.

Competition with brewers and producers of alternative beverages in our various markets and an increase in the purchasing power of players in our distribution channels could cause us to reduce pricing, increase capital investment, increase marketing and other expenditures and/or prevent us from increasing prices to recover higher costs, thereby causing us to reduce margins or lose market share. Further, we may not be able to anticipate or respond adequately either to changes in consumer preferences and tastes or to developments in new forms of media and marketing. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Innovation faces inherent risks, and the new products we introduce may not be successful, while competitors may be able to respond more quickly than we can to emerging trends, such as the increasing consumer preference for “craft beers” produced by similar microbreweries.

Additionally, the absence of level playing fields in some markets and the lack of transparency, or even certain unfair or illegal practices, such as tax evasion and corruption, may skew the competitive environment in favor of our competitors with material adverse effects on our profitability or ability to operate.

The ability of our subsidiaries to distribute cash upstream may be subject to various conditions and limitations.

To a large extent, we are organized as a holding company and our operations are carried out through subsidiaries. Our domestic and foreign subsidiaries’ and affiliated companies’ ability to upstream or distribute cash (to be used, among other things, to meet our financial obligations) through dividends, intercompany advances, management fees and other payments is, to a large extent, dependent on the availability of cash flows at the level of such domestic and foreign subsidiaries and affiliated companies and may be restricted by applicable laws and accounting principles. In particular, 28.8% (USD 13.1 billion) of our total revenue of USD 45.5 billion in 2016 came from our Brazilian listed subsidiary, Ambev, which is not wholly owned and is listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. In addition to the above, some of our subsidiaries are subject to laws restricting their ability to pay dividends or the amount of dividends they may pay. If we are not able to obtain sufficient cash flows from our domestic and foreign subsidiaries and affiliated companies, this could adversely impact our ability to pay dividends, and otherwise negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Transfers from Subsidiaries” for further information in this respect.

An inability to reduce costs could affect profitability.

Our future success and earnings growth depend in part on our ability to be efficient in producing, advertising and selling our products and services. A number of our subsidiaries are in the process of executing a major cost-saving and efficiency program and we are pursuing a number of initiatives to improve operational efficiency. If we fail for any reason to successfully complete these measures and programs as planned or to derive the expected benefits from these measures and programs, there is a risk of increased costs associated with these efforts, delays in benefit realization, disruption to the business, reputational damage or a reduced competitive advantage in the medium term. Failure to generate significant cost savings and margin improvement through these initiatives could adversely affect our profitability and our ability to achieve our financial goals.

We are exposed to developing market risks, including the risks of devaluation, nationalization and inflation.

A substantial proportion of our operations are carried out in developing markets, representing approximately 52.8% of our 2016 revenue, which include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, Ukraine and Zambia.

Our operations and equity investments in these markets are subject to the customary risks of operating in developing countries, which include political instability or insurrection, external interference, financial risks, changes in government policy, political and economic changes, changes in the relations between countries, actions of governmental authorities affecting trade and foreign investment, regulations on repatriation of funds, interpretation and application of local laws and regulations, enforceability of intellectual property and contract rights, local labor conditions and regulations, lack of upkeep of public infrastructure, potential political and economic uncertainty, application of exchange controls, nationalization or expropriation, empowerment legislation and policy, corrupt business environments, crime and lack of law enforcement. Such factors could affect our results by causing

interruptions to our operations or by increasing the costs of operating in those countries or by limiting our ability to repatriate profits from those countries. The financial risks of operating in developing markets also include risks of illiquidity, inflation (for example, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey and Russia have periodically experienced extremely high rates of inflation), devaluation (see “—Our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates”) (for example, the Brazilian, Argentine, Colombian, Peruvian, Turkish and several African currencies have been devalued frequently during the last several decades), price volatility, currency convertibility and country default.

In particular, the results of our Argentinian operations have been significantly impacted in U.S. dollar terms in recent years by political instability, fluctuations in the Argentine economy (such as the devaluation of the Argentine peso in December 2015), governmental actions concerning the economy of Argentina (such as Argentina’s selective default on its restructured debt in July 2014), inflation and deteriorating macroeconomic conditions in the country. Our subsidiary Ambev indirectly owns 100% of the issued share capital of a holding company with operating subsidiaries in Argentina and other South American countries. Continued deterioration of the Argentine economy, or new foreign exchange, export repatriation or expropriation regimes could adversely affect our liquidity and ability to access funds from Argentina, our financial condition and operating results. Further devaluations of the Argentine peso (or the functional currencies of other of our operations) in the future, if any, may also decrease our net assets in Argentina (and other of our operations), with a balancing entry in our equity.

These various factors could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, the economies of developing countries are often affected by developments in other developing market countries and, accordingly, adverse changes in developing markets elsewhere in the world could have a negative impact on the markets in which we operate. Due to our geographic mix, these factors could affect us more than our competitors with less exposure to developing markets, and any general decline in developing markets as a whole could impact us disproportionately compared to our competitors.

We rely on the reputation of our brands.

Our success depends on our ability to maintain and enhance the image and reputation of our existing products and to develop a favorable image and reputation for new products. The image and reputation of our products may be reduced in the future and concerns about product quality, even when unfounded, could tarnish the image and reputation of our products. An event, or series of events, that materially damages the reputation of one or more of our brands could have an adverse effect on the value of that brand and subsequent revenues from that brand or business. Restoring the image and reputation of our products may be costly and may not be possible.

Moreover, our marketing efforts are subject to restrictions on the permissible advertising style, media and messages used. In a number of countries, for example, television is a prohibited medium for advertising beer and other alcoholic beverage products, and in other countries, television advertising, while permitted, is carefully regulated. Any additional restrictions in such countries, or the introduction of similar restrictions in other countries, may constrain our brand building potential and thus reduce the value of our brands and related revenues.

Negative publicity, perceived health risks and associated government regulation may harm our business.

Media coverage, and publicity generally, can exert significant influence on consumer behavior and actions. If the social acceptability of beer, other alcoholic beverages or soft drinks were to decline significantly, sales of our products could decrease materially. In recent years, there has been increased public and political attention directed at the alcoholic beverage and food and soft drinks industries. This attention is the result of health concerns related to the harmful use of alcohol, including drunk driving, excessive, abusive and underage drinking and drinking while pregnant, as well as health concerns such as obesity and diabetes related to the overconsumption of food and soft drinks. Negative publicity regarding beer, other alcoholic beverage or soft drink consumption, publication of studies that indicate a significant health risk from the consumption of beer, other alcoholic beverages or soft drinks, or changes in consumer perceptions in relation to beer, other alcoholic beverages or soft drinks generally could adversely affect the sale and consumption of our products and could harm our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition as consumers and customers change their purchasing patterns.

For example, in May 2013, the World Health Assembly endorsed the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) 2013–2020. The harmful use of alcohol has been cited as a risk factor for NCDs. The action plan for NCDs calls for at least a 10% relative reduction in the harmful use of alcohol, as appropriate, within national contexts. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, approved in September 2015, also aim to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

We may also be subject to laws and regulations aimed at reducing the availability of beer and other alcoholic beverage products in some of our markets to address alcohol abuse and other social issues. Concerns over alcohol abuse and underage drinking have also caused governments, including those in Argentina, Belgium, Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Panama, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, the Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine, among others, to consider measures such as increased taxation (see “—The beer and beverage industry may be subject to adverse changes in taxation”), implementation of minimum alcohol pricing regimes or other changes to the regulatory framework governing our marketing and other commercial practices. For example, in December 2016, a ruling by the Supreme Court of India prohibited the sale of alcohol within 500 meters of all national and state highways in India effective 1 April 2017. Additional regulatory restrictions on our business, such as those on alcohol advertising, opening hours, drinking ages or marketing activities (including the marketing or selling of beer at sporting events), may cause the social acceptability of beer, other alcoholic beverages or soft drinks to decline significantly and consumption trends to shift away from these products, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Moreover, key brand names are used by us, our subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, and are licensed to third-party brewers. To the extent we or one of our subsidiaries, associates, joint ventures or licensees are subject to negative publicity, and the negative publicity causes consumers and customers to change their purchasing patterns, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. As a significant portion of our operations occur in developing and growth markets, there is a greater risk that we may be subject to negative publicity, in particular in relation to labor rights and local work conditions. Negative publicity that materially damages the reputation of one or more of our brands could have an adverse effect on the value of that brand and subsequent revenues from that brand or business, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Seasonal consumption cycles and adverse weather conditions may result in fluctuations in demand for our products.

Seasonal consumption cycles and adverse weather conditions in the markets in which we operate may have an impact on our operations. This is particularly true in the summer months, when unseasonably cool or wet weather can affect sales volumes. Demand for beer is normally more depressed in our major markets in the Northern Hemisphere during the first and fourth quarters of each year, and our consolidated net revenue from those markets is therefore normally lower during this time. Although this risk is somewhat mitigated by our relatively balanced, global footprint in both hemispheres, we are still exposed to seasonality risks, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Climate change or other environmental concerns, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change or other environmental concerns, may negatively affect our business or operations, including the availability of key production inputs.

There is a growing concern that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may have an adverse impact on global temperatures, weather and precipitation patterns and the frequency and severity of extreme weather and natural disasters. In the event that such climate change has a negative effect on agricultural productivity, we may be subject to decreased availability or less favorable pricing for certain agricultural commodities necessary for our products, such as barley, hops, sugar and corn. Climate change may also subject us to water scarcity and quality risks due to the large amounts of water required to produce our products, including water consumed in the agricultural supply chain. In the event that climate change causes water over-exploitation or has a negative effect on water availability or quality, the price of water may increase in certain areas and certain jurisdictions may enact unfavorable changes to applicable water-related taxes and regulations. Such measures, if adopted, could lead to increased regulatory pressures, production costs or capacity constraints. In addition, public expectations for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could result in increased energy, transportation and raw material costs and may require us to make additional investments in facilities and equipment due to increased regulatory pressures. As a result, the effects of climate change could have a long-term, material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

We are required to report greenhouse gas emissions, energy data and other related information to a variety of entities, and to comply with the wider obligations of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. If we are unable to measure, track and disclose information accurately and in a timely manner, we could be subject to civil penalties fornon-compliance in the various European Union member states in which we operate. In addition, the need for us to comply with the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme could result in increased operational costs if we are unable to meet our compliance obligations and exceed our emission allocations. There is also a risk of new environmental regulation in many geographies where we operate, including the European Union, U.S., Mexico and China, among others. For example, in May 2014, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China issued a plan that sets compulsory reduction goals related to pollutant emissions, energy consumption and carbon emissions that could require additional investment, business capabilities or operational changes.

More generally, our operations are subject to environmental regulations by national, state and local agencies, including, in certain cases, regulations that impose liability without regard to fault. These regulations can result in liability that might adversely affect our operations. The environmental regulatory climate in the markets in which we operate is becoming stricter, with a greater emphasis on enforcement. While we have continuously invested in reducing our environmental risks and budgeted for future capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance with environmental laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that we will not incur a substantial environmental liability or that applicable environmental laws and regulations will not change or become more stringent in the future.

If any of our products is defective or found to contain contaminants, we may be subject to product recalls or other liabilities.

We take precautions to ensure that our beverage products and our associated packaging materials (such as bottles, crowns, cans and other containers) meet accepted food safety and regulatory standards. Such precautions include quality-control programs and various technologies for primary materials, the production process and our final products. We have established procedures to correct issues or concerns that are detected.

In the event that any failure to comply with accepted food safety and regulatory standards (such as a contamination or a defect) does occur in the future, it may lead to business interruptions, product recalls or liability, each of which could have an adverse effect on our business, reputation, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Although we maintain insurance against certain product liability (but not product recall) risks, we may not be able to enforce our rights in respect of these policies, and, in the event that contamination or a defect occurs, any amounts that we recover may not be sufficient to offset any damage we may suffer, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights.

Our future success depends significantly on our ability to protect our current and future brands and products and to defend our intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents, domain names, trade secrets andknow-how. We have been granted numerous trademark registrations and patents covering our brands and products and have filed, and expect to continue to file, trademark and patent applications seeking to protect newly developed brands and products. We cannot be sure that trademark and patent registrations will be issued with respect to any of our applications. There is also a risk that we could, by omission, fail to renew a trademark or patent on a timely basis or that our competitors will challenge, invalidate or circumvent any existing or future trademarks and patents issued to, or licensed by, us.

Although we have taken appropriate action to protect our portfolio of intellectual property rights (including patent applications, trademark registration and domain names), we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will be sufficient or that third parties will not infringe upon or misappropriate proprietary rights. Moreover, some of the countries in which we operate offer less effective intellectual property protection than is available in Europe or the United States. If we are unable to protect our proprietary rights against infringement or misappropriation, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition and, in particular, on our ability to develop our business.

We rely on key third parties, including key suppliers, and the termination or modification of the arrangements with such third parties could negatively affect our business.

We rely on third-party suppliers for a range of raw materials for our beer andnon-beer products, such as malted barley, corn grits, corn syrup, rice, hops, water, flavored concentrate, fruit concentrate, sugar and sweeteners, and for packaging material, such as glass, PET and aluminum bottles, aluminum or steel cans and kegs, labels, plastic crates, metal and plastic closures, folding cartons, cardboard products and plastic films.

We seek to limit our exposure to market fluctuations in the supply of these raw materials by entering into medium- and long-term fixed-price arrangements. We have a limited number of suppliers of aluminum cans and glass bottles. Consolidation of the aluminum can industry and glass bottle industry in certain markets in which we operate has reduced local supply alternatives and increased the risk of disruption to aluminum can and glass bottle supplies. Although we generally have other suppliers of raw materials and packaging materials, the termination of or material change to arrangements with certain key suppliers, disagreements with suppliers as to payment or other terms, or the failure of a key supplier to meet the contractual obligations it owes to us or otherwise deliver materials consistent with current usage would or may require us to make purchases from alternative suppliers, in each case at potentially higher prices or lower quality than those agreed with that supplier. Additionally, we may be subject to potential reputational

damage if one of our suppliers violates applicable laws or regulations.regulations or our policies. These factors could have a material impact on our production, distribution and sale of beer, other alcoholic beverages and soft drinks and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

A number of our key brand names are both licensed to third-party brewers and used by companies over which we do not have control. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—8. Licensing.” If we are unable to maintain such arrangements on favorable terms, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

We monitor brewing quality to ensure our high standards, but, to the extent that one of these key licensed brand names is subject to negative publicity, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

For certain packaging supplies and raw materials, we rely on a small number of important suppliers. In addition, certain of our subsidiaries may purchase nearly all of their key packaging materials from sole suppliers under multi-year contracts. The loss of or temporary discontinuity of supply from any of these suppliers without sufficient time to develop an alternative source could cause us to spend increased amounts on such supplies in the future. If these suppliers became unable to continue to meet our requirements, and we are unable to develop alternative sources of supply, our operations and financial results could be adversely affected.

We may be unsuccessful in the implementation of future acquisitions, investments or joint ventures or alliances.

In the past, we have made acquisitions of, investments in and joint ventures and similar arrangements with other companies and businesses. Much of our growth in recent years is attributable to such transactions, including the combination with SAB in 2016, the combination of AB InBev and Grupo Modelo in 2013, the combination of InBev and Anheuser-Busch Companies in 2008 and the combination of Interbrew S.A. and Ambev in 2004.

We will need to identify suitable acquisition targets and agree on the terms with them if we are to make further acquisitions. Our size, contractual limitations to which we are subject and our position in the markets in which we operate may make it harder to identify suitable targets, including because it may be harder for us to obtain regulatory approval for future transactions. If appropriate opportunities do become available, we may seek to acquire or invest in other businesses; however, any future acquisition may pose regulatory, antitrust and other risks.

In addition, after completion of any transaction in the future, we may be required to integrate the acquired companies, businesses or operations into our existing operations. Such transactions may also involve the assumption of certain actual or potential, known or unknown liabilities, which may have a potential impact on our financial risk profile. These risks and limitations may limit our ability to implement our global strategy and our ability to achieve future business growth.

The ability of our subsidiaries to distribute cash upstream may be subject to various conditions and limitations.

To a large extent, we are organized as a holding company and our operations are carried out through subsidiaries. Our domestic and foreign subsidiaries’ and affiliated companies’ ability to upstream or distribute cash (to be used, among other things, to meet our financial obligations) through dividends, intercompany advances, management fees and other payments is, to a large extent, dependent on the availability of cash flows at the level of such domestic and foreign subsidiaries and affiliated companies and may be restricted by applicable laws and accounting principles. In particular, 25.3% (USD 13.8 billion) of our total revenue of USD 54.6 billion in 2018 came from our Brazilian listed subsidiary, Ambev, which is not wholly owned and is listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. In addition to the above, some of our subsidiaries are subject to laws restricting their ability to pay dividends or the amount of dividends they may pay. If we are not able to obtain sufficient cash flows from our domestic and foreign subsidiaries and affiliated companies, this could adversely impact our ability to pay dividends, and otherwise negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Transfers from Subsidiaries” for further information in this respect.

An inability to reduce costs could affect our profitability, and, in particular we may not be able to fully realize all of the anticipated benefits and synergies of the combination with SAB.

Our future success and earnings growth depend in part on our ability to be efficient in producing, advertising and selling our products and services. A number of our subsidiaries are in the process of executing a major cost-saving and efficiency program and we are pursuing a number of initiatives to improve operational efficiency.

In particular, achieving the full anticipated advantages of the combination with SAB depends on the continued efficient combination of our activities with SAB, which continues to involve costs and uncertainties. For example, the combination with SAB increased our exposure to certain risks, including the challenge of continuing to develop collaborative relationships with SAB’s former partners in Eurasian and African countries in order to ensure that decisions are taken in such partnerships which promote our strategic and business objectives.

Furthermore, we are party to an agreement with Altria Group, Inc. (“Altria”), pursuant to which we provide assistance andco-operation to and give certain representations, indemnities and undertakings to Altria in relation to certain matters relevant to Altria under U.S. tax legislation (as amended from time to time, the “Tax Matters Agreement”). This agreement imposes some limits on our ability to effect certain reorganizations we might otherwise consider. See “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SAB—Tax Matters Agreement” for more information.

If we fail for any reason to successfully complete our cost-saving measures and programs as planned or to derive the expected benefits from these measures and programs, including if we fail to realize the full anticipated synergies of the combination with SAB, there is a risk of increased costs associated with these efforts, delays in benefit realization, disruption to the business, reputational damage or a reduced competitive advantage in the medium term. Failure to generate significant cost savings and margin improvement through these initiatives could adversely affect our profitability and our ability to achieve our financial goals.

We are exposed to developing market risks, including the risks of devaluation, nationalization and inflation.

A substantial proportion of our operations are carried out in developing markets, representing approximately 56.9% of our 2018 revenue, which include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia.

Our operations and equity investments in these markets are subject to the customary risks of operating in developing countries, which include political instability or insurrection, external interference, financial risks, changes in government policy, political and economic changes, changes in the relations between countries, actions of governmental authorities affecting trade and foreign investment, regulations on repatriation of funds, interpretation and application of local laws and regulations, enforceability of intellectual property and contract rights, local labor conditions and regulations, lack of upkeep of public infrastructure, potential political and economic uncertainty, application of exchange controls, nationalization or expropriation, empowerment legislation and policy, corrupt business environments, crime and lack of law enforcement. Such factors could affect our results by causing interruptions to our operations or by increasing the costs of operating in those countries or by limiting our ability to repatriate profits from those countries. The financial risks of operating in developing markets also include risks of illiquidity, inflation (for example, Brazil and Argentina have periodically experienced extremely high rates of inflation), devaluation (see “—Our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates.”) (for example, the Brazilian, Argentine, Colombian, Peruvian, Turkish and several African currencies have been devalued frequently during the last several decades), price volatility, currency convertibility and country default.

In particular, the results of our Argentinian operations have been significantly impacted in U.S. dollar terms in recent years by political instability, fluctuations in the Argentine economy (such as the devaluation of the Argentine peso in May and August 2018), governmental actions concerning the economy of Argentina (such as Argentina’s selective default on its restructured debt in July 2014), inflation and deteriorating macroeconomic conditions in the country. Our subsidiary Ambev indirectly owns 100% of the issued share capital of a holding company with operating subsidiaries in Argentina and other South American countries. Continued deterioration of the Argentine economy, or new foreign exchange, export repatriation or expropriation regimes could adversely affect our liquidity and ability to access funds from Argentina, our financial condition and operating results. Further devaluations of the Argentine peso (or the functional currencies of other of our operations) in the future, if any, may also decrease our net assets in Argentina (and other of our operations), with a balancing entry in our equity. For further discussion of the risks imposed by hyperinflation in Argentina, see “—Our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates.”

These various factors could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, the economies of developing countries are often affected by developments in other developing market countries and, accordingly, adverse changes in developing markets elsewhere in the world could have a negative impact on the markets in which we operate. Due to our geographic mix, these factors could affect us more than our competitors with less exposure to developing markets, and any general decline in developing markets as a whole could impact us disproportionately compared to our competitors.

We rely on the reputation of our brands.

Our success depends on our ability to maintain and enhance the image and reputation of our existing products and to develop a favorable image and reputation for new products. The image and reputation of our products may be reduced in the future and concerns about product quality, even when unfounded, could tarnish the image and reputation of our products. An event, or series of events, that materially damages the reputation of one or more of our brands could have an adverse effect on the value of that brand and subsequent revenues from that brand or business. Restoring the image and reputation of our products may be costly and may not be possible.

Moreover, our marketing efforts are subject to restrictions on the permissible advertising style, media and messages used. In a number of countries, for example, television is a prohibited medium for advertising beer and other alcoholic beverage products, and in other countries, television advertising, while permitted, is carefully regulated. Any additional restrictions in such countries, or the introduction of similar restrictions in other countries, may constrain our brand building potential and thus reduce the value of our brands and related revenues.

Competition and changing consumer preferences could lead to a reduction in our margins, increase costs and adversely affect our profitability.

We compete with both brewers and other drinks companies and our products compete with other beverages. Globally, brewers, as well as other players in the beverage industry, compete mainly on the basis of brand image, price, quality, distribution networks and customer service. Consolidation has significantly increased the capital base and geographic reach of our competitors in some of the markets in which we operate, and competition is expected to increase further as the trend towards consolidation among companies in the beverage industry continues. Consolidation activity has also increased along our distribution channels—in the case of bothon-trade points of sale, such as pub companies, andoff-trade retailers, such as supermarkets. Such consolidation could increase the purchasing power of players in our distribution channels. For more information, see “—Certain of our operations depend on independent distributors or wholesalers to sell our products, and we may be unable to replace distributors or acquire interests in wholesalers or distributors. In addition, we may be adversely impacted by the consolidation of retailers.”

Concurrently, competition in the beverage industry is expanding and the market is becoming more fragmented, complex and sophisticated as consumer preferences and tastes change. Such preferences can change rapidly and in unpredictable ways due to a variety of factors, including changing levels of health consciousness among target consumers (including concerns about obesity and alcohol consumption), changes in prevailing economic conditions, changes in the demographicmake-up of target consumers, changing social trends and attitudes regarding alcoholic beverages, changes in travel, vacation or leisure activity patterns, negative publicity resulting from regulatory action or litigation against us or comparable companies or a downturn in economic conditions. Furthermore, developments in the regulatory frameworks governing the usage of cannabis could result in shifts in consumer preference and the impact that cannabis legalization could have on alcohol sales remains unclear. Consumers also may begin to prefer the products of competitors or may generally reduce their demand for products in the category.

Competition with brewers and producers of alternative beverages in our various markets and an increase in the purchasing power of players in our distribution channels could cause us to reduce pricing, increase capital investment, increase marketing and other expenditures and/or prevent us from increasing prices to recover higher costs, thereby causing us to reduce margins or lose market share. Further, we may not be able to anticipate or respond adequately either to changes in consumer preferences and tastes or to developments in new forms of media and marketing. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Innovation faces inherent risks, and the new products we introduce may not be successful, while competitors may be able to respond more quickly than we can to emerging trends, such as the increasing consumer preference for “craft beers” produced by microbreweries.

Additionally, the absence of level playing fields in some markets and the lack of transparency, or even certain unfair or illegal practices, such as tax evasion and corruption, may skew the competitive environment in favor of our competitors with material adverse effects on our profitability or ability to operate.

If any of our products is defective or found to contain contaminants, we may be subject to product recalls or other liabilities.

We take precautions to ensure that our beverage products and our associated packaging materials (such as bottles, crowns, cans and other containers) meet accepted food safety and regulatory standards. Such precautions include quality-control programs and various technologies for primary materials, the production process and our final products. We have established procedures to correct issues or concerns that are detected.

In the event that any failure to comply with accepted food safety and regulatory standards (such as a contamination or a defect) does occur in the future, it may lead to business interruptions, product recalls or liability, each of which could have an adverse effect on our business, reputation, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Although we maintain insurance against certain product liability (but not product recall) risks, we may not be able to enforce our rights in respect of these policies, and, in the event that contamination or a defect occurs, any amounts that we recover may not be sufficient to offset any damage we may suffer, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Negative publicity, perceived health risks and associated government regulation may harm our business.

In recent years, there has been increased public and political attention directed at the alcoholic beverage and food and soft drinks industries. This attention is the result of a rising health and well-being trend that is reshaping the entire food and drinks industry and of fiscal concerns as health costs become an increasingly important component of public finances in some markets. In the long term, this trend represents a risk for our business if it results in the social acceptance of our products being diminished.

The global policy framework shaping the regulatory space for our products has evolved and the expectations of our stakeholders continue to increase. We welcome the opportunity to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. Despite the progress made on our Smart Drinking Goals, we may be criticized and experience an increase in the number of publications and studies debating our efforts to reduce the harmful consumption of alcohol, as advocates try to shape the public discussions.

We may also be subject to laws and regulations aimed at reducing the affordability or availability of beer in some of our markets. Although public health concerns over harmful consumption of alcohol are frequently cited as the rationale for governments to increase beer taxation, fiscal needs or the lobbying of other alcohol categories are often also drivers. Additional regulatory restrictions on our business, such as those on opening hours or marketing activities (including the marketing or selling of beer at sporting events), may cause the social acceptability of beer to decline significantly and consumption trends to shift away from it, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Moreover, key brand names are used by us, our subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, and are licensed to third-party brewers. To the extent we or one of our subsidiaries, associates, joint ventures or licensees are subject to negative publicity, and the negative publicity causes consumers and customers to change their purchasing patterns, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. As a significant portion of our operations occur in developing and growth markets, there is a greater risk that we may be subject to negative publicity, in particular in relation to environmental issues, labor rights and local work conditions. Negative publicity that materially damages the reputation of one or more of our brands could have an adverse effect on the value of that brand and subsequent revenues from that brand or business, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Climate change or other environmental concerns, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change or other environmental concerns, may negatively affect our business or operations, including the availability of key production inputs.

There is a growing concern that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may have an adverse impact on global temperatures, weather and precipitation patterns and the frequency and severity of extreme weather and natural disasters. In the event that such climate change has a negative effect on agricultural productivity, we may be subject to decreased availability or less favorable pricing for certain agricultural commodities necessary for our products, such as barley, hops, sugar and corn. Climate change may also subject us to water scarcity and quality risks due to the large amounts of water required to produce our products, including water consumed in the agricultural supply chain. In the event that climate change causes water over-exploitation or has a negative effect on water availability or quality, the price of water may increase in certain areas and certain jurisdictions may enact unfavorable changes to applicable water-related taxes and regulations. Such measures, if adopted, could lead to increased regulatory pressures, production costs or capacity constraints. In addition, public expectations for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could result in increased energy, transportation and raw material costs and may require us to make additional investments in facilities and equipment due to increased regulatory pressures. As a result, the effects of climate change could have a long-term, material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

We are required to report greenhouse gas emissions, energy data and other related information to a variety of entities, and to comply with the wider obligations of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. If we are unable to measure, track and disclose information accurately and in a timely manner, we could be subject to civil penalties fornon-compliance in the various European Union member states in which we operate. In addition, the need for us to comply with the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme could result in increased operational costs if we are unable to meet our compliance obligations and exceed our emission allocations. There is also a risk of new environmental regulation in many geographies where we operate, including the European Union, U.S., Mexico and China, among others.

More generally, our operations are subject to environmental regulations by national, state and local agencies, including, in certain cases, regulations that impose liability without regard to fault. These regulations can result in liability that might adversely affect our operations. The environmental regulatory climate in the markets in which we operate is becoming stricter, with a greater emphasis on enforcement. While we have continuously invested in reducing our environmental risks and budgeted for future capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance with environmental laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that we will not incur a substantial environmental liability or that applicable environmental laws and regulations will not change or become more stringent in the future.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights.

Our future success depends significantly on our ability to protect our current and future brands and products and to defend our intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents, domain names, trade secrets andknow-how. We have been granted numerous trademark registrations and patents covering our brands and products and have filed, and expect to continue to file, trademark and patent applications seeking to protect newly developed brands and products. We cannot be sure that trademark and patent registrations will be issued with respect to any of our applications. There is also a risk that we could, by omission, fail to renew a trademark or patent on a timely basis or that our competitors will challenge, invalidate or circumvent any existing or future trademarks and patents issued to, or licensed by, us.

Although we have taken appropriate action to protect our portfolio of intellectual property rights (including patent applications, trademark registration and domain names), we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will be sufficient or that third parties will not infringe upon or misappropriate proprietary rights. Moreover, some of the countries in which we operate offer less effective intellectual property protection than is available in Europe or the United States. If we are unable to protect our proprietary rights against infringement or misappropriation, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition and, in particular, on our ability to develop our business.

We could incur significant costs as a result of compliance with, and/or violations of or liabilities under, various regulations that govern our operations.

Our business is highly regulated in many of the countries in which we or our licensed third parties operate. The regulations adopted by the authorities in these countries govern many parts of our operations, including brewing, marketing and advertising (in particular to ensure our advertising is directed to individuals of legal drinking age), consumer promotions and rebates, environmental protection, transportation, distributor relationships, retail execution, sales and sales.data privacy. We may be subject to claims that we have not complied with existing laws and regulations, which could result in fines and penalties or loss of operating licenses.

We are also routinely subject to new or modified laws and regulations with which we must comply in order to avoid claims, fines and other penalties, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. For example, we are subject to the General Data Protection Regulation adopted in the European Union in April 2016, which was fully implemented in all member states in May 2018. Breach of any of these laws or regulations can lead to significant fines and/or damage to our reputation, as well as significantly restrict our ability to deliver on our digital productivity and growth plans.

The partnership between Labatt, the Canadian subsidiary of our subsidiary Ambev, and Tilray to researchnon-alcohol beverages containing tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, both derived from cannabis, could lead to increased legal, reputational and financial risks. While this partnership is currently limited to research in Canada, the laws and regulations governing recreational cannabis are still developing, including in ways that we may not foresee. For instance, the involvement in the legal cannabis industry in Canada may invite new regulatory and enforcement scrutiny in other markets. Cannabis remains illegal in many markets in which we operate, and violations of law could result in significant fines, penalties, administrative sanctions, convictions or settlements arising from civil proceedings or criminal charges. Furthermore, the political environment and popular support for cannabis legalization is changing quickly and remains in flux.

We may also be subject to laws and regulations aimed at reducing the availability of beer and other alcoholic beverage products in some of our markets to address alcohol abuse and other social issues, seeissues. See “—Negative publicity, perceived health risks and associated government regulation may harm our business.” There can be no assurance that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in connection with compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, or that such regulation will not interfere with our beer, other alcoholic beverage and soft drinks businesses.

For further detail regarding common regulations and restrictions on us, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—11. Regulations Affecting Our Business” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Governmental Regulations.”

We are exposed to the risk of litigation.

We are now and may in the future be party to legal proceedings and claims and significant damages may be asserted against us. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—H. Contractual Obligations and Contingencies—Contingencies” and note 32 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016,2018, for a description of certain material contingencies which we believe are reasonably possible (but not probable) to be realized. Given the inherent uncertainty of litigation, it is possible that we might incur liabilities as a consequence of the proceedings and claims brought against us, including those that are not currently believed by us to be reasonably possible.

Moreover, companies in the alcoholic beverage industry and soft drink industry – including our operations – are, from time to time, exposed to collective suits (class actions) or other litigation relating to alcohol advertising, alcohol abuse problems or health consequences from the excessive consumption of beer, other alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. As an illustration, we and certain other beer and other alcoholic beverage producers from Brazil, Canada, Europe and the United States have been involved in class actions and other litigation seeking damages for, among other things, alleged marketing of alcoholic beverages to underage consumers. If any of these types of litigation were to result in fines, damages or reputational damage to us or our brands, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial position. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings.”

Our failure to satisfy our obligations under the Grupo ModeloSAB settlement agreement could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

The settlement agreement we reached with the U.S. Department of Justice in relation to the combination with Grupo Modelo includes certain transition services agreements as well as certain distribution guarantees for Constellation Brands, Inc. in the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia and Guam. Our compliance with our obligations under the settlement agreement is monitored by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Monitoring Trustee appointed by it. Were we to fail to fulfill our obligations under the settlement, whether intentionally or inadvertently, we could be subject to monetary fines. See “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Grupo Modelo Settlement Agreement.”

Our failure to satisfy our obligations under the SABMiller settlement agreement could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice in relation to the Transactioncombination with SAB on 20 July 2016. As part of this consent decree, we agreed (i) not to acquire control of a distributor if doing so would result in more than 10% of our U.S. annual volume being distributed through majority owned distributorships in the U.S., (ii) not to terminate any wholesalers as a result of the Transaction,combination with SAB, (iii) to review and modify certain aspects of our U.S. sales programs and policies to ensure that we do not limit the ability and incentives of independent distributors to sell and promote third-party brewers’ products and (iv) to notify the U.S. Department of Justice at least 30 days prior to the consummation of any acquisition of a beer brewer, importer, distributor or brand owner deriving more than USD 7.5 million in annual gross revenue from beer sold for further resale in the United States or from license fees generated by such sales, subject to certain exceptions. The consent decree will expire ten years after its approvalwas approved and entered by the U.S. federal district court in the District of Columbia unlesson 22 October 2018. Unless the court grants an extension.extension, the consent decree will expire on 20 July 2026 (ten (10) years after the U.S. Department of Justice filed its complaint); however, the consent decree may be terminated at any time after 22 October 2023 upon notice by the U.S. Department of Justice to the court that continuation of the consent decree is no longer necessary or in the public interest. Our compliance with our obligations under the settlement agreement is monitored by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Monitoring Trustee appointed by it. Were we to fail to fulfill our obligations under the settlement, whether intentionally or inadvertently, we could be subject to monetary fines.fines or other penalties. Our obligations under the settlement agreement (in particular the restrictions on our U.S. sales programs and policies) may also adversely impact our U.S. operations.

In other jurisdictions, we were required to make certain divestitures and to fulfill a number of other commitments as a condition to receiving regulatory clearance for the Transaction,combination with SAB, and we are now in the process of fulfilling these commitments. For more information on commitments related to the Transaction,combination with SAB, see “—We are exposed to antitrust and competition laws in certain jurisdictions and the risk of changes in such laws or in the interpretation and enforcement of existing antitrust and competition laws. In addition, the Transaction has been subject to the review and authorization ofin connection with our previous acquisitions, various regulatory authorities which have previously imposed conditions with which we are required to comply.”

The beer and beverage industryWe may be subject to adverse changes in taxation.

Taxation on beer, other alcoholic beverage and soft drinkour products in the countries in which we operate is comprised of different taxes specific to each jurisdiction, such as excise and other indirect taxes (such as VAT)value-added tax (“VAT”)). In many jurisdictions, excise and other indirectthese taxes and duties, including additional duties resulting from legislation regarding minimum alcohol pricing, make up a large proportion of the cost of beer charged to customers.consumers. Increases in excise and other indirect taxes applicable to our products either on an absolute basis or relative to the levels applicable to other beverages tend to adversely affect our revenue or margins, both by reducing overall consumption of our products and by encouraging consumers to switch to other categories of beverages.beverages, including unrecorded or informal alcohol products. These increases also adversely affect the affordability of our products and our profitability. In recent years, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Singapore and Singapore,Argentina among others, increased beer excise taxes.

In Russia, between 2009 and 2016, the beer excise rate increased nearly tenfold—from RUB 3/liter to RUB 20/liter. Similarly, in Ukraine, between 2013 and 2017, the beer excise tax increased 219.5% from UAH 0.87/liter in 2013 to UAH 2.78/liter in January 2017. These tax Tax increases have resultedcan result in significant price increases in both countries,and have had a significant impact on our sales of beer in those countries, and may continue to do so.beer. See “—Negative publicity, perceived health risks and associated government regulation may harm our business.”

In the United States, the brewing industry is subject to significant taxation. The U.S. federal government currently levies an excise tax of USD 18 per barrel (equivalent to approximately 117 liters) on beer sold for consumption in the United States.States of USD 16 per barrel (equivalent to approximately 117 liters) for the first six million barrels and USD 18 per barrel thereafter. All states also levy excise and/or sales taxes on alcoholic beverages. From time to time, there are proposals to increase these taxes, and in the future, these taxes could increase. Increases in excise taxes on alcohol could adversely affect our United States business and its profitability.

In addition to excise taxes, additional charges may be levied in relation to tax stamps and other forms of fiscal marking. In the last year we have seen a strong pressure to introduce costly and ineffective fiscal marking systems in several African markets. The cost of these marking schemes could adversely affect our businesses in the relevant countries (including their profitability).

Minimum pricing is another form of fiscal regulation that could affect our profitability. In 2012, the Scottish government legislated to introduce a minimum unit price for alcoholic beverages; the legality of this measure was upheld by the Scottish Court of Session in October 2016 after referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union in December 2015. The decision of the Court of Session is currently being appealed to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. In October 2013, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland decided to implement a cross-border minimum unit price for alcoholic beverages calculated on a sale price per gram of alcohol, although the question of legality under the laws of the European Union remains to be determined.

Proposals to increase excise or other indirect taxes including legislation regarding minimum alcohol pricing, may result from the current economic climate and may also be influenced by changes in public perceptions regarding the consumption of beer and other alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.beverages. To the extent that the effect of the tax reforms described above or other proposed changes to excise and other indirect duties in the countries in which we operate is to increase the total burden of indirect taxation on our products, our results of operations in those countries could be adversely affected.

In addition to excise and other indirect duties, we are subject to income and other taxes in the countries in which we operate. There can be no assurance that the operations of our breweries and other facilities will not become subject to increased taxation by local, national local or foreign authorities or that we and our subsidiaries will not become subject to higher corporate income tax rates or to new or modified taxation regulations and requirements.

For example, the work being carried out by the OrganisationOrganization for EconomicCo-operation and Development on base erosion and profit shifting and initiatives at the European Union level (including theanti-tax avoidance directive adopted by the Council of the European Union on 12 July 2016) as a response to increasing globalization of trade and business operations could result in changes in tax treaties, the introduction of new legislation, updates to existing legislation, or changes to regulatory interpretations of existing legislation, any of which could impose additional taxes on businesses. Furthermore, the U.S. tax reform legislation signed on 22 December 2017 (Public Law115-97) (the “Tax Act”), known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, brings major tax legislation changes into law. While the Tax Act reduces the statutory rate of U.S. federal corporate income tax to 21% and provides an exemption for certain dividends from 10%-owned foreign subsidiaries, the Tax Act expands the tax base by introducing further limitations on deductibility of interest, the imposition of a “base erosion and anti-abuse tax” and the imposition of minimum tax for “global intangiblelow-tax income,” among other changes which would adversely impact our results of operations. The overall impact of the Tax Act also depends on the future interpretations and regulations that may be issued by U.S. tax authorities, and it is possible that future guidance could adversely impact us.

Additionally, international global climate change negotiations and other international treaties, such as the Montreal Protocol, increasingly encourage countries to introduce regulations and other measures to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon taxes. For more information on environmental regulations and taxation, see “—Climate change or other environmental concerns, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change or other environmental concerns, may negatively affect our business or operations, including the availability of key production inputs.” Any such increases or changes in taxation would tend to adversely impact our results of operations.

We are exposed to antitrust and competition laws in certain jurisdictions and the risk of changes in such laws or in the interpretation and enforcement of existing antitrust and competition laws. In addition, the Transaction has been subject to the review and authorization ofin connection with our previous acquisitions, various regulatory authorities which have previously imposed conditions with which we are required to comply.

We are subject to antitrust and competition laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Consequently, we may be subject to regulatory scrutiny in certain of these jurisdictions. For instance, in June 2016, the European Commission announced an investigation into alleged abuse of a dominant position by us in Belgium and our Brazilian listed subsidiary, Ambev,on 30 November 2017, the European Commission informed us of its preliminary view in a Statement of Objections that these practices are an infringement and invited us to respond. The fact that a Statement of Objections has been subject to monitoring by antitrust authorities in Brazil.issued does not mean that the European Commission has concluded that there is an infringement. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings—Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV—Antitrust Matters” for more information. In addition, our Brazilian listed subsidiary, Ambev, has been subject to monitoring by antitrust authorities in Brazil. There can be no assurance that the introduction of new competition laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate, the interpretation of existing antitrust or competition laws, the enforcement of existing antitrust or competition laws by competent authorities or civil antitrust litigation by private parties, or any agreements with competent antitrust or competition authorities, against us or our subsidiaries, including Ambev, will not affect our business or the businesses of our subsidiaries in the future or have a financial impact.

We

For example, we had to obtain regulatory clearances for the Transactioncombination with SAB in a number of jurisdictions. In connection with such regulatory clearances, we completed several divestitures on 11 October 2016 following completion of the Transaction, including the divestitures of SABMiller’s interest in MillerCoors, SABMiller’s portfolio of Miller brands, SABMiller’s Peroni, Grolschover 30 jurisdictions, and Meantime brand families and SABMiller’s 49% interest in CR Snow. In addition, on 13 December 2016, we announced that we had entered into an agreement to sell the SABMiller businesses in Central and Eastern Europe (Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland) for divestiture to Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. (“Asahi”), conditional on the European Commission’s approval of Asahi as a suitable purchaser. On 15 December 2016, we announced we had entered into an agreement to sell SABMiller’s stake in Distell Group Limited, comprised of 58,674,000 ordinary shares or approximately 26.4% of Distell’s issued share capital, to the Public Investment Corporation (SOC) Limited (the “Distell Divestiture”), which remains subject to the approval of the South African competition authorities. Certaincertain regulatory authorities have imposed further conditions in connection with their approval of the Transaction,therewith, including the United States, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ecuador, Colombia, El Salvador, Australia and Moldova.

The terms and conditions of any authorizations, approvals and/or clearances obtained to date, or other actions taken by a regulatory authority following the closing of the Transactioncombination with SAB to obtain further authorizations, approvals and/or clearances may require, among other things, the divestiture of our assets or businesses to third parties, changes to our operations, restrictions on our ability to operate in certain jurisdictions, restrictions on the two businesses combining their operations in certain jurisdictions or other commitments to regulatory authorities regarding ongoing operations. Any such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business and diminish substantially the synergies and the advantages which we expect to achieve from the Transaction.combination with SAB or any subsequent M&A activity.

In addition, divestitures and other commitments made in order to obtain regulatory approvals, or our failure to comply with such commitments, may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. These or any conditions, remedies or changes also reduce the price we are able to obtain for such disposals or imposing additional costs on or limiting our revenues, any of which might have a material adverse effect on us and our results of operations.

If we do not successfully comply with applicable anti-corruption laws, export control regulations and trade restrictions, we could become subject to fines, penalties or other regulatory sanctions, as well as to adverse press coverage, which could cause our reputation, our sales or our profitability to suffer.

We operate our business and market our products in markets that, as a result of political and economic instability, a lack of well-developed legal systems and potentially corrupt business environments, present us with political, economic and operational risks. Although we are committed to conducting business in a legal and ethical manner in compliance with local and international statutory requirements and standards applicable to our business, there is a risk that employees or representatives of our subsidiaries, affiliates, associates, joint ventures or other business interests may take actions that violate applicable laws and regulations that generally prohibit the making of improper payments to foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business, including laws relating to the 1997 OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act and Brazilian Law No. 12,846/13 (an anti-bribery statute that was enacted in January 2014). Such actions could expose us to potential liability and the costs associated with investigating potential misconduct. In addition, any press coverage associated with misconduct under these laws and regulations, even if unwarranted or baseless, could damage our reputation and sales.

In respect of the FCPA, we cooperated with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with their investigations into the relationships of our current and former affiliates in India, including our formernon-consolidated Indian joint venture, which we exited during 2015. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings.” On 8 June 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice notified us that it was closing its investigation and would not be pursuing enforcement action in this matter. On 28 September 2016, we entered into a settlement agreement with the SEC, pursuant to which we agreed to pay an aggregate amount (including disgorgement and penalties) of approximately USD 6 million to the SEC and assume certain ongoing reporting and cooperation obligations, which ended on 28 September 2018.

In Brazil, governmental authorities are currently investigating consulting services provided by a firm part-owned by a former elected government official who has been convicted of corruption and racketeering by Brazil’s highest court. Our subsidiary, Ambev, has, in the past, hired the services of this consulting firm. We have reviewed our internal controls and compliance procedures in relation to these services and have not identified any evidence of misconduct.

As a global brewer, we also operate our business and market our products in countries that may be subject to export control regulations, embargoes, economic sanctions and other forms of trade restrictions imposed by the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and other participants in the international community. For example, we indirectly own, through AB InBev Efes, our combined company with Anadolu Efes, subsidiaries in

Russia and Ukraine. We do not sell directly into the Crimea region but are aware that indirect shipments may occur. In addition, certain of our associates also operate their business and market their products in countries subject to trade restrictions. For example, Anadolu Efes has an indirect interest in a Syrian soft drinks bottler and has limited distribution to Iran. Furthermore, our subsidiary Ambev operates a joint venture in Cuba with the Government of Cuba. See “—Our subsidiary Ambev operates a joint venture in Cuba, in which the Government of Cuba is its joint venture partner. Cuba remains subject to comprehensive economic and trade sanctions by the United States and Ambev’s operation in Cuba may adversely affect our reputation and the liquidity and value of our securities.”

If we or any of our associates fail to comply with economic sanctions or trade restrictions imposed by the United States, the European Union or other national or international authorities that are applicable to us or them, we may be exposed to potential legal liability and the costs associated with investigating potential misconduct, as well as potential reputational damage. Moreover, new or expanded export control regulations, economic sanctions, embargoes or other forms of trade restrictions imposed on Syria, Cuba or other countries in which we or our associates do business may curtail our existing business and may result in serious economic challenges in these geographies, which could have a material adverse effect on our and our subsidiaries’ operations, and may result in impairment charges on goodwill or other intangible assets.

Additionally, the global reach of our operations exposes us to risks associated with doing business globally, including changes in tariffs. The Office of the United States Trade Representative has enacted tariffs on certain imports into the United States from China. These tariffs could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Additionally, the U.S. federal government continues to signal that it may alter trade agreements and terms between China and the United States, including limiting trade with China, imposing additional tariffs on imports from China and potentially imposing other restrictions on exports from China to the United States. Consequently, it is possible that additional or higher tariffs will be imposed on products imported from foreign countries, including China, or that our business will be adversely impacted by retaliatory trade measures taken by China or other countries in response to existing or future tariffs.

Our subsidiary Ambev operates a joint venture in Cuba, in which the Government of Cuba is its joint venture partner. Cuba remains subject to comprehensive economic and trade sanctions by the United States and Ambev’s operations in Cuba may adversely affect our reputation and the liquidity and value of our securities.

On 28 January 2014, a subsidiary of our subsidiary Ambev acquired from us a 50% equity interest in Cervecería Bucanero S.A., a Cuban company in the business of producing and selling beer. Consequently, we indirectly own, through our subsidiary Ambev, a 50% equity interest in Cervecería Bucanero S.A. The other 50% equity interest is owned by the Government of Cuba. Cervecería Bucanero S.A. is operated as a joint venture in which Ambev appoints the general manager. Cervecería Bucanero S.A.’s main brands are Bucanero and Cristal, but it also imports and sells in Cuba other brands produced by certain of ournon-U.S. subsidiaries. In 2016,2018, Cervecería Bucanero S.A. sold 1.71.6 million hectoliters of beer, representing about 0.3% of our global volume of 500567 million hectoliters for the year. Although Cervecería Bucanero S.A.’s production is primarily sold in Cuba, a small portion of its production is exported to and sold by certain distributors in other countries outside Cuba (but not in the United States).

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and the U.S. Commerce Department together administer and enforce broad and comprehensive economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy towards Cuba. Although our operations in Cuba through our subsidiary Ambev are quantitatively immaterial, our overall business reputation may suffer or we may face additional regulatory scrutiny as a result of our activities in Cuba based on the identification of Cuba as a target of U.S. economic and trade sanctions.

In addition, the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (known as the “Helms-Burton Act”) authorizes private lawsuits for damages against anyone who traffics in property confiscated without compensation by the Government of Cuba from persons who at the time were, or have since become, nationals of the United States. Although this section of the Helms-Burton Act is currently suspended by discretionary presidential action, the suspension may not continue in the future. Claims accrue notwithstanding the suspension and may be asserted if the suspension is discontinued. The Helms-Burton Act also includes a section that authorizes the U.S. Department of State to prohibit entry into the United States ofnon-U.S. persons who traffic in confiscated property, and corporate officers and principals of such persons, and their families. In 2009, we received

notice of a claim purporting to be made under the Helms-Burton Act relating to the use of a trademark by Cervecería Bucanero S.A., which is alleged to have been confiscated by the Cuban government and trafficked by us through our former ownership and management of the company. Although we have attempted to review and evaluate the validity of the claim, due to the uncertain underlying circumstances, we are currently unable to express a view as to the validity of such claim or as to the claimants’ standing to pursue it.

We may not be able to recruit or retain key personnel.

In order to develop, support and market our products, we must hire and retain skilled employees with particular expertise. The implementation of our strategic business plans could be undermined by a failure to recruit or retain key personnel or the unexpected loss of senior employees, including in acquired companies.

We face various challenges inherent in the management of a large number of employees across diverse geographical regions. It is not certain that we will be able to attract or retain key employees and successfully manage them, which could disrupt our business and have an unfavorable material effect on our financial position, income from operations and competitive position.

We are exposed to labor strikes and disputes that could lead to a negative impact on our costs and production level.

Our success depends on maintaining good relations with our workforce. In several of our operations, a majority of our workforce is unionized. For instance, a majority of the hourly employees at our breweries in several key countries in different geographies are represented by unions. Our production may be affected by work stoppages or slowdowns as a result of disputes under

existing collective labor agreements with labor unions. We may not be able to satisfactorily renegotiate our collective labor agreements when they expire and may face tougher negotiations or higher wage and benefit demands. Furthermore, a work stoppage or slowdown at our facilities could interrupt the transport of raw materials from our suppliers or the transport of our products to our customers. Such disruptions could put a strain on our relationships with suppliers and clients and may have lasting effects on our business even after the disputes with our labor force have been resolved, including as a result of negative publicity.

Our production may also be affected by work stoppages or slowdowns that affect our suppliers, distributors and retail delivery/logistics providers as a result of disputes under existing collective labor agreements with labor unions, in connection with negotiations of new collective labor agreements, as a result of supplier financial distress or for other reasons.

A strike, work stoppage or slowdown within our operations or those of our suppliers, or an interruption or shortage of raw materials for any other reason (including, but not limited to, financial distress, natural disaster or difficulties affecting a supplier) could have a material adverse effect on our earnings, financial condition and ability to operate our business.

Our United States organization has approximately 5,100 hourly brewery workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Their compensation and other terms of employment are governed by collective bargaining agreements negotiated between us and the Teamsters. We recently completed negotiations of new five-year agreements with the Teamsters, which will expire on 2829 February 2019.2024.

Information technology failures, including those that affect the privacy and security of sensitive customer and business information, could disruptdamage our operations.reputation and we could suffer a loss of revenue, incur substantial additional costs and become subject to litigation and regulatory scrutiny.

We rely on information technology systems to process, transmit and store large amounts of electronic data, including personal information. AWe engage in ecommerce in nearly two dozen countries, which includes direct sales to some customers. Additionally, a significant portion of the communication between our personnel, customers and suppliers depends on information technology. As with all large systems, our information systems may be vulnerable to a variety of interruptions due to events beyond our control, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, hackers or other security issues.

We depend on information technology to enable us to operate efficiently and interface with customers, as well as to maintainin-house management and control. We also collect and storenon-public personal information that customers provide to purchase products or services, including personal information and payment information. We have also entered into various information technology services agreements pursuant to which our information technology infrastructure is partially outsourced to leading vendors.

Thevendors, and we may share information systemsabout customers and employees with vendors that assist with certain aspects of former AB InBev and SABMiller are subject to integration. Any failure or delay to such integration could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.business.

In addition, the concentration of processes in shared services centers means that any technology disruption could impact a large portion of our business within the operating regions served. Any transitions of processes to, from or within shared services centers as well as other transformational projects could lead to business disruptions. If we do not allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build and sustain the proper technology infrastructure, we could be subject to transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, loss of customers, businessoperations disruptions, or the loss of or damage to intellectual property through a security breach. As with all information technology systems, our system could also be penetrated by outside parties intent on extracting information, corrupting information or disrupting business processes.

We take various actions with the aim of minimizing potential technology disruptions, such as investing in intrusion detection solutions, proceeding with internal and external security assessments, building and implementing disaster recoverybusiness continuity plans and reviewing risk management processes. Notwithstanding our efforts, technology disruptions could disruptThese protections may be compromised as a result of third-party security breaches, burglaries, cyberattack, errors by employees or employees of third-party vendors, of contractors, misappropriation of data by employees, vendors or unaffiliated third parties, or other irregularities that may result in persons obtaining unauthorized access to company data or otherwise disrupting our business. For example, if outside parties gained access to confidential data or strategic information and appropriated such information or made such information public, this could harm our reputation or our competitive advantage.advantage, or could expose us or our customers to a risk of loss or misuse of information. More generally, technology disruptions couldcan have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

While we continue to invest in new technology monitoring and cyberattack prevention systems, no commercial or government entity can be entirely free of vulnerability to attack or compromise given how rapidly and unpredictably techniques evolve to obtain unauthorized access or disable or degrade service. During the normal course of business, we nonethelesshave experienced and continue to expect to experience attempted breaches of our technology systems and networks from time to time. In 2016,2018, as in previous years, we experienced several attempted breaches of our technology systems and networks. None of the attempted breaches of our systems (as a result of cyberattacks, security breaches or similar events) had a material impact on our business or operations or resulted in known material unauthorized access to our data or our customers’ data.

Natural and other disasters could disrupt our operations.

Our business and operating results could be negatively impacted by natural, social, technical or physical risks such as a widespread health emergency (or concerns over the possibility of such an emergency), earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, fire, water scarcity, power loss, loss of water supply, telecommunications and information technology system failures, cyberattacks, labor disputes, political instability, military conflict and uncertainties arising from terrorist attacks, including a global economic slowdown, the economic consequences of any military action and associated political instability.

Our insurance coverage may not be sufficient.

We purchase insurance for director and officer liability and other coverage where required by law or contract or where considered to be in our best interest. In accordance with theco-operation agreement entered into with SAB (as amended from time to time, the “Co-operation Agreement”), we have also procured the provision of directors’ and officers’ insurance for former directors and officers of SABMillerSAB for a period of six years following the completion of the Transaction.combination with SAB. Even though we maintain these insurance policies, we self-insure most of our insurable risk. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, this could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

An impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We have previously recognized significant goodwill on our balance sheet through acquisitions. For example, as a result of the combination with Grupo Modelo in 2013, we recognized USD 19.6 billion of goodwill on our balance sheet and recorded several brands from the Grupo Modelo business (including brands in the Corona brand family, among others) as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives with a fair value of USD 4.7 billion. Similarly, as a result of the 2008 Anheuser-Busch Companies acquisition, we recognized USD 32.9 billion of goodwill on our balance sheet and recorded several brands from the Anheuser-Busch Companies business (including brands in the Budweiser brand family, among others) as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives with a fair value of USD 21.4 billion.

Additionally, upon completion of the combination with SAB, we recognized USD 72.4 billion of incremental goodwill on our balance sheet.

Our accounting policy considers brands and distribution rights for our own products as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, which are tested for impairment on an annual basis (or more often if an event or circumstance indicates that an impairment loss may have been incurred) and not amortized. After the completion of the combination with SAB, we recorded brands and other intangibles from the SAB business as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, with a fair value of USD 15.0 billion.

As of 31 December 2018, our goodwill amounted to USD 133.3 billion and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives amounted to USD 42.4 billion. If the continuing integration of our businesses with SAB’s businesses meets with unexpected difficulties or if the combined business does not develop as expected, impairment charges may be incurred in the future that could be significant and that could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

The audit report included in this annual report is prepared by an auditor who is not inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, you aremay be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

Auditors of companies that are registered with the SEC and traded publicly in the United States, including our independent registered public accounting firm, must be registered with the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”) and are required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess their compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Because our auditors are located in Belgium, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Belgian authorities, our auditors are not currently inspected by the PCAOB.

This lack of PCAOB inspections in Belgium prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating audits and quality-control procedures of any auditors operating in Belgium, including our auditors. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.

The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in Belgium makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures or quality-control procedures as compared to auditors outside of Belgium that are subject to PCAOB inspections.

We may not be able to realize all of the anticipated benefits and synergies of the Transaction, including as a result of difficulty in integrating the businesses of the companies involved, and any such benefits and synergies will be offset by the significant transaction fees and other costs we incurred in connection with the Transaction.

Achieving the advantages of the Transaction depends partly on the rapid and efficient combination of our activities with SABMiller, two companies of considerable size that functioned independently and were incorporated in different countries, with geographically dispersed operations, and with different business cultures and compensation structures.

The integration process continues to involve inherent costs and uncertainties. These uncertainties are exacerbated because SABMiller was active in new or developing markets in which former AB InBev did not have significant operations, and because former AB InBev had little opportunity to perform detailed due diligence on SABMiller prior to the announcement of the Transaction. We may face increased exposure to certain risks as a result of the Transaction. For example:

SABMiller had entered into important strategic partnerships in a number of Eurasian and African countries. We may face challenges in continuing to develop collaborative relationships with these partners in order to ensure that decisions are taken in such partnerships which promote our strategic and business objectives.

SABMiller operated its business and markets its products in certain countries that are less developed, have less stable legal systems and financial markets, and are potentially more corrupt business environments than Europe and the United States, and therefore present greater political, economic and operational risks. There is a risk that improper actions taken by our employees or representatives of our subsidiaries, affiliates, associates, joint ventures or other business interests may expose us to potential liability and the costs associated with investigating potential misconduct. In addition, any press coverage associated with such misconduct, even if unwarranted or baseless, could damage our reputation and sales.

Furthermore, there is no assurance that the Transaction will achieve the benefits we anticipate from the integration. We believe that the consideration paid was justified, in part, by the procurement and engineering savings, brewery and distribution efficiency gains, best practice sharing and other cost savings, synergies and benefits that we expect to achieve by combining our operations with SABMiller’s operations. However, these expected savings, gains, synergies and other benefits may not be achieved, and the assumptions upon which we determined the consideration paid to the former SABMiller shareholders in connection with the

Transaction may prove to be incorrect. The implementation of the Transaction and the successful integration of SABMiller’s operations also requires a significant amount of management time and, thus, may affect or impair management’s ability to implement the integration of the businesses effectively.

In addition, we have incurred and may continue to incur significant transaction fees and other costs associated with the Transaction. These fees and costs are substantial and include financing, financial advisory, legal and accounting fees and expenses. In addition, we may face additional unanticipated costs as a result of the integration, which would offset any realized synergy benefits resulting from the Transaction.

Finally, the agreement which we have entered into with Altria Group Inc. (“Altria”), pursuant to which we agreed to provide assistance andco-operation and to give certain representations, indemnities and undertakings to Altria in relation to certain matters relevant to Altria under U.S. tax legislation (as amended from time to time, the “Tax Matters Agreement”), imposes some limits on our ability to effect some reorganizations after the completion of the Transaction, which may limit our capacity to integrate SABMiller’s operations. See “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SABMiller—Tax Matters Agreement” for more information.

Although the cost savings and other synergies contemplated by the Transaction are significant, there can be no assurance that we will realize these benefits in the time expected, or at all. Any failures, material delays or unexpected costs of the integration process could therefore have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The uncertainties about the effects of the Transaction could materially and adversely affect our businesses and operations.

Uncertainty regarding the effect of the Transaction could cause disruptions to our businesses. Customers, distributors, other business partners and other parties that have business relationships with us may defer the consummation of other transactions or other decisions concerning our businesses, or seek to change existing business relationships. For example, on 21 December 2016, we announced that we entered into an agreement to sell our stake in Africa’s largest bottler, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (Pty) Ltd (“CCBA”) to The Coca-Cola Company pursuant to SABMiller’s prior contractual arrangements with The Coca-Cola Company. In addition, key employees of either former AB InBev or the SABMiller Group could leave their employment because of the uncertainties about their roles in the AB InBev Group or because of a general desire not to remain with the AB InBev Group. Such uncertainties and disruptions related to the Transaction could disrupt our business and have an unfavorable material effect on our financial position, our income from operations and our competitive position.

Our size, contractual limitations we are subject to and our position in the markets in which we operate may decrease our ability to successfully carry out further acquisitions and business integrations.

In the past, we have made acquisitions of, investments in and joint ventures and similar arrangements with other companies and businesses. Much of our growth in recent years is attributable to such transactions, including, in addition to the Transaction, the combination of Interbrew S.A. and Ambev in 2004, the combination of InBev and Anheuser-Busch in 2008 and the combination of AB InBev and Grupo Modelo in 2013.

We may be unsuccessful in the implementation of future acquisitions, investments or joint ventures or alliances.

We will need to identify suitable acquisition targets and agree on the terms with them if we are to make further acquisitions. Our size, contractual limitations to which we are subject and our position in the markets in which we operate may make it harder to identify suitable targets, including because it may be harder for us to obtain regulatory approval for future transactions. If appropriate opportunities do become available, we may seek to acquire or invest in other businesses; however, any future acquisition may pose regulatory, antitrust and other risks.

In addition, after completion of any transaction in the future, we may be required to integrate the acquired companies, businesses or operations into our existing operations. Such transactions may also involve the assumption of certain actual or potential, known or unknown liabilities, which may have a potential impact on our financial risk profile. These risks and limitations may limit our ability to implement our global strategy and our ability to achieve future business growth.

An impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We have previously recognized significant goodwill on our balance sheet through acquisitions. For example, as a result of the combination with Grupo Modelo in 2013, we recognized USD 19.6 billion of goodwill on our balance sheet and recorded several brands from the Grupo Modelo business (including brands in the Corona brand family, among others) as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives with a fair value of USD 4.7 billion. Similarly, as a result of the 2008 Anheuser-Busch acquisition, we recognized USD 32.9 billion of goodwill on our balance sheet and recorded several brands from the Anheuser-Busch business (including brands in the Budweiser brand family, among others) as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives with a fair value of USD 21.4 billion.

Additionally, upon completion of the Transaction, we recognized USD 73.7 billion of incremental goodwill on our balance sheet.

Our accounting policy considers brands and distribution rights for our own products as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, which are tested for impairment on an annual basis (or more often if an event or circumstance indicates that an impairment loss may have been incurred) and not amortized. After the completion of the Transaction, we recorded brands and other intangibles from the SABMiller business as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, with a fair value of USD 19.9 billion.

As of 31 December 2016, our goodwill amounted to USD 136.5 billion and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives amounted to USD 42.3 billion. If the continuing integration of our businesses with SABMiller’s businesses meets with unexpected difficulties or if the combined business does not develop as expected, impairment charges may be incurred in the future that could be significant and that could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We may be unable to influence our associates in which we have minority investments.

A portion of our global portfolio consists of associates in new or developing markets, including investments where we may have a lesser degree of control over the business operations. For example, through our investment in the beverage operations of Société des Brasseries et Glacières Internationales and B.I.H. Brasseries Internationales Holding Limited we have exposure to a number of countries in Africa, and through our investment in Anadolu Efes, we have exposure to Turkey and countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States. We face several challenges inherent to these various culturally and geographically diverse business interests. Although we work with our associates on the implementation of appropriate processes and controls, we also face additional risks and uncertainties with respect to these minority investments because we may be dependent on systems, controls and personnel that are not under our control, such as the risk that our associates may violate applicable laws and regulations, which could have an adverse effect on our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition. For more information, see “—If we do not successfully comply with applicable anti-corruption laws, export control regulations and trade restrictions, we could become subject to fines, penalties or other regulatory sanctions, as well as to adverse press coverage, which could cause our reputation, our sales or our profitability to suffer.”

Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and American Depositary Shares

The market price of our Ordinary Shares and ADSs may be volatile.

The market price of our Ordinary Shares and ADSs may be volatile as a result of various factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

market expectations for our financial performance;

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our results of operations and financial condition;

 

changes in the estimates of our results of operations by securities analysts;

 

investor perception of the impact of the Transactioncombination with SAB on us and our shareholders;

 

the conversion of Restricted Shares into Ordinary Shares, the Restricted Shares becoming so convertible on 10 October 2021, subject to certain limited exceptions (see “Item 10—Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association and Other Share Information—Form and Transferability of Our Shares—Restricted Shares—Conversion ininto Ordinary Shares”);

potential or actual sales of blocks of our Ordinary Shares or ADSs in the market by any shareholder or short selling of our Ordinary Shares or ADSs. Any such transaction could occur at any time or from time to time, with or without notice;

 

the entry of new competitors or new products in the markets in which we operate;

 

volatility in the market as a whole or investor perception of the beverage industry or of our competitors; and

 

the occurrence of any of the matters discussed in the risk factors mentioned in this section.

The market price of our Ordinary Shares and ADSs may be adversely affected by any of the preceding or other factors regardless of our actual results of operations and financial condition.

Our largest shareholder may use its significant interest to take actions not supported by our other shareholders.

As of 31 December 2016,13 March 2019, our largest shareholder, Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev (the “Stichting”), owned 34.29%33.84% of our voting rights (and the Stichting and certain other entities acting in concert with it (within the meaning of the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids and/or the Belgian Law of 2 May 2007 on the disclosure of significant holdings in listed companies) held, in aggregate, 43.84%43.47% of our voting rights), based on the number of shares outstanding on 31 December 2016,13 March 2019, excluding the 85,540,39259,862,607 treasury shares held by us and our subsidiaries, Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à.R.L. and Mexbrew S.à.R.L. (see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions —A.Transactions—A. Major Shareholders”). In accordance with our articles of association, the Stichting has the ability to effectively control the election of a majority of our board of directors, as a result of which, under Belgian law, itthe Stichting has control of us. ItThe Stichting is also able to have a significant influence on the outcome of corporate actions requiring shareholder approval, including dividend policy, mergers, share capital increases going private transactions and other extraordinary items. See “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association and Other Share Information—Description of the Rights and Benefits Attached to Our Shares” for further information in this respect.

The interests and time horizons of the Stichting may differ from those of other shareholders. As a result of its influence on our business, the Stichting could prevent us from making certain decisions or taking certain actions that would protect the interests of our other shareholders. For example, this concentration of ownership may delay or prevent a change of control of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, even in the event that this change of control may benefit other shareholders generally. Similarly, the Stichting could prevent us from taking certain actions that would dilute its percentage interest in our shares, even if such actions would generally be beneficial to us and/or to other shareholders. These and other factors related to the Stichting’s holding of a significant interest in our shares may reduce the liquidity of our shares and ADSs and their attractiveness to investors.

We may be unable to pay dividends.

As a general matter, we cannot guarantee that we will pay dividends in the future. The payment of dividends will depend on factors such as our business outlook, cash flow requirements and financial performance, the state of the market and the general economic climate and other factors, including tax and other regulatory considerations. In particular, in light of the increased debt that resulted from completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, deleveraging remains a priority and may restrict the amount of dividends we are able to pay. In addition, we must, under Belgian law and our articles of association, before we proceed with any dividend payment, allocate an amount equal to 5% of our annual net profit on an unconsolidated basis to a legal reserve in our unconsolidated financial statements until the reserve reaches 10% of our share capital, in accordance with Belgian accounting principles.

Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the euro, the South African rand, the Mexican peso and the U.S. dollar may increase the risk of holding our ADSs and Ordinary Shares.

Our Ordinary Shares currently trade on Euronext Brussels in euroseuro and we have secondary listings of our shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in South African rand and on the Mexican Stock Exchange (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores) in Mexican pesos. Our ADSs trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) in U.S. dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the euro, the South African rand, the Mexican peso and the U.S. dollar may result in temporary differences between the value of our Ordinary Shares trading in different currencies and between the value of our Ordinary Shares and ADSs, which may result in heavy trading by investors seeking to exploit such differences. Similarly, uncertainty over fiscal and budgetary challenges in the United States, Mexico, South Africa and/or Europe may negatively impact global economic conditions, and could trigger sharply increased trading and consequent market fluctuations, which would increase the volatility of, and may have an adverse effect upon, the price of our Ordinary Shares or ADSs.

In addition, as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar, the euro, the South African rand and the Mexican peso, the U.S. dollar equivalent of the proceeds that a holder of our ADSs would receive upon the sale in Belgium, South Africa or Mexico of any shares withdrawn from the American Depositary Receipt (“ADR”) depositary and the U.S. dollar equivalent of any cash dividends paid in euroseuro on our Ordinary Shares represented by the ADSs could also decline.

Future equity issuances may dilute the holdings of current shareholders or ADS holders and could materially affect the market price of our Ordinary Shares or ADSs.

We may in the future decide to offer additional equity to raise capital or for other purposes, in compliance with applicable Belgian legislation. Any such additional offering could reduce the proportionate ownership and voting interests of holders of our Ordinary Shares and ADSs, as well as our earnings per share or ADS and net asset value per share or ADS, and any offerings by us or our main shareholders could have an adverse effect on the market price of our Ordinary Shares and ADSs.

We entered into a registration rights agreement requiring us to register for resale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), all registrable shares held by the holders of Restricted Shares (the “Restricted Shareholders”) no earlier than five years after completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, at which point the Restricted Shares will become eligible for conversion into Ordinary Shares at the option of the Restricted Shareholder. As of the closing of the Transaction,combination with SAB, Restricted Shares represented 16.14% of our outstanding share capital. Although the Restricted Shares are generally subject to certain holdback and suspension periods until 21 October 2021, the Restricted Shares, once they are converted to Ordinary Shares, are not subject to a“lock-up” or similar restriction under the registration rights agreement. Accordingly, sales of large numbers of Ordinary Shares may be made upon registration of such shares with the SEC in accordance with the terms of the registration rights agreement. Registration and sales of our Ordinary Shares effectuated pursuant to the registration rights agreement will increase the number of shares being sold in the public market and may increase the volatility of the price of our Ordinary Shares and ADSs.

Investors may suffer dilution if they are not able to participate in equity offerings, and our ADS holders may not receive any value for rights that we may grant.

Our constitutional documents provide for preference rights to be granted to our existing shareholders unless such rights are disapplied by resolution of our shareholders’ meeting or the Board of Directors. Our shareholders’ meeting or our Board of Directors may disapply such rights in future equity offerings, while no preference rights

apply to capital increases through contributions in kind. In addition, certain shareholders (including shareholders resident in, or citizens of, certain jurisdictions, such as the United States, Australia, Canada and Japan) may not be entitled to exercise such rights even if they are not disapplied unless the rights and related shares are registered or qualified for sale under the relevant legislative or regulatory framework. In particular, there can be no assurance that we will be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such preferential subscription rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective under the Securities Act (other than as set out in the Registration Rights Agreement) (see “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SABMiller”SAB” for more information on the Registration Rights Agreement). As a result, there is the risk that investors may suffer dilution of their shareholding should they not be permitted to participate in preference right equity or other offerings that we may conduct in the future.

If rights are granted to our shareholders, but the ADR depositary is unable to sell rights corresponding to shares represented by ADSs that are not exercised by, or distributed to, our ADS holders, or if the sale of such rights is not lawful or reasonably practicable, the ADR depositary will allow the rights to lapse, in which case ADS holders will receive no value for such rights.

ADS holders may not be able to exercise their right to vote the shares underlying our ADSs.

Holders of ADSs may be entitled to exercise voting rights with respect to the Ordinary Shares represented by our ADSs only in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement (as amended from time to time, the “Deposit Agreement”), dated 30 June 2009, as amended from time to time, among former AB InBev, The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, and the owners and holders of American Depositary Shares from time to time under the Deposit Agreement, to which we aresuccessor-in-interest. The Deposit Agreement provides that, upon receipt of a notice of any meeting of holders of our Ordinary Shares, the depositary will, if we so request, distribute to the ADS holders a notice which shall contain (i) such information as is contained in the notice of the meeting sent by us, (ii) a statement that the ADS holder as of the specified record date shall be entitled to instruct the ADR depositary as to the exercise of voting rights and (iii) a statement as to the manner in which instructions may be given by the holders.

Under the Deposit Agreement, holders of ADSs may instruct the depositary to vote the shares underlying their ADSs, but they will only receive the notice described above if we ask the depositary to ask for their instructions. Otherwise, ADS holders will not be able to exercise their right to vote, unless they withdraw the Ordinary Shares underlying the ADSs they hold. However, ADS holders may not know about the meeting far enough in advance to withdraw those shares. If we ask for the instructions of ADS holders, the depositary, upon timely notice from us, will notify ADS holders of the upcoming vote and arrange to deliver our voting materials to them. We cannot guarantee ADS holders that they will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that they can instruct the depositary to vote their shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that ADS holders may not be able to exercise their right to vote, and there may be nothing they can do if the shares underlying their ADSs are not voted as requested.

ADS holders may be subject to limitations on the transfer of their ADSs or the withdrawal of the underlying Ordinary Shares from the deposit facility.

ADSs are transferable on the books of the ADR depositary. However, the ADR depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when the books of the depositary are closed or if such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the depositary or by us because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement. Moreover, the surrender of ADSs and withdrawal of Ordinary Shares may be suspended subject to the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges or if we direct the depositary at any time to cease new issuances and withdrawals of our Ordinary Shares during periods specified by us in connection with shareholders’ meetings, the payment of dividends or as otherwise reasonably necessary for compliance with any applicable laws or government regulations.

Shareholders may not enjoy under Belgian corporate law and our articles of association certain of the rights and protections generally afforded to shareholders of U.S. companies under U.S. federal and state laws and the NYSE rules.

We are a public limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Belgium. Shareholders may not enjoy under Belgian corporate law and our articles of association certain of the rights and protections generally afforded to shareholders of U.S. companies under U.S. federal and state laws and the NYSE rules. The rights provided to our shareholders under Belgian corporate law and our articles of association differ in certain respects from the rights that you would typically enjoy as a shareholder of a U.S. company under applicable U.S. federal and/or state laws. In general, the Belgian Corporate Governance Code is a code of best practice applying to Belgian listedBelgian-listed companies on anon-binding basis. The Belgian Corporate Governance Code applies a “comply or explain” approach, that is,i.e., companies may depart from the Belgian Corporate Governance Code’s provisions if, as required by law, they give a reasoned explanation of the reasons for doing so.

We rely on a provision in the NYSE Listed Company Manual that allows us to follow Belgian corporate law and the Belgian Corporate Governance Code with regard to certain aspects of corporate governance. This allows us to follow certain corporate governance practices that differ in significant respects from the corporate governance requirements applicable to U.S. companies listed on the NYSE. See “Item 16G. Corporate Governance” for additional information on these differences. In particular, the NYSE rules require a majority of the directors of a listed U.S.U.S.-listed company to be independent while, in Belgium, only three directors need be independent. Our board currently comprises three independent directors and twelve12 directors not deemed to be “independent” under the NYSE listing standards. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—A. Directors and Senior Management—Board of Directors.” The NYSE rules further require that each of the nomination, compensation and audit committees of a listed U.S. company be comprised entirely of independent directors. However, the Belgian Corporate Governance Code recommends only that a majority of the directors on each of these committees meet the technical requirements for independence under Belgian corporate law. All voting members of our Audit Committee are independent for purposes of Rule10A-3 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Our Audit Committee, Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee have members who would not be considered independent under NYSE rules, and, therefore, our Audit Committee, Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee would not be in compliance with the NYSE Corporate Governance Standards for domestic issuers in respect of the independence of these committees. However, our Audit Committee, Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee are composed exclusively ofnon-executive directors who are independent of management and whom we consider to be free of any business or other relationship which could materially interfere with the exercise of their independent judgment. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—C. Board Practices —InformationPractices—Information about Our Committees—General.”

Under Belgian corporate law, other than certain limited information that we must make public, our shareholders may not ask for an inspection of our corporate records, while under Delaware corporate law any shareholder, irrespective of the size of his or her shareholdings, may do so. Shareholders of a Belgian corporation are also unable to initiate a derivative action, a remedy typically available to shareholders of U.S. companies, in order to enforce a right of AB InBev, in case we fail to enforce such right ourselves, other than in certain cases of director liability under limited circumstances. In addition, a majority of our shareholders may release a director from any claim of liability we may have, including if he or she has acted in bad faith or has breached his or her duty of

loyalty, provided, in some cases, that the relevant acts were specifically mentioned in the convening notice to the shareholders’ meeting deliberating on the discharge. In contrast, most U.S. federal and state laws prohibit a company or its shareholders from releasing a director from liability altogether if he or she has acted in bad faith or has breached his or her duty of loyalty to the company. Finally, Belgian corporate law does not provide any form of appraisal rights in the case of a business combination.

For additional information on these and other aspects of Belgian corporate law and our articles of association, see “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association and Other Share Information.” As a result of these differences between Belgian corporate law and our articles of association, on the one hand, and U.S. federal and state laws, on the other hand, in certain instances, you could receive less protection as a shareholder of our company than you would as a shareholder of a U.S. company.

As a “foreign private issuer” in the United States, we are exempt from a number of rules under U.S. securities laws and are permitted to file less information with the SEC.

As a “foreign private issuer,” we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that impose certain disclosure obligations and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information concerning us than there is for U.S. public companies.

It may be difficult for investors outside Belgium to serve process on or enforce foreign judgments against us.

We are a Belgian public limited liability company. Certain of the members of our Board of Directors, andas at 31 December 2018, the Executive Board of Management and, as of 1 January 2019, the Executive Committee and certain of the persons named herein arenon-residents of the United States. All or a substantial portion of the assets of suchnon-resident persons and certain of our assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process upon such persons or on us or to enforce against them or us a judgment obtained in U.S. courts. Original actions or actions for the enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts relating to the civil liability provisions of the federal or state securities laws of the United States are not directly enforceable in Belgium. The United States and Belgium do not currently have a multilateral or bilateral treaty providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments, other than arbitral awards, in civil and commercial matters. In order for a final judgment for the payment of money rendered by U.S. courts based on civil liability to produce any effect on Belgian soil, it is accordingly required that this judgment be recognized or be declared enforceable by a Belgian court pursuant to the relevant provisions of the 2004 Belgian Code of Private International Law. Recognition or enforcement does not imply a review of the merits of the case and is irrespective of any reciprocity requirement. A U.S. judgment will, however, not be recognized or declared enforceable in Belgium if it infringes upon one or more of the grounds for refusal which are exhaustively listed in Article 25 of the Belgian Code of Private International Law. In addition to recognition or enforcement, a judgment by a federal or state court in the United States against us may also serve as evidence in a similar action in a Belgian court if it meets the conditions required for the authenticity of judgments according to the law of the state where it was rendered.

 

ITEM 4.

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

 

A.

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

We are the world’s largest brewer by volume and one of the world’s top fiveten consumer products companies by revenue. As a consumer-centric, sales-drivenconsumer-focused, insights-driven company, we produce, market, distribute and sell a diversified portfolio of well over 500 beer and other malt beverage brands. These include brands with significant international distribution, such as Budweiser, Corona (except in the United States), Stella Artois, Beck’s, Leffe, Hoegaarden, Castle Lager (except in the United States), Castle Lite (except in the United States), and Redd’s (except in the United States); and brands primarily distributed to local markets such as Bud Light and Michelob Ultra in the United States; Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, Victoria and Pacifico in Mexico; Skol, Brahma and Antarctica in Brazil; Aguila and Poker in Colombia; Cristal and Pilsen Callao in Peru; Quilmes in Argentina; Jupiler in Belgium and the Netherlands; Franziskaner in Germany; KlinskoyeCarling Black Label and Sibirskaya KoronaHansa Pilsener in Russia; ChernigivskeSouth Africa; Hero in Ukraine;Nigeria; Safari and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; Harbin and Sedrin in China; Cass in South Korea; Carling Black Label and Hansa Pilsener in South Africa; Aguila and Poker in Colombia; Hero in Nigeria; Cristal and Pilsen Callao in Peru; Victoria Bitter and Carlton Draught in Australia; and Safari and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.Australia. We also produce and distribute soft drinks, particularly in Central and South America and Africa, and other near beer products, such asLime-A-Rita and other the Rita family productsand Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer in the United StatesStates; Palm Bay and Mexico; MixxTailMike’s Hard Lemonade in China, ArgentinaCanada; and other countries; and Skol BeatsLexington Hill in Brazil.Australia.

Our dedication to quality goes back to a brewing tradition of more than 600 years with the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium, as well as the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co. brewery, with origins in St. Louis, U.S.A. since 1852, and the history

of the South African Breweries with its origins in Johannesburg in 1895. As of 31 December 2016,2018, we employed more than 200,000approximately 175,000 people with operationsbased in nearly 50 countries worldwide. As a result, we have a global footprint with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets and production

facilities spread across the world. Given the breadth of our operations, wegeographic regions. We currently report our results under the following six regions: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA and Asia Pacific. We also report the results of Global Export and Holding Companies, which includes our global headquarters and the export businesses, which have not been allocated to the regionsregions. Effective 1 January 2019, we are reorganizing our regional reporting structure. Going forward, our results will be reported under the following five regions: North America, Middle Americas (combining the current Latin America West region and the interim supply agreement with Constellation Brands, Inc. As a result, we have a global footprint with a balanced exposureDominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Caribbean, which were previously reported in the Latin America North region), South America (combining the current Latin America South region and Brazil, which was previously reported in the Latin America North region), EMEA and Asia Pacific. We will continue to developedseparately report the results of Global Export and developing markets and production facilities spread across our geographic regions.Holding Companies.

Our 20162018 volumes (beer andnon-beer) were 500567 million hectoliters and our revenue amounted to USD 45.554.6 billion.

Registration and Main Corporate Details

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV was incorporated on 3 March 2016 for an unlimited duration under the laws of Belgium under the original name Newbelco SA/NV, and is the successor entity to former AB InBev, which was incorporated on 2 August 1977 for an unlimited duration under the laws of Belgium under the original name BEMES. It has the legal form of a public limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap/société anonyme). Its registered office is located at Grand-Place/Grote Markt 1, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, and it is registered with the Register of Legal Entities of Brussels under the number 0417.497.106. Our global headquarters are located at Brouwerijplein 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium (tel.: +32 16 27 61 11). Our agent in the United States is Anheuser-Busch InBev Services LLC, 250 Park Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10177.

We are a publicly traded company, with our primary listing on Euronext Brussels under the symbol ABI. We also have secondary listings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange under the symbol ANH and the Mexican Stock Exchange under the symbol ANB. ADSs representing rights to receive our Ordinary Shares are listed and trade on the NYSE under the symbol BUD.

History and Development of the Company

Our dedication to quality goes back to a brewing tradition of more than 600 years and the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium. In 1717, Sébastien Artois, master brewer of Den Hoorn, took over the brewery and renamed it Sébastien Artois. In 1987, the two largest breweries in Belgium merged: Brouwerijen Artois NV, located in Leuven, and Brasserie Piedboeuf SA, founded in 1853 and located in Jupille, resulting in the formation of Interbrew SA.S.A. Interbrew operated as a family-owned business until December 2000, the time of its initial public offering on Euronext Brussels. The period since the listing of Interbrew on Euronext Brussels has been marked by increasing geographical diversification.

Since 2000, we have completed the following major combinations, acquisitions and sales:

 

In 2002, Interbrew acquired Beck’s for 3.5 billion German marks.

 

In 2004, Interbrew combined with Ambev, a Brazilian company originally formed by the combination of Brahma and Antarctica in 1999-2000,1999–2000, resulting in the creation of InBev. Ambev is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and on the São Paulo Stock Exchange. As of 31 December 2016,2018, we had a 61.9% voting and economic interest in Ambev.

 

In July 2008, InBev combined with Anheuser-Busch Companies by way of an offer for USD 54.8 billion, as a result of which we changed our name to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV.

In July 2009, we completed the sale of our South Korean subsidiary, Oriental Brewery, to an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (“KKR”) for USD 1.8 billion. We retained the right, but not the obligation, to reacquire Oriental Brewery five years after the closing of the transaction based on predetermined financial terms. In 2014, we completed the reacquisition of Oriental Brewery from KKR and Affinity Equity Partners.

In 2009, we completed the sale of our operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia to CVC Capital Partners for an enterprise value of USD 2.2 billion.

 

In 2013, we announced the completion of our combination with Grupo Modelo in a transaction valued at USD 20.1 billion, following which we owned approximately 95% of Grupo Modelo’s outstanding shares. We acquired the remaining shares via a mandatory tender offer, which completed in August 2015.

In 2013, in another transaction related to the combination with Grupo Modelo, Grupo Modelo completed the sale of its U.S. business to Constellation Brands, Inc. for approximately USD 4.75 billion, in aggregate. The transaction included

the sale of Grupo Modelo’s Piedras Negras brewery, Grupo Modelo’s 50% stake in Crown Imports and perpetual rights to certain of Grupo Modelo’s beer brands in the United States. As a consequence, we have granted Constellation Brands, Inc. the exclusive and perpetual right to market and sell Corona and certain other Grupo Modelo beer brands in the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia and Guam. In December 2016, we also completed the sale of our brewery plant located in Obregón, Sonora, México to Constellation Brands, Inc. for a sale price of approximately USD 600 million.

In 2015, we acquired all outstanding Grupo Modelo shares held by third parties through a mandatory tender offer and, by August 2015, Grupo Modelo was transformed from a publicly listed Mexican company into a Mexican limited liability company (sociedad de responsabilidad limitada) and became 100% owned by us.

On 11 November 2015, our board and the board of SABMiller announced that an agreement had been reached on the terms of a recommended acquisition by us of the entire issuedUnited States, the District of Columbia and to be issued share capital of SABMiller, pursuant to aBelgian-law merger by absorption under the Belgian Companies Code (the “Belgian Merger”) whereby a holding company is merged into its subsidiary, with the subsidiary being the surviving company. On 7 OctoberGuam. In December 2016, we acquired controlalso completed the sale of SABMiller and on 10our brewery plant located in Obregón, Sonora, México to Constellation Brands, Inc. for a sale price of approximately USD 600 million.

In October 2016, we completed the business combination. The Transaction wasour combination with SAB, valued at a gross purchase consideration of USD 114 billion. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other Structural Changes—Acquisition of SAB” for more information on the combination with SAB.

On 30 March 2018, we combined Russia and Ukraine businesses with those of Anadolu Efes through the creation of a new company called AB InBev Efes (“AB InBev Efes”). Following the closing of this transaction, the newly combined business is fully consolidated into Anadolu Efes. As a result of the Belgian Merger, formertransaction, we have stopped consolidating these operations and account for our investment in AB InBev merged into Newbelco, and Newbelco becameEfes under the holding company for the Combined Group. All assets and liabilities of former AB InBev were transferred to Newbelco, and Newbelco was automatically substituted for former AB InBev in all its rights and obligations by operation of Belgian law. Newbelco was renamed Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, and former AB InBev was dissolved by operation of Belgian law.equity method.

In connection with the Transaction,combination with SAB, we have transferred SABMiller’sSAB’s business in Panama to Ambev in exchange for Ambev’s businesses in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. We have also completed or announcedundertook certain divestitures, in each case with the goal of proactively addressing potential regulatory considerations regarding the Transaction,combination with SAB, including the following:

 

On 11 October 2016, we completed the previously announced sale of SABMiller’sSAB’s entire interest in MillerCoors LLC (a joint venture in the U.S. and Puerto Rico between Molson Coors Brewing Company and SABMiller)SAB), together with rights to the Miller brand globally, to Molson Coors Brewing Company for USD 12 billion.billion, subject to a downward purchase price adjustment.

 

On 11 October 2016, we completed the previously announced sale of SABMiller’sSAB’s Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime brand families and their associated businesses in Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and internationally (excluding certain rights in the United States) to Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. (“Asahi”), in a transaction valued by the transaction at EUR 2,550 million on a debt free/cash-free basis.

 

On 11 October 2016, we completed the previously announced sale of SABMiller’sSAB’s 49% interest in CR Snow to China Resources Beer (Holdings) Co. Ltd. for USD 1.6 billion.

 

On 13 December 2016,31 March 2017, we announced that, pursuant to our commitments tocompleted the sale of SAB’s Central and Eastern European Commission in connection with the Transaction, we had entered into a binding agreement with Asahi to sell the former SABMiller businesses in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania to Asahi for EUR 7.3 billion. The sale of SABMiller’s businesses in Central and Eastern Europe is conditional on the European Commission’s approval of Asahi as a suitable purchaser and is expected to close in the first half of 2017.

 

On 15 December 2016,12 April 2017, we announced that we had entered into a binding agreement to sellcompleted the sale of our approximately 26.4% interest in Distell Group Limited (comprised of 58,674,000 ordinary shares or approximately 26.4% of Distell’s issued share capital) to Public Investment Corporation Limited, acting on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund.

On 4 October 2017, we completed the transition of our 54.5% equity stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (Pty) Ltd to The Distell Divestiture remains subjectCoca-Cola Company for USD 3.15 billion, after customary adjustments. The companies continue to work on the approval ofterms and conditions for the South African competition authorities.agreements with respect to certain markets in Africa.

Furthermore, during 20152016, 2017 and 2016,2018, we performed a series of other investments and disposals. For further details, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Investments and Disposals.”

B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW

 

1.

STRENGTHS AND STRATEGY

Strengths

We are building a company to last, brewing beer and building brands that will continue to bring people together for the next 100 years and beyond. As a global family of local companies, we unite approximately 175,000 exceptional people in nearly 50 countries and more than 500 brands around a passion for brewing the highest quality beer. We believe that the following key strengths will drive the realization of our strategic goals and reinforce our competitive position in the marketplace:

Global platform with strong market positions in key markets to grow the category

We are a truly global brewer, positioned to serve the world’s largest brewerevolving needs of consumers worldwide. Our portfolio of more than 500 brands means we have beers for every type of occasion and believe weour iconic brands bring people together across generations and communities.

We hold leading positions in the majority of our key markets, based on strong brands and the benefits of scale. We believe this enables us to invest significant sales and marketing resources in our brands, achieve attractive sourcing terms, generate cost savings through centralization and operate under a lean cost structure. Our global reachfootprint provides us with a strong platform to grow our global and multi-country brands, while developing local brands tailored to regional tastes and trends. We benefit from a global distribution network which, depending on the location, is either owned by us or is based on strong partnerships with wholesalers and local distributors.

We have been the global leader in the brewing industry by volume for the past nine years, and, in 2016,In 2018, we were one of the largest consumer products companies worldwide, measured by EBITDA, as defined.defined, and held the number one position in terms of total market share of beer by volume in the world, according to Plato Logic Limited. We hold the number one position in terms of total market share of beer by volume, based on our estimates, in the United States, Mexico and Brazil, three of the top five most profitable beer markets in the world. We estimate that we hold the number three position in total market share of beer by volume, and the number one position by volume in the fast-growing premium beer category, in China, the world’s largest beer market by volume.

We believe that we can realize sufficient upside potential by using our strong platform to grow our global and multi-country brands while developing local brands tailored to regional tastes and trends.

Geographic diversification

Our geographically diversified platform balances the growth opportunities of developing markets with the stability and strength of developed markets. With significant operations in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, we benefit from a natural hedge against local or regional market, economic and seasonal volatility.

Developed markets represented approximately 47.2%43.1% of our 20162018 revenue and developing markets represented 52.8%56.9% of our 20162018 revenue. Our developing markets include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, UkraineUganda, Vietnam and Zambia.

Strong brand portfolio with global, brands, multi-country brands and local brands

Our strong brand portfolio addresses a broad range of demand for different types of beer, comprising three brand categories:

 

  

Global brands: Capitalizing on common values and experiences which appeal to consumers across borders, our three global brands, Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois, have the strength to be marketed worldwide;recognition and appeal worldwide in a significant number of markets globally;

 

  

Multi-country brands: WithBuilding from a strong consumer base in their home market, our multi-country brands, Beck’s, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Hoegaarden and Leffe, bring international flavor to selected markets, connecting with consumers across continents; and

 

  

Local brands: Offering locally popular tastes, local brands such as Aguila, Bud Light, Carlton Draught, Cass, Cristal, Harbin, Poker, Skol Victoria and Victoria Bitter connect particularly well with consumers in their home markets.

With well overmore than 500 brands, of which 18 had an estimated retail sales value of over USD 1 billion in 2016,2018, we believe our portfolio is the strongest in the industry. SevenEight of our brands—Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Corona, Skol, Corona,Brahma, Aguila and Brahma—Modelo—are ranked among the Global Top Ten most valuable beer brands by BrandZ™.

Our passion for brewing was evidenced by the 377 awards we won around the world this year, making us the most awarded brewer at major international beer competitions. We continue to focus on creating the highest quality beers to meet consumer needs across a wide variety of occasions.

Our strategy is to focus our attention on our core to premium brands. As a result, we make clear brand choices and seek to invest in thosebehind brands that build deep connections with consumers and meet their needs. We seek to replicate our successful brand initiatives, market programs and best practices across multiple geographic markets.

Africa plays a unique role in the AB InBev Group

We believe that Africa, as a continent, has hugely attractive markets with increasing GDPs,gross domestic products, a growing middle class and expanding economic opportunities. Africa is also growing in importance in the context of the global beer industry. It is expected that the African continent will represent approximately 8.1%9.1% of the global beer industry by volumes by 2025,2030, up from approximately 6.5%6.8% in 2014,2017, with beer volumes in Africa expected to grow at nearly three timesover twice the rate of global beer volumes between 20142017 and 2025.2030, according to Plato Logic Limited.

FormerBeer offers a significant potential for the economic and human development of many African countries. This is due to beer manufacturing high economic multiplier effects and its capacity to expand formalization in early stages of development. We believe that, in partnership with local governments and civil society, it is possible to enlarge this positive economic development potential using innovations such as the ones we have developed in Uganda and Mozambique that allow the sustainable and competitive use of local raw material.

Prior to the combination with SAB, AB InBev did not have any significant operations in Africa and we believe that the continent will play a vital role in our future, building upon the strong history and success of SABMillerSAB in the region dating back to the nineteenth century.

On 14 April 2016, we announced that we had entered into an agreement with the South African Government in terms of which we made commitments to contribute to South Africa (the “EDD Agreement”). Such commitments, which were largely included on the conditions issued by the South African Competition Commission when approving the Transaction, relate to sustained employment numbers, agricultural development, enterprise development, local production and procurement, the maintenance of the former SABMiller’s Zenzele Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Scheme (the “Zenzele Scheme”) until it matures in 2020 and the creation of a new ownership scheme, the participation of small beer brewers in the South African market, investment in initiatives aimed at promoting advancements in education, business and environmental sustainability and the reduction of harmful use of alcohol in South African society, and a commitment to locate the regional head office for Africa in and manage and operate from Johannesburg.

We will disburse equally over a five-year period running from the completion of the Transaction, through direct investments and through a fund established by us, an aggregate amount of ZAR 1.0 billion (USD 0.07 billion) for investment in the programs in South Africa contemplated by the EDD Agreement.

As a sign of our commitment to South Africa, in January 2016, former AB InBev completed a secondary (inward) listing of its Ordinary Shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. On 11 October 2016, our Ordinary Shares wereare listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, through a secondary listing, which replaced former AB InBev’s previous secondary listing. We have also announced our commitment to working in partnership with the City of Johannesburg to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.

Strong consumer insights-driven brand development capabilities

As a consumerconsumer-focused, insights-driven company, we continue to strive to understand the values, lifestyles and preferences of both today’s and tomorrow’s consumers. We expect that this will allow us to remain relevant, as well as build fresh appeal and competitive advantage through innovative products and services tailored to meet evolving consumer needs. We believe that consumer demand can be best anticipated by a close relationship between our innovation and insight teams in which current and expected market trends trigger and drive research processes. Successful examples of recently developed products or insights deployed include Budweiser Prohibition Brew (Canada), Corona Cero (Mexico), Jupiler 0.0 (Belgium), Best Damn Root Beer and Michelob Ultra 16 ounce aluminum bottleULTRA Pure Gold (United States), Brahma Extra Budweiser Copper

Lager Red Lager and Weiss, and(United States), Bud Light Orange (United States), Bud Light Radler (Canada), Carlton Zero (Australia), Corona Ligera –Mid-Strength (Australia), Harbin Crystal Ice (China), Beck’s Ice (India), Nossa (Brazil), Skol Beats SecretFire (Brazil), Mixxtail Bartender SeriesVictoria Fuego (Mexico), Taurino (El Salvador), Andes Origen Blonde, Red, Black and Patagonia DraughtIPA (Argentina), BrahmaPatagonia Porter (Argentina), Pilsen Ñande (Paraguay), Beck’s Gold (Bolivia), Hertog Jan Enkel (Netherlands), Pure Blonde by Jupiler (Belgium), Leffe 0.0% (Belgium), Michelob Ultra (UK) and Pilsen 340ml (Paraguay), Harbin Wheat (China), and Mixxtail (Korea)Stella Artois Gluten Free (UK).

We believe that our internal excellence programs such as our World Class Commercial Program, are a major competitive advantage. The World Class Commercial ProgramAcademy is an integrated marketing and sales execution program designed to continuously improve the quality of our sales and marketing capabilities and processes by ensuring they are fully understood by all relevant employees and consistently followed.

Strict financial discipline

World-class efficiency has been, and will remain, a long-term focus across all markets, all lines of business and under all economic circumstances. Avoiding unnecessary costs is a core competency within our culture. We aim to be efficient with our overhead expenses in order to spend more effectively to grow our company. As a result, we have implemented, and will continue to develop, programs and initiatives aimed at reducingnon-commercial expenses. This strict financial discipline has allowed us to develop a “Cost—Connect—Win” model in which overhead expenses are minimized in order to maximize our sales and marketing investments designed to connect with our consumers, win market share and achieve long-term, profitable growth.

We have a number of group-wide cost efficiency programs in place, including:

 

  

Zero-Based Budgeting or ZBB: Under Zero-Based Budgeting (“ZBB”), budget decisions are unrelated to the previous year’s levels of expenditure and require justification starting from a zero base each year. Employee compensation is closely tied to delivering onzero-based budgets. ZBB has been successfully introduced into all of our major markets, as well as our global headquarters.

 

  

Voyager Plant Optimization or VPO: Voyager Plant Optimization (“VPO”) aims to bring greater efficiency and standardization to our brewing operations and to generate cost savings, while at the same time improving quality, safety and the environment. VPO also entails assessment of our procurement processes to maximize purchasing power and to help us achieve the best results when purchasing a range of goods and services. Behavioral change towards greater efficiencies is at the core of this program, and comprehensive training modules have been established to assist our employees with the implementation of VPO in their daily routines.

 

  

Business Shared Services Centers:Centers: We have established a number of business shared services centers across our business segments which focus on transactional and support activities within our group. These centers help to standardize working practices and identify and disseminate best practices.

We expect the Transactioncombination with SAB to generate synergies and cost savings as we continue our integration with SABMiller. We haveSAB. In October 2017, we further updated our synergy and cost savingscost-savings expectation from USD 2.452.8 billion per annum as of August31 December 2016 to USD 2.83.2 billion per annum on a constant currency basis. Of our original expectation of USD 2.45 billion per annum, we announced USD 1.4 billion per annum as transaction synergies, and USD 1.05 billion per annum was previously announced by SABMillerSAB as cost savingscost-savings initiatives. From this USD 3.2 billion total, USD 547 million per annum was reported by SABMillerSAB as of 31 March 2016, and USD 282 million per annum2.4 billion was captured between 1 April 2016 and 31 December 2016.2018. The balance of approximately USD 2.0 billion250 million is expected to be captured inby the next three to four years and isend of 2019. Synergies are still expected to come mainly from:

 

procurement and engineering savings, which are expected to be generated from third partythird-party cost efficiencies as a result of economies of scale through combined sourcing of raw materials and packaging and reengineeringre-engineering of associated processes across our cost base;

brewery and distribution efficiency gains, which are expected to be generated from the alignment of brewery, bottling and shipping productivity including: reduced water, energy usage and extract losses, as well as optimization of other brewery and distribution processes across geographies;

 

savings are expected to be generated from sharing best practices such as ZBB and other cost management best practices, efficiency improvements and productivity enhancements across our administrative operations; and

 

the realignment of overlapping administrative costs, are expected to generatewhich generates synergies through the optimization of the corporate headquarters and overlapping regional headquarters.

Experienced management team with a strong track record of delivering synergies through business combinations

During the last two decades, our management, including the management of our predecessor companies, has executed a number of merger and acquisition transactions of varying sizes, with acquired businesses being successfully and smoothly integrated into our operations, realizing significant synergies. Notable historical examples include the creation of Ambev in 2000 through the combination of Brahma and Antarctica, the acquisition of Beck’s by Interbrew in 2002, the combination of Ambev and Quilmes in 2003, Ambev gaining control of Labatt in 2004 and the creation of InBev in 2004 from the combination of Interbrew and Ambev. More recent examples include the combination with Anheuser-Busch Companies in November 2008, the combination with Grupo Modelo in June 2013 the reacquisition of Oriental Brewery, the leading brewer in South Korea, in April 2014, and the Transactioncombination with SAB in 2016.

Our strong track record also extends to successfully integrating brands such as Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois into our global brand portfolio and distribution network, including leveraging Ambev’s distribution channels in Latin America and Canada.

We are utilizing these skills and experiences with the goal of completing the integration of former AB InBev and SABMillerSAB in a timely fashion, with minimal disruption to the business, and maximizing the capture of cost synergies.

Strategy

StrategyDelivering organic growth

We have a long-term focus ontop-line growth, and delivering consistent, profitabletop-line growth is our number one priority. We are building a company for the next 100 years. We have a comprehensive strategy focused on three inter-locking strategic frameworks:

1.

The market maturity model is a framework that classifies our markets against a maturity level and share of beer. We know that the beer category evolves as markets mature and we use the market maturity model to group markets into clusters based on maturity level. We have found that the growth opportunity for beer differs across each level of maturity. The model enables us to develop our portfolios and commercial capabilities with a future-facingmind-set, so we can predict the evolution of a market and anticipate market dynamics from more mature markets, set specific priorities based on a market’s cluster and optimize our portfolio of brands to address consumer occasions across clusters.

2.

Category expansion frameworkguides us in shaping our brand portfolio to take advantage of the new occasions in evolving markets. We use this framework to identify which types of beer will best fit the adapting needs of an evolving market. This allows us to expand our offerings to anticipate and deliver the types of beer our consumers desire. Our vision is to structure the evolution of beers to be similar to other categories (to stretch the price ladder through premiumization, add lower bitterness propositions, introduce sophisticated options and extend to savorings and refinement). We believe that the insights derived from the category expansion framework will enable our company to achieve further growth across our diverse geographic footprint at different levels of maturity.

3.

Growth champions: We use growth champions to ensure that we expand our portfolios and related commercial practices efficiently and at the right time. This process follows one of our most successful business systems, efficiency systems, which provide a benchmark to open gaps, share best practices and then execute on them in a deliberate manner in order to deliver increasing cost-efficiency. We are now replicating this system through growth champions, benchmarking best practices fortop-line growth around the world and implementing them in new markets with similar characteristics to leverage our scale.

Since the combination of SAB, we have adopted a new way of looking at the beer category that recognizes different market maturities and the role of brand portfolios in driving category health. We are excited about the growth opportunities we are seeing in more than 50 countries—in both developed and developing markets—and this positions us for sustainable and profitable long-term revenue growth. We are focused on delivering growth opportunities and elevating the category. We aim to grow our revenue organically ahead of the industry benchmark of volume growth plus inflation, on acountry-by-country basis. As a result of now having operations in virtually every major beer market, we have insight into consumer trends and habits, and global macro trends. Specifically:

We are bringing together the “best of both”: we are sharing best practices both ways. We have developed a deep appreciation for the complementary knowledge, initiatives and ideas that our former SAB colleagues bring to the table, including:

comprehensive insights on expanding the beer category by making it more attractive to consumers on more occasions;

perspective on how consumption patterns evolve in developing regions and what that means for premiumization efforts; and

replicable models for unlocking the value of lager brands.

We have strengthened our position in developing regions, with excellent growth prospects in Asia, Central and South America and Africa, which will play a key role in our company going forward.

We are continually diversifying and innovating our products to offer more choice with the same quality.

We are brand builders and are committed to building great brands that stand the test of time. Our brands must remain relevant to existing consumers, be capable of winning new consumers, and secure their long-term brand loyalty. We will continue to invest and drive strong consumer preference for our brands and continued premiumization of our brand portfolio.

Opportunities exist to develop brands and offerings to gain share of alcohol innon-traditional beer occasions. We will further strengthen brand innovation in order to stay ahead of market trends and maintain consumer appeal.

We continue to build connections with our consumers at thepoint-of-sale, in partnership with distributors,off-trade retailers andon-tradepoints-of-sale, by further improving the quality of the consumer’s shopping experience and consumption occasions.

We are leveraging social and digital media platforms to reach out to existing and potential consumers and build connections with our brands.

Today, we have an enhanced understanding of the key moments of consumption, and to focus our sales, marketing, product development and other brand-building activities on capturing a greater share of these consumption opportunities. We believe that by understanding, embracing and enriching consumption moments and occasions, we have the opportunity to accelerate growth and deliver increased shareholder value.

Our strategy is based on our Dream of Bringing People Together for a Better World

We strive to achieve this every day. By combining scale, resources and energy with the needs of the communities we serve, we believe we have the drive and tools to help make it happen.

We are committed to driving long-term growth and creating value for our business partners and stakeholders. Through our products, brands and investment in communities, we are excited to work toward the Dream:Dream of Bringing People Together for a Better World.

With operations in virtually every major beer market and an expanded portfolio that includes global, multi-country and local brands, we provideare providing more choices for consumers around the world and believe we canto better meet their needs and expectations. We expect that our expanded reach will help grow our global and multi-country brands, while we continue to develop local brands tailored to regional tastes and trends.

Building on what both AB InBev and SABMiller have done in the past, we will demonstrate our commitments through our Better World platform. Through our reach, resources and energy, we are addressing the needs of our communities by building:by:

 

A growing worldImproving environmental and social sustainability, where everyone has: We depend on natural resources to brew our beers and strive to use resources responsibly and preserve them for the opportunityfuture. That is why we factor sustainability into how we do business, including how we source water, energy and raw materials. We develop innovative programs across our supply chain to improve their livelihood;our sustainability performance with our business partners. To improve lives in the communities we are part of, we also support the farmers and small retailers in our value chain to help them be more productive. To facilitate progress, we combined our sustainability and procurement activities under a single function led by a member of our senior leadership team.

 

A cleaner worldPromoting smart drinking, where natural resources are shared and preserved for the future; and

A healthier world, where: We want every experience with beer isto be a positive one,one. We believe that the harmful use of alcohol is bad for lives well-lived.consumers, society and our business. We’re a global company, brewing beers and building brands that will continue to bring people together for a better world for the next 100 years and beyond. This requires thriving communities across the globe where harmful use of alcohol no longer presents a social challenge. We established our Global Smart Drinking Goals in December 2015 to contribute to the World Health Organization’s target of reducing the harmful use of alcohol by at least 10% in every country by 2025 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of strengthening the prevention of harmful use of alcohol globally. Our Global Smart Drinking Goals are intended to serve as a laboratory to identify and test replicable programs, implement them in partnership with others and ensure they are independently and transparently evaluated.

Increasing workplace safety: We are committed to doing everything possible to create a safe work environment. We encourage employees and contractors to follow safe practices and make healthy choices in our workplaces and local communities.

Business ethics: Our leaders set the tone for our company. We expect them to deliver results and to inspire our colleagues through passion for brewing and a sense of ownership. Most importantly, we never take shortcuts. Integrity, hard work, quality and responsibility are essential to our growth.

For further information about our Dream of Bringing People Together for a Better World, see “—13. Social and Community Matters.”

With our strong brand portfolio, we are “bringing people together” in ways that few others can. By building common ground, strengthening human connections and helping our consumers share unique experiences, we are able to achieve something together that cannot be accomplished alone.

Organic revenue growth

We aim to grow our revenue organically ahead of the industry benchmark of volume growth plus inflation, on acountry-by-country basis. To achieve this goal, we build on the work undertaken by former AB InBev and SABMiller in developing a deep understanding of both consumers’ needs and the occasions when they enjoy beer and other alcohol beverages. Some of our insights from this work include the following:

consumers around the world are more similar than different;

our brands must remain relevant to existing consumers, be capable of winning new consumers, and secure their long-term brand loyalty. We should continue to invest to drive strong consumer preference for our brands and continued premiumization of our brand portfolio;

opportunities exist to develop brands and offerings to gain share of alcohol innon-traditional beer occasions. We should further strengthen brand innovation in order to stay ahead of market trends and maintain consumer appeal;

we should seek to build connections with our consumers at thepoint-of-sale, in partnership with distributors,off-trade retailers andon-tradepoints-of-sale, by further improving the quality of the consumer’s shopping experience and consumption occasions; and

we must leverage social and digital media platforms to reach out to existing and potential consumers and build connections with our brands.

These insights enable us to better understand the key moments of consumption, and to focus our sales, marketing, product development and other brand-building activities on capturing a greater share of these consumption opportunities. We believe that, by understanding, embracing and enriching consumption moments and occasions, we have the opportunity to accelerate revenue growth and deliver increased shareholder value.

These insights have led to the identification of our four global commercial priorities:

growing our global brands;

premiumizing and invigorating beer;

elevating lager; and

developing the near beer segment.

Cost management and efficiency

We strive to continuously improve efficiency by unlocking the potential for variable and fixed-cost savings by seeking to:

 

maintain long-term cost increases below inflation, benefiting from the application of cost efficiencycost-efficiency programs such as Zero-Based BudgetingZBB and Voyager Plant Optimization,VPO, internal and external benchmarking, as well as from our size;

 

leverage the Global Procurement Officeour global procurement office to generate further cost savings, and build on our supplier relationships to bring new ideas and innovation to our business; and

 

continue to share best practices across all functions, as well as benchmark performance externally against other leading companies. Cost management and efficiency will be part of an ongoing process and fueled by an ownership mindset.

 

2.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND PRODUCTS

We produce, market, distribute and sell a strong portfolio of well over 500 beer and malt beverage brands. We have a global footprint with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets and production facilities spread across our regions.

Our production and distribution facilities and other assets are predominantly located in the same geographical areas as our consumers. We set up local production when we believe that there is substantial potential for local sales that cannot be addressed in a cost-efficient manner through exports or third-party distribution into the relevant country. Local production also helps us to reduce, although it does not eliminate, our exposure to currency movements.

The table below sets out the main brands we sell in the markets listed below as of 31 December 2016.2018. We expect that significant growth opportunities will arise from marketing our brand portfolio through a largely complementary distribution network, and applying the best practices of former AB InBev and SABMiller across the Combined Group.network.

 

Country by Region(1)

  

Brands

North America  
Canada  Beer: Alexander Keith’s, Archibald, American Vintage, Bass, Beck’s, Bud Light, Budweiser, Busch, Corona, Fosters, Hoegaarden, Goose Island, Kokanee, Labatt 50, Labatt Blue, Labatt Blue Light, Lakeport, Leffe, Löwenbräu, Lucky, Michelob Ultra, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Mill Street, Okanagan, Oland, Palm Bay, Rolling Rock, Rockstar, Shock Top, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer, Stanley Park, Spaten, Stella Artois, Tail Spin
United States  Beer: 10 Barrel, Bass, Beck’s, Best Damn, Blue Point, Breckenridge, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, Budweiser, Busch, Busch Light, Devil’s Backbone, Elysian, Estrella Jalisco, Four Peaks, Golden Road, Goose Island, Hoegaarden, Karbach, Leffe,Lime-A-Rita Family, Rita family, Michelob Ultra, Natural Light, Rolling Rock, Shock Top, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer, Stella Artois, Virtue, Wicked Weed
Latin America West  
Colombia  Beer:Beer: Bahia, Aguila family, Bogota Beer Company, Bud Light, Budweiser, Club Colombia family, Cola y Pola, Corona, Costeña family, Modelo Especial, Pilsen, family, Poker family, Redd’s, Stella Artois, Azteca, Beck’s, Brahma, Busch Light
  Non-Beer: Pony Malta, Malta Leona
Ecuador  Beer: Budweiser, Club Conquer, Manantial, Pony Malta,family, Pilsener family, Corona, Stella Artois, Beck’s
  Non-Beer: Manantial water, Pony Malta

Country by Region(1)

Brands

El Salvador  Beer: Barena, Camagua, Cantina, Golden, Light, Pilsener, family

Country by Region

Brands

Corona, Taurino, Modelo, Stella Artois, Budweiser, Bud Light
Honduras  Beer: Barena, Corona, Imperial, Port Royal, SalvaVida, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light
Mexico  Beer: Barrilito, Bocanegra, Bud Light, Budweiser, Corona, Corona Cero(non-alcoholic), Corona Light, Cucapá, Day of the Dead, Estrella, Ideal,Goose Island, Hoegaarden, Leon, Mexicali, Michelob Ultra, Modelo Ambar, Modelo Especial, Modelo Trigo, Montejo, Negra Modelo, Pacifico, Stella Artois, Tijuana, Tropical Light, Victoria
Peru  Beer:Beer: Arequipeña, Backus Ice, Brahma, Budweiser, Corona, Cristal, Cristal Ultra, Cusqueña family, Fiesta Real, Löwenbräu,Michelob Ultra, Pilsen Callao, Pilsen Trujillo, San JuanJuan. Stella Artois

  Non-Beer: Agua Tonica Backus, CristalinaGuaraná Backus Guarana Backus,family, Maltin Power, San Mateo water, Viva Backus
Latin America North  
Brazil  Beer: Antarctica, Bohemia, Brahma, Budweiser, Colorado, Corona, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Original, Nossa, Serramalte, Skol, Skol Beats, Stella Artois
  Non-Beer: Guaraná Antarctica, Pepsi,Do Bem, Fusion, Gatorade, Lipton, Pepsi
Dominican Republic  Beer: Bohemia, Brahma, Budweiser, Corona, Franziskaner, Goose Island, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Modelo (Especial and Negra), Presidente, Stella Artois, Shock Top, Spaten, The One
  Non-Beer: 7UP, Guaraná Antarctica, Enriquillo, Coco Rico, Malta Bohemia, Malta Löwenbräu, Malta Morena, Montpellier water, Pepsi, Red Bull, Red Rock, 911, VitaMalt
Guatemala  Beer: Bass, Beck’s Blue, Brahva, Bud Light, Budweiser, Busch Light, Corona, Goose Island, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Modelo Especial,(Especial and Negra), Shock Top, Stella Artois
Panama  Beer: 507, Atlas, Atlas Golden Light, Balboa family, Budweiser, Corona, Presidente
  Non-Beer: 7UP, Agua Brisa, Malta Alfa, Malta Vigor, Mirinda, Pepsi family, Pony Malta, H20, Schweppes, Canada Dry
Latin America South  
Argentina(1)  Beer: Andes, Budweiser, Beck’s, Brahma, Budweiser, Corona, Franziskaner, Hoegaarden, Iguana, Leffe, Löwenbräu, MixxTail, Negra Modelo, Norte, Patagonia, Pilsen, Quilmes, Stella Artois, Skol, Zillertal
  Non-Beer: 7UP, Gatorade, H2OH!, Mirinda, Paso de los Toros, Pepsi, Red Bull, Tropicana, Antárctica Guaraná, Awafrut, Glaciar, Nestle Pureza Vital, Eco de los Andes
Bolivia  Beer: Báltica, Brahma, Corona, Ducal, Huari, MixxTail,Imperial, Maltín, Paceña, Stella Artois, Taquiña,
  

Non-Beer: 7UP, Pepsi, Mirinda, Antárctica Guaraná, Gatorade, H2OH!

Chile  Beer: Baltica, Beck’s, Becker, Brahma, Budweiser, Busch, Corona, Cusqueña, Goose Island, Leffe, Hoegaarden, Stella Artois, Negra Modelo, Quilmes, Malta del Sur, Modelo Especial, Paceña
Paraguay  Beer: Baviera, Brahma, Budweiser, Corona, Mixxtail, Ouro Fino, Pilsen, Stella Artois
UruguayBeer: Norteña, Patricia, Pilsen, Zillertal
Non-Beer: 7UP, H2OH!, Pepsi
EMEA
United KingdomBeer: Bass, Beck’s, Boddingtons, Brahma, Budweiser, Camden Town, Corona, Cubanisto, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Stella Artois
FranceBeer: Beck’s,Belle-Vue, Boomerang, Budweiser, Corona, Cubanisto, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Loburg, Stella Artois
ItalyBeer: Beck’s, Birra Del Borgo family, Budweiser, Corona, Franziskaner, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Löwenbräu, Spaten,Norte, Ouro Fino, Patagonia, Pilsen, Stella Artois,

Spain

Country by Region(1)

  

Brands

UruguayBeer: Beck’s, Budweiser, Cervezas La Virgen, Corona, Dorada family, Estrella Canaria, Franziskaner, Kelson, Leffe, Saturday, Stella Artois, Tropical family
RussiaBeer: Bagbier, Brahma, Bud,Budweiser, Corona, Franziskaner, Hoegaarden, Klinskoye, Leffe, Löwenbräu, Sibirskaya Korona, Spaten,Negra Modelo, Norteña, Patagonia, Patricia, Pilsen, Quilmes, Stella Artois, T, TolstiakZillertal,
Ukraine  BeerNon-Beer: Beck’s, Bud, Chernigivske, Corona, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Rogan, Staropramen, Stella Artois, Taller, Yantar7UP, Gatorade, H2OH!, Mirinda, Paso de los Toros, Pepsi, Teem
EMEA
Belgium  Beer: Beck’s,Belle-Vue, Budweiser, Corona, Cubanisto, Ginette family, Hoegaarden, Jupiler, Kwak, Leffe, Stella Artois, Tripel Karmeliet, Vieux Temps
FranceBeer: Beck’s, Bud, Camden, Corona, Cubanisto, Ginette, Goose Island, Hoegaarden, Jupiler, Kwak, Leffe, Loburg, Stella Artois, Triple Karmeliet
GermanyBeer: Beck’s, Corona, Diebels, Franziskaner, Haake-Beck, Hasseröder, Löwenbräu, Spaten
ItalyBeer: Beck’s, Birra Del Borgo family, Bud, Corona, Franziskaner, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Löwenbräu, Spaten, Stella Artois
LuxembourgBeer: Beck’s, Diekirch, Hoegaarden, Jupiler, Leffe, Mousel, Stella Artois
Netherlands  Beer: Beck’s, Corona, Dommelsch, Hertog Jan, Hoegaarden, Jupiler, Leffe, Stella Artois
LuxembourgSpain  Beer: Beck’s, Budweiser, Cervezas La Virgen, Corona Cerveza, Dorada family, Franziskaner, Kelson, Leffe, Saturday, Stella Artois, Tropical family
United KingdomBeer: Bass, Beck’s, Diekirch,Beck’s Blue, Belle Vue, Blue Point Toasted lager, Boddingtons, Brahma, Budweiser, Budweiser Prohibition, Bud Light, Camden Town, Corona, Cubanisto, Flowers, Franziskaner, Goose Island, Hoegaarden, Jupiler, Leffe, Mousel,Löwenbräu, Mackeson, Michelob Ultra, Modelo Especial, Old Blue Last, Pacifico, Spaten, Stella Artois, Whitbread, Cidre, Magners
Germany

AFRICA

  Beer: Beck’s, Corona, Diebels, Franziskaner, Haake-Beck, Hasseröder, Löwenbräu, Spaten
Botswana  Beer: Carling Black Label, Carling Blue Label, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Castle Free, Castle Milk Stout, Core Original, Flying Fish, Hansa Pilsener, Lion Lager, Redd’s, Stella Artois, St. Louis family
  Non-Beer: Bonaqua, Chibuku, Keone Mooka Mague
Ghana  Beer: Castle Milk Stout, Chairman, Club Premium Lager, Club Shandy, Eagle, Stone LagerStella Artois
  Non-Beer: Beta Malt Chibuku
KenyaBeer: Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Castle Milk Stout, Crown Lager, Nile Special, Redd’s
Non-Beer: Konyagi
Lesotho  Beer: Budweiser, Carling Black Label, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Castle Milk Stout, Corona, Flying Fish, Hansa Pilsener, Maluti Premium Lager, Redd’s,

Country by Region

Brands

Stella Artois
Malawi  Beer: Carling Black Label, Castle Lager, Castle Lite
Non-Beer: Chibuku, Chibuku Super, Maheu
MozambiqueBeer: 2M, Carling Black Label, Castle Lite, Flying Fish, Hansa Pilsener, Impala, Laurentina family, Manica, Redd’s
NamibiaBeer: Carling Black Label, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Mageu
Non-Beer: Chibuku, Chibuku Super, Chibuku Super Chocolate, Maheu
MozambiqueBeer: 2M, Budweiser, Carling Black Label, Castle Lite, Dourada, Flying Fish, Hansa Pilsener, Impala, Laurentina family, Manica, Redd’s, Stella Artois
Non-Beer: Chibuku, Chibuku Super
NamibiaBeer: Budweiser, Carling Black Label, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Corona, Eagle Lager, Flying Fish, Redd’s, Stella Artois
Nigeria  Beer: Castle Lager,Budweiser, Castle Lite, Castle Milk Stout, Eagle, Grand Lager, Hero, Redd’s, Stella Artois, Trophy

Country by Region(1)

Brands

  Non-Beer: 1960 Rootz, Beta Malt, Chibuku, Grand Malt Maheu, Royal Eagle spirits
South Africa  Beer: Beck’s, Beck’s Blue, Budweiser, Brutal Fruit, Carling Black Label, Carling Blue Label,Carvers Weiss, Castle 1895, Castle Lager, Castle Free, Castle Lite, Castle Lite Lime, Castle Milk Stout, Castle Milk Stout Chocolate, Corona, Flying Fish Hansa Marzen Gold,family, Hansa Pilsener, Hoegaarden, Lion Lager, No 3 Fransen Street, Leffe, Liberado, Newlands Spring, Redd’s family, SaritaStella Artois
Swaziland  Beer: Budweiser, Carling Black Label, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Castle Milk Stout, Corona, Eagle Lager, Flying Fish, Hansa Pilsener, Lion Lager, Redd’s, Sibebe, Stella Artois
  Non-Beer: Chibuku, Imphilo,Bonaqua water, Imvelo, Megeu
Tanzania  Beer: Balimi, Bingwa,Budweiser, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Castle Milk Stout, Eagle, Kilimanjaro, Ndovu Special Malt, Redd’s, Safari
  Non-Beer: Bia Bingwa, Chibuku, Chibuku Super, Grand Malt, Konyagi, Nzagamba, Ndovu Special Malt
Uganda  Beer: Budweiser, Chairman’s ESB, Castle Lite, Castle Milk Stout, Club Pilsener, Eagle family, Flying Fish, Nile family, Redd’s
  Non-Beer: Chibuku Extra, Shibuku Super
Zambia  Beer: Budweiser, Carling Black Label, Carling Blue Label, Castle Lager, Castle Lite Eagle, Flying Fish, Mosi, Redd’s, RhinoStella Artois
  Non-Beer: Chibiku, Chibuku Super, Super MaheuMageu
Asia Pacific  
Australia  Beer: 4 Pines, Abbotsford Invalid Stout, Aguila, Alpha Pale Ale, Beck’s, Beez Neez, Budweiser, Carlton family, Carlton Dry family, Cascade family, Corona, Corona Ligera, Crown Lager, Dogbolter, Yak family, Foster’s family, Frothy, Great Northern Brewing CoCo. family, Goose Island, Helga, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Matilda Bay family, Melbourne Bitter, Minimum Chips, NT Draught, Pacific Radler, Pirate Life, Powers Gold, Pure Blonde family, Redback, Reschs, Sheaf Stout, Stella Artois, Victoria Bitter
  Non-Beer: Black Douglas spirits, Bulmers family, Cougar spirits, Dirty Granny, Kopparberg family, Mercury family, Strongbow family
China  Beer: Beck’s, Big Boss,Boxing Cat, Budweiser, Corona, Franziskanner, Ginsber, Goose Island, Harbin family, Hoegaarden, Leffe, MixxTail, Sedrin, Stella Artois
India  Beer: Black Partridge, Budweiser, Foster’s, Haywards 2000, Haywards 5000, Knock Out, Royal Challenge
South Korea  Beer: Budweiser, Cass, Corona, Hoegaarden, OB Premier, Stella Artois, Victoria Bitter, Cafri, Suntory
Vietnam  Beer: Budweiser, Zima,Beck’s family, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Corona, Stella Artois, Zorok

 

Notes:

 

(1)In connection with obtaining regulatory clearance

Effective 1 January 2019, we are reorganizing our regional reporting structure. We will report results in our new regional structure for the Transaction in Argentina, we are holding separate SABMiller’s businesses in Argentina until approval is granted byfirst time for the Argentine antitrust authorities. For more information, seethree months ending March 31, 2019. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—The uncertainties about the effects of the Transaction could materially5. Operating and adversely affect our businesses and operations,” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We are exposed to antitrust and competition laws in certain jurisdictions and the risk of changes in such laws or in the interpretation and enforcement of existing antitrust and competition laws. In addition, the Transaction has been subject to the review and authorization of various regulatory authorities, which have imposed conditions with which we are required to comply.”Financial Review—C. Business Segments”).

The table below sets out our sales broken down by business segment for the periods shown:

 

  2016(3) 2015(2) 2014(2)   2018 2017 2016(2) 

Market

  Revenue(1)
(USD  million)
   Revenue
(% of total)
 Revenue(1)
(USD  million)
   Revenue
(% of total)
 Revenue(1)
(USD  million)
   Revenue
(% of total)
   Revenue(1)
(USD million)
   Revenue
(% of total)
 Revenue(1)
(USD million)
   Revenue
(% of total)
 Revenue(1)
(USD million)
   Revenue
(% of total)
 

North America

   15,698    34.5  15,603    35.8  16,093    34.2   15,504    28.4 15,588    27.6 15,698    34.5

Latin America West

   5,188    11.4  4,079    9.4  4,756    10.1   9,999    18.3 9,238    16.4 5,188    11.4

Latin America North

   8,461    18.6  9,096    20.9  11,269    23.9   8,990    16.5 9,775    17.3 8,461    18.6

Latin America South

   2,850    6.3  3,331    7.6  2,825    6.0   2,863    5.2 3,363    6.0 2,850    6.3

EMEA

   6,010    13.2  4,128    9.5  4,973    10.6   8,374    15.3 10,344    18.3 6,010    13.2

Asia Pacific

   6,074    13.3  5,784    13.3  5,230    11.1   8,470    15.5 7,804    13.8 6,074    13.3

Global Export and Holding Companies

   1,237    2.7  1,582    3.6  1,917    4.1   419    0.8 332    0.6 1,237    2.7
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total

   45,517    100.0  43,604    100.0  47,063    100.0   54,619    100.0  56,444    100.0  45,517    100.0
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

 

Notes:

 

(1)

Revenue is turnover less excise taxes and discounts. In many jurisdictions, excise taxes make up a large proportion of the cost of beer charged to our customers (see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Excise Taxes”).

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014 have been restated to reflect this allocation.
(3)

Following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we are consolidating SABMillerconsolidated SAB and reportingreport results and volumes of the retained SABMillerSAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

For a discussion of changes in revenue, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—E. Results of Operations—Year Ended 31 December 20162018 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2015—2017—Revenue” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—E. Results of Operations—Year Ended 31 December 20152017 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2014—2016—Revenue.”

The table below sets out the breakdown between our beer andnon-beer volumes and revenue. Based on our actual historical financial information for these periods, ournon-beer activities accounted for 10.9% of consolidated volumes in 2018, 16.4% of consolidated volumes in 2017 and 12.4% of consolidated volumes in 2016, 9.6% of consolidated volumes in 2015 and 10.2% of consolidated volumes in 2014.2016. In terms of revenue, ournon-beer activities generated 9.0%8.2% of consolidated revenue in 20162018 compared to 6.9%10.9% in 20152017 and 8.4%9.0% in 20142016, based on our actual historical financial information for these periods.

 

  Beer(1)(3)   Non-Beer(4)   Consolidated   Beer(1)(3)   Non-Beer(4)   Consolidated 
  2016   2015   2014   2016   2015   2014   2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016   2018   2017   2016   2018   2017   2016 

Volume (million hectoliters)

   438    413    411    62    44    47    500    457    459    505    513    438    62    100    62    567    613    500 

Revenue(2)(USD million)

   41,421    40,595    43,116    4,096    3,009    3,947    45,517    43,604    47,063    50,134    50,301    41,421    4,485    6,143    4,096    54,619    56,444    45,517 

 

Notes:

 

(1)

Beer volumes and revenue include not only brands that we own or license, but also third-party brands that we brew or otherwise produce as a subcontractor and third-party products that we sell through our distribution network, particularly in Western Europe.

(2)

Revenue is turnover less excise taxes and discounts. In many jurisdictions, excise taxes make up a large proportion of the cost of beer charged to our customers (see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Excise Taxes”).

(3)

The beer category includes flavored maltnear beer beverages, such as the Rita family of beverages and MixxTail.Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer.

(4)

Thenon-beer category includes soft drinks and certain other beverages.

Beer

Our brands are ourthe foundation and the cornerstone of our relationships with consumers. We invest in our brands to create long-term and sustainable competitive advantages by meeting the various needs and expectations of consumers and by developing leading brand positions around the globe.

On the basis of quality and price, beer can be differentiated into the following categories:

 

Premium orhigh-end brands;

 

Core brands; and

 

Value, discount orsub-premium brands.

Our brands are positioned across all of these categories. For example, a brand like Stella Artois generally targets the premium category across the globe, while a brand like Skol targets the core segment in Brazil and Natural Light targets thesub-premium category in the United States. We have a particular focus on core to premiumcore-to-premium categories but are also present in the value category where the market structure in a particular country necessitates thisits presence.

Our portfolio includes:

International Distribution

 

Beck’s, the world’s number one German beer, is renowned for uncompromising quality. It is brewed today, just as it was in 1873, with a rigorous brewing process and a recipe using only four natural ingredients. Beck’s adheres to the strictest quality standards of the GermanReinheitsgebot (Purity Law). Beck’s is brewed in various countries, including the United States.

Beck’s, the world’s number one German beer, is renowned for uncompromising quality. It is brewed today, just as it was in 1873, with a rigorous brewing process and a recipe using only four natural ingredients. Beck’s adheres to the strictest quality standards of the German Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law). Beck’s is brewed in various countries, including the United States.

Budweiser is one of the top sellingtop-selling beers in the United States. Globally, Budweiser volumes have grown every year since 2010, including growth of 1.3%4.0% in 2016.2018. Budweiser sales outside the United States represented over 65.4%71.8% of global Budweiser volume in 2016,2018, driven by strong growth in Asia, Brazil, Africa and Europe.India. Budweiser was a sponsor of the 20142018 FIFA World Cup™ and has confirmed itsachieved the number 1 position in share of conversation, reaching 1.2 billion video views throughout the tournament period. Budweiser will continue this sponsorship offor the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups™Cup™.

 

Castle Lager is popularly described as South Africa’s national beer, first brewed in Johannesburg in 1895, using local hops, creating a somewhat dry taste with bitterness and undertones of malt. Castle Lager is the official sponsor toof several South African sporting associations, including the national football and cricket teams.

 

Castle Lite was first brewed in South Africa in 1994 with a mission to provide the coldest and most refreshing beer on the South African market. Today, it is an Africa-wide premium brand enjoyed in 1113 countries and continues to innovate brewing techniques to keep its beer “extra cold.”

 

Corona is the best-selling Mexican beer in the world and the leading beer brand in Mexico. Corona is available in more than 120 countries. In 2016,2018, it was ranked number sixfive in the BrandZ™ list of most valuable beer brands worldwide. We granted Constellation Brands, Inc. the exclusive right to market and sell Corona and certain other Grupo Modelo beer brands in the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia and Guam, including Victoria, Modelo Especial, Pacifico and Negra Modelo.

 

Hoegaarden is ahigh-end Belgian wheat (or “white”) beer. Based on its brewing tradition dating back to 1445, Hoegaarden is top fermented and then refermented in the bottle or keg, leading to its distinctive cloudy white appearance.

 

Leffe, a rich, full-bodied beer that hails from Belgium, has the longest heritage in our beer portfolio and is available in over 70 countries worldwide.

 

Redd’s was originally launched in South Africa as a bold, crisp apple ale in 1996. It led South African Breweries’ efforts to compete in the cider category in South Africa. As SABMiller expanded,It is a golden liquid, with a fruity aroma of fresh red apples and citrus fruit, followed through with a crisp sweet taste on the palate. Redd’s has since launchedis also available in surrounding southern African countries, the United States, Poland, Russia, RomaniaRedd’s Dry, Redd’s Carnival Rosé and Colombia. Flavor and alcohol by volume extensions have characterized launches beyond South Africa. We granted Molson Coors a perpetual, exclusive right to market and sell Redd’s and certain other former SABMiller brands in the United States.Vodka Lemon.

Stella Artois is the number one Belgian beer in the world according to Plato Logic Limited. Stella ArtoisLimited, it is the world’s fourth most valuable beer brand according to Kantar’s BrandZ™ study and it is distributed in over 90 countries worldwide and has strong global potential. Stella Artois isworldwide. As a premium lager whosewith roots tracetracing back as early asto 1366 in the town of Leuven, Belgium. ThisBelgium, its legacy of quality and elegance is reflected in its iconic chalice and exacting9-step Pouring Ritual. Stella Artois is a premium lager with a heritage dating back more than 600 years.nine-step pouring ritual. The top three markets in terms of revenue for Stella Artois as of 2018 are the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. Building upon the strength of this brand in the United Kingdom we launched Stella Artois Cidreand Brazil with expansion plans well under way in 2011, Stella Artois Cidre Pear in 2012several new growth markets including South Africa and Stella Artois Cidre Raspberry in 2014. In the United States, Stella Artois Cidre was launched in 2013.Mexico.

North America

 

Bud Light is the best-selling beer in the United States and the leader in the premium light category. It is the official sponsor of the NFL (National Football League), with a sponsorship agreement most recently extended to 2022. In the United States, its share of the premium light category in 20162018 was approximately 55%54%, more than the combined share of the next two largest brands (based on IRI estimates).

 

Michelob Ultra was rolled out nationally in the United States in 2002 and is estimated to be the number eightfive brand by volume in the United States in 20162018 according to Beer Marketer’s Insights.IRI. Michelob Ultra was the fastest growingfastest-growing beer brand in the United States inbetween 2015 and 2016,2018, according to IRI.IRI (based on volume share gains).

Latin America West

 

Modelo Especial is a full-flavored pilsner beer brewed with premiumtwo-row barley malt for a slightly sweet, well-balanced taste with a light hop character and crisp finish. Brewed since 1925, it was created to be a “model” beer for all of Mexico and stands for pride and authenticity.

Victoria is a Vienna-style lager and one of Mexico’s most popular beers. Victoria was produced for the first time in 1865, making Victoria Mexico’s oldest beer brand.

 

Aguila is a classic Colombian lager beer with a balanced and refreshing flavor that was first brewed in 1913.

 

Cristal is Peru’s leading beer, brewed since 1922. With a clean, crisp taste and dedication to quality, Cerveza Cristal is a favorite among Peruvians.

 

Pilsen Callao, first brewed 150 years ago in Peru, offers athe clean and simple taste of a true Pilsner.

 

Poker is a Pilsner lager whichthat has been enjoyed by Colombians for its traditional, bittersweet taste since 1929.

Latin America North

 

Antarctica is the third-mostfourth-most consumed beer in Brazil, according to Plato Logic Limited.

 

Brahma is the second-most consumed beer in Brazil, according to Plato Logic Limited. It was one of the Brazilian official sponsors of the 20142018 FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil..

 

Skol is the leading beer brand in the Brazilian market, according to Plato Logic Limited. Skol has been a pioneer and innovator in the beer category, engaging with consumers and creating new market trends, especially with entertainment initiativesregional festivals such as music festivalsCarnival and new products such as a sponsor of the Rio Olympics.Skol beats and Skol hops.

Latin America South

 

Quilmes is one of the leading beerbeers in Argentina, according to AC Nielsen, and a national icon with its striped light blue and white label linked to the colors of the Argentine national flag and football team.

EMEA

Chernigivske is the best-selling brand of beer in Ukraine and is a favorite brand among football fans, as sponsor of the Ukrainian national team.

 

Jupiler is the market leader in Belgium and the official sponsor of the most important Belgian professional football league, the Jupiler Pro League. It is also the sponsor of the Belgian national football team.

Africa

Klinskoye, which is our largest brand in Russia, originated near Moscow.

Sibirskaya Korona, first established as a local Siberian brand with proud Siberian values, has grown into a national premium brand sold throughout Russia.

 

Carling Black Label is a pale lager brewedthe biggest brand in South Africa and the most awarded beer in the South Africa portfolio. It is brewed to provide consumers with a distinctive banana aroma.distinctly aromatic, truly rewarding, full-flavored refreshment.

Flying Fish Premium Flavored Beer combines the pure refreshment of beer with added flavors: pressed lemon and green apple. With an easy drinking taste, Flying Fish offers something different for consumers looking to share new experiences, new flavors and new tastes at any occasion.

 

Hero is a Nigerian beer brewed using local sorghum and malted barley, reached sales of 1 million hectoliters within two years of launch.barley.

 

Hansa Pilsener is brewed in true pilsener style, using Saaz hops, which are responsible for the brand’s unique hoppy aroma.

 

Kilimanjaro Premium Lager is a beer balancednamed after Tanzania’s iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Launched in 1996, it boasts an easy drinking taste made from ingredients grown on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and nourished by both malt and maize, reflectingthe pure waters that flow from its Tanzanian origins. Lightice-capped peak. It is light in color it iswith 4.5% ABV and a crisp refreshing and light drinking beer.taste.

 

Safari, first brewed in Tanzania in 1977, is a full-flavored, full-bodied beer brewed in Tanzania with a rich golden color and taste.taste that gave rise to a new era of beer brewing in Tanzania. From the very beginning, the brand established its roots as the masculine Tanzanian lager and today it is still the mainstream category leader inspiring young Tanzanian men to follow their paths.

Asia Pacific

 

Cass is the market leader in South Korea.

 

Harbin is a national brand with its roots in the northeast of China. Harbin was the 10th largest beer brand in the world in 2015 according to Plato Logic.

Sedrin is a strong regional brand that originated in China’s Fujian province.

 

Carlton Draught is a traditional, full-strength lager and one of Australia’s most popular sellinghighest-selling tap beers.beer.

 

Victoria Bitter was first brewed in the 1850s by the founder of Victoria Brewery. Today, it is brewed with a unique combination of ingredients, including Australian pale malt, the brewery’s own special yeast and “Pride of Ringwood” hops grown in Victoria and Tasmania.

In certain markets, we also distribute products of other brewers under licenses, such as Kirin in the United States and Staropramen in Russia and Ukraine.States. Within Europe, Compañía CerveçeraCervecera de Canarias (in the Canary Islands) brews Carlsberg under license. Additionally, Compañía Cerveçera de Canarias has an agreement in force to distribute Guinness in the Canary Islands.

We also have an agreement for

Following the long-term licensing50:50 merger of our businesses in Russia and Ukraine with Anadolu Efes, we granted the family-owned Kopparberg cider productsright to brew and/or distribute several of our brands including Bud, Stella Artois and Corona to SUN InBev in selected markets where Kopparberg does not have an existing interest.Russia and SUN InBev Ukraine, both combined under AB InBev Efes.

Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverages

We take pride in empowering consumers to make smart drinking choices. As part of our 2025 Global Smart Drinking Goals, we are committed to ensuring that 20% of our global beer volume will be dedicated tono- and lower-alcohol products by the end of 2025. This commitment ensures that consumers have ample choice when making their responsible drinking decisions.

We have continued to expand our global portfolio ofnon-alcoholic beverages, which currently houses over 1519 brands. As of 2018, six of our markets—China, Colombia, Australia, Panama, Honduras and Ecuador—already haveno- andlow-alcohol beer representing more than 20% of their beer volumes. Additionally, Brahma 0.0% is the number onenon-alcoholic beer in Brazil, reaching over 70%82% market share in thenon-alcoholic beer category in 2016,2018, according to AC Nielsen. Jupiler, Budweiser and Corona each launchednon-alcoholic variants in 2016. Hoegaarden continues to expand its Radler solution, with the launch of a 0.0% alcohol by volume (“ABV”) variant also in 2016. See “—Beer” for more information.

Near Beer

Some of our recent innovations, which often involve other malt beverages have stretched beyond typical beer occasions, such as the Rita family and Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer in the United States, Palm Bay and MixxTailMike’s Hard Lemonade in ChinaCanada and Argentina.Lexington Hill in Australia. These innovationsbrands are designed to grow the near beer category and improve our market share of alcoholic beverage categories other than beer by addressing changing consumer trends and preferences, including, for example, a preference for sweeter tasting liquids with higher alcohol content.preferences.

Non-Beer

Soft DrinksNon-Alcohol Beverages

While our core business is beer, we also have an important presence in the soft drinkNon-Alcohol Beverages (“NAB”) market. We have soft drinkNAB operations in AfricaLatin America and Latin America,Africa, and our subsidiary Ambev has soft drinksNAB operations in South America and the Caribbean. Soft drinks includeThe NAB market includes both carbonated andnon-carbonated soft drinks.

As of 31 March 2016, SABMiller bottled and distributed Coca-Cola products in Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, South Africa, Botswana, Comores, Lesotho, Mayotte, Swaziland and Zambia.

On 2 July 2016, SABMiller completed a transaction with The Coca-Cola Company and Gutsche Family Investments to combine the bottling operations of theirnon-alcoholicready-to-drink beverages businesses in southern and east Africa, to form Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (Pty) Ltd (“CCBA”). CCBA is Africa’s largest bottler, initially serving 10 countries. In addition, in a related transaction on 2 July 2016, the SABMiller Group’s Appletiser brands were sold to The Coca-Cola Company and a further ninenon-alcoholicready-to-drink brands in Africa were acquired by, or perpetually licensed to, The Coca-Cola Company.

On 10 October 2016, The Coca-Cola Company announced its intention to acquire SABMiller’s stake in CCBA, following completion of the Transaction. On 21 December 2016, we announced that we entered into an agreement to sell our stake in CCBA to The Coca-Cola Company.

Our soft drinksNAB business includes both our own brands and agreements with PepsiCo related to bottling and distribution of PepsiCo brands. Ambev is one of PepsiCo’s largest independent bottlers in the world. Major brands that are distributed under these agreements are Pepsi, 7UP and Gatorade. Ambev has a long-term agreementsagreement with PepsiCo whereby Ambevit has been granted the exclusive right to bottle, sell and distribute certain brands of PepsiCo’s portfolio of carbonated andnon-carbonated soft drinks in Brazil. The agreements will expire on 31 December 2017 and are automatically extended for additional10-year terms if certain conditions set forth in that agreement are met. Ambev also has agreements with PepsiCo to bottle, sell, distribute and market some of its brands in the Dominican Republic.Brazil, including Pepsi-Cola, Gatorade, H2OH!, and Lipton Ice Tea. Through our Latin America South operations, Ambev is also PepsiCo’s bottler for Argentina, Uruguay and Bolivia, as well as in the Dominican Republic and Uruguay.Panama. In Panama, we also produce and bottle PepsiCoother third-party soft drinks under an exclusive bottling agreementdrink brands, such as Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Squirt and also bottle Schweppes soft drinks under license.Crush.

Apart from the bottling and distribution agreements with PepsiCo, Ambev also produces, sells and distributes its own soft drinks. Its main carbonated soft drinks brand is Guaraná Antarctica.

In 2016, Fusion became2018, we completed the second largestsale of our carbonated soft drink businesses in Zambia and Botswana to The Coca-Cola Company. In related transactions, we entered into agreements to sell to The Coca-Cola Company (i) all of our carbonated soft drink business in eSwatini (Swaziland) and (ii) certainnon-alcoholic beverage brands in El Salvador and Honduras. The closing of these transactions is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. In El Salvador and Honduras, we have executed long-term bottling agreements which will become effective upon the closing of the El Salvador and Honduras brand withindivestitures.

Together with The Coca-Cola Company, we continue to work towards finalizing the energy drink marketterms and conditions of the agreement for The Coca-Cola Company to acquire our interest in, Brazil.or the bottling operations of, our businesses in Zimbabwe and Lesotho. These transactions are subject to the relevant regulatory and shareholder approvals in the different jurisdictions.

We also have interests in certain water bottlingwater-bottling and distribution businesses in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru and throughout Africa.Africa, as well as agreements with Red Bull to distribute their portfolio in a few limited markets.

In the United States, we sell Teavana in partnership with Starbucks and an energy drink called Hiball.

In December 2018, Labatt, the Canadian subsidiary of our subsidiary Ambev, announced a partnership with Tilray, a global player in cannabis production and distribution, to researchnon-alcohol beverages containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in Canada.

Other Alcoholic Beverages

We also have operations throughout Africa that produce relatively short-life traditional beer, brewed using sorghum under various brand names including Chibuku, Chibuku Super, Invelo and Nzagamba.

We have further interests in wines and spirits operations and distribution businesses in Australia, the Dominican Republic, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Tanzania.

ZX Ventures

ZX Ventures is our global growth and innovation group whose mandate is to invest in and develop new products and businesses that address emerging consumer needs. We seed, launch and even scale new products that deliver customer experiences, from services that step-change convenience to rethinking delivery and more.

ZX Ventures operates multiple global business units of varying adjacency to our core beer business including eCommerce, craft and specialties, brand experience and our incubator and investment arm, Explore.

 

3.

MAIN MARKETS

We are a global brewer, with sales in over 150 countries across the globe.

The last two decades have been characterized by rapid growth in fast-growing developing markets, notably in certain regions of Africa, Asia and Central and South America, where we have significant sales.

Each market in which we operate has its own dynamics and consumer preferences and trends. Given the breadth of our brand portfolio, we believe we are well-placed to address changing consumer needs in the various categories (premium, core and value) within any given market.

To maximize growth opportunities and build on the strengths of both SABMiller and former AB InBev in their respective markets,In 2018, we arewere organized into seven business segments.

The business segments and their corresponding countries are:

 

  

North America: the United States and Canada;

 

  

Latin America West: Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico and Peru;

 

  

Latin America North:Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Panama, St. Vincent, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Barbados, DominicaCosta Rica and the Caribbean;

 

  

Latin America South: Argentina, Uruguay,Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Bolivia;Uruguay;

 

  

EMEA: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Ukraine, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, African Islands, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia and export activities in Europe and Middle East;

  

Asia Pacific: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam and other South and Southeast Asian countries; and

 

  

Global Export and Holdings Companies.

As announced on 26 July 2018, effective 1 January 2019, we are reorganizing our regional reporting structure. Going forward, our results will be reported under the following five regions: North America, Middle Americas (combining the current Latin America West region and the Dominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Caribbean, which were previously reported in the Latin America North region), South America (combining the current Latin America South region and Brazil, which was previously reported in the Latin America North region), EMEA and Asia Pacific. We will continue to separately report the results of Global Export and Holding Companies. We will report results in our new regional structure for the first time for the three months ending March 31, 2019.

The table below sets out our total volumes broken down by business segment for the periods shown:

 

  2016(3) 2015(2) 2014(2)   2018 2017 2016(1) 

Market

  Volumes
(million
hectoliters)
   Volumes
(% of  total)
 Volumes
(million
hectoliters)
   Volumes
(% of  total)
 Volumes
(million
hectoliters)
   Volumes
(% of  total)
   Volumes
(million
hectoliters)
   Volumes
(% of total)
 Volumes
(million
hectoliters)
   Volumes
(% of total)
 Volumes
(million
hectoliters)
   Volumes
(% of total)
 
          

North America

   117    23.4  118    25.8  121    26.4   111    19.6 114    18.5 117    23.4

Latin America West

   64    12.7  44    9.6  42    9.2   115    20.3 111    18.1 64    12.7

Latin America North

   118    23.6  123    26.9  125    27.2   115    20.3 119    19.5 118    23.6

Latin America South

   32    6.4  34    7.4  34    7.4   34    6.0 34    5.6 32    6.4

EMEA

   75    15.1  45    9.8  47    10.2   87    15.3 132    21.5 75    15.1

Asia Pacific(1)

   92    18.4  90    19.7  84    18.3

Asia Pacific

   104    18.3 102    16.6 92    18.4

Global Export and Holding Companies

   2    0.4  3    0.7  6    1.3   1    0.2 1    0.2 2    0.4
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total

   500    100.0  457    100.0  459    100.0   567    100.0  613    100.0  500    100.0
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

 

Notes:

 

(1)Following the reacquisition of Oriental Brewery, we are fully consolidating Oriental Brewery in our financial reporting as of 1 April 2014 and are reporting the Oriental Brewery volumes in the reported volumes as of that date. Oriental Brewery results are reported in the Asia Pacific segment.
(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014 have been restated to reflect this allocation.
(3)

Following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we are consolidating SABMillerconsolidated SAB and reportingreport results and volumes of the retained SABMillerSAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

On an individual country basis, our largest markets by volume listed, during the year ended 31 December 2016,2018, in alphabetical order, were Argentina, Belgium,Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Germany,El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Russia,Peru, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States, with each market having its own dynamics and consumer preferences and trends. Given the breadth of our brand portfolio, we believe we are well placedwell-placed to address changing consumer needs in the various categories (premium, core and value) within any given market.

 

4.

COMPETITION

We believe our largest competitors will beare Heineken, CR SNOW, Carlsberg Tsingtao (Group) and Molson Coors Brewing Company based on information from the Plato Logic Limited report for the calendar year 20152017 (published in October 2016)December 2018).

Historically, brewing was a local industry with only a few players having a substantial international presence. Larger brewing companies often obtained an international footprint through direct exports, licensing agreements and joint venture arrangements. However, the last several decades have seen a transformation of the industry, with a prolonged period of consolidation. This trend started within the more established beer markets of Western Europe and North America and took the form of larger businesses being formed through merger and acquisition activity within national markets. More recently, consolidation has also taken place within developing markets. Over the last decade, the global consolidation process has accelerated, with brewing groups making significant acquisitions outside of their domestic markets and increasingly looking to purchase other regional brewing organizations. As a result of this consolidation process, the absolute and relative size of the world’s largest brewers has substantially increased. Therefore, today’s leading international brewers have significantly more diversified operations and have established leading positions in a number of international markets.

We have participated in this consolidation trend and grown our international footprint through a series of mergers and acquisitions, described in “—A. History and Development of the Company,” which include:

the acquisition of Beck’s in 2002;

 

the creation of InBev in 2004, through the combination of Interbrew and Ambev;

 

the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch acquisitionCompanies in November 2008;

 

the combination with Grupo Modelo in June 2013;

the reacquisition of Oriental Brewery in April 2014; and

 

the combination with SABMillerSAB in October 2016.

The ten10 largest brewers in the world in 20152017 in terms of volume are as set out in the table below.

 

Rank  

Name

  Volume
(million
hectoliters)(1)
   

Name

  Volume
(million
hectoliters)(1)
 
1  

Former AB InBev

   414.1   

AB InBev

   500.8 
2  

SABMiller(pre-Transaction)

   293.6   

Heineken

   234.5 
3  

Heineken

   217.8   

CR Snow

   118.2 
4  

Carlsberg

   123.9   

Carlsberg

   117.4 
5  

Tsingtao (Group)

   84.8   

Molson Coors Brewing Company

   95.7 
6  

Molson Coors Brewing Company

   62.9   

Tsingtao (Group)

   79.7 
7  

Beijing Yanjing

   48.3   

Asahi

   71.3 
8  

Kirin

   41.3   

Beijing Yanjing

   41.6 
9  

Castel BGI

   29.8   

EFES

   33.1 
10  

Asahi

   28.1   

Castel/BGI

   30.9 

 

Note:

 

(1)

Source: Plato Logic Limited report for the calendar year 20152017 (published in October 2016)December 2018). AB InBev volumes indicated hereVolumes are for former AB InBev only and are Plato Logic Limited’s estimates of our beer-only volumes and do not includebased on calculations on total volumes of associates.majority-owned subsidiaries, also licensed brewing. Our own beer volumes for the year ended 31 December 20152018 were 410501 million hectoliters and were 434508 million hectoliters for the year ended 31 December 2016. Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.2017.

In each of our regional markets, we compete against a mixture of national, regional, local and imported beer brands. In many countries in Latin America, we compete mainly with local players and local beer brands. In North America, Brazil and in other selected countries in Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific, we compete primarily with large leading international or regional brewers and international or regional brands.

 

5.

WEATHER AND SEASONALITY

For information on how weather affects consumption of our products and the seasonality of our business, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Weather and Seasonality.”

 

6.

BREWING PROCESS; RAW MATERIALS AND PACKAGING; PRODUCTION FACILITIES; LOGISTICS

Brewing Process

The basic brewing process for most beers is straightforward, but significantknow-how is involved in quality and cost control. The most important stages are brewing and fermentation, followed by maturation, filtering and packaging. Although malted barley (malt) is the primary ingredient, other grains such as unmalted barley, corn, rice or wheat are sometimes added to produce different beer styles. The proportion and choice of other raw materials varies according to regional taste preferences and the type of beer.

The first step in the brewing process is making wort by mixing malt with warm water and then gradually heating it to around 75°C in large mash tuns to dissolve the starch and transform it into a mixture, called “mash,” of maltose and other sugars. The spent

grains are filtered out and the liquid, now called “wort,” is boiled. Hops are added at this point to give a special bitter taste and aroma to the beer. The wort is boiled for one to two hours to sterilize and concentrate it, and extract the desired flavor and desired bitterness from the hops. Cooling follows, using a heat exchanger. The hopped wort is saturated with air, or oxygen, essential for the growth of the yeast in the next stage.

Yeast is a micro-organism that turns the sugar in the wort into alcohol and carbon dioxide. This process of fermentation takes five to eleven11 days, after which the wort finally becomes beer. Different types of beer are made using different strains of yeast and wort compositions. In some yeast varieties, the yeast cells rise to the top of the liquid at the end of fermentation. Ales and wheat beers are brewed with these“top-fermenting” yeast strains. Lagers are made using yeast strains that settle to the bottom of the liquid. Some special Belgian beers, called lambic or gueuze, use yet another method, where fermentation relies on spontaneous action by airborne yeasts.

During the maturation process, the liquid clarifies as yeast and other particles settle. Further filtering gives the beer more clarity. Maturation varies by type of beer and can take as long as three weeks, and then the beer is ready for packaging in kegs, cans or bottles.

Raw Materials and Packaging

The main raw materials used in our beer and other alcoholic malt beverage production are malted barley, corn grits, corn syrup, rice, hops and water. In some of our regions, such as in Africa, locally sourced agricultural products such as sorghum or cassava are used in place of malted barley. Fornon-beer production (mainly carbonated soft drinks) the main ingredients are flavored concentrate, fruit concentrate, sugar, sweetener and water. In addition to these inputs into our products, delivery of our products to consumers requires extensive use of packaging materials such as glass, PET and aluminum bottles, aluminum or steel cans and kegs, aluminum can stock, labels, plastic crates, metal and plastic closures, folding cartons, cardboard products and plastic films.

We use only our own proprietary yeast, which we grow in our facilities. In some regions, we import hops to obtain adequate quality and appropriate variety for flavor and aroma. We purchase these ingredients through the open market and through contracts with suppliers. We also purchase barley and process it to meet our malt requirements at our malting plants.

Prices and sources of raw materials are determined by, among other factors:

 

the level of crop production;

 

weather conditions;

 

export demand; and

 

governmental taxes and regulations.

We hedge some of our commodities contracts on the financial markets and some of our malt requirements are purchased on the spot market. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Market Risk, Hedging and Financial Instruments” and note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016,2018, for further details on commodities hedging.

We have supply contracts with respect to most packaging materials as well as our own production capacity as outlined below in “—Production Facilities.” The choice of packaging materials varies by cost and availability in different regions, as well as consumer preferences and the image of each brand. We also use aluminum cansheet for the production of beverage cans and lids.

Hops, PET resin and, to some extent, cans are mainly sourced globally. Malt, adjuncts (such as unmalted grains or fruit), sugar, steel, cans, labels, metal closures, soda ash for our glass plants, plastic closures, preforms and folding cartons are sourced regionally. Electricity is sourced nationally, while water is sourced locally, for example, from municipal water systems and private wells.

We use natural gas as the primary fuel for our plants, and diesel as the primary fuel for freight. We believe adequate supplies of fuel and electricity are available for the conduct of our business. The energy commodity markets have experienced, and can be expected to continue to experience, significant price volatility. We manage our energy costs using various methods including supply contracts, hedging techniques and fuel switching.

fuel-switching.

Production Facilities

Our production facilities are spread across our regions, giving us a balanced geographical footprint in terms of production and allowing us to efficiently meet consumer demand across the globe. We manage our production capacity across our regions, countries and plants. We typically own our production facilities free of any major encumbrances. We also lease a number of warehouses and other commercial buildings from third parties. See “—11. Regulations Affecting Our Business” for a description of the environmental and other regulations that affect our production facilities.

Beverage Production Facilities

Our beverage production facilities comprised 264229 breweries and/ornon-beer plants as of 31 December 20162018 spread across our regions. Of these 264229 plants, 215184 produced only beer and other alcoholic malt beverages, 2516 produced only soft drinks and 2429 produced beer, other alcoholic malt beverages and soft drinks. Except in limited cases (for example, our Hoegaarden brewery in Belgium), our breweries are not dedicated to one single brand of beer. This allows us to allocate production capacity efficiently within our group.

The table below sets out, for each of our business segments (excluding Global Export and Holdings Companies) in 2016,2018, the number of our beverage production plants (breweries and/ornon-beer drink plants) as well as the plants’ overall capacity.

 

      2016 volumes(1)(4)   Annual engineering
capacity as of
31 December 2016(4)
       2018 volumes(1)(4)   Annual engineering
capacity as of
31 December 2018(4)
 

Business Segment

  Number of
plants  as of
31  December
2016(4)(6)
   Beer  (khl)(2)   Non-Beer(3)
(khl)
   Beer  (khl)(2)   Non-Beer(3)
(khl)
   Number of
plants as of
31 December
2018(4)
   Beer (khl)(2)   Non-Beer
(khl)(3)
   Beer (khl)(2)   Non-Beer
(khl)(3)
 

North America

   31    116,890    0    136,552    0    33    110,726    —      129,189    —   

Latin America West

   32    58,637    4,979    119,617    20,147    30    95,313    20,163    124,061    15,478 

Latin America North

   40    88,382    29,630    150,179    62,386    37    88,425    26,544    132,623    71,076 

Latin America South

   22    21,972    10,186    30,957    20,296    21    24,095    9,880    32,061    20,202 

EMEA

   82    58,238    17,110    143,112    6,698    49    82,859    4,317    118,342    482 

Asia Pacific

   57    92,278    —      172,864    0    59    104,266    —      171,607    42 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total(5)

   264    436,936    61,906    753,281    109,527    229    505,684    60,904    707,883    107,280 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Notes:

 

(1)

Reported volumes.

(2)

For purposes of this table, the beer category includes near beer beverages, such as the Rita family of beverages and MixxTail.Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer.

(3)

Thenon-beer category includes soft drinks and certain other beverages, such as Stella Artois Cidre.

(4)

Excludes our joint ventures and assets where we are not the majority owner.

(5)

Excludes Global Export and Holding Companies with 20162018 beer volumes of 1.90.5 million hectoliters.

(6)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Non-Beverage Production Facilities

Our beverage production plants are supplemented and supported by a number of plants and other facilities that produce raw materials and packaging materials for our beverages. The table below provides additional detail on these facilities as of 31 December 2016.2018.

 

Type of plant / facility

  Number of
plants / facilities(1)
  

Countries in which plants / facilities are located(1)

Malt plants

  2421  Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Tanzania, Uganda, United States, Uruguay, Zambia Zimbabwe

Rice / Corn grits mill

  6  Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil,Peru, United States

Hop farmsFarm and agriculture

    47  Argentina, Brazil, China, Germany, United States, South Africa

Hop pellet plant

  1  Argentina

Guaraná farm

  1Brazil

Type of plant / facility

Number of
plants / facilities(1)

Countries in which plants / facilities are located(1)

Glass bottle plants

  6  Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay, United States

Bottle cap plants

    46  Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, South Africa

Label plants

    23  Brazil, Colombia

Can plants

  7  Bolivia, Mexico, United States

Can lid manufacturing plants

  2  United States

Crown and closure liner material plant

  1  United States

Soft drink concentrate plants

  2  Brazil

Sand quarries

  1  Mexico

Yeast plants

1Brazil

Plastic Crates plants

1Honduras

Other

1United States
  

 

  

 

Total

  6166  —  
  

 

  

 

 

Notes:

 

(1)

Excludes plants and facilities owned by joint ventures and assets where we are not the majority owner.

In addition to production facilities, we also maintain a geographical footprint in key markets through sales offices and distribution centers. Such offices and centers are opened as needs in the various markets arise.

Capacity Expansion

We continually assess whether our production footprint is optimized to support future customer demand. Through footprint optimization, adding new capabilities (such as plants, packaging lines or distribution centers) to our portfoliofootprint not only allows us to boost production capacity, but the strategic location often also reduces distribution time and costs so that our products reach consumers rapidly, efficiently and at a lower total cost. Conversely, footprint optimization can lead to divesting of some assets, such as reducing some production and distribution capabilities as needed to maintain the most optimal operational network.

For example, in 2016,2018, we invested in additional brewing, packaging and distribution capacities in multiple countries including China, Mexico, the U.S.,Korea, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Brazil,Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, South KoreaAfrica, Zambia, Tanzania, Belgium and Belgiumothers to meet our future demand expectations in these countries or for export volumes.

Our capital expenditures are primarily funded through cash from operating activities and are for production facilities, logistics, administrative capabilities improvements, hardware and software.

We may also outsource, to a limited extent, the production of items that we are either unable to produce in our own production network (for example, due to a lack of capacity during seasonal peaks) or for which we do not yet want to invest in new production facilities (for example, to launch a new product without incurring the full associatedstart-up costs). Such outsourcing mainly relates to secondary repackaging materials that we cannot practicably produce on our own, in which case our products are sent to external companies for repackaging (for example, gift packs with different types of beers).

Logistics

Our logistics organization is composed of (i) a first tier, which comprises all inbound flows into the plants of raw materials and packaging materials and all the outbound flows from the plants into the second drop point in the chain (for example, distribution centers, warehouses, wholesalers or key accounts), and (ii) a second tier, which comprises all distribution flows from the second drop point into the customer delivery tier (for example, pubs or retailers).

Our transportation mechanics vary by market depending on economic and strategic considerations. We may outsource transportation to third-party contractors, retain such capabilityin-house or implement owner-driver programs, among other options.

Some of our breweries have a warehousewarehouses that isare attached to their production facilities. In places where our warehouse capacity is limited, external warehouses are rented. We strive to centralize fixed costs, which has resulted in some plants sharing warehouse and other facilities with each other.

Where it has been implemented, the VPO program has had a direct impact on our logistics organization, for example, in respect of safety, quality, environment, scheduling, warehouse productivity and loss preventionloss-prevention actions.

7.

DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS

We depend on effective distribution networks to deliver products to our customers. We review our focus markets for distribution and licensing agreements on an annual basis. The focus markets will typically be markets with an interesting premium category and with reliable and strong partners (brewers and/or importers). Based on these criteria, focus markets are then chosen.

The distribution of beer, other alcoholic beverages andnon-beer drinks varies from country to country and from region to region. The nature of distribution reflects consumption patterns and market structure, geographical density of customers, local regulation, the structure of the local retail sector, scale considerations, market share, expected added-value and capital returns, and the existence of third-party wholesalers or distributors. In some markets, brewers distribute directly to customers (for example, in Belgium). In other markets, wholesalers may play an important role in distributing a significant proportion of beer to customersconsumers, either in part for legal reasons (for example, in certain U.S. states and Canada where there may be legal constraints on the ability of a beer manufacturer to own a wholesaler), or because of historical market practice (for example, in China Russia and Argentina) or because we have determined that third-party wholesalers provide the most effective route of distribution (which is generally the case in the United States). In some instances, we have acquired third-party distributors to help us self-distribute our products, as we have done in Brazil and Mexico.

The products we brew in the United States are sold to more than 450448 wholesalers with the exclusive right to carry our products within a designated territory, for resale to retailers, with some entities owning more than one wholesalership. As of the end of 2016,2018, we owned 17 of these wholesalers and have an ownership stakesstake in another twoone of them. The remaining wholesalers are independent businesses. In certain countries, we enter into exclusive importer arrangements and depend on our counterparties to these arrangements to market and distribute our products to points of sale. In certain markets, we also distribute the products of other brewers.

We generally distribute our products through (i) our own distribution, in which we deliver to points of sale directly, and (ii) third-party distribution networks, in which delivery to points of sale occurs through wholesalers and independent distributors. In certain cases, we may own or have an ownership stake in a wholesaler. Third-party distribution networks may be exclusive ornon-exclusive.

See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Distribution Arrangements” for a discussion of the effect of the choice of distribution arrangements on our results of operations.

As a customer-driven organization, we have programs for professional relationship building with our customers in all markets regardless of the chosen distribution method. This happens directly, for example, by way of key customer account management, and indirectly, by way of wholesaler excellence programs.

We seek to provide media advertising,point-of-sale advertising and sales promotion programs to promote our brands. Where relevant, we complement national brand strategies with geographic marketing teams focused on delivering relevant programming addressing local interests and opportunities.

 

8.

LICENSING

In some markets, where we have no local affiliate, we may choose to enter into license agreements or, alternatively, international distribution and/or importation agreements, depending on the best strategic fit for each particular market. License agreements entered into by us grant the right to third-party licensees to manufacture, package, sell and market one or several of our brands in a particular assigned territory under strict rules and technical requirements. In the case of international distribution and/or importation agreements, we produce and package the products ourselves while the third party distributes, markets and sells the brands in the local market.

We have entered into a number of licensing, distribution and importation agreements relating to our brands, including the following:

 

Stella Artois is licensed to third parties in various countries including Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Kosovo, Montenegro, New Zealand, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia, while Beck’s is licensed to third parties in Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, New Zealand, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Tunisia and Turkey.

 

Budweiser is brewed and sold in Japan through a license and distribution agreements with Kirin Brewery Company, Limited. A licensing agreement allows Diageo Ireland to brew and sell Budweiser and Bud Light in the Republic of Ireland, and Diageo Northern Ireland has the right to sell Budweiser in Northern Ireland. Budweiser is also brewed under licenseAnadolu Efes has the right to brew and sold by Heinekensell Bud in Panama. Compañía Cervecerías Unidas, a subsidiary of Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A., a leading Chilean brewer, brewsTurkey. For more information, see “Item 5. Operating and distributes Budweiser in Argentina through a subsidiary.Financial Review—H. Contractual Obligations and Contingencies—Contractual Obligations.” We also sell various brands, including Budweiser, by exporting from our license partners’ breweries to other countries.

The Corona beer brand is perpetually licensed to a subsidiary of Constellation Brands, Inc. for production in Mexico and marketing and sales in 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia and Guam. Corona is also distributed either through our own network or by third parties in over 120 other countries worldwide.

 

Aguila, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Sheaf Stout, Victoria Bitter, Crown Lager, Pure Blonde, Carlton Draught, Carlton Dry, Cusqueña, Cristal, Foster’s, Redd’s, Cascade Brewery Company products, Matilda Bay Brewing Company products and certain other brands are perpetually licensed to Molson Coors Brewing Company in the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. We have retained rights to brew and distribute these beers outside of the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

We also manufacture and distribute other third-party brands, such as Kirin in the United States and Molson Coors Brewing Company’s brand Staropramen in Russia and Ukraine.States. Ambev, our listed Brazilian subsidiary, and some of our other subsidiaries have entered into manufacturing and distribution agreements with PepsiCo. Pursuant to the agreements between Ambev and PepsiCo, Ambev is one of PepsiCo’s largest independent bottlers in the world. Major brands that are distributed under this agreement are Pepsi, 7UPPepsi-Cola, Lipton Ice Tea, H2OH! and Gatorade. See “—2. Principal Activities andProducts—Non-Beer—SoftNon-Alcoholic Drinks”Beverages” for further information in this respect. Ambev also has a license agreement with us which allows it to exclusively produce, distribute and market Budweiser and Stella Artois in Brazil and Canada. Ambev also distributes Budweiser in Bolivia, Paraguay, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua,Panama, Uruguay and Chile and Corona in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama Nicaragua and Canada.

On 30 March 2018, following the merger of our businesses in Russia and Ukraine with Anadolu Efes, we granted the right to brew and/or distribute several of our brands including Bud, Stella Artois and Corona to SUN InBev in Russia and SUN InBev Ukraine, both combined under AB InBev Efes.

Molson Coors Brewing Company has rights to brew and/or distribute, under license, Beck’s, Löwenbräu, Spaten and Stella Artois, in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

 

9.

BRANDING AND MARKETING

Our brands are the foundation and cornerstone of our relationships with consumers and the key to our long-term success. Our brand portfolio, its enduring bonds with consumers and its partnerships with customers are our most important assets. We invest in our brands to create long-term sustainable competitive advantage by seeking to meet the beverage needs of consumers around the world and to develop leading brand positions in every market in which we operate.

Our brand portfolio consists of three global brands (Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois), our multi-country brands (Beck’s, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Hoegaarden and Leffe,)Leffe), and many “local champions” (Jupiler, Skol, Quilmes, Bud Light, Modelo Especial, Aguila, Pilsen, Hero, Mosi, Kilimanjaro and Harbin, to name but a few). We believe this robust brand portfolio provides us with strong growth and revenue opportunities and, coupled with a powerful range of premium brands, positions us well to meet the needs of consumers in each of the markets in which we compete. For further information about our brands, see “—2. Principal Activities and Products—Beer.”

We seek to constantly strengthen and develop our brand portfolio through enhancement of brand quality, marketing and product innovation. Our marketing team therefore works together closely with our research and development team (see “—10. Intellectual Property; Innovation; Research and Development” for further information).

We continually assess consumer needs and values in each geographic market in which we operate with a view to identifying the key characteristics of consumers in each beer category (that is, premium, core and value). This allows us to position our existing brands (or to introduce new brands) in order to address the characteristics of each category.

Our marketing approach is based on a “value-based brands” proposition, a single, clear, compelling values-based reason for consumer preference. We have defined 37 different consumer values (such as ambition, authenticity or friendship) to establish a connection between consumers and our products. The value-based brands approach first involves, firstly, the determination of consumer portraits; secondly, brand attributes (that is, tangible characteristics of the brand that support the brand’s positioning) and brand personality (that is,(i.e., the way the brand would behave as a person) are defined; and, finally, a positioning statement to help ensure the link between the consumer and the brand is made. Once this link has been established, a particular brand can either be developed (brand innovation) or relaunched (brand renovation or line extension from the existing brand portfolio) to meet the customers’ needs. We applyzero-based planning principles to yearly budget decisions and for ongoing investment reviews and reallocations. We invest in each brand in line with its local or global strategic priority and, taking into account its local circumstances, seek to maximize profitable and sustainable growth.

For example, we focus on our growth strategy for each of our brands based on different growth driver platforms,a portfolio approach, which dependdepends on the occasion atin which our products are consumed (e.g.(e.g., relaxing at home with friends; or socializing in a bar). These growth driverOur portfolio of brands will vary by market, but each leverage our global platforms are a global company-wide initiative,and initiatives, incorporating the whole organization from supply, to operations, to sales and marketing, and then bringing our teams together to deliverend-to-end integrated consumer experiences.

We own the rights to our principal brand names and trademarks in perpetuity for the main countries where these brands are currently commercialized (with the exception of the Modelo beer brands and certain former SABMillerSAB brands licensed in the United States as described under “—8. Licensing” above).

 

10.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; INNOVATION; RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Innovation is one of the key factors enabling us to achieve our strategy. We seek to combine technologicalknow-how with market understanding to develop a healthy innovation pipeline in terms of production process, product and packaging features as well as branding strategy. In addition, as beer markets mature, innovation plays an increasingly important role by providing differentiated products with increased value to consumers.

Intellectual Property

Our intellectual property portfolio mainly consists of trademarks, patents, registered designs, copyrights,know-how and domain names. This intellectual property portfolio is managed by our internal legal department, in collaboration with a selected network of external intellectual property advisors.advisers. We place importance on achieving close cooperation between our intellectual property team and our marketing and research and development teams. An internal stage gate process promotes the protection of our intellectual property rights, the swift progress of our innovation projects and the development of products that can be launched and marketed without infringing any third-party’s intellectual property rights. A project can only move on to the next step of its development after the necessary verifications (for example,(e.g., availability of trademark, existence of prior technology/earlier patents and freedom to market) have been carried out. This internal process is designed to ensure that financial and other resources are not lost due to oversights in relation to intellectual property protection during the development process.

Our patent portfolio is carefully built to gain a competitive advantage and support our innovation and other intellectual assets. We currently have more than 135222 pending and granted patent families, each of which covers one or more technological inventions. This means we have or are seeking to obtain patent protection for more than 140 different technological inventions. The extent of the protection differs between technologies, as some patents are protected in many jurisdictions, while others are only protected in one or a few jurisdictions. Our patents may relate, for example, to brewing processes, improvements in production of fermented malt-based beverages, treatments for improved beer flavor stability,non-alcoholic beer development, filtration processes, beverage dispensingbeverage-dispensing systems and devices, can manufacturing processes, beer packaging or beer packaging.novel uses for brewing materials and disruptive technologies.

We license in limited technology from third parties. We also license out certain of our intellectual property to third parties, for which we receive royalties.

Innovation, Research and Development

Given our focus on innovation, we place a high value on research and development (“R&D”). In 2016, we spent USD 244 million (USD 207 million in 2015 and USD 217 million in 2014) on R&D. Part of this was spent in the area of market research, but the majorityOur innovation strategy is related to innovation in the areas of process optimization and product development.

translated into our R&D in product innovation covers liquid, packaging and dispense innovation. Product innovation consistspriorities, which consist of breakthrough innovation, incremental innovation and renovation (that is, updates and enhancements of existing products and packages). The main goal for the innovation process is to provide consumers with better products and experiences. This includes launching new liquids, new packaging and new dispensedispensing systems that deliver better performance, both for the consumer and in terms of financial results, by increasing our competitiveness in the relevant markets. With consumers comparing products and experiences offered across very different beverage categories and the choice of beverages increasing, our R&D efforts also require an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of other beverage categories, spotting opportunities for beer and malt beverages and developing consumer solutions (products) that better address consumer needs and deliver better experiences. This requires understanding consumer emotions and expectations. Sensory experience, premiumization, convenience, sustainability and design are all central to our R&D efforts.

R&D in process optimization is primarily aimed at quality improvement, capacity increase (plant debottlenecking and addressing volume issues, while minimizing capital expenditure) and improving efficiency. Newly developed processes, materials and/or equipment are documented in best practices and shared across business regions. Current projects range from malting to bottling of finished products.

Knowledge management and learning also make up an integral part of research and development. We seek to continuously increase our knowledge through collaborations with universities and other industries.

Our R&D team is regularly briefed (on at least an annual basis) on our priorities and our business regions’ priorities and approves concepts and technologies which are subsequently prioritized for development. The R&D teams invest in both short- and long-term strategic projects for future growth, with the launch time depending on complexity and prioritization.

The Global Innovation and Technology Center, located in Leuven, Belgium, accommodates the Product, Packaging, Raw Material, Process and Dispense Development teams and has facilities such as Labs, Experimental Brewery and Sensory Analysis. In addition to the Global Innovation and Technology Center, we also have Product, Packaging and Process development teams located in each of our six geographic regions focusing on the short-termshort- and medium-term development and implementation needs of such regions.

 

11.

REGULATIONS AFFECTING OUR BUSINESS

Our worldwide operations are subject to extensive regulatory requirements regarding, among other things, production, distribution, importation, marketing, promotion, labeling, advertising, labor, pensions and public health, consumer protection and environmental issues. For example, in the United States, federal and state laws regulate most aspects of the brewing, sale, marketing, labeling and wholesaling of our products. At the federal level, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department oversees the industry, and each state in which we sell or produce products, and some local authorities in jurisdictions in which we sell products, also have regulations that affect the business conducted by us and other brewers and wholesalers. It is our policy to abide by the laws and regulations around the world that apply to us or to our business. We rely on legal and operational compliance programs, as well as localin-house and external counsel, to guide our businesses in complying with applicable laws and regulations of the countries in which we operate.

See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Certain of our operations depend on independent distributors or wholesalers to sell our products, and we may be unable to replace distributors or acquire interests in wholesalers or distributors. In addition, we may be adversely impacted by the consolidation of retailers,” “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Negative publicity, perceived health risks and associated government regulation may harm our business,” “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We could incur significant costs as a result of compliance with, and/or violations of or liabilities under, various regulations that govern our operations,” “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Climate change or other environmental concerns, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change or other environmental concerns, may negatively affect our business or operations, including the availability of key production inputs,” “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Our subsidiary Ambev operates a joint venture in Cuba, in which the Government of Cuba is its joint venture partner. Cuba remains subject to comprehensive economic and trade sanctions by the United States and Ambev’s operations in Cuba may adversely affect our reputation and the liquidity and value of our securities,”securities” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Governmental Regulations.”

Production, advertising, marketing and sales of alcoholic beverages are subject to various restrictions around the world, often based on health considerations related to the misuse or harmful use of alcohol. These range from a complete prohibition of alcohol in certain countries and cultures through the prohibition of the import of alcohol, to restrictions on the advertising style, media and messages used. In a number of countries, television is a prohibited medium for advertising alcohol products, and in other countries, television advertising, while permitted, is carefully regulated. Media restrictions may constrain our brand buildingbrand-building and innovation potential. Labeling of our products is also regulated in certain markets, varying from health warning labels to importer identification, alcohol strength and other consumer information. Specific warning statements related to the risks of misusing alcohol products, including beer, have also become prevalent in recent years. Introduction of smoking bans in pubs and restaurants may have negative effects onon-trade consumption (that is, beer purchased for consumption in a pub or restaurant or similar retail establishment), as opposed tooff-trade consumption (that is,(i.e., beer purchased at a retail outlet for consumption at home or another location). We believe that the regulatory environment in most countries in which we operate is becoming increasingly stringent with respect to health issues and expect this trend to continue in the future.

The distribution of our beer and other alcoholic beverage products may also be regulated. In certain markets, alcohol may only be sold through licensed outlets, varying from government- or state-operated monopoly outlets (for example,(e.g., in theoff-trade

channel of certain Canadian provinces) to the common system of licensedon-trade outlets (for example,(e.g., licensed bars and restaurants) which prevails in many countries (for example,(e.g., in much of the European Union). In the United States, states operate under a three-tier system of regulation for beer products from brewer to wholesaler to retailer, meaning that we usually work with licensed third-party distributors to distribute our products to the points of sale.

In the United States, both federal and state laws generally prohibit us from providing anything of value to retailers, including paying slotting fees or (subject to exceptions) holding ownership interests in retailers. Some states prohibit us from being licensed as a wholesaler for our products. State laws also regulate the interactions among us, our wholesalers and consumers by, for example, limiting merchandise that can be provided to consumers or limiting promotional activities that can be held at retail premises. If we were found to have violatedviolate applicable federal or state alcoholic beverage laws, we could be subject to a variety of sanctions, including fines, equitable relief and suspension or permanent revocation of our licenses to brew or sell our products.

Governments in most of the countries in which we operate also establish minimum legal drinking ages, which generally vary from 16 to 21 years of age or impose other restrictions on sales. Some governments have imposed or are considering imposing minimum pricing on alcohol products. Moreover, governments may seek to address harmful use of alcohol by raising the legal drinking age, further limiting the number, type or operating hours of retail outlets or expanding retail licensing requirements. We work both independently and together with other brewers and alcoholic beverage companies to tackle the harmful use of alcohol products and actively promote responsible sales and consumption.

Growing concern over the rise of obesity and obesity-related diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, are accelerating global policy debates on reducing consumption of sugar in beverages and foods. This may have an impact on our soft drink business.

We are subject to antitrust and competition laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate and may be subject to regulatory scrutiny in certain of these jurisdictions. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We are exposed to antitrust and competition laws in certain jurisdictions and the risk of changes in such laws or in the interpretation and enforcement of existing antitrust and competition laws. In addition, the Transaction has been subject to the review and authorization ofin connection with our previous acquisitions, various regulatory authorities which have previously imposed conditions with which we are required to comply.”

In many jurisdictions, excise and other indirect duties, including legislation regarding minimum alcohol pricing, make up a large proportion of the cost of beer charged to customers. In the United States, for example, the brewing industry is subject to significant taxation. The United States federal government currently levies an excise tax of USD 186 per barrel (equivalent to approximately 117 liters) for the first 6 million barrels of beer sold for consumption in the United States.States and then USD 18 per barrel for every barrel thereafter. All states also levy excise taxes on alcoholic beverages. Proposals have been made to increase the federal excise tax as well as the excise taxes in some states. In recent years, Argentina, Belgium, Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Panama, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, the Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine, among others,a number of countries have all adopted proposals to increase beer excise taxes. Rising excise duties can drive up our pricing to the consumer, which in turn could have a negative impact on our results of operations. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—The beer and beverage industryWe may be subject to adverse changes in taxation.”

Our products are generally sold in glass or PET bottles or aluminum or steel cans. Legal requirements apply in various jurisdictions in which we operate, requiring that deposits or certaineco-taxes or fees are charged for the sale, marketing and use of certainnon-refillable beverage containers. The precise requirements imposed by these measures vary. Other types of beverage-container-related deposit, recycling,eco-tax and/or extended producer responsibility statutes and regulations also apply in various jurisdictions in which we operate.

We are subject to different environmental legislation and controls in each of the countries in which we operate. Environmental laws in the countries in which we operate mostly relate to (i) the conformity of our operating procedures with environmental standards regarding, among other things, the emission of gas and liquid effluents, (ii) the disposal ofone-way (that is,non-returnable) packaging and (iii) noise levels. We believe that the regulatory climate in most countries in which we operate is becoming increasingly strict with respect to environmental issues and expect this trend to continue in the future. Achieving compliance with applicable environmental standards and legislation may require plant modifications and capital expenditures. Laws and regulations may also limit noise levels and the disposal of waste, as well as impose waste treatment and disposal requirements. Some of the jurisdictions in which we operate have laws and regulations that require polluters or site owners or occupants to clean up contamination.

The amount of dividends payable to us by our operating subsidiaries is, in certain countries, subject to exchange control restrictions of the respective jurisdictions where those subsidiaries are organized and operate. See also “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Transfers from Subsidiaries,”Subsidiaries” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—We are exposed to developing market risks, including the risks of devaluation, nationalization and inflation.”

Iran-Related Required Disclosure

The Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (“ITRA”) requires disclosure of certain activities relating to Iran by AB InBev or its affiliates that occurred during our 2018 fiscal year. Anadolu Efes, our affiliate, has a licensing agreement with an Iranian company for the production ofnon-alcoholic beer in Iran. Pursuant to that licensing agreement, Anadolu Efes will receive EUR 130,000 (USD 113,537) in gross revenue for 2018, from which it expects to record no net profit. Anadolu Efes also paid USD 2,210.93 in fees in connection with the filing of a patent application for Efes Tropic in 2018. Anadolu Efes plans to continue its licensing arrangement.

12.

INSURANCE

We self-insure most of our insurable risk. However, we do purchase insurance for directors’ and officers’ liability and other coverage where required by law or contract or where considered to be in our best interest. Under theCo-operation Agreement (as defined herein), we have procured the provision of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for former directors and officers of SABMillerSAB for a period of six years following the completion of the Transaction.combination with SAB. We maintain a comprehensive approach to insurable risk, which is mainly divided in two general categories:

 

Assets: a combination of self-insurance and insurance is used to cover our physical properties and business interruption; and

Assets: a combination of self-insurance and insurance is used to cover our physical properties and business interruption; and

 

Liabilities: a combination of self-insurance and insurance is used to cover losses due to damages caused to third parties; for executive risks (risks related to our board and management) and automobile insurance (which is required by law in most jurisdictions).

Liabilities: a combination of self-insurance and insurance is used to cover losses due to damages caused to third parties; for executive risks (risks related to our board and management) and automobile insurance (which is required by law in most jurisdictions).

We believe we have an adequate approach to insurable risk based on our market capitalization and our worldwide presence. We further believe that the types and level of insurance we maintain are appropriate for the risks of our business.

 

13.

SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY MATTERS

Our Dream is to bring people togetherBringing People Together for a better world.Better World. In all we do, we strive to ensure that we produce the highest-quality products, provide the best consumer experience, and maximize shareholder value by building the strongest competitive and financial position.

In October 2016, we introduced our updated Better World platform, aligning our environmental, social and community efforts around three core principles. Through our reach, resources and energy, we are addressing the needs of our communities by building:through:

 

A growing world, where everyone has the opportunity to improve their livelihood;Improving environmental and social sustainability;

Promoting smart drinking;

 

A cleaner world, where our natural resources are sharedIncreasing workplace safety; and preserved for the future; and

 

Business ethics.

Improving environmental and social sustainability

We depend on natural resources to brew our beers and strive to use resources responsibly and preserve them for the future. That is why we factor sustainability into how we do business, including how we source water, energy and raw materials. We develop innovative programs across our supply chain to improve our sustainability performance with our business partners. To improve lives in the communities we are part of, we also support the farmers and small retailers in our value chain to help them be more productive. To facilitate progress, we combined our sustainability and procurement activities under a single function led by a member of our senior leadership team.

A2025 Sustainability Goals

We are contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and broader global sustainable development agenda while building resilient supply chains, productive communities and a healthier world, where every experience with beer is a positive one, for lives well lived.

Weenvironment. In March 2018, following the achievement of our 2017 Environmental Goals, we have made significant headwayannounced 2025 Sustainability Goals, our most ambitious set of public commitments yet, which focus on key initiatives in support of these objectives, for example:four areas: renewable electricity and carbon reduction, water stewardship, smart agriculture and circular packaging.

 

Our 4e program has helped over 20,000 shopkeepers in six countries developSmart agriculture: 100 percent of the skills they need to improve their business sustainabilitycompany’s direct farmers will be skilled, connected and quality of life;financially empowered;

 

Our SmartBarley program works with over 3,200 growersWater stewardship: 100 percent of communities in nine countries to cultivate the highest quality barley with the best yieldshigh-stress areas will have improved water availability and lowest cost;quality;

 

Stella Artois’ BuyCircular packaging: 100 percent of products will be in packaging that is returnable or made from mostly recyclable content; and

Climate action: 100 percent of purchased electricity will be from renewable sources as well as a Lady a Drink program with Water.org aims to tackle the global water crisis and has helped provide clean water to more than 800,000 peoplegoal of 25 percent reduction in the developing world;

A Growing World

One of the most powerful contributions we make to economic development is through direct and indirect employment, and through the value we create in our operations, value chain and local economies. We envision a growing world where everyone has the opportunity to improve their livelihood. To get there, we are working to accelerate growth and social developmentcarbon dioxide emissions across our value chain – fromchain.

In addition, we have launched the 100+ Sustainability Accelerator in August 2018 to identify and scale up innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. Through the 100+ Accelerator, we are looking for partners who can deliver breakthrough advancements in water stewardship, farmer productivity, product upcycling, responsible sourcing, green logistics and more.

Helping entrepreneurial small businesses grow and thrive

As part of our growerscommitment to help communities thrive, we have a responsibility to help the small businesses in our retailers. supply chain. From the suppliers that help power our production to the retailers that connect with our consumers every day, small businesses play a vital role as an engine of economic growth and employment. They are critical to the success of our business operations.

We aim to drive agricultural productivity, innovationvalue our relationships with our small business partners and resilience, supporting our growersrecognize the challenges many face in sustaining and growing their communities. We are also committed to helping small retailers grow—providing the next generation of entrepreneurs across our markets with theoperations, such as limited business skills and opportunities theythe need for affordable financial services and infrastructure. As their business partner, we believe we can help them address these barriers to thrive.unlock their entrepreneurial potential and enable us to grow together.

Operating ethically is also part of our mission. We haveOur Creciendo por un Sueño (“Growing for a Responsible Sourcing Policy which appliesDream”) program aims to our suppliers, as well as our Human Rights Policy,empower 80,000women-run small retailers in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador by providing access to tools like business skills training and affordable financial services that include standards on labor and human rights issuesaim to help improve their livelihoods and business conduct. We are committedoperations.

Our business in South Africa has an ambitious goal to operating ethically andcreate 10,000 jobs. Working in partnership with high integrity, maintaining our commitment to quality, and encouraging similar conduct for our business

partners. We are a member ofAIM-PROGRESS, a global forum of consumer goods companies sponsored byNGOs, the European Brands AssociationSouth African government and the Grocery Manufacturers Association. The group’s purpose is to enable and promote responsible sourcing practices and sustainable supply chains covering labor practices, health and safety, environmental management and business integrity. As a member, we work to reduce duplication of audits in our supply chain and work collaboratively to build capacity with suppliers. We are also members of SEDEX, anot-for-profit organization dedicated to driving visibility in ethical and responsible business practices in global supply chains.

4e Retailer Programme

We sell our beers through millions of small retailers. In Latin America, many of these shopkeepers, known locally as tenderos, run on a subsistence basis and lack formal business registration and permits. Nearly 70% of them are women-owned. To assist tenderos, we introduced an innovative model for reducing poverty, formalizing businesses and promoting social inclusion. Theprivate sector, the program called 4e (Camino al Progreso), offers tenderos the opportunitysupports entrepreneurs to develop skills that can help themand grow their businesses, and meetoffers opportunities for them to become part of the needsSouth African Breweries’ supply chain. The initiative aims to contribute to South Africa’s national agenda of their broader communities, improvinggrowing the qualityeconomy through the provision of lifejobs and offers tailored support for their familiesyouth and the communities in which they live. Since 4e’s inception, more than 20,000 tenderos have participated in the program, and reported achieving an average sales growth rate of 13% in the year after their training.women.

SmartBarley

About half of our malt barley is locally sourced to reduce the risk of supply chain disruption and exposure to currency volatility, while boosting rural economies and strengthening agriculture. We developed our SmartBarley program to cultivate quality, local barley by accelerating innovations that can improve crop productivity and enhance grower livelihoods. Since 2014, over 3,200 growers7,000 farmers have participated in this program across nine12 countries.

Supporting Smallholder Farmers

Agriculture is a critical source of income and livelihoods in a number of markets in Africa. In Uganda, Eagle Lager is an affordable, locally produced beer brewed with sorghum, traditionally a subsistence crop. By developing a new beer brand and value chain using locally-grown sorghum,Africa, where we have been helping to create a secure income stream for more than 20,000 smallholder farmers. Eagle’s market share has grown significantly and now accounts for more than half of our volumes in Uganda.

A Cleaner World

Climate change hasfar-reaching consequences for our business and the communities where we live and work, from water scarcity and energy constraints, to reduced food security and increased health risks. We are working to create a cleaner world where natural resources are shared and preserved for the future. We are dedicated to enhancing water access and security for people across our markets through watershed restoration and conservation programs and by mobilizing a global movement for water access with our brands. We also aim to reduce our carbon emissions, invest in sourcing renewable electricity and increase our use of reusable and recycled packaging materials.

Environmental key performance indicators and targets are fully integrated into our VPO global management system. It is designed to bring greater efficiency to our brewery operations, generate cost savings and improve environmental management, in accordance with our Environmental Policy and Strategy.

We work with suppliers, wholesalers and procurement companies, as well as packaging experts, to help make decisions that minimize the cost and environmental impact of packaging materials. We use many types of product packaging, from bulk packaging (i.e., beer kegs, crates and pallets), which is almost always returnable and reusable, to cardboard boxes, glass bottles, aluminum cans and PET bottles, which are recyclable. A large proportion of our glass packaging is also in returnable bottles. We also continue the light-weighting of packaging to reduce material costs, minimizepioneered the use of natural resources, reduce wasteunder-commercialized local crops to create new affordable beer brands – like Eagle Lager, made with local sorghum in Uganda, and lessen our transportation fuel consumption. We are continually exploringImpala, made with local cassava in Mozambique. This strategy allows us to reach new forms of packaging that meet consumer needs with fewer resources.consumers while increasing incomes for local smallholder farmers.

Buy A Lady A Drink

The Stella Artois Buy A Lady A Drink initiative, launched in 2015 in partnership with Water.org, challenges consumers to be the generation that ends the global water crisis. Each purchase of a limited-edition Stella Artois chalice helps provide one woman in the developing world with five years of clean water. To date, we have sold more than 225,000 chalices around the world and the campaignStella Artois has donated over USD 3 million tohelped Water.org provide more than 800,000 people with access to five years of clean water. At the World Economic Forum in January 2017, Stella Artois announced a multi-year partnership with Water.org that aims to provide 3.5one million people in the developing world with sustainable access to clean water through the sale of more than 500,000 Limited-Edition Chalices and by 2020.

directly donating more than USD 8 million to Water.org.

Watershed Protection

In 2016, we continuedWe continue to scale our water stewardship efforts by engaging in watershed protection measures, in partnership with local stakeholders, in high stresshigh-stress areas across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, India Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, the United States and Zambia. Together with local authorities, other water users, andnon-governmental organizations like the World Wildlife Fund and The Nature Conservancy, we have devoted financial and technical resources to green infrastructure initiatives, conservation and reforestation projects, habitat restoration efforts, and soil conservation techniques. Through these initiatives, we seek to increase water security and improve water quality and availability for our communities and operations.

Renewable Energy

We are one of the world’s largest corporate buyers of electricity, a member of the RE100 and we are committed to a plan to significantly increasingincrease our use of renewable energy in our breweries and vertical operations to reduce our carbon emissions and long-term energy cost, improve air quality and create jobs in the renewable energy industry. In December 2016, we signed a contract to purchaseacquire 100% renewableof our purchased electricity needs from wind power in our Mexico breweries and vertical operations plants by the third quartersecond half 2019. In September 2017, we announced an agreement with Enel Green Power in the United States where we committed to purchasing as much renewable electricity as is used to brew more than 20 billion12-ounce servings of 2019.beer. In December 2018, we signed a 100MW solar power purchase agreement with Lightsource BP to secure renewable electricity for our U.K. operations, representing the largest unsubsidized solar energy deal in the United Kingdom to date. Also in 2018, our Carlton and United Breweries signed a contract with BayWa r.e. for a new 112MW Karadoc solar farm in Victoria, Australia.

Recycling

We are driving and protecting the circular economy of our industry by increasing the amount of reused or recycled materials in our packaging and recovering more post-consumer waste. We aim to work with partners, suppliers and retailers across our value chain in this effort. Packaging, such as returnable glass bottles, areis an important component of this effort, and increasing recycling, recovery and reuse also helps avoid loss of value.

Global Environment Goals

In 2013, we announced seven global goals that focus on operational efficiencies and key areas outside the brewery walls that are vital to our business and our stakeholders. We added an additional goal focused on logistics in 2014. With the reduction of our global water usage ratio to 3.2 hl/hl and an over 10% decrease in our global greenhouse gas emissions, we achieved two of the eight goals in 2014. We have made further progress against the remaining goals in 2016, five of which have an external focus reflecting our increased attention to our supply chain. We continue to both optimize internal management systems and best practices and rely on external partnerships to drive environmental and social progress. We aim to reach these goals by the end of 2017. The global environmental goals are:

Reduce water risks and improve water management in 100% of our key barley-growing regions in partnership with local stakeholders;

Engage in watershed protection measures at 100% of our facilities located in key areas in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Mexico, Peru and the United States, in partnership with local stakeholders;

Reduce global water usage to a leading-edge 3.2 hectoliters of water per hectoliter of production;

Reduce global greenhouse gas emissions per hectoliter of production by 10%, including a 15% reduction per hectoliter in China;

Reduce global energy usage per hectoliter of production by 10%, which is equivalent to the amount of electricity needed to light about a quarter of a million night football matches;

Reduce packaging materials by 100,000 tons, which is equivalent to the weight of about a quarter of a billion full cans of beer;

Reach a 70% global average ofeco-friendly cooler purchases annually; and

Reduce carbon emissions in our logistics operations by 15%.

We report annual progress on our environmental goals in our Global Citizenship Report, which is typically released in April each year.

Other Initiatives

We are also engaged with the international community and local groups to support key environmental initiatives. We recognize the critical role that companies can play in addressing some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, such as water scarcity and climate change. We are a signatory to the CEO Water Mandate, a public/private initiative of the United Nations Global Compact, which focuses on developing corporate strategies to address global water issues. We actively work to better understand and manage climate change and water risks across our supply chain and publicly report our risks and opportunities to the Carbon Disclosure Project.

We take a multi-facetedmultifaceted approach that includes applying a mix of operational changes and technological solutions, building effective partnerships and having a sustainability-focused mindset, underscored by strong teamwork, in order to help reduce the use of water in our direct operations, to help protect watersheds that serve our breweries and local communities and to help improve water management in our barley supply chain.

We are members of the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable, a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. We are members of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative, a global food industry organization that supports the development of sustainable agriculture through the involvement of food chain stakeholders. In addition, we are active participants in the United Nations Environment Program’s annual World Environment Day, through which we engage annually with many community stakeholders around the world.

Energy conservation has been a strategic focus for us for many years, especially with the unpredictable cost of energy and evolving climate change regulations. Our continued progress is based on the importance we place on sharing best technical and management practices across our operations. We publicly report our risks and opportunities related to climate change to the Carbon Disclosure Project.

A Healthier WorldPromoting smart drinking

Beer brings people together, addingWe want every experience with beer to be a positive one. We believe that the harmful use of alcohol is bad for consumers, society and our business. We established our Global Smart Drinking Goals in December 2015 to contribute to the enjoymentWorld Health Organization’s target of life. We are passionate about brewing great beers for our consumers to enjoy. We also have a long-standing commitment to reducing the harmful use of alcohol. To ensure a long-termalcohol by at least 10% in every country by 2025 and sustainable reduction inthe United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of strengthening the prevention of harmful drinking, consumer behaviors need to shift.use of alcohol globally.

We continue to make progress on our Global Smart Drinking Goals, empowering consumers to make smart drinking choices and change behaviors by shifting social norms.

Smart Drinking

AsWe’re a global company, brewing beers and building brands that will continue to bring people together for a better world for the world’s leading brewer, we are committed to promotingnext 100 years and beyond. This requires thriving communities across the responsible enjoyment of our products. To support that commitment, we develop and implement alcohol education and awareness programs, while opposing theglobe where harmful use of alcohol including underage drinking, excessive drinkingno longer presents a social challenge. Our Smart Drinking commitments, and drunk driving.the beliefs that underpin them, will help make this vision a reality.

In 2014, we successfully met or exceeded all six of the original Global Responsible Drinking Goals we set for ourselves in 2011. This set of goals included collaborations with a wide range of partners, public education initiatives, retailer training and other activities that reinforced responsible drinking.

In 2015, after four years of working towards the achievement of our original Global Responsible Drinking Goals and after more than 30 years of investing in efforts to promote responsible drinking and discourage the harmful uses of alcohol, we reflected on our progress and lessons learned through our experiences. We acknowledged the accomplishments that we made through strategic partnerships, public education initiatives and joint efforts with retailers, all focused on driving awareness of alcohol responsibility, and we determined that, by taking an evolved approach to positively changing behavior by investing in longer-term, evidence-based approaches, we have an opportunity to continue to make an impact on underage drinking, binge drinking and drunk driving.

With this as our vision, in 2015 we launched our new set ofOur current Global Smart Drinking Goals (2015-2025), which focus on two key areas: changing behaviors through social normsare intended to serve as a laboratory to identify and empowering consumers through choice.test replicable programs, implement them in partnership with others and ensure they are independently and transparently evaluated. Our goals are also designed to be collaborative and evolving. Working in partnership with public health

In order to achieve our vision of a global culture of smart drinking,bodies, civil society and governments, we aim to implement effectiveevidence-based approaches, uncover new ways to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, and collaborative solutions throughact upon them. Our intent is not only to use the knowledge generated by this work to improve our own efforts and business practices, but also to share what we learn with others.

Our four established goals:Global Smart Drinking Goals are:

 

City Pilots:reduce the harmful use of alcohol by at least 10% in six cities by the end of 2020 (the “City Pilot Initiative”) and implement best practices globally by the end of 2025;

 

Social Norms:influence social norms and individual behaviors to reduce harmful alcohol use by investing at least USD 1 billion across our markets in dedicated social marketing campaigns and related programs by the end of 2025;

 

No- andLow-Alcohol Beer:ensureno-alcohol (by which we mean ABV 0.0%–0.5%) and0.0%-0.5%)low-alcohol and lower-alcohol (by which we mean ABV0.51%-3.5%–3.5%) beer products represent at least 20% of our global beer volume by the end of 2025; and

 

Alcohol Health Literacy:place a guidance label on all of our beer products in all of our markets by the end of 2020 and increase alcohol health literacy by the end of 2025.

As partOurCity Pilots initiative is the cornerstone of our efforts to identify, test and independently and rigorously measure and evaluate replicable evidence-based interventions that are implemented in partnership with others, to reduce harmful use of alcohol. The City Pilots serve as laboratories for identifying evidence-based initiatives worth scaling. The six City Pilots are: Brasilia, Brazil; Zacatecas, Mexico; Johannesburg, South Africa; Jiangshan, China; Leuven, Belgium and Columbus, Ohio. Local knowledge and leadership are critical to the City Pilot Initiativeapproach. In each region, a Steering Committee was formed with local community members, including government, universities,non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other community-based organizations.

OurSocial Norms initiative is not just about spending a specified amount, but rather spending with impact, which requires the development and implementation of campaigns and programs grounded in social norms and social marketing theory. We have partnered with experts in this field to gather and consolidate the Global Smart Drinking Goals, launches were heldlatest social marketing knowledge and best practices and apply them to the promotion of smart drinking. In 2018 we produced a Social Marketing Toolkit for our marketing teams around the world, working in the communities of Zacatecas, Mexico; Leuven, Belgium; Jiangshan, China; Brasilia, Brazilclose collaboration with public health and Columbus, Ohio (United States). Additional specificbehavior change experts. This Toolkit is a practical guide that collates and distills information related to progress onabout our Global Smart Drinking Goals, willbehavior change theory, social norms and social marketing principles and includes a comprehensive library of AB InBev harmful consumption of alcohol prevention initiatives to date, so that all our business units can replicate best practices easily.

Through ourNo- andLow-Alcohol Beerinitiative we are offering consumers more choice, which we believe can be communicated annually in our Global Citizenship Report, which is typically released in April each year.

We have also announced our commitmentimportant way to working in partnership with the City of Johannesburg tohelp reduce the harmful use of alcohol. Our ambition is for existing drinkers to integrateno-alcohol beers and beer with 3.5% ABV or lower into their current drink choices, reducing their total alcohol intake. To make this ambition a reality, we are investing to make ourno- andlow-alcohol products an available and appealing choice for current consumers of beverage alcohol. We have applied the same robust sales tracking tools to ourno- andlow-alcohol beers to identify opportunities for growth and help us get closer to achieving our volume goal.

OurAlcohol Health Literacy initiative exemplifies our belief in helping consumers understand why and how alcohol should be consumed within limits. We are dedicatedcollaborating with partners to reducingidentify and implement evidence-based means of increasing alcohol literacy among consumers. The AB InBev Foundation is supporting public health researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine to develop a consumer guidance labelling strategy for beer that will promote alcohol health literacy and reflect the harmful use of alcohol in all of its markets. current evidence base for consumer labelling.

To do this, we announced at the time of the Transaction that we were extending and expandingfurther advance our Global Smart Drinking Goals, and making the reduction of the harmful use of alcohol a key priority. Wewe established the AB InBev Foundation in 2016 with a commitment that aims,2017. The Foundation’s mission is to reduce harmful drinking globally by 2026,identifying effective programs and policies for public-private partnerships to help address harmful alcohol useadvance positive social and spread ideas for advancing broader health and social issues globally.behavior change. The AB InBev Foundation has established the

following guiding principles: transparency—effectively sharing what the Foundation does and what it learns with others; local leadership—demonstrating multi-sectorial, community collaborations, empowered by evidence-based interventions and external experts and academic integrity—advancing the knowledge base by supporting independent, technical experts to implement and evaluate programs and publish their own work and conclusions.

In 2018, we published our Smart Drinking Beliefs, a Boardset of Directors havingprinciples and promises to guide our progress against our Smart Drinking commitments and make our vision a majorityreality.

Investing in road safety

Around the world, we invest in innovative programs to improve road safety and reduce injuries and fatalities from traffic collisions. This work is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).

Safe roads are also a high priority for governments and advocacy groups, and we are strengthening the impact of independent members,our efforts through partnerships. These include our leadership in Together for Safer Roads (“TSR”), a private-sector coalition focused on improving road safety by facilitating innovation in safer fleets, data collection and modern management.

As a major user of roads around the world and its largest brewer, we are committed to delivering safer roads for all, and we fully support the United Nation’s objective of reducing road traffic collisions in the world by 50% by 2020.

Internally in our business, we dedicate significant time and resources to researching, testing and implementing road safety technology and innovative techniques to increase the road safety of our fleet, which in turn improves community safety. Some of the techniques we have implemented are: monitoring the location and performance of vehicles, crash and near miss analysis, and addressing and avoiding driver fatigue using tools like telemetry and artificial intelligence.

Increasing workplace safety

We are committed to doing everything possible to create a safe work environment. We encourage employees and contractors to follow safe practices and make healthy choices in our workplaces and local communities.

Business ethics

Our leaders set the tone for our company. We expect them to deliver results and to inspire our colleagues through passion for brewing and a sense of ownership. Most importantly, we never take shortcuts. Integrity, hard work, quality and responsibility are essential to our growth.

Human Rights

Respect for human rights is a core tenet of our business ethos. Our Global Human Rights Policy sets out the standards and expectations we hold for promoting human rights, and we have developed policies to address harassment and discrimination, as well as diversity and inclusion. We also work with a technical advisory group of expertsour suppliers to ensure that the programs and initiatives launched in support of our goalsapproach to human rights extends to our supply chain. Through continued engagement with stakeholders, we are both credible, impactful and shared globally.committed to continuously enhancing our approach to respecting human rights.

Our People

It takes great people to build a great company. That is why we focus on attracting and retaining the best talent. Our approach is to enhance our people’s skills and potential through education and training, competitive compensation and a culture of ownership that rewards people for taking responsibility and producing results. Our ownership culture unites our people, providing the necessary energy, commitment and alignment needed to pursue our Dream—Dream of Bringing People Together for a Better World.

Having the right people in the right roles at the right time—aligned through a clear goal-setting and rewards process—improves productivity and enables us to continue to invest in our business and strengthen our social responsibility initiatives.

Acting in our communities

Volunteering is one of the best ways to bring people together for a better world. In communities around the world—both large and small—our people are passionate about empowering communities. We encourage these efforts through regional and global volunteering initiatives that are often also open to our families, friends, partners and consumers.

One key global program is Global Be(er) Responsible Day, which in 2018 engaged more than 62,000 colleagues worldwide to promote awareness about smart drinking. Together, we spread smart drinking messages to more than 3.6 million consumers on one day through direct interactions, generating over 215 million social media impressions. We also engaged with more than 1.1 million points of consumption, retailers and wholesalers throughout the month of September.

Our local teams also organized their own volunteering efforts. In Mexico, our volunteering program Voluntarios Modelo engaged more than 135,000 people in volunteering activities in their communities, including many of our colleagues. In Brazil, our Volunteering Program VOA provided management training to 185 NGOs leveraging the management expertise of 191 of our colleagues. In Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, our volunteering program #MeUno engaged more than 67,000 volunteers in environmental and educational activities. In the United States, South Africa and Colombia, our Pro Bono Marathon leveraged the skills of 194 colleagues to help 13non-profit partners solve organizational challenges.

Supporting disaster response

In 2018, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires and other natural disasters struck with great force and frequency in many communities. We supported disaster relief and recovery efforts, mainly through emergency drinking water donations and provision of funds. In the United States, we donated over 1.4 million cans of emergency drinking water, leveraging a long-standing partnership with the American Red Cross, and added the necessary equipment to produce canned drinking water out of our brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado, in September 2018. In South Africa, we provided emergency drinking water to people affected by the drought in Cape Town. In Brazil, we provided funds andin-kind donations to hundreds of people who were displaced by the urban fire that affected the city of Manaus. In India, after floods hit the state of Kerala, 1,500 volunteers dedicated 6,000 hours to supply 185,000 bottles of drinking water to 20,000 families in areas of need. We also developed a Global Disaster Preparedness Toolkit so more of our Business Units can play a role in improving the resilience of communities to prepare, respond to and recover from disasters.

C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV is the parent company of the AB InBev Group. Our most significant subsidiaries (as of 31 December 2016)2018) are:

 

Subsidiary Name

  Jurisdiction of
incorporation
or residence
  Proportion  of
ownership
interest
 Proportion
of voting
rights held
   Jurisdiction of
incorporation or
residence
  Proportion of
ownership
interest
 Proportion
of voting
rights held
 

Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC

  Delaware,

U.S.A.

   100  100  Delaware,
U.S.A.
   100 100

One Busch Place

   

St. Louis, MO 63118

   

Ambev S.A.

  Brazil   61.9  61.9  Brazil   61.9 61.9

Rua Dr. Renato Paes de Barros 1017

   

3° Andar Itaim Bibi

   

São Paulo

   

Grupo Modelo, S. de R.L. de C.V.

  Mexico   100  100

São Paulo, Brazil

  Brazil   61.9 61.9

Cervecería Modelo de México, S. de R.L. de C.V.

Javier Barros Sierra No. 555 Piso 3

  Mexico   100  100

Zedec Santa Fe, 01210 Mexico City, Mexico

   

SABMiller Limited

   

AB InBev House, Church Street West

  United Kingdom   100  100

Woking GU21 6HT, United Kingdom

   

ABI SAB Group Holding Limited

  United Kingdom   100 100

Bureau, 90 Fetter Lane

London EC4A 1EN, United Kingdom

For a more comprehensive list of our most important financing and operating subsidiaries, see note 3736 of our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

D. PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT

For a further discussion of property, plants and equipment, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Climate change or other environmental concerns, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change or other environmental concerns, may negatively affect our business or operations, including the availability of key production inputs,” “Item 4. Information on the Company—“—B. Business Overview—6. Brewing Process; Raw Materials and Packaging; Production Facilities; Logistics—Capacity Expansion,” “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Expenditures” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—J. Outlook and Trend Information.”

 

ITEM 4A.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 5.

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

The following is a review of our financial condition and results of operations as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016,2018, and of the key factors that have affected or are expected to be likely to affect our ongoing and future operations. You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Form20-F.

Some of the information contained in this discussion, including information with respect to our plans and strategies for our business and our expected sources of financing, contain forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties. You should read “Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the risks related to those statements. You should also read “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” for a discussion of certain factors that may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have prepared our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (“IFRS”). The financial information and related discussion and analysis contained in this item are presented in U.S. dollars except as otherwise specified. Unless otherwise specified the financial information analysis in this Form20-F is based on our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

See “Presentation of Financial and Other Data” for further information on our presentation of financial information.

A. KEY FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We consider acquisitions, divestitures and other structural changes, economic conditions and pricing, consumer preferences, our product mix, raw material and transport prices, the effect of our distribution arrangements, excise taxes, the effect of governmental regulations, foreign currency effects and weather and seasonality to be the key factors influencing the results of our operations. The following sections discuss these key factors.

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other Structural Changes

We regularly engage in acquisitions, divestitures and investments. We also engage in thestart-up or termination of activities and may transfer activities between business segments. Such events have had and are expected to continue to have a significant effect on our results of operations and the comparability ofperiod-to-period results. Significant acquisitions, divestitures, investments, transfers of activities between business segments and other structural changes in the years ended 31 December 2016, 2015,2018, 2017 and 20142016 are described below. See also note 6 and note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20152018 included in this Form20-F.

Grupo Modelo Combination

On 4 June 2013, we announced the completion ofIn December 2016, in connection with our combination with Grupo Modelo, following which, we owned approximately 95% of Grupo Modelo’s outstanding shares. We established and funded a trust to accept further tender of shares by Grupo Modelo shareholders at a price of USD 9.15 per share over a period of up to 25 months from the completion of the combination. On 7 June 2013, in a transaction related to the combination, Grupo Modelo completed the sale of its business in the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia and Guam to Constellation Brands, Inc. for approximately USD 4.75 billion, in aggregate, subject to post-closing adjustment of USD 558 million, which was paid by Constellation Brands, Inc. on 6 June 2014. In a transaction related to the combination with Grupo Modelo, select Grupo Modelo shareholders purchased a deferred share entitlement to acquire the equivalent of approximately 23.1 million AB InBev shares, to be delivered within five years, for consideration of approximately USD 1.5 billion. This investment occurred on 5 June 2013.

During 2014, we purchased USD 1.0 billion of Grupo Modelo shares through the trust established on 4 June 2013, to accept further tender of shares by Grupo Modelo shareholders over a period of up to 25 months and, during 2015, we performed a mandatory tender offer and purchased all outstanding Grupo Modelo shares held by third parties for a total consideration of USD 483 million. Following the tender offer, Grupo Modelo became our wholly owned subsidiary and Grupo Modelo was delisted. During the first quarter of 2015, Constellation Brands, Inc. notified us that it was exercising its rightsobligations under the final judgmentjudgement issued in connection with our purchase of Grupo Modelo, to require us to sell all U.S. local distribution rights held by us at the purchase price formula specified by the final judgment.

In December 2016, we also completed the sale of our brewery plant located in Obregón, Sonora, México to Constellation Brands, Inc. for a sale price of approximately USD 600 million.

Oriental Brewery Acquisition

In April 2014, we announced the completion of our acquisition of Oriental Brewery, the leading brewer in South Korea, from KKR and Affinity Equity Partners. The enterprise value for the transaction was USD 5.8 billion, and as a result of an agreement entered into with KKR and Affinity Equity Partners in 2009, we received approximately USD 320 million in cash at closing from this transaction, subject to closing adjustments according to the terms of the transaction. This acquisition returned Oriental Brewery to our portfolio after we sold the company in July 2009, following the combination of InBev and Anheuser-Busch in support of our deleveraging target.

Acquisition of SABMillerSAB

On 11 November 2015, the board of former AB InBev and the board of SABMiller announced that they had reached an agreement on the terms of the Transaction.

The Transactioncombination with SAB was implemented through a series of steps, including the acquisition of SABMillerSAB by Newbelco, a newly incorporated Belgian company formed for the purposes of the Transaction,combination with SAB, and completed on 10 October 2016. During the final step of the Transaction,combination with SAB, former AB InBev merged into Newbelco (the “Belgian Merger”) so that, following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, Newbelco, now named Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, became the new holding company for the Combined Group.

Under the terms of the Transaction,combination with SAB, each SABMillerSAB shareholder was entitled to receive GBP 45.00 in cash in respect of each SABMillerSAB share. The Transactioncombination with SAB also included a partial share alternative (the “Partial Share Alternative”), under which SABMillerSAB shareholders could elect to receive GBP 4.6588 in cash and 0.483969 Restricted Shares in respect of each SABMillerSAB share in lieu of the full cash consideration to which they would otherwise be entitled under the Transactioncombination with SAB (subject to scaling back in accordance with the terms of the Partial Share Alternative).

The Partial Share Alternative was limited to a maximum of 326,000,000 Restricted Shares and GBP 3,138,153,064 in cash, which was available for approximately 41.6% of the SABMillerSAB shares. Altria and BEVCO Ltd. (“BEVCO”), which held in aggregate approximately 40% of the ordinary share capital of SABMiller,SAB, gave irrevocable undertakings to us to elect for the Partial Share Alternative in respect of their entire beneficial holdings in SABMiller.SAB.

The Transactioncombination with SAB was implemented through a series of equity reorganizations:

 

On 6 October 2016, Newbelco issued 163,276,737,100 ordinary shares (“Initial Newbelco Shares”) to SABMillerSAB shareholders through a capital increase of EUR 85,531 million (equivalent to GBP 75.4 billion), as consideration for 1,632,767,371 ordinary shares of SABMillerSAB pursuant to a U.K. law court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement between SABMillerSAB and the applicable shareholders of SABMillerSAB under Part 26 of the United Kingdom Companies Act 2006 (the “U.K. Scheme”).

 

Former AB InBev then made a voluntary cash tender offer pursuant to the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids and the Belgian Royal Decree of 27 April 2007 on public takeover bids, for all the Initial Newbelco Shares issued in the U.K. Scheme (the “Belgian Offer”), pursuant to which former AB InBev acquired 102,890,758,014 Initial Newbelco Shares tendered into the Belgian Offer.

Based on the terms of the U.K. Scheme, all Initial Newbelco Shares not tendered to former AB InBev in the context of the Belgian Offer (i.e. 60,385,979,086 Initial Newbelco Shares) were reclassified into 325,999,817 Restricted Shares, in accordance with the mechanism by which any Initial Newbelco Shares that were retained after closing of the Belgian Offer were automatically reclassified and consolidated. The Restricted Shares are unlisted, not admitted to trading on any stock exchange, and are subject to, among other things, restrictions on transfer until converted into Ordinary Shares. Except in limited circumstances, the Restricted Shares will only be convertible at the election of the holder into new Ordinary Shares on aone-for-one basis with effect from the fifth anniversary of completion of the Transaction. From completion of the Transaction, such Restricted Shares will rank equally with the Ordinary Shares with respect to dividends and voting rights. Following completion of the Transaction, AB InBev acquired 105,246 SABMiller shares from option holders that had not exercised their option rights prior to the completion of the Transaction for a total consideration of EUR 5 million and now owns 100% of SABMiller shares.

Based on the terms of the U.K. Scheme, all Initial Newbelco Shares not tendered to former AB InBev in the context of the Belgian Offer (i.e., 60,385,979,086 Initial Newbelco Shares) were reclassified into 325,999,817 Restricted Shares, in accordance with the mechanism by which any Initial Newbelco Shares that were retained after closing of the Belgian Offer were automatically reclassified and consolidated. The Restricted Shares are unlisted, not admitted to trading on any stock exchange and are subject to, among other things, restrictions on transfer until converted into Ordinary Shares. Except in limited circumstances, the Restricted Shares will only be convertible at the election of the holder into new Ordinary Shares on aone-for-one basis with effect from the fifth anniversary of completion of the combination with SAB. From completion of the combination with SAB, such Restricted Shares will rank equally with the Ordinary Shares with respect to dividends and voting rights. Following completion of the combination with SAB, AB InBev acquired 105,246 SAB shares from option holders that had not exercised their option rights prior to the completion of the combination with SAB for a total consideration of EUR 5 million and now owns 100% of SAB shares.

 

After the Belgian Offer and, upon completion of the Belgian Merger, all shares acquired by former AB InBev in the Belgian Offer were cancelledcanceled except for the equivalent of 85,000,000 of Ordinary Shares, which were retained by Newbelco and held as treasury shares after completion of the Belgian Merger, as decided by the general meeting of Newbelco in the notarial deed approving the merger of former AB InBev into Newbelco and in accordance with the Belgian Companies Code.

 

As a result of the Belgian Merger, the share premium was reduced by EUR 52,522 million (USD 58,510 million) against undistributable reserves, EUR 44,485 million (USD 49,556 million) of such reserves were cancelledcanceled upon cancellation of the shares acquired by AB InBev in the Belgian Offer, and EUR 8,037 million (USD 8,953 million) undistributable reserves remained outstanding against the 85,000,000 treasury shares in accordance with the Belgian Companies Code.

 

After the merger, the capital and share premium of Newbelco were further reorganized. Newbelco’s share capital was reduced by EUR 8,553 million (USD 9,528 million) and its issue premium account was reduced by EUR 24,456 million (USD 27,244 million) to create distributable reserves of EUR 33,009 million (USD 36,772 million) as decided by the general meeting of Newbelco in the notarial deed approving the Belgian Merger and in accordance with the Belgian Companies Code. Each such step became effective simultaneously with the Belgian Merger and completion of the Transaction.combination with SAB.

On 10 October 2016, we announced the completion of the Belgian Merger and the successful completion of the Transaction.combination with SAB.

As a result of the Belgian Merger, former AB InBev has merged into Newbelco, and Newbelco has becomebecame the holding company for the Combined Group. All assets and liabilities of former AB InBev were transferred to Newbelco, and Newbelco was automatically substituted for former AB InBev in all its rights and obligations by operation of Belgian law. Newbelco was renamed Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, and former AB InBev was dissolved by operation of Belgian law.

In connection with the Transaction,combination with SAB, shares in former AB InBev were delisted from Euronext Brussels, the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Our Ordinary Shares were admitted to listing and trading on Euronext Brussels, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores at the opening of business in each market on 11 October 2016. In addition, ADSs trading on the New York Stock Exchange, each of which used to represent one Ordinary Share of former AB InBev, now each represent one of our Ordinary Shares, effective as of the opening of business in New York on 11 October 2016.

We now own 100% of the SABMiller shares,SAB shares; our share capital amounts to EUR 1,238,608,344 and is represented by 2,019,241,973 shares without nominal value, of which 85,540,39259,862,607 shares are held in treasury by AB InBev and its subsidiaries. All of our shares are Ordinary Shares, except for 325,999,817 Restricted Shares.

In accordance with IFRS, the Transaction iscombination with SAB was considered for accounting purposes as a reverse acquisition, by operation of which Newbelco legally absorbed the assets and liabilities of former AB InBev. As a consequence, the legal acquiroracquirer (Newbelco) iswas considered as the accounting acquiree and the legal acquiree (former AB InBev) is considered the accounting acquirer. Therefore, the consolidated financial statements represent the continuation of the financial statements of former AB InBev. The assets and liabilities of former AB InBev remained recognized at theirpre-combination carrying amounts. The identified assets, liabilities andnon-controlling interests of SABMiller are recognized in accordance with IFRS 3 Business Combinations and have only been provisionally determined at the end of the reporting period.

The SABMillerSAB purchase consideration is calculated as follows:

 

   Newbelco number
of shares
   Newbelco
valuation in
million pound
sterling
   Newbelco
valuation in
million euro
 

Tender offer (cash consideration)

   102,890,758,014    46,301    52,522 

Converted to Restricted Shares

   60,385,979,086    29,099    33,009(i) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   163,276,737,100    75,400    85,531 
    In millions 

Total equity value at offer in euro

 

   85,531 

Purchase from option holders in euro

 

   5 
  

 

 

 

Total equity value in euro

 

   85,536 

Total equity value in US dollar

 

   95,288 

Foreign exchange hedges and other in US dollar

 

   7,848(ii) 
  

 

 

 

Purchase consideration in US dollar

 

   103,136 

Add: fair market value of total debt assumed in US dollar

 

   11,870 

Less: total cash acquired in US dollar

 

   (1,198
  

 

 

 

Gross purchase consideration in US dollar

 

   113,808 
   Newbelco number
of shares
   Newbelco
valuation in
million pound
sterling
   Newbelco
valuation in
million euro
 

Tender offer (cash consideration)

   102,890,758,014    46,301    52,522 

Converted to Restricted Shares

   60,385,979,086    29,099    33,009(i)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   163,276,737,100    75,400    85,531 

Total equity value at offer in euro

 

   85,531 

Purchase from option holders in euro

 

   5 
  

 

 

 

Total equity value in euro

 

   85,536 

Total equity value in U.S. dollar

 

   95,288 

Foreign exchange hedges and other in U.S. dollar

 

   7,848(ii)  
  

 

 

 

Purchase consideration in U.S. dollar

 

   103,136 
  

 

 

 

Add: fair market value of total debt assumed in U.S. dollar

 

   11,870 

Less: total cash acquired in U.S. dollar

 

   (1,198
  

 

 

 

Gross purchase consideration in U.S. dollar

 

   113,808 

Notes

 

(i)

The Restricted Share valuation is based on the valuation of the Newbelco shares that were not tendered into the Belgian Offer and has regard to the share price of former AB InBev ofon the day of the closing of the Transaction,combination with SAB, adjusted for the specificities of the Restricted Shares in line with fair value measurement rules under IFRS.

(ii)

During 2015 and 2016, we entered into derivative foreign exchange forward contracts, as well as othernon-derivative items also documented in a hedge accounting relationship, in order to economically hedge against exposure to changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate for the cash component of the purchase consideration in pound sterling and South African rand. Although these derivatives andnon-derivative items were considered to be economic hedges, only a portion of such derivatives could qualify for hedge accounting under IFRS rules. Since inception of the derivative contracts in 2015 and upon the completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, USD 12.3 billion negativemark-to-market adjustment related to such hedging were recognized cumulatively over 2015 and 2016, of which USD 7.4 billion qualified for hedge accounting and was, accordingly, allocated as part of the consideration paid. The settlement of the portion of the derivatives that did not qualify as hedge accounting was classified as cash flow from financing activities in the consolidated cash flow statement.

We financed the cash consideration of the combination with SAB with USD 18.0 billion drawn down under a USD 75.0 billion Senior Facilities Agreement dated 28 October 2015, together with the excess liquidity resulting from the issuance of bonds in 2016.

The Transactiontransaction costs incurred in connection with the combination with SAB, which include transaction taxes, advisory, legal, audit, valuation and other fees and costs, amounted to approximately USD 1.0 billion. In addition we incurred approximately USD 0.7 billion of costs in connection with the transaction-related financing arrangements.

On 11 October 2016, we completed the sale of SAB’s interest in MillerCoors LLC (a joint venture in the United States and Puerto Rico between Molson Coors Brewing Company and SAB) and in the Miller Global Brand Business to Molson Coors Brewing Company. The total transaction was valued at USD 12 billion, subject to a downward purchase price adjustment. We set up a provision of USD 330 million as part of the opening balance sheet related to the purchase price adjustment. The parties entered into a settlement agreement on 21 January 2018 for USD 330 million of which USD 328 million constitutes the purchase price adjustment amount.

On 11 October 2016, we completed the sale of SAB’s Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime brand families and their associated businesses (excluding certain rights in the United States) to Asahi. The offer valued the Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime brand families and associated businesses in Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and internationally at EUR 2,550 million on a debt free/cash-free basis.

On 11 October 2016, we completed the sale of 49% interest in CR Snow to China Resources Beer (Holdings) Co. Ltd., which previously owned 51% of CR Snow. The transaction valued SAB’s 49% stake in CR Snow at USD 1.6 billion.

On 31 March 2017, we completed the sale of SAB’s assets in Central and Eastern Europe (Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland) to Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. for EUR 7.3 billion.

On 12 April 2017, we completed the sale of our interests in Distell Group Limited (“Distell”) (comprised of 58,674,000 ordinary shares or approximately 26.4% of Distell’s issued share capital) to the Public Investment Corporation (SOC) Limited, acting on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund.

In 2017, we completed the purchase price allocation to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the combination with SAB, including the allocation of goodwill to the different business units, in compliance with IFRS 3Business Combinations. The combination with SAB resulted in the recognition of USD 74.172.4 billion of goodwill provisionally allocated primarily to the businesses in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Australia, South Africa and other African, Asia Pacific and Latin American countries. The valuation of the property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, investment in associates, interest bearing loans and borrowings, employee benefits, other assets and liabilities andnon-controlling interests was based on our best estimate of fair value with input from independent third parties.

The factors that contributed to the recognition of goodwill include the acquisition of an assembled workforce and the premiums paid for cost synergies expected to be achieved in SABMiller.SAB. Our assessment of the future economic benefits supporting recognition of this goodwill is in part based on expected savings through the implementation of best practices such as, among others, a zero basedzero-based budgeting program and initiatives that are expected to bring greater efficiency and standardization, generate cost savings and maximize purchasing power. Goodwill also arises due to the recognition of deferred tax liabilities in relation to the preliminary fair value adjustments on acquired intangible assets for which the amortization does not qualify as a tax deductible expense. None of the goodwill recognized is deductible for tax purposes.

See also notenotes 6 and 14 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

We financed the cash considerationCompletion of the transaction withdisposal of CCBA

On 4 October 2017, we announced the completion of the transition of our 54.5% equity stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (“CCBA”) for USD 18.03.15 billion, drawn down under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement dated 28 October 2015, together with excess liquidity resulting from the issuance of bondsafter customary adjustments. We stopped consolidating CCBA in 2016. See “—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources” and note 24 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 Decemberthat date.

CCBA, the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa, was formed in 2016 through the combination of the Africannon-alcoholready-to-drink bottling interests of SAB, The Coca-Cola Company and 2015,Gutsche Family Investments. It includes the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ghana, Mayotte and forComoros. Following completion, CCBA will remain subject to the three years ended 31 December 2016 for more information.

The transaction costs incurred in connectionagreement reached with the Transaction,South African government and the South African Competition Authorities on several conditions, all of which include transaction taxes, advisory, legal, audit, valuation and other fees and costs, amounted to approximately USD 1.0 billion. In addition AB InBev incurred approximately USD 0.7 billion of costs in connection with the transaction-related financing arrangements.were previously announced.

On 11 November 2015, we also announced an agreement with Molson Coors Brewing Company, conditional on completion of the Transaction, regarding a complete divestiture of SABMiller’s interest in MillerCoors LLC (a joint venture in the U.S. and Puerto Rico between Molson Coors Brewing Company and SABMiller) and in the Miller Global Brand Business to Molson Coors Brewing Company. The total transaction, valued at USD 12 billion on a debt-free/cash-free basis, was completed on 11 October 2016.

On 10 February 2016, we announced that we had received a binding offer from Asahi to acquire SABMiller’s Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime brand families and their associated business (excluding certain rights in the U.S.). The offer valued the Peroni, Grolsch, and Meantime brand families and associated businesses in Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and internationally at EUR 2,550 million on a debt free/cash-free basis. On 11 October 2016, we announced the successful completion of this transaction.

On 2 March 2016, we announced that we had entered into an agreement to sell SABMiller’s 49% interest in CR Snow to China Resources Beer (Holdings) Co. Ltd., which then owned 51% of CR Snow. The agreement valued SABMiller’s 49% stake in CR Snow at USD 1.6 billion. On 11 October 2016, we announced the successful completion of this divestiture.

On 29 April 2016, we announced that we had offered the assets of SABMiller in Central and Eastern Europe (Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland) for divestiture, subject to certain third-party rights. On 13 December 2016, we announced that we had entered into a binding agreement with Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. to sell SABMiller’s businesses in Central and Eastern Europe for EUR 7.3 billion. The sale of SABMiller’s businesses in Central and Eastern Europe is conditional on the European Commission’s approval of Asahi as a suitable purchaser and is expected to close in the first half of 2017.

Other Acquisition, Disposals and Structural Changes

In 2014,2018, we completed the acquisition of the Siping Ginsber Draft Beer Co., Ltd., which owns the Ginsber brand, as well as a transaction to acquire three breweries in China. The aggregate purchase price of such acquisitions was approximately USD 868 million.

In 2014, we sold our investment in the company Comercio y Distribución Modelo, which operated convenience stores under the name of “Tiendas Extra” in Mexico, and we also completed the sale of the glass plant locatedour carbonated soft drink businesses in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.

On 14 August 2014, Monster Energy Company (“Monster”) announced that it hadZambia and Botswana to The Coca-Cola Company. In related transactions, we entered into aagreements to sell to The Coca-Cola Company (i) all of our carbonated soft drink business in eSwatini (Swaziland) and (ii) certainnon-alcoholic beverage brands in El Salvador and Honduras. The closing of these transactions is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. In El Salvador and Honduras, we have executed long-term strategic partnership inbottling agreements which will become effective upon the global energy drink categoryclosing of the El Salvador and Honduras brand divestitures.

Together with The Coca-Cola Company, we continue to work towards finalizing the terms and thatconditions of the agreement for The Coca-Cola Company would become Monster’s preferred global distributor, includingto acquire our interest in, or the bottling operations of, our businesses in Zimbabwe and Lesotho. These transactions are subject to the relevant regulatory and shareholder approvals in the United States. In 2015, Monster entered into an investmentdifferent jurisdictions.

Merger of Businesses in Russia and distribution arrangementUkraine with The Coca-Cola Company. As a result, during 2015 Monster terminated most of its agreements with Anheuser-Busch wholesalers relating to local distribution of Monster products in the United States, including all such agreements with Anheuser-Busch’s wholly owned wholesalers.Anadolu Efes

In February 2015,On 30 March 2018, we announced the entrycompletion of the 50:50 merger of our Russia and Ukraine businesses with those of Anadolu Efes. Following completion, our operations in Russia and Ukraine and those of Anadolu Efes are fully combined under a new company called AB InBev Efes.

The combined business is fully consolidated into an agreement with RJ Corp LimitedAnadolu Efes financial accounts. We have stopped consolidating the results of these operations as of the second quarter 2018 and account for our investment in AB InBev Efes under which we would exit our Indian joint venture with RJ Corp Limited. Later in February 2015, we exited the Indian joint venture. We now operate independently in India via our wholly owned subsidiary Crown Beers India Private Limitedequity method.

Other Acquisitions, Divestiture and other legal entities.Structural Changes

During 2016, we completed the acquisition of the Canadian rights to a range of primarily spirit-based beersnear beer and ciders from Mark Anthony Group. In a separate transaction, Mark Anthony Group agreed to sell certainnon-U.S. andnon-Canadian trademark rights and other intellectual property to one of our subsidiaries. The aggregate purchase price of such acquisitions was approximately USD 413 million. Mark Anthony Group retains full ownership of its U.S. business, as well as the Canadian wine, spirits and beer import and distribution business.

In December 2016, we entered into an agreement with Keurig Dr Pepper, formerly Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., to establish a joint venture for conducting research and development of anin-home alcohol drink system, focusing on the United States and Canadian markets. The transaction, which closed in the first quarter of 2017, included the contribution of intellectual property and manufacturing assets from Keurig Dr Pepper. Pursuant to the terms of the joint venture agreement, we own 70% of the voting and economic interest in the joint venture. Under IFRS, this transaction was accounted for as a business combination as we were deemed as the accounting acquirer as per IFRS rules.

On 2 May 2018, we recovered the Budweiser distribution rights in Argentina from CCU. The transaction involved the transfer of the Isenbeck, Iguana, Diosa, Norte and Baltica brands and other commitments to CCU Argentina.

On 5 June 2018, we delivered 23,076,922 shares under deferred share instruments with former Grupo Modelo shareholders. The delivery obligation was through the use of part of our outstanding treasury shares.

During 20152016, 2017 and 2016,2018, we undertook a series of additional acquisitions and disposals with no significant impact to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 included in this Form20-F.

In addition to the acquisitions and divestitures described above, we may acquire, purchase or dispose of further assets or businesses in our normal course of operations. Accordingly, the financial information presented in this Form20-F may not reflect the scope of our business as it will be conducted in the future.

Economic Conditions and Pricing

General economic conditions in the geographic regions in which we sell our products, such as the level of disposable income, the level of inflation, the rate of economic growth, the rate of unemployment, exchange rates and currency devaluation or revaluation, influence consumer confidence and consumer purchasing power. These factors, in turn, influence the demand for our products in terms of total volumes sold and the price that can be charged. This is particularly true for developing countries in our Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South and Asia Pacific regions, as well as certain countries in our EMEA region, which tend to have lower disposable income per capita and may be subject to greater economic volatility than our markets in North America and developed countries in EMEA. The level of inflation has been particularly significant in our Latin America North and Latin America South regions and in certain countries within the EMEA region. For instance, Brazil has periodically experienced extremely high rates of inflation. In 1993, the annual rate of inflation, asAs measured by the National Consumer Price Index (Indice Nacional de PreçPreços ao Consumidor), reachedBrazilian inflation was approximately 3.43% in 2018. In May 2018, the Argentinean peso underwent a hyperinflationary peaksevere devaluation resulting in the three-year cumulative inflation of 2,489%Argentina to exceed 100% in 2018, thereby triggering the requirement to transition to hyperinflation accounting as prescribed by IAS 29Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies as of 1 January 2018 (see “—Foreign Currency”). As measured by the same index, Brazilian inflation was approximately 6.29% in 2016. Similarly, Argentina has, in the past, experienced periods of hyper-inflation. Argentine inflation in 1989 was 4,924% according to theInstituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos,. As measured by theFundacion de Investigaciones Economicas Latinoamericanas, in 2016, Argentine inflation was approximately 37.7%.31.8% in 2018. Consequently, a central element of our strategy for achieving sustained profitable volume growth is our ability to anticipate changes in local economic conditions and their impact on consumer demand in order to achieve the optimal combination of pricing and sales volume.

In addition to affecting demand for our products, the general economic conditions described above may cause consumer preferences to shift betweenon-trade consumption channels, such as restaurants and cafés, bars, sports and leisure venues and hotels, andoff-trade consumption channels, such as traditional grocery stores, supermarkets, hypermarkets and discount stores. Products sold inoff-trade consumption channels typically generate higher volumes and lower margins per retail outlet than those sold inon-trade consumption channels, althoughon-trade consumption channels typically require higher levels of investment. The relative profitability ofon-trade andoff-trade consumption channels varies depending on various factors, including costs of invested capital and the distribution arrangements in the different countries in which we operate. A shift in consumer preferences towards lower-margin products may adversely affect our price realization and profit margins.

Consumer Preferences

We are a consumer products company, and our results of operations largely depend on our ability to respond effectively to shifting consumer preferences. Consumer preferences may shift due to a variety of factors, including changes in demographics, changes in social trends, such as consumer health concerns, product attributes and ingredients, changes in travel, vacation or leisure activity patterns, weather or negative publicity resulting from regulatory action or litigation.

Product Mix

The results of our operations are substantially affected by our ability to build on our strong family of brands by relaunching or reinvigorating existing brands in current markets, launching existing brands in new markets and introducing brand extensions and packaging alternatives for our existing brands, as well as our ability to both acquire and develop innovative local products to respond to changing consumer preferences. Strong, well-recognized brands that attract and retain consumers, for which consumers are willing to pay a premium, are critical to our efforts to maintain and increase market share and benefit from high margins. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—2. Principal Activities and Products—Beer” for further information regarding our brands.

Raw Material and Transport Prices

We have significant exposure to fluctuations in the prices of raw materials, packaging materials, energy and transport services, each of which may significantly impact our cost of sales or distribution expenses. Increased costs or distribution expenses will reduce our profit margins if we are unable to recover these additional costs from our customers through higher prices (see “—Economic Conditions and Pricing”).

The main raw materials used in our beer and other alcoholic malt beverage production are malted barley, corn grits, corn syrup, rice, hops and water, while those used in ournon-beer production are flavored concentrate, fruit concentrate, sugar, sweetener and water. In some of our regions, such as in Africa, locally-sourced agricultural products, such as sorghum or cassava, are used in

place of malted barley. In addition to these inputs into our products, delivery of our products to consumers requires extensive use of packaging materials, such as glass, PET and aluminum bottles, aluminum or steel cans and kegs, labels, plastic crates, metal and plastic closures, folding cartons, cardboard products and plastic films.

The price of the raw and packaging materials that we use in our operations is determined by, among other factors, the level of crop production (both in the countries in which we are active and elsewhere in the world), weather conditions, supplier’s capacity utilization,end-user demand, governmental regulations including tariffs, and legislation affecting agriculture and trade. We are also exposed to increases in fuel and other energy prices through our own and third-party distribution networks and production operations. Furthermore, we are exposed to increases in raw material transport costs charged by suppliers. Increases in the prices of our products could affect demand among consumers, and, thus, our sales volumes and revenue. Even though we seek to minimize the impact of such fluctuations through financial and physical hedging, the results of our hedging activities may vary across time.

As further discussed under “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Market Risk, Hedging and Financial Instruments,” we use both fixed-price purchasing contracts and commodity derivatives to minimize our exposure to commodity price volatility when practicable. Fixed-price contracts generally have a term of one to two years, although a small number of contracts have a term up to five years. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—6. Brewing Process; Raw Materials and Packaging; Production Facilities; Logistics—Raw Materials and Packaging” for further details regarding our arrangements for sourcing of raw and packaging materials.

Distribution Arrangements

We depend on effective distribution networks to deliver our products to our customers. Generally, we distribute our products through (i) our own distribution, in which we deliver to points of sale directly, and (ii) third-party distribution networks, in which delivery to points of sale occurs through wholesalers and independent distributors. Third-party distribution networks may be exclusive ornon-exclusive and may, in certain business segments, involve use of third-party distribution while we retain the sales function through an agency framework. We use different distribution networks in the markets in which we operate, as appropriate, based on the structure of the local retail sectors, local geographic considerations, scale considerations, regulatory requirements, market share and the expected added-value and capital returns.

Although specific results may vary depending on the relevant distribution arrangement and market, in general, the use of own distribution or third-party distribution networks will have the following effects on our results of operations:

 

Revenue. Revenue per hectoliter derived from sales through own distribution tends to be higher than revenue derived from sales through third parties. In general, under own distribution, we receive a higher price for our products since we are selling directly to points of sale, capturing the margin that would otherwise be retained by intermediaries;

Revenue. Revenue per hectoliter derived from sales through own distribution tends to be higher than revenue derived from sales through third parties. In general, under own distribution, we receive a higher price for our products since we are selling directly to points of sale, capturing the margin that would otherwise be retained by intermediaries;

 

Transportation costs. In our own distribution networks, we sell our products to the point of sale and incur additional freight costs in transporting those products between our plant and such points of sale. Such costs are included in our distribution expenses under IFRS. In most of our own distribution networks, we use third-party transporters and incur costs through payments to these transporters, which are also included in our distribution expenses under IFRS. In third-party distribution networks, our distribution expenses are generally limited to expenses incurred in delivering our products to relevant wholesalers or independent distributors in those circumstances in which we make deliveries; and

Transportation costs. In our own distribution networks, we sell our products to the point of sale and incur additional freight costs in transporting those products between our plant and such points of sale. Such costs are included in our distribution expenses under IFRS. In most of our own distribution networks, we use third-party transporters and incur costs through payments to these transporters, which are also included in our distribution expenses under IFRS. In third-party distribution networks, our distribution expenses are generally limited to expenses incurred in delivering our products to relevant wholesalers or independent distributors in those circumstances in which we make deliveries; and

Sales expenses. Under fully third-party distribution systems, the salesperson is generally an employee of the distributor, while under our own distribution and indirect agency networks, the salesperson is generally our employee. To the extent that we deliver our products to points of sale through direct or indirect agency distribution networks, we will incur additional sales expenses from the hiring of additional employees (which may offset to a certain extent increased revenue gained as a result of own distribution).

Sales expenses. Under fully third-party distribution systems, the salesperson is generally an employee of the distributor, while under our own distribution and indirect agency networks, the salesperson is generally our employee. To the extent that we deliver our products to points of sale through direct or indirect agency distribution networks, we will incur additional sales expenses from the hiring of additional employees (which may offset to a certain extent increased revenue gained as a result of own distribution).

In addition, in certain countries, we enter into exclusive importer arrangements and depend on our counterparties to these arrangements to market and distribute our products to points of sale. To the extent that we rely on counterparties to distribution agreements to distribute our products in particular countries or regions, the results of our operations in those countries and regions will, in turn, be substantially dependent on our counterparties’ own distribution networks operating effectively.

Excise Taxes

Taxation on our beer, other alcoholic beverage andnon-beer products in the countries in which we operate is comprised of different taxes specific to each jurisdiction, such as excise and other indirect taxes. In many jurisdictions, excise and other indirect

duties, including legislation regarding minimum alcohol pricing, make up a large proportion of the cost of beer charged to customers. Increases in excise and other indirect taxes applicable to our products either on an absolute basis or relative to the levels applicable to other beverages tend to adversely affect our revenue or margins, both by reducing overall consumption and by encouraging consumers to switch to lower-taxed categories of beverages. These increases also adversely affect the affordability of our products and our ability to raise prices. For example, see the discussion of taxes in the United States Russia and Ukraine in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—The beer and beverage industryWe may be subject to adverse changes in taxation.”

Governmental Regulations

Governmental restrictions on beer consumption in the markets in which we operate vary from one country to another, and, in some instances, within countries. The most relevant restrictions are:

 

Legal drinking ages;

 

Global and national alcohol policy reviews and the implementation of policies aimed at preventing the harmful effects of alcohol misuse (including, among others, relating to underage drinking, drunk driving, drinking while pregnant and excessive or abusive drinking);

 

Restrictions on sales of alcohol generally or beer specifically, including restrictions on distribution networks, restrictions on certain retail venues, requirements that retail stores hold special licenses for the sale of alcohol, restrictions on times or days of sale and minimum alcohol pricing requirements;

 

Advertising restrictions, which affect, among other things, the media channels employed, the content of advertising campaigns for our products and the times and places where our products can be advertised, including, in some instances, sporting events;

 

Restrictions imposed by antitrust or competition laws;

 

Deposit laws (including those for bottles, crates and kegs);

 

Heightened environmental regulations and standards, including regulations addressing emissions of gas and liquid effluents and the disposal of waste andone-way packaging, compliance with which imposes costs; and

 

Litigation associated with any of the above.

Please refer to “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—11. Regulations Affecting Our Business” for a fuller description of the key laws and regulations to which our operations are subject.

Foreign Currency

Our financial statements presentation and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. A number of our operating companies have functional currencies (that is, in most cases, the local currency of the respective operating company) other than our reporting currency. Consequently, foreign currency exchange rates have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. In particular:

 

Changes in the value of our operating companies’ functional currencies against other currencies in which their costs and expenses are priced may affect those operating companies’ cost of sales and operating expenses, and, thus, negatively impact their operating margins in functional currency terms. Foreign currency transactions are accounted for at exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transactions, while monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the balance sheet date. Except for exchange differences on transactions entered into in order to hedge certain foreign currency risk and exchange rate differences on monetary items that form part of the net investment in the foreign operations, gains and losses resulting from the settlement of foreign currency transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities in currencies other than an operating company’s functional currency are recognized in the income statement. Historically, we have been able to raise prices and implement cost savingcost-saving initiatives to partly offset cost and expense increases due to exchange rate volatility. We also have hedge policies designed to manage commodity price and foreign currency risks to protect our exposure to currencies other than our operating companies’ respective functional currencies. Please refer to “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Market Risk, Hedging and Financial Instruments” for further detail on our approach to hedging commodity price and foreign currency risk.

Any change in the exchange rates between our operating companies’ functional currencies and our reporting currency affects our consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of financial position when the results of those operating companies are translated into the reporting currency for reporting purposes as translational exposures are not hedged. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated to the reporting currency at foreign exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Income statements of foreign operations, excluding foreign entities in hyperinflation economies, are translated to the reporting currency at exchange rates for the year approximating the foreign exchange rates prevailing at the dates of transactions. The components of shareholders’ equity are translated at historical rates. Exchange differences arising from the translation of shareholders’ equity into the reporting currency atyear-end are taken to other comprehensive income (that is, in a translation reserve). In May 2018, the Argentinean peso underwent a severe devaluation resulting in Argentina’s three-year cumulative inflation exceeding 100% in 2018, thereby triggering the requirement to transition to hyperinflation accounting as prescribed by IAS 29Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies as of 1 January 2018. Under IAS 29, thenon-monetary assets and liabilities are stated at historical cost and the equity and income statement of subsidiaries operating in hyperinflationary economies are restated for changes in the general purchasing power of the local currency applying a general price index. Monetary items that are already stated at the measuring unit at the end of the reporting period are not restated. Thesere-measured accounts are used for conversion into U.S. dollars at the period closing exchange rate. As a result, the balance sheet and net results of subsidiaries operating in hyperinflationary economies are stated in terms of the measuring unit current at the end of the reporting period.

Decreases in the value of our operating companies’ functional currencies against the reporting currency tend to reduce their contribution to, among other things, our consolidated revenue and profit. During 2015 and 2016,2018, several currencies, such as the ArgentineArgentinean peso, the Mexican peso, the CanadianAustralian dollar, the Brazilian real, the Chinese yuan, the Russian ruble,Colombian peso and the South African rand, and the euro, depreciated against the U.S. dollar, which generally strengthened during the same period.dollar. Our total consolidated revenue was USD 45.554.6 billion for the year ended 31 December 2016, an increase2018, a decrease of USD 1.91.8 billion compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. The negative impact of unfavorable currency translation effects, including hyperinflation accounting impact, on our consolidated revenue in the year ended 31 December 20162018 was USD 2.82.3 billion, primarily as a result of the impact of the currencies listed above.above

For further details regarding the currencies in which our revenue is realized and the effect of foreign currency fluctuations on our results of operations see “—F. Impact of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates” below.

See also “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We are exposed to developing market risks, including the risks of devaluation, nationalization and inflation.”

Weather and Seasonality

Weather conditions directly affect consumption of our products. High temperatures and prolonged periods of warm weather favor increased consumption of our products, while unseasonably cool or wet weather, especially during the spring and summer months, adversely affects our sales volumes and, consequently, our revenue. Accordingly, product sales in all of our business segments are generally higher during the warmer months of the year (which also tend to be periods of increased tourist activity) as well as during major holiday periods.

Consequently, for many countries in EMEA and most countries in the Latin America North and Latin America South regions (particularly Argentina and most of Brazil), volumes are usually stronger in the first and fourth quarters due toyear-end festivities and the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere, while for some countries in Latin America West and EMEA and the countries in the North America and Asia Pacific regions, volumes tend to be stronger during the spring and summer seasons in the second and third quarters of each year.

Based on 20162018 information, for example, we realized 53%52% of our total 20162018 volumes in Europe in the second and third quarters, compared to 47%48% in the first and fourth quarters of the year, whereas in Latin America South, we realized 42%39% of our sales volume in the second and third quarters, compared to 58%61% in the first and fourth quarters.

Although such sales volume figures are the result of a range of factors in addition to weather and seasonality, they are nevertheless broadly illustrative of the historical trend described above.

B. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

For a summary of all of our significant accounting policies, see note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 included in this FormForm 20-F.

We believe that the following are our critical accounting policies. We consider an accounting policy to be critical if it is important to our financial condition and results of operations and requires significant or complex judgments and estimates on the part of our management. Although each of our significant accounting policies reflects judgments, assessments or estimates, we believe that the following accounting policies reflect the most critical judgments, estimates and assumptions that are important to our business operations and the understanding of its results: revenue recognition; accounting for business combinations and impairment of goodwill

and intangible assets; pension and other post-retirement benefits; share-based compensation; contingencies; deferred and current income taxes; and accounting for derivatives. Although we believe that our judgments, assumptions and estimates are appropriate, actual results, under different assumptions or conditions, may differ from these estimates.

Summary of Changes in Accounting Policies

Given the transformational nature of our combination with SABMillerSAB and to facilitate the understanding of our underlying performance, we updated our segment reporting for purposes of results announcements and internal review by senior management.

From 1 October 2016, our six geographic regions of North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA and Asia Pacific plus our Global Export and Holding Companies comprise our seven segments for financial reporting purposes. The figures for the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014 have been restated to reflect this allocation.

Following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we are consolidating SABMillerconsolidated SAB and reportingreport results and volumes of the retained SABMillerSAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016. The former SABMillerSAB geographies were included in theour existing six regions of AB InBev:regions: Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras and El Salvador are reported together with Mexico as Latin America West, Panama is reported within Latin America North, Africa is reported together with Europe as EMEA, and Australia, India and Vietnam are reported within Asia Pacific. Exports to countries in which AB InBev haswe have operations following the Transaction,combination with SAB were allocated to the respective regions in the segment reporting.

We continue to report the results of Global Export and Holding Companies, which includes our global headquarters and the export businesses which have not been allocated to the regions, and also includes the interim supply agreement with Constellation Brands, Inc. only until its termination in December 2016.

The results of the Central and Eastern European businesses, acquired through the SABMillerSAB combination exclusively with a view to resale, qualify as discontinued operations and have been presented as such, until the successful completion of the divestiture on 31 March 2017, in our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 included in this FormForm 20-F.

We stopped consolidating the results of our Russia and Ukraine businesses following the completion of their merger into AB InBev Efes on 30 March 2018. The results of AB InBev Efes are fully consolidated into Anadolu Efes. We account for our investment in AB InBev Efes under the equity method.

In May 2018, the Argentinean peso underwent a severe devaluation resulting in Argentina’s three-year cumulative inflation exceeding 100% in 2018, thereby triggering the requirement to transition to hyperinflation accounting as prescribed by IAS 29Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies as of 1 January 2018. The main principle in IAS 29 is that the financial statements of an entity that reports in the currency of a hyperinflationary economy must be stated in terms of the measuring unit current at the end of the reporting period. Therefore, thenon-monetary assets and liabilities are stated at historical cost and the equity and the income statement of subsidiaries operating in hyperinflationary economies are restated for changes in the general purchasing power of the local currency applying a general price index. Monetary items that are already stated at the measuring unit at the end of the reporting period are not restated. Thesere-measured accounts are used for conversion into U.S. dollars at the period closing exchange rate.

Consequently, we applied hyperinflation accounting for our Argentinean subsidiaries for the first time in 2018 applying the IAS 29 rules as follows:

Hyperinflation accounting was applied as of 1 January 2018;

Non-monetary assets and liabilities were stated at historical cost (e.g., property plant and equipment, intangible assets, goodwill, etc.) and equity was restated using an inflation index. The hyperinflation impacts resulting from changes in the general purchasing power until 31 December 2017 were reported in retained earnings and the impacts of changes in the general purchasing power from 1 January 2018 are reported through the income statement on a dedicated account for hyperinflation monetary adjustments in the finance line;

The income statement is adjusted at the end of each reporting period using the change in the general price index and is converted at the closing exchange rate of each period (rather than theyear-to-date average rate fornon-hyperinflationary economies), thereby restating theyear-to-date income statement account for both the inflation index and currency conversion;

The prior-year income statement and balance sheet of the Argentinean subsidiaries were not restated.

The following standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board became effective for annual periods beginning on 1 January 2018:

IFRS 9FinancialInstruments, which replaces IAS 39Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement and contains three main topics: classification and measurement of financial instruments, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting. The new hedge accounting model represents a significant overhaul of hedge accounting that aligns the accounting treatment with risk management

activities. IFRS 9 also removes the volatility in profit or loss that was caused by changes in the credit risk of liabilities elected to be measured at fair value. We have applied IFRS 9 as of the effective date of 1 January 2018, without restatement of the comparative information for the period beginning 1 January 2017. Consequently, the disclosures for the comparative figures in our audited consolidated financial statements follow the classification and measurement requirements under IAS 39. We performed an impact assessment and concluded that IFRS 9 does not impact materially our financial position, financial performance or risk management activities. Under IFRS 9, the carrying amount of a debt should be adjusted when a modification does not result in the derecognition of the financial instrument. Consequently, we adjusted the carrying amount of our debt against retained earnings. This resulted in a decrease of the carrying amount of the debt by USD 77 million.

IFRS 15Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle of the new standard is to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration (that is, payment) to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also results in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provides guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively (for example, service revenue and contract modifications) and improves guidance for multiple-element arrangements. We have applied IFRS 15 as of the effective date of 1 January 2018 in accordance with the modified retrospective application. Under this approach, the cumulative effect of initially applying IFRS 15 must be recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity at the date of initial application and comparative figures in our audited consolidated financial statements are not restated. On the implementation date, the adjustment to the opening balance of equity resulted in a decrease of the retained earnings by USD 123 million, to reflect the changes in accounting policies related to performance that, in accordance with IFRS 15, should be related to the transaction price underlying 2017 revenue.

Effective 1 January 2019, IFRS 16Leaseswill replace the current lease accounting requirements and introduces significant changes to lessee accounting. It requires a lessee to recognize a“right-of-use” asset and a lease liability. IFRS 16 also requires to recognize a depreciation charge related to the“right-of-use” assets and an interest expense on the lease liabilities, as compared to the recognition of rental cost on a straight-line basis over the lease term under the prior standard. We will apply the new IFRS 16Leases standard for the first time when publishing financial information for the three months ending 31 March 2019. For additional information, see note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.

Revenue Recognition

Our productsRevenue is measured based on the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in a contract with a customer and excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties. We recognize revenue when performance obligations are sold for cash or on credit terms. In relationsatisfied, meaning when we transfer control of a product to a customer.

Specifically, revenue recognition follows the following five-step approach:

Identification of the contracts with a customer;

Identification of the performance obligations in the contracts;

Determination of the transaction price;

Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contracts; and

Revenue recognition when performance obligations are satisfied.

Revenue from the sale of beverages and packaging, we recognize revenue whengoods is measured at the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred toamount that reflects the buyer, and no significant uncertainties remain regarding recoverybest estimate of the consideration due, associated costs or the possible return of goods,expected to receive in exchange for those goods. Contracts can include significant variable elements, such as discounts, rebates, refunds, credits, price concessions, incentives, performance bonuses and there is no continuing management involvement with the goods. Our terms of sale do not allow for a right of return.

Our customers can earn certainpenalties. Such trade incentives which are treated as deductions from revenue. These incentives primarily include volume-based incentive programs, free beer and cash discounts. In preparingvariable consideration. If the financial statements, management must make estimates relatedconsideration includes a variable amount, we estimate the amount of consideration to which we will be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods or services to the contractual terms, customer performance and sales volumecustomer. Variable consideration is only included in the transaction price if it is highly probable that the amount of revenue recognized would not be subject to determinesignificant future reversals when the total amounts recorded as deductions from revenue. Management also considers past results in making such estimates. The actual amounts ultimately paid may be different from our estimates. Such differences are recorded once they have been determined and have historically not been significant.uncertainty is resolved.

In many jurisdictions, excise taxes make up a large proportion of the cost of beer charged to our customers. The aggregate deductionsdeduction from revenue recorded by us in relation to these taxes was approximately USD 11.614.8 billion, USD 11.215.4 billion and USD 13.211.6 billion for the years ended 31 December 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 2014,2016, respectively.

Accounting for Business Combinations and Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We have made acquisitions that include a significant amount of goodwill and other intangible assets, including the acquisitions of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Grupo Modelo and SABMiller.SAB.

As of 31 December 2016,2018, our total goodwill amounted to USD 136.5133.3 billion, and our intangible assets with indefinite useful lives amounted to USD 42.342.4 billion.

The allocation of the purchase price related to the Transaction has been only provisionally determined at the end of the reporting period. The completion ofIn 2017, we completed the purchase price allocation may result in further adjustment to the carrying valueindividual assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of SABMiller’s recorded assets, liabilities andnon-controlling interests and the determination of any residual amount that will be allocated to goodwill. We expect to completecombination with SAB, including the initial allocation of goodwill to the different business units, during 2017, as permitted byin compliance with IFRS 3Business combinationsCombinations. The combination with SAB resulted in the recognition of USD 72.4 billion of goodwill allocated primarily to the businesses in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Australia, South Africa and IAS 36 Impairmentother African, Asia Pacific and Latin American countries. The valuation of assets.the property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, investment in associates, interest bearing loans and borrowings, employee benefits, other assets and liabilities andnon-controlling interests was based on our best estimate of fair value with input from independent third parties.

We apply the acquisition method of accounting to account for acquisition of businesses. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of the assets given, liabilities incurred and equity instruments issued. Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of the acquisition over our interest in the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition date carrying value of our previously held interest in the acquiree is remeasured to fair value at the acquisition date; any gains or losses arising from such remeasurement are recognized in profit or loss. We exercise significant judgment in the process of identifying tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, valuing such assets and liabilities and in determining their remaining useful lives. We generally engage third-party valuation firms to assist in valuing the acquired assets and liabilities. The valuation of these assets and liabilities is based on the assumptions and criteria which include, in some cases, estimates of future cash flows discounted at the appropriate rates. The use of different assumptions used for valuation purposes, including estimates of future cash flows or discount rates, may have resulted in different estimates of value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Although we believe that the assumptions applied in the determination are reasonable based on information available at the date of acquisition, actual results may differ from the forecasted amounts, and the difference could be material.

We test our goodwill and other long-lived assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or whenever events and circumstances indicate that the recoverable amount, determined as the higher of the asset’s fair value less cost to sell and value in use, of those assets is less than their carrying amount. The testing methodology consists of applying a discounted free cash flow approach based on acquisition valuation models for our major businesscash-generating units and the businesscash-generating units showing a high invested capital to EBITDA, as defined, multiple, and valuation multiples for our other businesscash-generating units. Our cash flow estimates are based on historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. Our estimates of fair values used to determine the resulting impairment loss, if any, represent our best estimate based on forecasted cash flows, industry trends and reference to market rates and transactions. Impairments can also occur when we decide to dispose of assets.

For the business units that are not linked to the Transaction, the

The key judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the discounted free cash flow calculations are generally as follows:

 

The first year of the model is based on management’s best estimate of the free cash flow outlook for the current year;

In the second to fourthfirst three years of the model, free cash flows are based on our strategic plan as approved by key management. Our strategic plan is prepared per businesscash-generating unit and is based on external sources in respect of macroeconomicmacro-economic assumptions, industry, inflation and foreign exchange rates, past experience and identified initiatives in terms of market share, revenue, variable and fixed cost, capital expenditure and working capital assumptions;

 

For the subsequent sixseven years of the model, data from the strategic plan is extrapolated generally using simplified assumptions such as constant volumesmacro-economic and industry assumptions, variable cost per hectoliter and fixed cost linked to inflation, as obtained from external sources;

 

Cash flows after the firstten-year10-year period are extrapolated generally using expected annual long-term consumer price indices,gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates, based on external sources, in order to calculate the terminal value, considering sensitivities on this metric. For the three main cash-generating units, the terminal growth rate applied ranged between 0.0% and 2.3% for the United States, 0.0% and 3.3% for Brazil, and 0.0% and 2.6% for Mexico;metric;

 

Projections are made in the functional currency of the business unit and discounted at the cash-generating unit’s weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), considering sensitivities on this metric. The WACC ranged primarily between 7% and 14% in U.S. dollar nominal terms for goodwill impairment testing conducted for 2016. For the three main cash generating units, the WACC applied in U.S. dollar nominal terms ranged between 6% and 8% for the United States, 9% and 11% for Brazil, and 8% and 10% for Mexico; andmetric;

 

Cost to sell is assumed to reach 2% of the entity value based on historical precedents.

For the main cash generating units, the terminal growth rate applied generally ranged between 1% and 4%.

The WACC applied in US dollar nominal terms were as follows:

   Year ended
31 December 2018
  Year ended
31 December 2017
 

US

   7  6

Colombia

   7  7

South Africa

   8  8

Peru

   7  7

Mexico

   8  9

Rest of Africa

   11  10

Australia

   7  6

South Korea

   7  6

Ecuador

   11  11

In the sensitivity analysis performed by management, an adverse change of 1% in WACC would not cause a cash-generating unit’s carrying amount to exceed its recoverable amount.

The above calculations are corroborated by valuation multiples, quoted share prices for publicly traded subsidiaries or other available fair value indicators.

The initial allocation of goodwill to the business units acquired through the Transaction was not concluded by 31 December 2016. Management assessed whether there would be any triggering event or indicator that could lead to an impairment of the goodwill acquired through the Transaction and concluded that there were no indicators of impairment of goodwill.(i.e., recent market transactions from peers).

Although we believe that our judgments, assumptions and estimates are appropriate, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or market or macroeconomic conditions.

Impairment testing of intangible assets with an indefinite useful life is based on the same methodology and assumptions as described above.

For additional information on goodwill, intangible assets, tangible assets and impairments, see notes 8, 13, 14 and 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits

We sponsor various post-employment benefit plans worldwide. These include pension plans, both defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans, and other post-employment benefits. Usually, pension plans are funded by payments made both by us and our employees, taking into account the recommendations of independent actuaries. We maintain funded and unfunded plans.

Defined Contribution Plans

Contributions to these plans are recognized as expenses in the period in which they are incurred.

Defined Benefit Plans

For defined benefit plans, liabilities and expenses are assessed separately for each plan using the projected unit credit method. The projected unit credit method takes into account each period of service as giving rise to an additional unit of benefit to measure each unit separately. Under this method, the cost of providing pensions is charged to the income statement during the period of service of the employee. The amounts charged to the income statement consist of current service cost, net interest cost/(income), past service costs and the effect of any settlements and curtailments. Past service costs are recognized at the earlier of when the amendment/curtailment occurs or when we recognize related restructuring or termination costs.

The net defined benefit plan liability recognized in the statement of financial position is measured as the current value of the estimated future cash outflows using a discount rate equivalent to high-quality corporate bond yields with maturity terms similar to those of the obligation, less the fair value of any plan assets. Where the calculated amount of a defined benefit plan liability is negative (an asset), we recognize such asset to the extent that economic benefits are available to us either from refunds or reductions in future contributions.

Assumptions used to value definedvalue-defined benefit liabilities are based on actual historical experience, plan demographics, external data regarding compensation and economic trends. While we believe that our assumptions are appropriate, significant differences in our actual experience or significant changes in our assumptions may materially affect our pension obligation and our future expense.Re-measurements, Remeasurements, comprising actuarial gains and losses, the effect of asset ceilings (excluding net interest) and the return on plan assets (excluding net interest) are recognized in full in the period in which they occur in the statement of comprehensive income. For further information on how changes in these assumptions could change the amounts recognized, see the sensitivity analysis within note 25 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

A significant portion of our plan assets is invested in equity and debt securities. The equity and debt markets have experienced volatility in the recent past, which has affected the value of our pension plan assets. This volatility may impact the long-term rate of return on plan assets. Actual asset returns that differ from the interest income recognized in our income statement are fully recognized in other comprehensive income.

Other Post-Employment Obligations

We and our subsidiaries provide health care benefits and other benefits to certain retirees. The expected costs of these benefits are recognized over the period of employment, using an accounting methodology similar to that used for defined benefit plans.

Share-Based Compensation

We have various types of equity-settled share-based compensation schemes for employees. Employee services received, and the corresponding increase in equity, are measured by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments as of the date of grant. Fair value of stock options is estimated by using the binomial Hull model on the date of grant based on certain assumptions. Those assumptions are described in note 26 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 included in this Form20-F and include, among others, the dividend yield, expected volatility and expected life of the stock options. The binomial Hull model assumes that all employees would immediately exercise their options if our share price were 2.5 times above the option exercise price. As a consequence, no single expected option life applies, whereas the assumption of the expected volatility has been set by reference to the implied volatility of our shares in the open market and in light of historical patterns of volatility. In the determination of the expected volatility, we excluded the volatility measured during the period 15 July 2008 to 30 April 2009 given the extreme market conditions experienced during that period.

Contingencies

The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions regarding contingencies which affect the valuation of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the revenue and expenses during the reported period.

We disclose material contingent liabilities unless the possibility of any loss arising is considered remote, and material contingent assets where the inflow of economic benefits is probable. We discuss our material contingencies in note 32 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

Under IFRS, we record a provision for a loss contingency when it is probable that a future event will confirm that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. By their nature, contingencies will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur, and typically those events will occur over a number of years in the future. The valuations of the provisions are adjusted as further information becomes available.

As discussed in “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings,”Proceedings” and in note 32 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017 and for the three years ended 31 December 2016,2018, legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters are pending or threatened in various jurisdictions against us. We record provisions for pending litigation when we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Due to the inherent uncertain nature of litigation, the ultimate outcome or actual cost of settlement may materially vary from estimates.

Deferred and Current Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax effects of tax loss carry-forwards and temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities. We estimate our income taxes based on regulations in the various jurisdictions where we conduct business. This requires us to estimate our actual current tax exposure and to assess temporary differences that result from different treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which we record on our consolidated balance sheet. We regularly review the deferred tax assets for recoverability and will only recognize these if we believe that it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable profit against any temporary differences that can be utilized, based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences.

The carrying amount of a deferred tax asset is reviewed at each balance sheet date. We reduce the carrying amount of a deferred tax asset to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow the benefit of part or all of that deferred tax asset to be utilized. Any such reduction is reversed to the extent that it becomes probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available. If the final outcome of these matters differs from the amounts initially recorded, differences may positively or negatively impact the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made.

We are subject to income tax in numerous jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the worldwide provision for income tax. There are some transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Some of our subsidiaries are involved in tax audits and local enquiries, usually in relation to prior years. Investigations and negotiations with local tax authorities are ongoing in various jurisdictions at the balance sheet date and, by their nature, these can take considerable time to conclude. In assessing the amount of any income tax provisions to be recognized in the financial statements, estimation is made of the expected successful settlement of these matters. Estimates of interest and penalties on tax liabilities are also recorded. Where the final outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the period such determination is made.

Our current and deferred taxes were impacted by the U.S. tax reform enacted on 22 December 2017, for which a USD 1.8 billion adjustment was estimated and recognized as an exceptional gain for the year ended 31 December 2017. This USD 1.8 billion adjustment resulted mainly from the remeasurement of the deferred tax liabilities set up in 2008 in line with IFRS as part of the purchase price accounting of the combination with Anheuser-Busch Companies and certain deferred tax assets following the change in federal tax rate from 35% to 21%.

In 2018, we finalized there-measurement of current and deferred taxes resulting from the U.S. tax reform enacted on 22 December 2017, based on published regulation and guidance. Such remeasurement resulted in an adjustment of USD 0.1 billion recognized as an exceptional gain for the year ended 31 December 2018. For additional information, see notes 12 and 18 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.

Accounting for Derivatives

Our risk management strategy includes the use of derivatives. The main derivative instruments we use are foreign currency rate agreements, exchange-traded foreign currency futures, interest rate swaps and options, cross-currency interest rate swaps and forwards, exchange-traded interest rate futures, commodity swaps, exchange-traded commodity futures and equity swaps. Our policy prohibits the use of derivatives in the context of speculative trading.

Derivative financial instruments are recognized initially at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

Subsequent to initial recognition, derivative financial instruments arere-measured remeasured to fair value at the balance sheet date. For derivative financial instruments that qualify for hedge accounting, we apply the following policy: for fair value hedges, changes in fair value are recorded in the income statement and for cash flow and net investment hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in the other comprehensive income and/or in the income statement for the effective and/or ineffective portion of the hedge relationship, respectively.

The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by us using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is necessarily required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. The fair values of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, unlisted equities, currency options, embedded derivatives andover-the-counter derivatives) are determined using valuation techniques. We use judgment to select an appropriate valuation methodology and underlying assumptions based principally on existing market conditions. Changes in these assumptions may cause us to recognize impairments or losses in future periods.

Although our intention is to maintain these instruments through maturity, they may be realized at our discretion. Should these instruments be settled only on their respective maturity dates, any effect between the market value and estimated yield curve of the instruments would be eliminated.

C. BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Both from an accounting and managerial perspective, we are organized according to business segments, which, with the exception of Global Export and Holding Companies, correspond to a combination of geographic regions in which our operations are based. The Global Export and Holding Companies segment includes our headquarters and the countries in which our products are sold only on an export basis and in which we generally do not otherwise have any operations or production activities, as well as certain intra-group transactions and the interim supply agreement with Constellation Brands, Inc. until its termination in December 2016.

Effective

Since 1 October 2016, we are reportinghave reported our financial results under the following six regions: North America, Latin America West, Latin America South,North, Latin America North,South, EMEA and Asia Pacific. We continue to separately report the results of Global Export and Holding Companies. Our six geographic regions plus our Global Export and Holding Companies comprise our seven segments for all financial reporting purposes. For a list of the countries comprising our geographic reporting regions, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—3. Main Markets.”

Following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we are consolidating SABMillerconsolidated SAB and reportingreport results and volumes of the retained SABMillerSAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Following the combination with Grupo Modelo,transition of CCBA to The Coca-Cola Company, we no longer consolidate and report results and volumes for CCBA as of the fourth quarter of 2017.

Following the completion of the merger of our Russia and Ukraine businesses into AB InBev Efes, we no longer consolidate or report results and volumes of our Russia and Ukraine businesses as of the second quarter 2018.

As announced on 26 July 2018, effective 1 January 2019, we are fully consolidating Grupo Modelo inreorganizing our financialregional reporting asstructure. Going forward, our results will be reported under the following five regions: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. We will continue to separately report the results of 4 June 2013Global Export and are reporting the Grupo Modelo volumesHolding Companies. The key changes in the reported volumescompany’s structure are as of that date. The Grupo Modelo operations are reported according to their geographical presence infollows: (i) the following segments:new Middle Americas region will combine the Mexico beer and packaging businesses are reported in thecurrent Latin America West region and the sale of Grupo Modelo brands by our affiliates or in geographies where our affiliates operate isDominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Caribbean, which were previously reported in Latin America North region, and (ii) the respective regions where these affiliates operate,new South America region will combine the current Latin America South region and the Export business isBrazil, which was previously reported in the Global Export and Holding Companies segment . Effective 1 April 2014, we discontinued the reporting of volumes sold to Constellation Brands, Inc. under the interim supply agreement, since these volumes do not form part of the underlying performance of our business.Latin America North region.

The Oriental Brewery business is reported in the Asia Pacific region as from 1 April 2014.

The financial performance of each business segment, including its sales volume and revenue, is measured based on our product sales within the countries that comprise that business segment rather than based on products manufactured within that business segment but sold elsewhere.

In 2016,2018, Latin America North accounted for 23.6%20.3% of our consolidated volumes; North America for 23.4%19.5%; Asia Pacific for 18.4%; EMEA for 15.1%15.4%; Latin America West for 12.7%20.3%; Latin America South accounted for 6.4%6.0%; and Global Export and Holding Companies for 0.4%0.1%. A substantial portion of our operations is carried out through our four largest subsidiaries: Anheuser-Busch Companies (wholly owned); Ambev (61.9% owned as of 31 December 2016)2018); Grupo Modelo (wholly owned); SABMillerSAB (wholly owned); and their respective subsidiaries.

Throughout the world, we are primarily active in the beer business. However, during 2018, we also havehadnon-beer activities (primarily consisting of soft drinks) within certain countries in EMEA, in particular in South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ghana, Tanzania, Namibia and Zambia; and Latin America North, particularly in particular Brazil and the Dominican Republic,Republic; within Latin America South, particularly in Argentina, Bolivia Uruguay and Argentina.Uruguay; within Latin America West, particularly in El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia and Peru; and in North America, particularly with the Hiball and Teavana business in the United States. Both the beer andnon-beer volumes comprise sales of brands that we own or license, third-party brands that we brew or otherwise produce as a subcontractor and third-party products that we sell through our distribution network.

D. EQUITY INVESTMENTS

Following the completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we recognized interests in associates with a fair value at acquisition date of USD 4.4 billion. The main equity investments contributing to such fair value adjustments were the beverage operations with Société des Brasseries et Glacières Internationales and B.I.H. Brasseries Internationales Holding Limited and Anadolu Efes. Following the completion of the merger of our Russia and Ukraine businesses into AB InBev Efes, we no longer consolidate our Russia and Ukraine businesses as of the second quarter 2018 and account for our investment in AB InBev Efes under the equity method. Upon the merger, we recognized interest in associated with a fair value of USD 1.15 billion.

See note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for more information.

E. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended 31 December 20162018 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 20152017

The table below presents our condensed consolidated results of operations for the year ended 31 December 2018 and 2017.

   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change 
   (USD million, except volumes)   (%)(1) 

Volumes (thousand hectoliters)

   567,066    612,572    (7.4

Revenue

   54,619    56,444    (3.2

Cost of sales

   (20,359   (21,386   4.8 

Gross profit

   34,259    35,058    (2.3

Selling, General and Administrative expenses

   (17,118   (18,099   5.4 

Other operating income/(expenses)

   680    854    (20.4

Exceptional items

   (715   (662   (8.0

Profit from operations

   17,106    17,152    (0.3

EBITDA, as defined(2)

   21,366    21,429    (0.3

Note:

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)

For a discussion of how we use EBITDA, as defined, and its limitations, and a table showing the calculation of our EBITDA, as defined, for the periods shown, see “—EBITDA, as defined” below.

Volumes

Our reported volumes include both beer (including near beer)near-beer) andnon-beer (primarily carbonated soft drinks) volumes. In addition, volumes include not only brands that we own or license, but also third-party brands that we brew or otherwise produce as a subcontractor and third-party products that we sell through our distribution network, particularly in Europe. Volumes sold by the Global Export and Holding Companies businesses are shown separately. Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

The table below summarizes the volume evolution by business segment.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2016(3)
   Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change 
  (thousand hectoliters)   (%)(1)   (thousand hectoliters)   (%)(1) 

North America

   116,890    118,151    (1.1   110,726    113,496    (2.4

Latin America West

   63,618    43,617    45.9    115,476    110,625    4.4 

Latin America North

   118,012    123,468    (4.4   114,969    119,374    (3.7

Latin America South

   32,158    34,009    (5.4   33,975    34,062    (0.3

EMEA

   75,348    45,481    65.7    87,176    131,692    (33.8

Asia Pacific

   92,278    90,068    2.5    104,266    101,986    2.2 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   1,940    2,522    (23.1   478    1,336    (64.2
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   500,242    457,317    9.4    567,066    612,572    (7.4
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the year ended 31 December 2015 have been restated to reflect this allocation.

(3)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Our consolidated volumes were 500567.1 million hectoliters for the year ended 31 December 2016.2018. This represented an increasea decrease of 4345.5 million hectoliters, or 9.4%7.4%, as compared to our consolidated volumes for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20162018 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20152017 and 2016.2018.

On 30 March 2018, we completed the 50:50 merger of our and Anadolu Efes’ existing Russia and Ukraine businesses. The Transaction, which was included as fromcombined business is fully consolidated in the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the year ended 31 December 2016, increased our volumes by 51.4 million hectoliters. The acquisitionAnadolu Efes financial accounts. As a result of the SABMiller retainedtransaction, we stopped consolidating our Russia and Ukraine businesses primarily affectsand account for our EMEA, Latin America Westinvestment in AB InBev Efes under the equity method as of that date. Additionally, on 2 May 2018, we recovered the Budweiser distribution rights in Argentina from CCU. The transaction involved the transfer of the Isenbeck, Iguana, Diosa, Norte and Asia Pacific regions,Baltica brands and other commitments to a lesser degree, our Latin America North region.

Other 2016CCU Argentina. The other 2018 acquisitions and disposals mainly included the acquisition of certain craft breweries in Europe, Australia and South Korea and the sale of the carbonated soft drink businesses in Zambia and Botswana to The Coca-Cola Company (collectively the “2018 acquisitions and disposals”).

The 2017 acquisitions and disposals mainly include the completion of the transition of CCBA in South Africa and the acquisition of certain craft breweries in the United States, Canada,China, Australia and Europe (collectively, the “2017 acquisitions and disposals” and together with the Caribbean and the disposal of a brewery in Germany. The 20152018 acquisitions and disposals, include the termination of certain distribution rights in Europe, the termination of agreements with Crown Imports for the distribution of Grupo Modelo products through some of our company-owned distributors in the United States,2017 and with Monster, for the distribution of its brands in the United States, as well as the disposal of our soft drink business in Peru. These 20152018 acquisitions and 2016 transactions positivelydisposals”). The 2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals negatively impacted our consolidated volumes in the aggregate, by 0.147.2 million hectoliters (net) for the year ended 31 December 20162018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.2017.

For further details of these acquisitions and disposals, see “—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other Structural Changes.” See also note 6 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 included in this Form20-F.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the Transaction2017 and the2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, total volumes declined 1.9%increased 0.3% in the year ended 31 December 20162018 compared to our volumes for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017.

North America

In the year ended 31 December 2016,2018, our volumes in North America decreased by 1.32.8 million hectoliters, or 1.1%2.4%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.2017.

WeExcluding volume changes attributable to the 2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, our total volumes decreased by 2.5% compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.

On the same basis, we estimate that the United States industry’s beersales-to-retailers, adjusted for the number of selling days, declined by 1.0%1.8% in the year ended 31 December 20162018 compared to the same period last year. On the same basis, weyear ended 31 December 2017. We estimate that our shipment volumes in the United States and our beersales-to-retailers, adjusted for the number of selling days, declined by 1.7%2.6% and 2.0%2.7%, respectively. We estimaterespectively, in line with our expectations that our total market share, based on beersales-to-retailers adjusted for the number of selling days, declined by approximately 50 bps during 2016 compared to 2015, which is a 15 bps trend improvementandsales-to-wholesalers converge over 2015.time.

We estimate that Budweisersales-to-retailers adjusted for the number of selling days declined bymid-single single digits, with the brand’s share of total market down approximately 25 bps in 2016. On the same basis, overall, we estimate that Bud Light’scontinue to see the progress of our commercial strategy, with an estimated decline in total market share of total market was down approximately40 bps in the year ended 31 December 2018 and an estimated decline of 20 bps during the last quarter.

On the same basis, our above core portfolio continues to outperform the industry and accelerated share gains to 90 bps in the year ended 31 December 2018, as compared to 50 bps with some share loss in the premium light category.year ended 31 December 2017, based on our estimates, driven by Michelob Ultra, our regional craft portfolio, the recently rebranded Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer and our innovations in the segment. Michelob Ultra accelerated its growth during the last quarter, solidifying its position as the top share gainer in the United Sates for the past 4 years, based on our estimates. Our portfolio2018 innovation pipeline contributed an estimated 50% of above premium brandstotal industry innovation volume, up from 10% as compared to the year ended 31 December 2017, and included Michelob Ultra Pure Gold, Bud Light Orange and the Budweiser Reserve series. These innovations performed well duringin the year withsales-to-retailers adjusted for the number of selling days up bymid-single digits, leadingended 31 December 2018 and continue to a gain of approximately 45 bps of total market share, based on our estimate.estimates, enhancing the premiumization of our portfolio.

In

On the same basis, Budweiser and Bud Light are performing better than prior year trends within their segments, based on our estimates. However, the core and core light segments remain under pressure, as consumers trade up to higher price tiers, contributing to Budweiser and Bud Light losing 35 bps and 80 bps of estimated total market share, respectively. Our Super Bowl advertising was in line with our strategy to strengthen the beer category. We drove stronger consumer awareness of our premium brands and innovations including Stella Artois, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer, Michelob Ultra and Michelob Ultra Pure Gold. Budweiser led the conversation on sustainability and renewable energy, and Bud Light highlighted the brand’s commitment to quality and transparency for consumers, following our announcement in January that it would be the first brand in the United States to add a comprehensiveon-pack serving facts and ingredient label.

On the same basis, in Canada, our volumes increaseddecreased by low single digits in the year ended 31 December 20162018 compared to the same period last year dueended 31 December 2017, driven primarily by a weaker beer industry and our share performance within the value segment, partially offset by the continued success of ourtrade-up strategy. Our high end company (a business unit made up of a portfolio of global, specialty and craft brands across 22 countries) is growing ahead of the industry, as Corona and Stella Artois continue to a soft industry.gain share, based on our estimates, and our local craft brands grew by double digits. Our focus core and core plus brands also continue to deliver solid results, with Michelob Ultra finishing the year as the fastest-growing brand in Canada, and with Bud Light growing estimated share for the 23rd consecutive year.

Latin America West

In the year ended 31 December 2016,2018, our volumes in Latin America West increased by 20.0 million hectoliters, or 45.9%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.

The Transaction, which was included as from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the year ended 31 December 2016, increased our volumes by 17.5 million hectoliters.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the Transaction and the other acquisitions and disposals described above, our total volumes increased by high single digits compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.

Mexico had another solid year, with strong volume growth following increased investment behind our core brands and further expansion in the northern region, as well as benefiting from a favorable macroeconomic environment. Bud Light and Victoria delivered particularly strong performances, fueled by successful brand activations. Based on our estimates, we gained approximately 20 bps of beer market share in 2016.

In Colombia, our beer volumes contracted bymid-single digits on a year-over-year basis for the Combined Group as the business cycled a demanding prior year comparable.

Latin America North

In the year ended 31 December 2016, our volumes in Latin America North decreased by 5.54.9 million hectoliters, or 4.4%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2015, with our beer volumes and soft drinks decreasing 4.3% and 4.7%, respectively.

The Transaction, which was included as from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the year ended 31 December 2016, increased our volumes by 0.7 million hectoliters.2017.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the Transaction2017 and the other2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, as well as the transfer of certain activities from Global Export and Holding Companies, our total volumes decreasedincreased by 5.9%.

In Brazil, volume performance remained under pressure due to a challenging consumer environment, with declining real disposable income and the rising of unemployment rate to its highest level since 1995. We estimate that the beer industry volumes declined by approximately 5.3%mid-single digits in the year ended 31 December 20162018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.

On the same period lastbasis, our business in Mexico performed well in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017, with volumes up by high single digits. We grew volumes in every major brand and that ourevery region in Mexico, resulting in an estimated market share declinedgain of 60 bps. Throughout the year, we have focused on developing our portfolio in line with the category expansion framework to clearly differentiate our brands. This strategy has enabled all of our brands to reach record levels across the country. Our core brands are leading the way for growth with different regional approaches, enabling Corona to grow at an accelerated pace in the Northern region and Victoria to deliver its best performance ever in the Central region. Our premium portfolio contributed meaningfully to growth as well, led by 120Michelob Ultra and Stella Artois which grew by double digits.

On the same basis, our business in Colombia saw volume growth of 3.2%, led by beer growth of 3.6% and ournon-beer volumes improved by 0.2% in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017. The beer category continues to expand, as we gained an estimated 150 bps of share of total alcohol in the year ended 31 December 2018. We continue to 66.3%, baseddrive premiumization within the category, supported by our global brand portfolio which grew by more than 75% this year, led by a strong performance from Budweiser. Our local brand portfolio also performed well, led by Aguila’s country-wide expansion focused on AC Nielsen data.promoting its national identity.

On the same basis, beer volumes in Peru decreased by low single digits andnon-beer volumes decreased by high single digits in a challenging macroeconomic environment, though the brand mix of all three global brands delivered solid growth. Ecuador volumes increased bymid-single digits and we estimate we gained share of total alcohol as a result of successful initiatives across the beer category, led by Pilsener and Club Premium and continued growth of the global brands.

Latin America SouthNorth

In the year ended 31 December 2016,2018, our volumes in Latin America North decreased by 4.4 million hectoliters, or 3.7%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2017, with our beer volumes decreasing 2.1% and soft drinks decreasing 8.5%.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the 2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, our volumes decreased by 3.5%.

On the same basis, our Brazil business saw total volumes decreasing by 4.4% in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017, with beer volumes decreasing by 3.1% andnon-beer volumes decreasing by 8.7%.

On the same basis, we estimate we lost 40 bps of market share in the year ended 31 December 2018 after gaining approximately 60 bps market share in the year ended 31 December 2017. During the last quarter of 2018, we estimate that we outperformed the beer industry although our beer volumes decreased by low single digits as compared to the same period last year.

On the same basis, based on our estimates, we gained share in the premium segment in the year ended 31 December 2018, driven by our global brand portfolio which grew by more than 30%. Budweiser grew volumes by more than 25%, Stella Artois was up by more than 40% and Corona led the way as one of the fastest growing brands in the country, up by more than 75% in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017. Our core plus portfolio also delivered strong double digit growth, with Bohemia, Brahma Extra and Skol Hops performing very well.

On the same basis, we successfully launched two brands in 2018 brewed with cassava grown by local farmers, which offer consumers an accessible price point while delivering comparable margins to our core portfolio. Nossa was launched in the third quarter of 2018 in Pernambuco and we estimated it gained 5 percentage points of market share in the state by the end of the year ended 31 December 2018. Applying the lesson from this early success, we launched Magnífica in the state of Maranhão in December, and we continue to explore additional opportunities to scale this initiative throughout relevant states for the segment.

Latin America South

In the year ended 31 December 2018, our volumes in Latin America South decreased by 1.80.1 million hectoliters, or 5.4%0.3%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.2017.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the other2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, as well as the transfer of certain activities to Latin America West, our volumes decreaseddeclined by 5.6%,low single digits in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.

On the same basis, in Argentina, volumes declined by low single digits in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017, due largely to the consumption contraction resulting from challenging macroeconomic conditions. Despite the tough operating environment, we saw some encouraging trends in the industry and our portfolio. The beer category continues to gain share of throat from other alcoholic beverages, gaining over 3 percentage points in the year ended 31 December 2018, based on our estimates. Our premium brands are doing well, gaining an estimated share in a growing segment of the industry, driven by consumption contractionPatagonia and Corona, and we continue to scale up Budweiser after reacquiring the rights to the brand in Argentina due to structural reforms implementedthe first half of 2018. We also successfully repositioned our two largest brands in the country, coupled with high inflation, which is the primary driverQuilmes Clásica and Brahma, leading to an improved performance of our double digit revenue increases.core portfolio.

EMEA

In EMEA, our volumes, including subcontracted volumes, for the year ended 31 December 2016 increased2018 decreased by 29.944.5 million hectoliters, or 65.7%33.8%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.2017.

The Transaction, which was included as from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the year ended 31 December 2016, increased our volumes by 30.6 million hectoliters.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the Transaction2017 and the other2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, our beer volumes for the year ended 31 December 2016 decreased2018 increased by low single digits compared to the year ended 31 December 2015. Western Europe total volumes grew by low single digits in the year ended 31 December 2016 compared to the same period last year, driven by market share gains in the majority of our markets, while Eastern Europe total volumes declined by high single digits on2017.

On the same basis, due to industry weakness and share loss, following price increases mainly on value segment brands in Russia.

Ourour beer volumes in South Africa declined bymid-single digits in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017. The macroeconomic and consumer environment in South Africa was challenging this year. The VAT increase as of 1 April 2018, numerous petrol price increases and rising unemployment levels continued to have a negative impact on consumer disposable income, which put disproportionate pressure on the core segment where our portfolio is over-indexed. Despite the challenging environment in the country, our premium portfolio grew by triple digits, and we estimate we gained 10 percentage points of market share in the high end segment, benefitting from the launch of the Budweiser 660ml pack and a year-over-year basisvery strong FIFA World Cup RussiaTM execution. During the last quarter of 2018, Castle Lite returned to growth following the resolution of the out of stock challenge, posting volumes increase ofmid-single digits. In the core segment, which still accounts for the Combined Groupvast majority of our volumes and was held back by a challenging macroeconomic environment, our share remains broadly unchanged, and toward the end of 2018 we saw an improved performance in volume.

On the same basis, beer volumes in Africa, excluding South Africa, grew by low single digits, with significant volume growth in Zambia and Mozambique, where we achieved record high market share in the last quarter of 2018, based on our estimates. Our growth in Nigeria accelerated in the year ended 31 December 2018 following the introduction of our new brewerymid-year to meet demand, with double digit volume growth and continued market share gains, based on our estimates. Additionally, we have seen early signs of success of our introduction into the premium segment, led by Budweiser. However, beer volumes remained flat in Tanzania and were down bymid-single digits in Uganda, as a result of macroeconomic weaknesscapacity constraints and a sizable price increase, due to currency and commodity headwinds. However, our premium brands, Castle Lite and Flying Fish, delivered solid volume growth. Nigeria continued to experience double digit volume growth on a year-over-yearchallenging macroeconomic environment.

On the same basis, for the Combined Group on the back of increased capacity and further market penetration. Tanzania postedlow-single digit totalWestern Europe grew volumes decline on a year-over-year basis for the Combined Group due to pressure on consumers’ disposable incomes and as it cycles a difficult comparable. Total volumes in Mozambique grew bylow-single digits, on a year-over-year basis forwith strong execution associated with the Combined Group2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM. Global brands performed well, and Budweiser’s growth was supported by tournament activations. Corona’s growth was supported by Casa Corona in France and Spain, as we grewwell as the Corona Sunset Festivals in the United Kingdom and Italy. The United Kingdom and Spain led the way with market share despite a difficult macroeconomic situation. In Zambia, an economic slowdown and lower consumer disposable income resulted in a double digit volume declinegrowth across the region, based on a year-over-year basis for the Combined Group despite improvements in our market share.

estimates.

Asia Pacific

For the year ended 31 December 2016,2018, our volumes increased by 2.02.3 million hectoliters, or 2.2%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.

The Transaction, which was included as from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the year ended 31 December 2016, increased our volumes by 2.5 million hectoliters.2017.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the 2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, and the Transaction, our beer volumes for the year ended 31 December 2016 remained basically flat2018 increased by low single digits compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.2017.

InOn the same basis, our volumes in China we continue to see industry weakness with estimated total industry volumes declininggrew by approximately 3.8%2.5% in the year ended 31 December 20162018 compared to the same period last year with our volumes contractingended 31 December 2017. Our super premium brands continued to grow significantly, supported by only 1.2%. This resulted in approximately 45 bps of share gain for us on the backa strong overall performance of our strategye-commerce business. Budweiser also grew bymid-single digits supported by premiumization efforts which expanded beyond the music platform into fashion and broader lifestyle activations.

On the same basis, volumes in Australia decreased by low single digits in the year ended 31 December 2018, due to pursue long terma softer industry performance amidst declining consumer confidence compared to the year ended 31 December 2017. Great Northern remains a key engine of growth, with continued double-digit growth of both Original and Super Crisp variants. Our craft acquisitions continue to grow in strength with double-digit volume growth in the most profitable core plus, premiumyear ended 31 December 2018. Additionally, Budweiser was brewed locally for the first time and super premium segments due to growing numberplayed a key role in the 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM activations. In the last quarter of urban middle class and affluent class consumer households. The combined volumes2018, we further strengthened our portfolio with the launch of our core plus, premium and super premium brands now account for over 55% of our total China volumes.firstnon-alcohol beer, Carlton Zero.

In Australia, we took over distribution rights for Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Corona, and other premium brands as part of the Transaction and became the market leader in the country, especially as Corona is the largest premium imported brand. Despite a soft fourth quarter 2016, we estimate that we gained share in the country in 2016 on a year-over-year basis for the Combined Group.

Global Export and Holding Companies

For the year ended 31 December 2016,2018, Global Export and Holding Companies volumes decreased by 0.20.9 million hectoliters. The change in volume performance mainly resulted from the reallocation of export volumes to the Latin America South region.

Revenue

Revenue refers to turnover less excise taxes and discounts. See “—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Excise Taxes.” In accordance with IFRS rules, we are required to apply hyperinflation accounting in Argentina as of 1 January 2018. See “—Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Foreign Currency” for more information.

The following table reflects changes in revenue across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 2016,2018, as compared to our revenue for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2016(3)
   Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   15,698    15,603    0.6    15,504    15,588    (0.5

Latin America West

   5,188    4,079    27.2    9,999    9,238    8.2 

Latin America North

   8,461    9,096    (7.0   8,990    9,775    (8.0

Latin America South

   2,850    3,331    (14.4   2,863    3,363    (14.9

EMEA

   6,010    4,128    45.5    8,374    10,344    (19.0

Asia Pacific

   6,074    5,784    5.0    8,470    7,804    8.5 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   1,237    1,582    (21.8   419    332    26.2 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   45,517    43,604    4.4    54,619    56,444    (3.2
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the year ended 31 December 2015 have been restated to reflect this allocation.
(3)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Our consolidated revenue was USD 45,51754,619 million for the year ended 31 December 2016.2018. This represented an increasea decrease of USD 1,9131,825 million, or 4.4%3.2%, as compared to our consolidated revenue for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20162018 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of the Transaction, certain2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals, we undertook in 2015 and 2016 and currency translation effects.

The Transaction, which was included fromeffects and the fourth quarteradoption of 2016 withinhyperinflation accounting in our consolidated results for the year ended 31 December 2016, positively impacted our consolidated revenue by USD 3,753 million for the year ended 31 December 2016 compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.Argentinean operations.

 

Our 2015 consolidated results were impacted by the phasing out of inventory salesThe 2017 and transition services provided under agreements with Constellation Brands, Inc. in connection with the disposal of the Piedras Negras glass plant, the termination of certain distribution rights in Europe and the termination of agreements with Crown Imports, for the distribution of Grupo Modelo products through some of our company-owned distributors in the United States and with Monster, for the distribution of its brands in the United States, as well as the disposal of our soft drink business in Peru (collectively, the “other2015 acquisitions and disposals”). Furthermore, our 2016 consolidated results were impacted by the continued phasing out of inventory sales and transition services provided under agreements with Constellation Brands, Inc. and by the acquisition of certain craft breweries in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean and the disposal of a brewery in Germany (collectively, the “other2016 acquisitions and disposals” and together with the 20152018 acquisitions and disposals and the other2015 and 2016 acquisitions and disposals”). These acquisitions and disposalsadoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations negatively impacted our consolidated revenue by USD 872,600 million (net) for the year ended 31 December 20162018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.2017.

 

Our consolidated revenue for the year ended 31 December 20162018 also reflects an unfavorable currency translation impact of USD 2,7941,816 million mainly arising from currency translation effects in Latin America South Latin America North and Latin America West.North.

Excluding the effects of the business2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, the Transactionadoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations and currency translation effects, our revenue increased 2.4%,4.8% and increased by 4.4%4.5% on a per hectoliter basis, in the year ended 31 December 20162018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2015,2017, driven by our revenue management initiatives and brand mix, as we continue to implement our premiumization strategies.strategies around the world. Our consolidated revenue for the year ended 31 December 20162018 was partly impacted by the developments in volumes discussed above.

On the same basis, the main business segments contributing to growth in our consolidated revenues were: (i) Latin America West, driven by the good performance of our brand portfolio, (ii) Latin America South, as a result of high inflation; (ii) Latin America West, driven by our revenue management initiatives as well as packaging mix in Mexico;inflation and (iii) EMEA, mainly driven by European revenue growth due to premiumization, largely through the continued growth of our global brand portfolio; and (iv) Asia Pacific, driven by the growth of our premium and super premium portfolio, as well as improved regional mix. Furthermore, the growth in revenue was partly offset by a challenging consumer environment in Brazil.continued premiumization.

Combined revenues of our three global brands grew by 6.5%9.0% in 2016,2018, with global revenues for Budweiser growing by 2.8%5.3%, for Stella Artois by 6.3%5.2% and for Corona by 14.3%17.6%.

Cost of Sales

The following table reflects changes in the cost of sales across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 20162018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2015:2017:

 

   Year ended
31 December 2016(3)
   Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Change 
   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   (5,858   (6,122   4.3 

Latin America West

   (1,470   (1,118   (31.5

Latin America North

   (3,169   (3,032   (4.5

Latin America South

   (927   (1,148   19.3 

EMEA

   (2,590   (1,712   (51.2

Asia Pacific

   (2,855   (2,840   (0.5

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (935   (1,166   19.8 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   (17,803   (17,137   (3.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change 
   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   (5,788   (5,777   (0.2

Latin America West

   (2,722   (2,555   (6.5

Latin America North

   (3,404   (3,744   9.1 

Latin America South

   (1,060   (1,207   12.2 

EMEA

   (3,482   (4,609   24.5 

Asia Pacific

   (3,533   (3,201   (10.4

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (370   (292   (26.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   (20,359   (21,386   4.8 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the year ended 31 December 2015 have been restated to reflect this allocation.
(3)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Our consolidated cost of sales was USD 17,80320,359 million for the year ended 31 December 2016.2018. This represented an increasea decrease of USD 6661,027 million, or 3.9%4.8%, as compared to our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20162018 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of the Transaction, certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20152017 and 2016 and2018, currency translation effects.effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations.

 

The Transaction negatively impacted our consolidated cost of sales by USD 1,428 million for the year ended 31 December 2016 compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.

The 20152017 and 20162018 acquisitions and disposals, described aboveand the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations positively impacted our consolidated cost of sales by USD 1291,373 million for the year ended 31 December 20162018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.2017.

 

Our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 20162018 also reflects a positive currency translation impact of USD 913592 million mainly arising from currency translation effects in Latin America South, Latin America North and Latin America West.North.

Excluding the effects of the business2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above, the Transactionadoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations and currency translation effects, our consolidated cost of sales increased by 1.7%. On a per hectoliter basis, our cost of sales increased4.7%, primarily driven bymid-single digits, driven primarily an increase in commodity prices, partially offset by unfavorable foreign exchange transactional impacts, higher depreciation from recent investments and product mix.synergy delivery. Our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 20162018 was partly impacted by the developments in volumes discussed above. On the same basis, our consolidated cost of sales per hectoliter increased by 4.3%.

Operating Expenses

The discussion below relates to our operating expenses, which equal the sum of our distribution expenses, sales and marketing expenses, administrative expenses and other operating income and expenses (net), for the year ended 31 December 20162018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. Our operating expenses do not include exceptional charges, which are reported separately.

Our operating expenses for the year ended 31 December 20162018 were USD 14,43916,438 million, representing an increasea decrease of USD 1,740807 million, or 13.7%4.7% compared to our operating expenses for 2015.2017.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2015
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Distribution Expenses

   (4,543   (4,259   (6.7   (5,770   (5,876   1.8 

Sales and Marketing Expenses

   (7,745   (6,913   (12   (7,883   (8,382   5.9 

Administrative Expenses

   (2,882   (2,560   (12.6   (3,465   (3,841   9.8 

Other Operating Income/(Expenses)

   732    1,032    (29.1   680    854    (20.4
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total Operating Expenses

   (14,439   (12,700   (13.7   (16,438   (17,245   4.7 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The following table reflects changes in our distribution expenses, sales and marketing expenses and administrative expenses (our “selling, general and administrative expenses”) across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 20162018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2015:2017:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2016(3)
   Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   (4,438   (4,113   (7.9   (4,396   (4,361   (0.8

Latin America West

   (1,805   (1,541   (17.1   (2,821   (2,876   1.9 

Latin America North

   (2,618   (2,601   (0.7   (2,686   (3,060   12.2 

Latin America South

   (704   (780   9.7    (689   (781   11.8 

EMEA

   (2,163   (1,647   (31.4   (2,760   (3,336   17.3 

Asia Pacific

   (2,364   (2,253   (4.9   (2,770   (2,735   (1.3

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (1,080   (797   (35.6   (996   (950   (4.8
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   (15,171   (13,731   (10.5   (17,118   (18,099   5.4 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the year ended 31 December 2015 have been restated to reflect this allocation.
(3)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were USD 15,17117,118 million for the year ended 31 December 2016.2018. This represented an increasea decrease of USD 1,440981 million, or 10.5%5.4%, as compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20162018 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20152017 and 2016 and2018, currency translation effects.effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations.

 

The Transaction negatively2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations positively impacted our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses by USD 1,213603 million for the year ended 31 December 20162018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.

The 2015 and 2016 acquisitions and disposals described above negatively impacted our consolidated operating expenses by USD 149 million for the same period last year.2017.

 

Our consolidated operatingselling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended 31 December 20162018 also reflect a positive currency translation impact of USD 977443 million.

Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals described above, the Transaction and currency translation effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations, our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 7.7%, with increased support behindin the long-term growth of our brands and sales activations. The increased investments included further support foryear ended 31 December 2018 remained in line compared to the growth of our global brands and our premiumization initiatives.year ended 31 December 2017.

Other Operating Income/(Expenses)

The following table reflects changes in other operating income and expenses across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 20162018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2015:2017:

 

   Year ended
31 December 2016(3)
   Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Change 
   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   39    50    (22.0

Latin America West

   75    231    (67.5

Latin America North

   328    557    (41.1

Latin America South

   20    7    185.7 

  Year ended
31 December 2016(3)
   Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   40    36    11.1 

Latin America West

   87    89    (2.2

Latin America North

   266    361    (26.3

Latin America South

   2    13    (84.6

EMEA

   44    28    54.1    98    108    (9.3

Asia Pacific

   131    146    (9.9   163    168    (3.0

Global Export and Holding Companies

   95    11    764.4    25    79    (68.4
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   732    1,032    (29.1   680    854    (20.4
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the year ended 31 December 2015 have been restated to reflect this allocation.
(3)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

The net positive effect of our other operating income and expenses for the year ended 31 December 20162018 was USD 732680 million. This represented a decrease of USD 300174 million, or 29.1%20.4%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20162018 reflect a positive impact from the Transactionperformance of USD 61 million, a negative impact from otherour business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 2017 and 2018, currency translation effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations.

The 2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations negatively impacted our net consolidated other operating income and expenses by USD 111112 million for the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.

Our net consolidated other operating income and expenses for the year ended 31 December 2018 also reflect a negative currency translation impact of USD 4446 million.

Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals, currency translation effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations described above, and a change in the presentation of certain commercial agreements in Mexico to sales and marketing expenses, our net consolidated other operating income and expenses would have decreased by 13.9%2.2% for the year ended 31 December 20162018 as compared to the same period in 2015, due toyear ended 31 December 2017, driven primarily by lower government grants in China and Brazil.gains on disposals.

Exceptional Items

Exceptional items are items which, in our management’s judgment, need to be disclosed separately by virtue of their size and incidence in order to obtain a proper understanding of our financial information. We consider these items to be significant in nature, and, accordingly, our management has excluded these items from their segment measure of performance.

For the year ended 31 December 2016,2018, exceptional items included in profit from operations consisted of restructuring charges, acquisition costs of business combinations and business and asset disposal. Exceptional items were as follows for the years ended 31 December 20162018 and 2015:2017:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2016(1)
   Year ended
31 December 2015
   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Restructuring

   (323   (171   (385   (468

Acquisition costs business combination

   (448   (55

Acquisition costs of business combination

   (74   (155

Business and asset disposal

   377    524    (26   (39

Impairment of assets

   —      (82

Judicial settlement

   —      (80

Provision for EU investigation

   (230    
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   (394   136    (715   (662
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Restructuring

Note:

(1)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Restructuring

Exceptional restructuring charges amounted to a net cost of USD 323385 million for the year ended 31 December 20162018 as compared to a net cost of USD 171468 million for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. These charges primarily relate to the integrationSAB integration. These changes aim to eliminate overlap or duplicated processes, taking into account the right match of SABMiller, and toemployee profiles with new organizational alignments in EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America West.requirements. Theseone-time expenses, as a result of the series of decisions, provide us with a lower cost base in addition to a stronger focus on our core activities, quicker decision makingdecision-making and improvements to efficiency, service and quality.

Acquisition Costs andof Business Combinations

Acquisition costs of USD 44874 million for the year ended 31 December 20162018 primarily related to cost incurred to facilitate the combination with SAB and costs incurred to recover the Budweiser distribution rights in relationArgentina from CCU. See also note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and for the Transaction.three years ended 31 December 2018 included in this Form20-F.

Business and Asset Disposal

Business and asset disposals amounted to a net benefitcost of USD 37726 million for the year ended 31 December 2016,2018, mainly attributable to the proceedsIFRS treatment of the 50:50 merger of AB InBev’s and Anadolu Efes’ Russia and Ukraine businesses and related transaction cost. See also note 6 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018 included in this Form20-F.

Provision for EU investigation

In 2016, the European Commission announced an investigation into alleged abuse of a dominant position by us in Belgium through certain practices aimed at restricting trade from other European Union member states to Belgium. In connection with these ongoing proceedings, we recognized a provision of USD 230 million during the sale of our brewery located in Obregón, Sonora, Mexico to Constellation Brands, Inc.year ended 31 December 2018. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings—Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV—Antitrust Matters— European Commission Antitrust Investigation” for more information.

Profit from Operations

The following table reflects changes in profit from operations across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 20162018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2015:2017:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2016(3)
   Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   5,412    5,520    (2.0   5,350    5,490    (2.6

Latin America West

   2,240    1,681    33.3    4,419    3,743    18.1 

Latin America North

   2,981    3,937    (24.3   3,170    3,314    (4.3

Latin America South

   1,228    1,400    (12.3   1,085    1,375    (21.1

EMEA

   1,184    870    36.1    1,860    2,363    (21.3

Asia Pacific

   903    928    (2.7

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (1,066   (434   —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   12,882    13,904    (7.4
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change 
   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Asia Pacific

   2,265    1,939    16.8 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (1,042   (1,071   2.7 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   17,106    17,152    (0.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the year ended 31 December 2015 have been restated to reflect this allocation.
(3)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Our profit from operations amounted to USD 12,88217,106 million for the year ended 31 December 2016.2018. This represented a decrease of USD 1,02246 million, or 7.4%0.3%, as compared to our profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20162018 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20152017 and 2016,2018, currency translation effects and the effects of certain exceptional items as described above.

 

The 2017 and 2018 acquisitions and disposals described above and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations negatively impacted our consolidated profit from operations by USD 739 million for the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.

Our consolidated profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 20162018 also reflects a negative currency translation impact of USD 1,004874 million.

The 2015 and 2016 acquisitions and disposals described above and the Transaction positively impacted our consolidated profit from operations by USD 796 million for the year ended 31 December 2016 compared to the same period last year.

 

Our profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 20162018 was negatively impacted by USD 394715 million of certain exceptional items, as compared to a positivenegative impact of USD 136662 million for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. See “—Exceptional Items” above for a description of the exceptional items during the years ended 31 December 20162018 and 2015.2017.

Our profitsExcluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals described above, currency translation effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations, our profit from operations was affectedincreased by volume, revenue and cost devaluations, particularly in Brazil, where beer volumes were down, revenues suffered and costs of sales rose compared with 2015 due to devaluation of the Brazilian Real.9.4%.

EBITDA, as defined

The following table reflects changes in our EBITDA, as defined, for the year ended 31 December 20162018 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2015:2017:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2015
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Profit of the year

   2,769    9,867    (71.9   5,691    9,183    (38.0

Profit from discontinued operations

   (48   —      —      —      (28   —   

Net finance cost

   8,564    1,453    489.4    8,729    6,507    (34.1

Income tax expense

   1,613    2,594    (37.8   2,839    1,920    (47.9

Share of result of associates and joint ventures

   (16   (10   60.0    (153   (430   (64.4
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Profit from operations

   12,882    13,904    (7.4   17,106    17,152    (0.3

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   3,479    3,153    10.3    4,260    4,276    0.4 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

EBITDA, as defined

   16,361    17,057    (4.1   21,366    21,429    (0.3
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

A performance measure such as EBITDA, as defined, is anon-IFRS measure. The financial measure most directly comparable to EBITDA, as defined, and presented in accordance with IFRS in our consolidated financial statements, is profit of the year. EBITDA, as defined, is a measure used by our management to evaluate our business performance and is defined as profit from operations before depreciation, amortization and impairment. EBITDA, as defined, is a key component of the measures that are provided to senior management on a monthly basis at the group level, the business segment level and lower levels. We believe EBITDA, as defined, is useful to investors for the following reasons.

We believe EBITDA, as defined, facilitates comparisons of our operating performance across our business segments from period to period. In comparison to profit of the year, EBITDA, as defined, excludes items which do not impact theday-to-day operation of our primary business (that is, the selling of beer and other operational businesses) and over which management has little control. Items excluded from EBITDA, as defined, are our share of results of associates and joint ventures, profit from discontinued operations, depreciation and amortization, impairment, financial charges and corporate income taxes, which management does not consider to be items that drive our underlying business performance. Because EBITDA, as defined, includes only items management can directly control or influence, it forms part of the basis for many of our performance targets. For example, certain options under our share-based compensation plan were granted such that they vest only when certain targets derived from EBITDA, as defined, were met.

We further believe that EBITDA, as defined, and measures derived from it, are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in their evaluation of us and in comparison to other companies, many of which present an EBITDA performance measure when reporting their results.

EBITDA, as defined, does, however, have limitations as an analytical tool. It is not a recognized term under IFRS and does not purport to be an alternative to profit as a measure of operating performance, or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. As a result, you should not consider EBITDA, as defined, in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, our results of operations. Some limitations of EBITDA, as defined, are:

 

EBITDA, as defined, does not reflect the impact of financing costs on our operating performance. Such costs are significant in light of our increased debt subsequent to the Transaction;combination with SAB;

 

EBITDA, as defined, does not reflect depreciation and amortization, but the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future;

EBITDA, as defined, does not reflect the impact of charges for existing capital assets or their replacements;

 

EBITDA, as defined, does not reflect our tax expense; and

EBITDA, as defined, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies because not all companies use identical calculations.

Additionally, EBITDA, as defined, is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow for management’s discretionary use, as it is not adjusted for allnon-cash income or expense items that are reflected in our consolidated statement of cash flows.

We compensate for these limitations, in addition to using EBITDA, as defined, by relying on our results calculated in accordance with IFRS.

Our EBITDA, as defined, amounted to USD 16,36121,366 million for the year ended 31 December 2016.2018. This represented a decrease of USD 69663 million, or 4.1%0.3%, as compared to our EBITDA, as defined, for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. The results for the year ended 31 December 20162018 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of the acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20152017 and 20162018 discussed above, the Transaction and currency translation effects.effects and the adoption of hyperinflation accounting in our Argentinean operations. Furthermore, our EBITDA, as defined, was negatively impacted by USD 394715 million (before impairment losses) of certain exceptional items in the year ended 31 December 2016,2018, as compared to a positivenegative impact of USD 218662 million (before impairment losses) during the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. See “—Exceptional Items” above for a description of the exceptional items during the years ended 31 December 20162018 and 2015.2017.

Net Finance Cost

Our net finance cost items were as follows for the years ended 31 December 20162018 and 2015:2017:

 

  Year ended
31  December 2016(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2015
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Net interest expense

   (3,519   (1,466   (140.0   (3,785   (4,005   5.5 

Net interest on net defined benefit liabilities

   (113   (118   4.2    (94   (101   6.9 

Accretion expense

   (648   (326   (98.8   (400   (614   34.9 

Mark-to-market (hedging of our share-based payment programs)

   (1,774   (291   —   

Other financial results

   (928   671    —      (694   (803   13.6 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net finance cost before exceptional finance results

   (5,208   (1,239   (320.3   (6,747   (5,814   (16.0

Mark-to-market (Grupo Modelo deferred share instrument)

   (304   511    —      (873   (146   —   

Mark-to-market (Portion of the FX hedging of the purchase price of the Transaction that does not qualify for hedge accounting)

   (2,693   (688   (291.4
      

Othermark-to-market adjustments (Restricted Shares and euro bonds)

   39    (18   —   

Othermark-to-market

   (849   (142   —   

Other

   (398   (19   —      (260   (405   35.8 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Exceptional net finance income/(cost)

   (3,356   (214   —      (1,982)    (693)    (186.0) 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net finance income/(cost)

   (8,564   (1,453   (489.4   (8,729)    (6,507)    (34.1) 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Our net finance cost for the year ended 31 December 20162018 was USD 8,5648,729 million, as compared to USD 1,4536,507 million for the year ended 31 December 2015,2017, representing ana cost increase of USD 7,1112,222 million.

The increase in net finance costs before exceptional financial items is driven primarily by the additional net interest expenses resulting from the bond issuances in January and March 2016 related to the funding of the Transaction, as well as higher accretion expenses and net losses on hedging instruments that are not part of a hedge accounting relationship. Accretion expenses increased by USD 322 million primarily due to the additional net interest expenses resulting from the bond issuances in first quarter 2016 related to the funding of the Transaction. Other financial results include a negativemark-to-market adjustment of USD 3841,774 million in 2016,2018, linked to the hedging of our share-based payment programsprogram, compared to a negativemark-to-market gainadjustment of USD 844291 million for the period ended 31 December 2015.2017.

The number of shares covered by the hedging of our share-based payment programs, and the opening and closing share prices are as follows:

 

   Year ended
31 December 2016
   Year ended
31 December 2015
 

Share price at the start of the period (in euro)

   114.40    93.86 

Share price at the end of the period (in euro)

   100.55    114.4 

Number of derivative equity instruments at the end of the period (in millions)

   53.5    35.5 
   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
 

Share price at the start of the period(in euro)

   93.13    100.55 

Share price at the end of the period(in euro)

   57.70    93.13 

Number of derivative equity instruments at the end of the period(in millions)

   46.9    46.9 

Exceptional net finance costs in 2016 include a negativemark-to-market adjustment of USD 2,693 million as a result of derivative foreign exchange forward contracts and othernon-derivative items entered into in order to economically hedge against exposure to changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate for the cash component of the purchase consideration of SABMiller in pound sterling and South African rand, for which a portion of the hedges could not qualify for hedge accounting. Since inception of the derivative contracts in 2015 and upon the completion of the Transaction, USD 12.3 billion negativemark-to-market adjustment related to such hedging were recognized cumulatively over 2015 and 2016, of which USD 7.4 billion qualified for hedge accounting and was, accordingly, allocated as part of the SABMiller consideration paid.

Exceptional net finance cost also includesmark-to-market losses of USD 3041,722 million on derivative instruments entered into to hedge the deferred share instrumentshares issued in a transaction relatedrelation to the combination with Grupo Modelo and SAB, compared to a total negativemark-to-market gainadjustment of USD 511288 million for the period ended 31 December 2015, and amark-to-market loss of USD 127 million related to derivative instruments entered into to hedge part of the Restricted Shares issued in relation to the Transaction.2017. The number of shares covered by the hedging of the deferred share instrument and the Restricted Shares, together with the opening and closing share prices, are shown below:

 

   Year ended
31 December 2016
   Year ended
31 December 2015
 

Ordinary Share price at the start of the period (in euro)(1)

   114.40    93.86 

Ordinary Share price at the end of the period (in euro) (1)

   100.55    114.4 

Number of derivative equity instruments at the end of the period (in millions)

   38.1    23.1 

Note:

(1)Upon completion of the Transaction on 10 October 2016, former AB InBev Ordinary Shares have been converted into AB InBev Ordinary Shares.
   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
 

Share price at the start of the period(in euro)

   93.13    100.55 

Share price at the end of the period(in euro)

   57.70    93.13 

Number of derivative equity instruments at the end of the period(in millions)

   45.5    45.5 

Other exceptional net finance costs of USD 398260 million in 20162018 mainly relate to commitment fees for the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreementresult from premiums paid during the period, as well as costs linked toon the early redemptiontermination of SABMiller bonds.certain bonds and tonon-cash foreign exchange losses on intragroup loans that were historically reported in equity and were recycled from equity to profit and loss account upon reimbursement of these loans.

Share of ResultResults of Associates and Joint Ventures

Our share of resultresults of associates and joint ventures for the year ended 31 December 20162018 was USD 16153 million as compared to USD 10430 million for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. The share of results reported for our associate Castel in the year ended 31 December 2017 included the revision of the 2016 finalized results. In the year ended 31 December 2018, the share of results reported for Castel was negatively impacted by a currency devaluation in Angola.

Income Tax Expense

Our total income tax expense for the year ended 31 December 20162018 amounted to USD 1,6132,839 million, with an effective tax rate of 37.4%33.9%, as compared to an income tax expense of USD 2,5941,920 million and an effective tax rate of 20.8%18.0% for the year ended 31 December 2015. 2017.

The increase in the effective tax rate is mainly due to the unfavorable impact on profit before tax of the negativemark-to-market adjustment2018 taxes were negatively impacted by losses from certain derivatives related to hedging of share-based payment programs and the hedging of the shares issued in a transaction related to the combination with Grupo Modelo and SAB, as well as changes in tax legislation in some countries resulting in additionalnon-deductible expenses in 2018.

The 2017 taxes were positively impacted by a USD 1.8 billion adjustment recognized as an exceptional gain following the U.S. tax reform enacted on 22 December 2017. This USD 1.8 billion adjustment resulted mainly from the remeasurement of the deferred tax liabilities set up in 2008 in line with IFRS as part of the purchase price accounting of the Transactioncombination with Anheuser Busch and certain deferred tax assets following the change in federal tax rate from 35% to 21%.

This impact was partially offset by Ambev and certain of its subsidiaries joining the Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program in September 2017 whereby Ambev committed to pay some tax contingencies that couldwere under dispute, totaling BRL 3.5 billion (USD 1.1 billion), with BRL 1.0 billion (USD 0.3 billion) paid in 2017 and the remaining amount payable in 145 monthly installments starting January 2018, plus interest. Within these contingencies, a dispute related to presumed taxation at Ambev’s subsidiary CRBS was not qualifyprovided for hedge accounting.until September 2017 as the loss was assessed as possible. The total amount recognized in 2017 as exceptional is BRL 2.9 billion (USD 0.9 billion) of which BRL 2.8 billion (USD 0.9 billion) is reported as exceptional income tax cost and BRL 141 million (USD 44 million) is reported as exceptional financial cost.

In 20162018, we finalized there-measurement of current and 2015, we recognized the benefit at the Ambev level from the impact of interest on equity payments and tax deductible goodwilldeferred taxes resulting from the U.S. tax reform enacted on 22 December 2017, based on published regulation and guidance. Such remeasurement resulted in an adjustment of USD 0.1 billion recognized as an exceptional income tax gain for the year ended 31 December 2018. For additional information, see notes 12 and 18 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018.

The merger of Beverage Associates Holding Limited into Ambev in August 2006.2006 generated benefits related to goodwill amortization. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Ambev Special Goodwill Reserve.” The impact of the tax deductible goodwill resulting from the merger of Beverage Associates Holding Limited into Ambev in August 2006 and other mergers was to reduce income tax expense for the year ended 31 December 20162017 by USD 4153 million. In October 2013 and June 2016, , Ambev received a tax assessment related to the goodwill amortization resulting from the merger of Beverage Associates Holding Limited into Ambev. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings—Ambev and Its Subsidiaries—Tax Matters—Special Goodwill Reserve” for further information.

We benefit fromtax-exempted income and tax credits which are expected to continue in the future, except for the tax deductibility of existing goodwill in Brazil, which will significantly reduce as from 2017.future. We do not have significant benefits coming from low tax rates in any particular jurisdiction.

Profit Attributable toNon-Controlling Interests

Profit attributable tonon-controlling interests was USD 1,5281,323 million for the year ended 31 December 2016, a decrease2017, an increase of USD 66136 million from USD 1,5941,187 million for the year ended 31 December 2015, primarily due to currency translation effects and the unfavorable operating performance of Brazil.2017.

Profit Attributable to Our Equity Holders

Profit attributable to our equity holders for the year ended 31 December 20162018 was USD 1,2414,368 million (comparedcompared to USD 8,2737,996 million for the year ended 31 December 2015)2017, with basic earnings per share of USD 0.72,2.21, based on 1,7171,975 million shares outstanding, representing the weighted average number of ordinary and Restricted Shares outstanding during the year ended 31 December 2016.2018. For the definition of the weighted average number of shares outstanding, see footnote 2 of the table in “Item 3. Key Information—A. Selected Financial Data.”

Excluding theafter-tax impact of exceptional items discussed above and the impact of discontinued operations, profit attributable to our equity holders for the year ended 31 December 20162018 would have been USD 4,8536,793 million, and basic earnings per share would have been USD 2.83.3.44.

Underlying EPS for the year ended 31 December 2018 was USD 4.38 compared to USD 4.19 in the same period last year. Underlying EPS is basic earnings per share excluding theafter-tax exceptional items discussed above, the impact of discontinued operations, themark-to-market of the hedging of our share-based payment programs and the impacts of hyperinflation.

The decrease in profit attributable to our equity holders in the year ended 31 December 2018 was primarily due to a higher negativemark-to-market adjustment linked to the hedging of our share-based payment programs and higher exceptional net finance cost in the year ended 31 December 2018 compared to the year ended 31 December 2017.

   Year ended
31 December 2018
   Year ended
31 December 2017
 
   (USD per share) 

Profit from operations excluding exceptional items and hyperinflation impacts

   9.14    9.04 

Hyperinflation impacts

   (0.12   —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit from operations excluding exceptional items

   9.02    9.04 

Mark-to-market (hedging of our share-based payment programs)

   (0.90   (0.15

Net finance cost excludingmark-to-market related to the hedging of our share-based payment programs

   (2.52   (2.80

Income tax expense

   (1.56   (1.40

Associates &non-controlling interest

   (0.61   (0.65
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share excluding exceptional items and discontinued operations

   3.44    4.04 

Mark-to-market (hedging of our share-based payment programs)

   0.90    0.15 

Hyperinflation impacts in earnings per share

   0.04    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Underlying EPS

   4.38    4.19 

Earnings per share excluding exceptional items and discontinued operations

   3.44    4.04 

Exceptional items, before taxes

   (0.36   (0.34

Exceptional net finance cost, before taxes

   (1.00   (0.35

Exceptional taxes

   0.12    0.42 

Exceptional items attributable tonon-controlling interest

   0.02    0.27 

Profit from discontinued operations

   —      0.01 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   2.21    4.06 

A performance measure such as Underlying EPS is anon-IFRS measure. The measure most directly comparable to Underlying EPS and presented in accordance with IFRS in our consolidated financial statements is basic earnings per share. We believe Underlying EPS is useful to investors because it facilitates comparisons of our earnings per share from period to period. In comparison with basic earnings per share, Underlying EPS excludes items which are exceptional and over which management has no control, such as the effects of hyperinflation of Argentina. Items excluded from Underlying EPS are theafter-tax exceptional items discussed above, the impact of discontinued operations, themark-to-market of the hedging of our share-based payment programs and the impacts of hyperinflation.

Underlying EPS, however, has limitations as an analytical tool. It is not a recognized term under IFRS and does not purport to be an alternative to earnings per share as a measure of operating performance on a per share basis. As a result, you should not consider Underlying EPS in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, our basic and diluted earnings per share. Some limitations of Underlying EPS are:

Underlying EPS does not reflect items which are exceptional and over which management has no control, such as the effects of hyperinflation in Argentina;

Underlying EPS does not reflect the impact of discontinued operations;

Underlying EPS does not reflect themark-to-market adjustment of the hedging of our share-based payment programs;

Underlying EPS may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies because not all companies use identical calculations; and

the adjustments made in calculating Underlying EPS are those that management consider are not representative of the underlying operations of the company and therefore are subjective in nature.

We compensate for these limitations, in addition to using Underlying EPS, by relying on our measures of earnings per share calculated in accordance with IFRS.

Adoption of hyperinflation accounting in Argentina

Following the categorization of Argentina as a country with a three-year cumulative inflation rate greater than 100%, the country is considered as a hyperinflationary economy in accordance with IFRS rules (IAS 29).

IAS 29 requires us to report the results of our operations in hyperinflationary economies as if these were highly inflationary as of 1 January 2018, and to restate the results for the twelve-month period ended 31 December 2018 for the change in the general purchasing power of the local currency, using official indices before converting the local amounts at the closing rate of the period, namely 31 December closing rate for our results in the twelve-month period ended 31 December 2018.

In the twelve-month period ended 31 December 2018, we are reporting USD 246 million negative impact of hyperinflation accounting on our consolidated revenue and USD 144 million negative impact on our EBITDA, as defined, before exceptional items. The hyperinflation accounting adjustment in the twelve-month period ended 31 December 2018 results from the combined effect of the indexation to reflect changes in purchasing power on the results for the twelve-month period ended 31 December 2018 and the translation of those results at the closing rate of the period, rather than the averageyear-to-date rate applied both to the results previously disclosed and the results of the full year 2018.

The hyperinflation accounting adjustments on our consolidated revenue are as follows:

Year ended
31 December 2018
(USD million)

Indexation

258

Closing rate

(504

Total

(246

The hyperinflation accounting adjustments on our EBITDA, as defined, before exceptional items, are as follows:

Year ended
31 December 2018
(USD million)

Indexation

108

Closing rate

(252

Total

(144

Non-monetary assets and liabilities stated at historical cost (e.g. property plant and equipment, intangible assets, goodwill, etc.) and equity of Argentina were restated using an inflation index. The impacts of changes in the general purchasing power from 1 January 2018 are reported through the income statement on a dedicated account for hyperinflation monetary adjustments in the finance line. See also note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2018 included in this Form20-F.

Our income statement is also adjusted at the end of each reporting period using the change in the general price index and is converted at the closing exchange rate of each period (rather than theyear-to-date average rate fornon-hyperinflationary economies), thereby restating the year to date income statement account both for inflation index and currency conversion.

In the year ended 31 December 2018, the transition to hyperinflation accounting in accordance with IFRS rules resulted in a positive USD 46 million monetary adjustment reported in the finance line, a negative impact on the Profit attributable to our equity holders of USD 77 million and a negative impact on Earnings per share excluding exceptional items declined fromand discontinued operations of USD 5.20 per share in 2015 to USD 2.83 per share in 2016. USD 1.87 per share, or 79% of the year-over-year change, resulted from changes outside of the ordinary course of business. USD 0.74 per share resulted from the funding of the Transaction prior0.04.

Year Ended 31 December 2017 Compared to the closingYear Ended 31 December 2016

The table below presents our condensed consolidated results of operations for the transactionyear ended 31 December 2017 and full consolidation of SABMiller in the results. USD 0.39 per share resulted from foreign exchange translational gains on U.S. dollar cash held in Mexico in 2015 that did notre-occur in 2016 and USD 0.74 per share relates to year-over-year changes on thenon-cash mark to market adjustments relating to our share based payments.

Year-over-year changes in the ordinary course of business include the SABMiller results since2016. Following completion of the Transactioncombination with SAB, we are consolidating SAB and reporting results and volumes of the post-closing acquisition funding cost. The net negative impact on our earnings per shareretained SAB operations as of USD 0.50 per share in the ordinary coursefourth quarter of business is largely due to the foreign currency devaluation of USD 0.60 per share.2016.

 

   Year ended
31 December 2016(1)
   Year ended
31 December 2015
 
   (USD per share) 

Profit from operations attributable to equity holders of AB InBev excluding exceptional items(2)

   7.52    7.00 

Funding of the Transaction post-closing(3)

   (0.29   —   

Other net finance costs(2)

   (1.80   (1.56

Foreign exchange translation and other items

   (0.60   —   

Income tax expense(2)

   (1.08   (1.19

Pre-funding of the Transactionpre-closing

   (0.74   —   

Mexico foreign exchange gains(non-cash items)

   0.04    0.43 

Mark-to-market (Hedging of our share-based payment programs)

   (0.22   0.52 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share excluding exceptional items and discontinued operations

   2.83    5.20 

Exceptional items, after taxes, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   (0.18   (0.02

Exceptional finance net finance income/(cost), attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   (1.96   (0.13

Profit from discontinued operations

   0.03    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   0.72    5.05 
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016
   Change 
   (USD million, except volumes)   (%)(1) 

Volumes (thousand hectoliters)

   612,572    500,242    22.5 

Revenue

   56,444    45,517    24.0 

Cost of sales

   (21,386   (17,803   (20.1

Gross profit

   35,058    27,715    26.5 

Selling, General and Administrative expenses

   (18,099   (15,171   (19.3

Other operating income/(expenses)

   854    732    16.7 

Exceptional items

   (662   (394   (68.0

Profit from operations

   17,152    12,882    33.1 

EBITDA, as defined(2)

   21,429    16,361    31.0 

 

Note:

 

(1)Following completion

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results and volumes of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.change in each item.

(2)Calculated at 2015 average foreign exchange rate.
(3)Current impact

For a discussion of translating items converted at 2015 average foreign exchange rate to 2016 average foreign exchange rate.how we use EBITDA, as defined, and its limitations, and a table showing the calculation of our EBITDA, as defined, for the periods shown, see “—EBITDA, as defined” below.

Year Ended 31 December 2015 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2014

Volumes

Our reported volumes include both beer (including near beer) andnon-beer (primarily carbonated soft drinks) volumes. In addition, volumes include not only brands that we own or license, but also third-party brands that we brew or otherwise produce as a subcontractor and third-party products that we sell through our distribution network, particularly in Europe. Volumes sold by the Global Export and Holding Companies businesses are shown separately. Following the closingcompletion of the Oriental Brewery acquisition in South Korea on 1 April 2014,combination with SAB, we are reporting theconsolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the companyretained SAB operations as of that date.the fourth quarter of 2016.

Effective 1 April 2014, we discontinued the reporting of volumes sold to Constellation Brands, Inc. under the interim supply agreement, since these volumes do not form part of the underlying performance of our business.

The table below summarizes the volume evolution by business segment.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2014(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change 
  (thousand hectoliters)   (%)(1)   (thousand hectoliters)   (%)(1) 

North America

   118,151    121,150    (2.5   113,496    116,890    (2.9

Latin America West

   43,617    41,897    4.1    110,625    63,618    73.9 

Latin America North

   123,468    125,418    (1.6   119,374    118,012    1.2 

Latin America South

   34,009    33,738    0.8    34,062    32,158    5.9 

EMEA

   45,481    46,557    (2.3   131,692    75,348    74.8 

Asia Pacific

   90,068    84,298    6.8    101,986    92,278    10.5 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   2,522    5,743    (56.1   1,336    1,940    (31.1
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   457,317    458,801    (0.3   612,572    500,242    22.5 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be

Following completion of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures forof the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014 have been restated to reflect this allocation.fourth quarter of 2016.

Our consolidated volumes were 457612.6 million hectoliters for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. This represented a decreasean increase of 1.5112.3 million hectoliters, or 0.3%22.5%, as compared to our consolidated volumes for the year ended 31 December 2014.2016. The results for the year ended 31 December 20152017 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20142016 and 2015.2017.

 

The 2014 acquisitions include the acquisition of Oriental Brewery,combination with SAB, which was included as from 1 April 2014 inthe fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated financial reporting forresults, increased our volumes by 127.4 million hectoliters in the year ended 31 December 2014,first nine months of 2017. The acquisition of the SAB retained businesses primarily affects our EMEA, Latin America West and Asia Pacific regions, and, to a lesser degree, our Latin America North region.

2017 acquisitions and disposals mainly include the completion of the transition of CCBA and the acquisition of the Siping Ginsber Draft Beer Co., Ltd. and threecertain craft breweries in China. The 2014 disposals of Comercio y Distribución Modelo, which operated convenience stores under the name of “Tiendas Extra” in Mexico, and the glass plant located in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico had an immaterial impact on our 2014 consolidated volumes.

The 2015 acquisitions and disposals include the termination of certain distribution rights in Europe, the termination of agreements with Crown Imports for the distribution of Grupo Modelo products through some of our company-owned distributors in the United States, China, Australia and with Monster, forEurope. The other 2016 acquisitions and disposals mainly include the distributionacquisition of its brandscertain craft breweries in the United States, as well asCanada, Europe and the Caribbean and the disposal of our soft drink businessa brewery in Peru. Furthermore, our 2015 volumes compared to 2014 volumes were impacted by the discontinuance of the reporting of volumes sold to Constellation Brands, Inc. mentioned above.

Germany. These 20142016 and 20152017 transactions positivelynegatively impacted our volumes, in the aggregate, by 1.315.5 million hectoliters (net) for the year ended 31 December 20152017 compared to the year ended 31 December 2014.2016.

For further details of these acquisitions and disposals, see “—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other Structural Changes.” See also note 6 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20152017 and 2014,2016, and for the three years ended 31 December 20152017 included in this Form20-F.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the combination with SAB and the acquisitions and disposals described above, total volumes declined 0.6%, with our own beer volumes essentially flat andnon-beer volumes decreasing 4.7%increased 0.1% in the year ended 31 December 20152017 compared to our beer volumes for the year ended 31 December 2014.2016.

North America

In the year ended 31 December 2015,2017, our volumes in North America decreased by 3.03.3 million hectoliters, or 2.5%2.9%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2014. 2016.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the other acquisitions and disposals described above, our total volumes would have declineddecreased by 1.9%3.3% compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.

On the same period in 2015.

Webasis, we estimate that the United States industry’s beersales-to-retailers adjusted for the number of selling days declined by 0.3%1.3% in the year ended 31 December 20152017 compared to the same period last year. On the same basis, weyear ended 31 December 2016. We estimate that our shipment volumes in the United States and our beersales-to-retailers adjusted for the number of selling days declined by 2.2%3.5% and 1.7%3.0%, respectively. We estimateOur beersales-to-wholesalerscaught-up in the fourth quarter from the third quarter’s disruption caused by major hurricanes, in line with our expectations that our total market share, based on beersales-to-retailers adjusted for the number of selling days, declined by approximately 65 bps during 2015 compared to 2014. We estimate that Budweiserandsales-to-retailerssales-to-wholesalers adjusted for the number of selling days declined by low single digits, with the brand’s share of total market down approximately 20 bps in 2015. On the same basis, we estimate that Bud Light’s share of the total market was down approximately 40 bps, with some share loss in the premium light category. converge over time.

Our portfolio of above premium brands performedbrand portfolio continued to perform well, during the year, withsales-to-retailers adjusted for the number of selling days upmid-single digits, leading to a gain ofgaining approximately 3045 bps of total market share in the year ended 31 December 2017, based on our estimate.estimates. Michelob Ultra led the growth in this segment, with volumes up by double-digits, continuing its run as the top share gainer in the US for the eleventh consecutive quarter. We continue to fuel the momentum behind Michelob Ultra and launched a new line extension named Pure Gold. Stella Artois performed well, gaining share and continuing to build on its partnership with Water.org to provide clean water to millions of people in the developing world. Our regional craft portfolio also performed well, growing volume and share, based on our estimates, in the year ended 31 December 2017.

The premium and premium light segments underperformed the industry. Budweiser and Bud Light market share declined by an estimated 40 bps and 85 bps of share, respectively. Our value brand portfolio showed improved trends in the year ended 31 December 2017, with the Busch brand family and Bud Ice leading the way.

We continue to strengthen and expand our presence beyond traditional beer, with our recent bets in thenon-alcohol space and Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer gaining momentum, as we leverage our strong wholesaler network to meet evolving consumer needs.

We estimate a decline in total market share in the United States of approximately 75 bps in the year ended 31 December 2017.

In Canada, beerour volumes increaseddecreased by low single digits in 2015, on the back ofyear ended 31 December 2017 compared to the last year due to a goodchallenging industry performance.environment. We estimate that we gainedare now the market share.leader in every category segment in the country. Bud Light remained the fastest growing brand in Canada, completing its 22nd consecutive year of market share growth based on our estimates. Our portfolio mix continues to improve, bolstered by growth in our craft portfolio and Stella Artois, and we believe that we continue to lead the Near Beer segment with our cider brands andready-to-drink innovations.

Latin America West

In the year ended 31 December 2015,2017, our volumes in Latin America West increased by 1.747.0 million hectoliters, or 4.1%73.9%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2014. 2016.

The combination with SAB, which was included as from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016, increased our volumes by 45.9 million hectoliters in the first nine months of 2017.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the combination with SAB and the other acquisitions and disposals described above, our total volumes would have increased by 6.8%.low single digits in the year ended 31 December 2017 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.

On the same basis, our business in Mexico delivered another solid year, with volumes up bymid-single digits. Our full brand portfolio performed well, with Victoria building upon its strong momentum, driven by the ongoing success of its Mexican heritage positioning. Corona also performed well, enhancing its customer proposition through an improved brand look as well as by owning key dates and passion points. Bud Light continued to grow volumes throughout the country, leveraging successful sports and music activations. We also saw success from our premium portfolio with Michelob Ultra and Stella Artois leading the way.

On a year-over-year basis and for the Combined Group, our Colombian volumes declined by low single digits. On the same basis, ournon-beer volumes performed very well, growing by double digits as a result of commercial initiatives and a favorable comparable. Our beer volumes declined bymid-single digits due to a challenging macroeconomic environment and tough comparable in the first six months of 2017.

On the same year-over-year basis for the Combined Group, volumes in Peru grew by low single digits, driven by our commercial initiatives, with Cristal leveraging a key cultural moment by capitalizing on the country’s World Cup qualification. On the same basis, Ecuador volumes grew by low single digits. Through packaging innovations as well as the launch of our three global brands, we estimate that we gained share of total alcohol in the year ended 31 December 2017 and offered consumers more choice across a variety of price points.

Latin America North

In Mexico, beerthe year ended 31 December 2017, our volumes and soft drinksin Latin America North increased by 2.81.3 million hectoliters, or 7.3%1.2%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2014, driven2016, with our beer volumes increasing 2.7% and soft drinks decreasing 3.5%.

The combination with SAB, which was included as from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016, increased our volumes by a favorable macroeconomic environment2.1 million hectoliters in the first nine months of 2017.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the combination with SAB and good performancesthe other acquisitions and disposals described above, our volumes decreased by Corona, Bud Light and Victoria. Our focus brands, which represent approximately 90% of0.6%.

On the same basis, our Brazil business saw total volumes continue to grow ahead of the total portfolio, increasingdecreasing by 9.0% during 2015. We estimate that beer gained share of total alcohol sold in Mexico, with good volume growth in all regions of the country. We estimate that our market share was marginally uplow single digits in the year ended 31 December 2015, reaching a level of just over 58%, driven2017 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016, with beer volumes increasing by low single digits, whereas the strong performance ofbeer industry according to Nielsen was slightly negative, and soft drinks volumes decreasing bymid-single digits. Our premium portfolio continued broad-based, double-digit growth fueled by our focus brands.three global brands, especially Budweiser.

Latin America NorthSouth

In the year ended 31 December 2015,2017, our volumes in Latin America North decreasedSouth increased by 2.01.9 million hectoliters, or 1.6%5.9%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2014,2016.

Argentina delivered a very strong performance with high single digits total volume growth, with our beer volumes increasing by double-digits, fueled by the repositioning of Brahma as well as the successful launch of Quilmes Clasica, brewed using a classic recipe with no additives and soft drinks decreasing 0.9% and 3.6%, respectively.

In Brazil, beer volumes and soft drinks decreased by 1.8% and 5.2%, respectively. These results were delivered despite a very challenging macroeconomic environment, a difficult FIFA World CupTM comparable, and unfavorable weather in the fourth quarter of 2015. We estimate that the volumes of ourfocusing on national pride. Our premium and near beer brands, which now account for almost 10% of our total beer volumes, delivered good growth,portfolio, led by Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona Original and Skol Beats Senses. We estimate that our total beer market share, according to AC Nielsen, was 67.5% in 2015.

Latin America South

In the year ended 31 December 2015, our volumes in Latin America South increased by 0.3 million hectoliters, or 0.8%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2014. Excluding the acquisitionslocal craft brand Patagonia, accelerated its growth and disposals described above, our volumes would have increased by low single digits, with beer volumes increasing bymid-single digits andnon-beer volumes decreasing bymid-single digits.fueled positive mix. Our beer volumes in Argentina increased by low single digits,soft drink portfolio also performed well as a result of growth of our premium brands, Stella Artoisa new commercial and Corona, as well as a good performance by MixxTail.

portfolio strategy, growing volumes and achieving its best result in more than six years.

EMEA

In Europe,EMEA, our volumes, including subcontracted volumes, for the year ended 31 December 2015 decreased2017 increased by 1.056.3 million hectoliters, or 2.3%74.8%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2014. 2016.

The combination with SAB, which was included as from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016, increased our volumes by 71.3 million hectoliters in the first nine months of 2017.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the combination with SAB and the other acquisitions and disposals described above, ownour beer volumes for the year ended 31 December 2015 decreased 1.3%2017 increased by low single digits compared to the year ended 31 December 2014, mainly driven by2016.

On a weak beer industry in Russiayear-over-year basis and Ukraine. Onfor the same basis,Combined Group, our beer volumes declinedin South Africa grew bylow-single digits 0.9%. Our high end portfolio, led by Stella Artois, Corona and the recent seeding of Budweiser, showed consistent growth in Belgiumvolumes and Germany mainly due to a difficult FIFA World CupTM comparable.market share gains throughout the year ended 31 December 2017. In the United Kingdom, our ownnear beer segment, Flying Fish recorded over 60% growth in the year ended 31 December 2017. In the core plus segment, Castle Lite had another year of consistent growth.

Continuously investing in innovation, we introduced several new packages and products this year. Some especially noteworthy launches in the fourth quarter of 2017 include theone-liter bottle, which establishes a new multi-serve pack size at an attractive price point within the core brand segment, and Castle Free, enabling us to compete in thenon-alcohol beer segment with exciting implications for the image and health of the beer category.

On a year-over-year basis and for the Combined Group, beer volumes in Africa excluding South Africa grew byin themid-singlemid-teens, digits, drivenfueled by the strong performance from our Stella Artois and Corona activations. We estimate we gained market sharedouble-digit growth in the majority of the countries in which we operate, including Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, as we continue to expand our markets,offerings to consumers through both affordability and premiumization strategies.

Western Europe achieved market share gains in most of our markets. The United Kingdom performed well, helped in large part by the strong performances of our three global brands. In Eastern Europe, volumes declined driven by organic growth fromthe ongoing headwind of the large PET ban in Russia. However, our focusglobal and premium brands especially in France, Italy and the Netherlands.continued their strong growth.

Asia Pacific

For the year ended 31 December 2015,2017, our volumes increased by 5.89.7 million hectoliters, or 6.8%10.5%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2014. 2016.

The combination with SAB, which was included as from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016, increased our volumes by 8.1 million hectoliters in the first nine months of 2017.

Excluding volume changes attributable to the combination with SAB and the other acquisitions and disposals described above, our total volumes remained basically flat overincreased by low single digits compared to the same period. year ended 31 December 2016.

In China, we estimate that the total industry volumes declined by approximately 6.0% in 2015, mainly driven by continuing economic headwinds, with most of the impact being felt in the value and core categories. Our own beerour volumes grew by 0.4% and we estimate we gained approximately 100 bps market share in 2015, reaching 18.6%, driven by our commercial strategy of growing the premium and super premium brands nationally, and increasing distribution in the growth channels. The combined volumes of our core+, premium and super premium brands grew doublelow single digits in the year ended 31 December 2017. We estimate that our market share grew in an industry that declined by an estimated 0.9% in 2017. Our brand portfolio benefited from strong consumer preference for premium brands. In the core plus segment, Harbin Ice outperformed the industry nationally, aided by Baipi wheat extension. Budweiser also grew nationally with some notable successes in the year ended 31 December 2017, including establishing itself as the leading beer brand in sales ine-commerce. Our super premium portfolio, led by Corona, Hoegaarden, and now represent more than 50% of our total China volume.Franziskaner, accelerated its growth throughout the year ended 31 December 2017, with volumes almost doubling compared to the year ended 31 December 2016, and we estimate that we are the market leader in all super premium beer styles in China.

The acquisition of Oriental Brewery closed on 1 April 2014. Year-over-year,On a year-over-year basis and for the period Oriental Brewery was consolidated, our beerCombined Group, volumes in South Korea were downAustralia increased by low single digits, driven by strong brand performances across our portfolio. The Great Northern franchise became our number one brand in Australia by volume in the year ended 31 December 2017 as we continue to fuel growth by addressing shifting consumer preferences. Our global brands accelerated their growth throughout the year with volumes up in themid-singlemid-teens, digits, due to an estimated market share loss in a very competitive environment.driven by distribution gains as well as commercial activations.

Global Export and Holding Companies

For the year ended 31 December 2015,2017, Global Export and Holding Companies volumes decreased by 3.20.6 million hectoliters. The change in volume performance mainly results from the discontinued reporting of the volumes sold to Constellation Brands, Inc. referred to above.

Revenue

Revenue refers to turnover less excise taxes and discounts. See “—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Excise Taxes.”

The following table reflects changes in revenue across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 20152017, as compared to our revenue for the year ended 31 December 2014.2016.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2014(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   15,603    16,093    (3.0   15,588    15,698    (0.7

Latin America West

   4,079    4,756    (14.2   9,238    5,188    78.1 

Latin America North

   9,096    11,269    (19.3   9,775    8,461    15.5 

Latin America South

   3,331    2,825    17.9    3,363    2,850    18.0 

EMEA

   4,128    4,973    (17.0   10,344    6,010    72.1 

Asia Pacific

   5,784    5,230    10.6    7,804    6,074    28.5 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   1,582    1,917    (17.5   332    1,237    (73.2
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   43,604    47,063    (7.3   56,444    45,517    24.0 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be

Following completion of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures forof the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014 have been restated to reflect this allocation.fourth quarter of 2016.

Our consolidated revenue was USD 43,60456,444 million for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. This represented a decreasean increase of USD 3,45910,927 million, or 7.3%24.0%, as compared to our consolidated revenue for the year ended 31 December 2014.2016. The results for the year ended 31 December 20152017 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of the combination with SAB, certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20142016 and 20152017 and currency translation effects.

 

The 2014 acquisitions and disposals include the acquisition of Oriental Brewery,combination with SAB, which was included as from 1 April 2014 inthe fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated financial reportingresults for the yearyears ended 31 December 2014,2017 and 2016, positively impacted our consolidated revenue by USD 9,867 million in the acquisitionfirst nine months of the Siping Ginsber Draft Beer Co., Ltd. and three breweries in China, as well as the disposal of Comercio y Distribución Modelo and the glass plant located in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico (collectively, the “2014 acquisitions and disposals”). Furthermore, our 20152017.

Our 2016 consolidated results were impacted by the continued phasing out of inventory sales and transition services provided under agreements with Constellation Brands, Inc. in connection withand by the disposal of the Piedras Negras glass plant, the terminationacquisition of certain distribution rights in Europe and the termination of agreements with Crown Imports, for the distribution of Grupo Modelo products through some of our company-owned distributorscraft breweries in the United States, Canada, Europe and with Monster, for the distributionCaribbean and the disposal of its brandsa brewery in Germany (the “other 2016 acquisitions and disposals”). Furthermore, our 2017 consolidated results were impacted by the completion of the transition of CCBA and the acquisition of certain craft breweries in the United States, as well as the disposal of our soft drink business in PeruChina, Australia and Europe (collectively, the “2015other 2017 acquisitions and disposals,” and together with the 20142016 acquisitions and disposals, the “2014other 2016 and 20152017 acquisitions and disposals”). These acquisitions and disposals negatively impacted our consolidated revenue by USD 3481,365 million (net) for the year ended 31 December 20152017 compared to the year ended 31 December 2014.2016.

 

Our consolidated revenue for the year ended 31 December 20152017 also reflects an unfavorablea favorable currency translation impact of USD 5,957347 million mainly arising from currency translation effects in Latin America South, Latin America North and Latin America South, EMEA and Latin America West.Asia Pacific.

Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals described above, the combination with SAB and currency translation effects, and a change in the presentation of government surcharges in Asia Pacific previously reported in administrative expenses, our revenue would have increased 6.3%,4.7% and increased by 7.0%4.6% on a per hectoliter basis, in the year ended 31 December 20152017 compared to the year ended 31 December 20142016, driven by our revenue management initiatives and brand mix, as we continue to implement our premiumization strategies.strategies around the world. Our consolidated revenue for the year ended 31 December 20152017 was partly impacted by the developments in volumes discussed above. Revenues of our three global brands grew by 12.6% in 2015, with global revenues for Budweiser growing by 7.6%, for Stella Artois by 12.5% and for Corona by 23.0%.

TheOn the same basis, the main business segments contributing to growth in our consolidated revenues werewere: (i) Latin America South, as a result of high inflation; (ii) Latin America North, benefitting from our revenue management initiatives, increased own distribution and premium brand mix; (ii) Latin America South, mainly as a result of growth of our premium and super premium brands, Stella Artois and Corona, and good performances by MixxTail in Argentina;initiatives; (iii) Latin America West, driven by the good performance of our revenue management initiatives and a positive impact on our brands mix, driven by Bud Light;brand portfolio; and (iv) Asia Pacific, with a 9.8% increase in China, mainly driven by improved brand mix, drivencontinued premiumization.

Combined revenues of our three global brands grew by the growth of9.8% in 2017, with global revenues for Budweiser growing by 4.1%, for Stella Artois by 12.8% and our super premium portfolio.for Corona by 19.9%.

Cost of Sales

The following table reflects changes in the cost of sales across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 20152017 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2014:2016:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2014(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   (6,122   (6,391   4.2    (5,777   (5,858   1.4 

Latin America West

   (1,118   (1,480   24.5    (2,555   (1,470   (73.8

Latin America North

   (3,032   (3,741   19.0    (3,744   (3,169   (18.1

Latin America South

   (1,148   (973   (18.0   (1,207   (927   (30.2

EMEA

   (1,712   (2,123   19.3    (4,609   (2,590   (78.0

Asia Pacific

   (2,840   (2,629   (8.0   (3,201   (2,855   (12.1

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (1,166   (1,418   17.8    (292   (935   68.8 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   (17,137   (18,756   8.6    (21,386   (17,803   (20.1
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be

Following completion of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures forof the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014 have been restated to reflect this allocation.fourth quarter of 2016.

Our consolidated cost of sales was USD 17,13721,386 million for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. This represented a decreasean increase of USD 1,6193,583 million, or 8.6%20.1%, as compared to our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 2014.2016. The results for the year ended 31 December 20152017 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of the combination with SAB, certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20142016 and 20152017 and currency translation effects.

 

The 2014combination with SAB, which was included from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 20152016, negatively impacted our consolidated cost of sales by USD 3,802 million in the first nine months of 2017.

The 2016 and 2017 acquisitions and disposals described above positively impacted our consolidated cost of sales by USD 237971 million for the year ended 31 December 20152017 compared to the year ended 31 December 2014.2016.

 

Our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 20152017 also reflects a positivenegative currency translation impact of USD 2,097128 million mainly arising from currency translation effects in Latin America North and Latin America South, EMEA and Latin America West.North.

Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals described above, the combination with SAB and currency translation effects, our cost of sales would have increased by 3.9%, and by 4.5% on a3.8%. On the same basis, our consolidated cost of sales per hectoliter basis,increased bymid-single digits. The increase in our cost of sales was driven primarily by unfavorable foreign exchange transactional impacts, higher depreciation from recent investments and product mix. These increases were partly offset by procurement savings and the synergies delivered in Mexico.impacts. Our consolidated cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 20152017 was partly impacted by the developments in volumes discussed above.

Operating Expenses

The discussion below relates to our operating expenses, which equal the sum of our distribution expenses, sales and marketing expenses, administrative expenses and other operating income and expenses (net), for the year ended 31 December 20152017 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2014.2016. Our operating expenses do not include exceptional charges, which are reported separately.

Our operating expenses for the year ended 31 December 20152017 were USD 12,70017,245 million, representing a decreasean increase of USD 2992,806 million, or 2.3%19.4% compared to our operating expenses for 2014.2016.

 

  Year ended
31 December 2015
   Year ended
31 December 2014
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Distribution Expenses

   (4,259   (4,558   6.6    (5,876   (4,543   (29.4

Sales and Marketing Expenses

   (6,913   (7,036   1.7    (8,382   (7,745   (8.2

Administrative Expenses

   (2,560   (2,791   8.3    (3,841   (2,882   (33.3

Other Operating Income/(Expenses)

   1,032    1,386    (25.5   854    732    16.7 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total Operating Expenses

   (12,700   (12,999   2.3    (17,245   (14,439   (19.4
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)

Following completion of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The following table reflects changes in our distribution expenses, sales and marketing expenses and administrative expenses (our “selling, general and administrative expenses”) across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 20152017 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2014:2016:

 

   Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2014(2)
   Change 
   (USD million)   (%)(1) 

North America

   (4,113   (3,933   (4.6

Latin America West

   (1,541   (1,772   13.0 

Latin America North

   (2,601   (3,238   19.7 

Latin America South

   (780   (631   (23.6

EMEA

   (1,647   (1,929   14.6 

  Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2014(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change 
  (USD million)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   (4,361   (4,438   1.7 

Latin America West

   (2,876   (1,805   (59.3

Latin America North

   (3,060   (2,618   (16.9

Latin America South

   (781   (704   (10.9

EMEA

   (3,336   (2,163   (54.2

Asia Pacific

   (2,253   (2,102   (7.2   (2,735   (2,364   (15.7

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (797   (780   (2.1   (950   (1,080   12.0 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   (13,731   (14,386   4.6    (18,099   (15,171   (19.3
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be

Following completion of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures forof the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014 have been restated to reflect this allocation.fourth quarter of 2016.

Our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were USD 13,73118,099 million for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. This represented a decreasean increase of USD 6552,928 million, or 4.6%19.3%, as compared to the year ended 31 December 2014.2016. The results for the year ended 31 December 20152017 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20142016 and 20152017 and currency translation effects.

 

The 2014combination with SAB, which was included from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 20152016, negatively impacted our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses by USD 2,890 million in the first nine months of 2017.

The 2016 and 2017 acquisitions and disposals described above negativelypositively impacted our consolidated operating expenses by USD 91 million for the same period last year.year ended 31 December 2017 compared to the year ended 31 December 2016.

 

Our consolidated selling, general and administrativeoperating expenses for the year ended 31 December 20152017 also reflect a positivenegative currency translation impact of USD 1,935131 million.

Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals described above, the combination with SAB and currency translation effects, our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses would have increased by high single digits%, driven by (i) increased own distribution in Brazil, which is more than offset by the increaseyear ended 31 December 2017 remained in net revenues,line compared to the growth of our premium and near beer brands, and inflationary increases in Latin America South; (ii) increased support behind the long-term growth of our brands, innovations and sales activations; and (iii) variable compensation accruals.year ended 31 December 2016.

Other Operating Income/(Expense)(Expenses)

The following table reflects changes in other operating income and expenses across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 20152017 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2014:2016:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2014(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change 
  (USD million)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   50    299    (83.3   36    39    (7.7

Latin America West

   231    235    (1.7   89    75    18.7 

Latin America North

   557    689    (19.2   361    328    10.1 

Latin America South

   7    7    0.0    13    20    (35.0

EMEA

   28    37    (24.1   108    44    141.0 

Asia Pacific

   146    97    50.7    168    131    27.9 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   11    23    (52.0   79    95    (17.5
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   1,032    1,386    (25.5   854    732    16.5 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be

Following completion of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures forof the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014 have been restated to reflect this allocation.fourth quarter of 2016.

The net positive effect of our other operating income and expenses for the year ended 31 December 20152017 was USD 1,032854 million. This represented a decreasean increase of USD 355122 million, or 25.6%16.5%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2014.

Furthermore, the2016. The results for the year ended 31 December 20152017 reflect a positive impact from the performancecombination with SAB of our business afterUSD 134 million in the completionfirst nine months of certain2017, a negative impact from other acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 2014of USD 115 million and 2015a positive currency translation impact of USD 26 million.

Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals, and currency translation effects:

The 2014 and 2015 acquisitions and disposalseffects described above, negatively impacted our consolidated,net other operating income and expenses would have increased by USD 58 million12.5% for the year ended 31 December 20152017 as compared to the same period last year.

Our other operating income for the year ended 31 December 2015 also reflects2016, driven primarily by the sale ofnon-core assets and a negative currency translation impact of USD 266 million.reduction in operating expenses.

Exceptional Items

Exceptional items are items which, in our management’s judgment, need to be disclosed separately by virtue of their size and incidence in order to obtain a proper understanding of our financial information. We consider these items to be significant in nature, and, accordingly, our management has excluded these items from their segment measure of performance.

For the year ended 31 December 2015,2017, exceptional items included in profit from operations consisted of restructuring charges, acquisition costs of business combinations and business and asset disposal, impairment of assets and judicial settlement.disposal. Exceptional items were as follows for the years ended 31 December 20152017 and 2014:2016:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2015
   Year ended
31 December 2014(1)
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(1)
 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Restructuring

   (171   (158   (468   (323

Acquisition costs business combination

   (55   (77

Acquisition costs of business combination

   (155   (448

Business and asset disposal

   524    157    (39   377 

Impairment of assets

   (82   (119

Judicial settlement

   (80   —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   136    (197   (662   (394
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)Reclassified to conform to

Following completion of the 2015 presentation.combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Restructuring

Exceptional restructuring charges amounted to a net cost of USD 171468 million for the year ended 31 December 20152017 as compared to a net cost of USD 158323 million for the year ended 31 December 2014.2016. These charges primarily relate mainly to the integration of Grupo Modelo and to organizational alignments in North America and EMEA.SAB integration. Theseone-time expenses, as a result of the series of decisions, provide us with a lower cost base in addition to a stronger focus on our core activities, quicker decision making and improvements to efficiency, service and quality.

Acquisition Costs andof Business Combinations

Acquisition costs of USD 55155 million for the year ended 31 December 20152017 primarily related to costs incurred in relation to facilitate the proposed acquisition of SABMiller.combination with SAB.

Business and Asset Disposal

Business and asset disposals amounted to a net benefitcost of USD 52439 million for the year ended 31 December 2015. This gain consists primarily of gains on property sales, and compensation for the termination agreements with Crown Imports for the distribution of Grupo Modelo products through our wholly owned distributors in the U.S., and with Monster for the distribution of its brands through the Anheuser-Busch distribution system.

Impairment of Assets

During the year ended 31 December 2015, we incurred USD 50 million impairment losses related to goodwill and other assets in respect of our operations in Ukraine and impairment ofnon-core brands for an amount of USD 32 million.

Judicial Settlement

The judicial settlement for the year ended 31 December 2015 relates2017, mainly attributable to the settlement reached between CADE,costs incurred to complete the Brazilian Antitrust Authoritydisposals of the former SAB Central and Ambev regarding the “Tô Contigo” customer loyalty program.Eastern Europe business as well as CCBA during 2017, partly offset by proceeds from prior years’ sale of SeaWorld to Blackstone.

Profit from Operations

The following table reflects changes in profit from operations across our business segments for the year ended 31 December 20152017 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2014:2016:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2015(2)
   Year ended
31 December 2014(2)
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2017(3)
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

North America

   5,520    6,063    (9.0   5,490    5,412    1.5 

Latin America West

   1,681    1,631    3.1    3,743    2,240    67.0 

Latin America North

   3,937    4,957    (20.6   3,314    2,981    11.1 

Latin America South

   1,400    1,216    15.1    1,375    1,228    12.0 

EMEA

   870    826    5.4    2,363    1,184    99.7 

Asia Pacific

   928    511    81.4    1,939    903    114.7 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   (434   (94   —      (1,071   (1,066   (0.5
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   13,904    15,111    (8.0   17,152    12,882    33.1 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be

Following completion of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures forof the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014 have been restated to reflect this allocation.fourth quarter of 2016.

Our profit from operations amounted to USD 13,90417,152 million for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. This represented a decreasean increase of USD 1,2074,270 million, or 8.0%33.1%, as compared to our profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 2014.2016. The results for the year ended 31 December 20152017 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of certain acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20142016 and 2015,2017, currency translation effects and the effects of certain exceptional items as described above.

 

The 2014combination with SAB, which was included from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 20152016, positively impacted our consolidated profit from operations by USD 3,141 million in the first nine months of 2017.

The 2016 and 2017 acquisitions and disposals described above negatively impacted our consolidated profit from operations by USD 493357 million for the year ended 31 December 20152017 compared to the same period in the prior year.year ended 31 December 2016.

 

Our consolidated profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 20152017 also reflects a negativepositive currency translation impact of USD 2,111112 million.

 

Our profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 20152017 was positivelynegatively impacted by USD 136662 million of certain exceptional items, as compared to a negative impact of USD 197394 million for the year ended 31 December 2014.2016. See “—Exceptional Items” above for a description of the exceptional items during the years ended 31 December 20152017 and 2014.2016.

Excluding the effects of the business acquisitions and disposals described above, the combination with SAB and currency translation effects, our profit from operations increased by 10.9%.

EBITDA, as defined

The following table reflects changes in our EBITDA, as defined, for the year ended 31 December 20152017 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2014:2016:

 

  Year ended
31 December 2015
   Year ended
31 December 2014
   Change   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change 
  (USD millions)   (%)(1)   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Profit of the year

   9,867    11,302    (12.7   9,183    2,769    231.6 

Profit from discontinued operations

   (28   (48   (41.7

Net finance cost

   1,453    1,319    (10.2   6,507    8,564    (24.0

Income tax expense

   2,594    2,499    (3.8   1,920    1,613    19.0 

Share of result of associates and joint ventures

   (10   (9   11.1    (430   (16   —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Profit from operations

   13,904    15,111    (8.0   17,152    12,882    33.1 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   3,153    3,353    6.0    4,276    3,479    22.9 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

EBITDA, as defined

   17,057    18,464    (7.6   21,429    16,361    31.0 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)

Following completion of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

A performance measure such as EBITDA, as defined, is anon-IFRS measure. The financial measure most directly comparable to EBITDA, as defined, and presented in accordance with IFRS in our consolidated financial statements, is profit of the year. EBITDA, as defined, is a measure used by our management to evaluate our business performance and is defined as profit from operations before depreciation, amortization and impairment. EBITDA, as defined, is a key component of the measures that are provided to senior management on a monthly basis at the group level, the business segment level and lower levels. We believe EBITDA, as defined, is useful to investors for the following reasons.

See “—Year Ended 31 December 20162018 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2015—2017—EBITDA, as defined” above for more information about our definition of EBITDA, as defined.

Our EBITDA, as defined, amounted to USD 17,05721,429 million for the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. This represented a decreasean increase of USD 1,4075,068 million, or 7.6%31.0%, as compared to our EBITDA, as defined, for the year ended 31 December 2014.2016. The results for the year ended 31 December 20152017 reflect the performance of our business after the completion of the acquisitions and disposals we undertook in 20142016 and 20152017 discussed above, the combination with SAB and currency translation effects. Furthermore, our EBITDA, as defined, was positivelynegatively impacted by USD 218656 million (before impairment losses) of certain exceptional items in the year ended 31 December 2015,2017, as compared to a negative impact of USD 78394 million (before impairment losses) during the year ended 31 December 2014.2016. See “—Exceptional Items” above for a description of the exceptional items during the years ended 31 December 20152017 and 2014.2016.

Net Finance Cost

Our net finance cost items were as follows for the years ended 31 December 20152017 and 2014:2016:

 

   Year ended
31 December  2015
   Year ended
31 December 2014
   Change 
   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Net interest expense

   (1,466   (1,634   10.3 

Net interest on net defined benefit liabilities

   (118   (124   4.8 

Accretion expense

   (326   (364   10.4 

Other financial results

   671    294    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net finance cost before exceptional finance results

   (1,239   (1,828   32.2 

Mark-to-market adjustment on derivatives

   (195   509    —   

Other

   (19   —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Exceptional net finance income/(cost)

   (214   509    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net finance income/(cost)

   (1,453   (1,319   (10.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change 
   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Net interest expense

   (4,005   (3,519   (13.8

Net interest on net defined benefit liabilities

   (101   (113   10.6 

Accretion expense

   (614   (648   5.2 

Other financial results

   (1,094   (928   (17.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(2)
   Change 
   (USD millions)   (%)(1) 

Net finance cost before exceptional finance results

   (5,814   (5,208   (11.6

Mark-to-market (Grupo Modelo deferred share instrument)

   (146   (304   52.0 

Mark-to-market (Portion of the FX hedging of the purchase price of the combination with SAB that did not qualify for hedge accounting)

   —      (2,693   —   

Othermark-to-market

   (142   39    —   

Other

   (405   (398   (1.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Exceptional net finance income/(cost)

   (693   (3,356   79.4 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net finance income/(cost)

   (6,507   (8,564   24.0 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

The percentage change reflects the improvement (or worsening) of results for the period as a result of the change in each item.

(2)

Following completion of the combination with SAB, we consolidated SAB and report results and volumes of the retained SAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Our net finance cost for the year ended 31 December 20152017 was USD 1,4536,507 million, as compared to USD 1,3198,564 million for the year ended 31 December 2014,2016, representing an increasea cost decrease of USD 1342,057 million.

The decreaseincrease in net finance costs before exceptional financial items is driven primarily by lower net interest expenses and positive otherthe annualization impact of the additional debt related to the SAB combination as well as the legacy SAB debt. Other financial results mainly due toinclude net losses on hedging instruments, foreign exchange gains on U.S. dollar cash held in Mexicolosses and a positivenegativemark-to-market adjustment of USD 844291 million linked to the hedging of our share-based payment programs. In 2014,mark-to-market adjustmentin 2017, linked to the hedging of our share-based payment programs amountedcompared to a gainnegativemark-to-market adjustment of USD 711 million.384 million for the period ended 31 December 2016.

The number of shares covered by the hedging of our share-based payment programs, and the opening and closing share prices are as follows:

 

   Year ended
31 December 2015
   Year ended
31 December 2014
 

Share price at the start of the period (in euro)

   93.86    77.26 

Share price at the end of the period (in euro)

   114.4    93.86 

Number of derivative equity instruments at the end of the period (in millions)

   35.5    33.7 
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016
 

Share price at the start of the period(in euro)

   100.55    114.40 

Share price at the end of the period(in euro)

   93.13    100.55 

Number of derivative equity instruments at the end of the period(in millions)

   46.9    53.5 

Exceptional net finance costcosts include a negativemark-to-market adjustment on exceptional equity derivatives of USD 288 million related to the hedging of the deferred share instrument in 2015 includesconnection with the Grupo Modelo combination of USD 146 million and the restricted share instrument in connection with the SAB combination of USD 142 million, compared to a negativemark-to-market adjustment of USD 688431 million related tofor the portion of the hedging of the purchase price of the proposed acquisition of SABMiller that does not qualify for hedge accounting under IFRS rules. This is partly offset by a favorablemark-to-market adjustment of USD 511 million on derivative instruments entered into to hedge the deferred share instrument issued in a transaction related to the combination with Grupo Modelo, compared to a favorablemark-to-market adjustment of USD 509 million in 2014.

The deferred share instrument was hedged at an average price of EUR 68 per share.period ended 31 December 2016. The number of shares covered by the hedging of the deferred share instrument and the Restricted Shares, together with the opening and closing share prices, are as follows:shown below:

 

   Year ended
31 December 2015
   Year ended
31 December 2014
 

Share price at the start of the period (in euro)

   93.86    77.26 

Share price at the end of the period (in euro)

   114.4    93.86 

Number of derivative equity instruments at the end of the period (in millions)

   23.1    23.1 
   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016
 

Share price at the start of the period(in euro)(1)

   100.55    114.40 

Share price at the end of the period(in euro)(1)

   93.13    100.55 

Number of derivative equity instruments at the end of the period(in millions)

   45.5    38.1 

Note:

(1)

Upon completion of the combination with SAB on 10 October 2016, former AB InBev Ordinary Shares have been converted into AB InBev Ordinary Shares.

Other exceptional net finance costs of USD 405 million in 2017 mainly relate tonon-cash foreign exchange losses on intragroup loans that were historically reported in equity and were recycled from equity to profit and loss account upon reimbursement of these loans, and accelerated accretion expenses associated to the repayment of a facilities agreement and the early redemption of certain notes.

Share of ResultResults of Associates and Joint Ventures

Our share of resultresults of associates and joint ventures for the year ended 31 December 20152017 was USD 10430 million as compared to USD 916 million for the year ended 31 December 2014.2016. The increase is mainly related to the combination with SAB.

Income Tax Expense

Our total income tax expense for the year ended 31 December 20152017 amounted to USD 2,5941,920 million, with an effective tax rate of 20.8%18.0%, as compared to an income tax expense of USD 2,4991,613 million and an effective tax rate of 18.1%37.4% for the year ended 31 December 2014.2016.

For a discussion of there-measurement of current and deferred taxes resulting from the U.S. tax reform, see “—Year Ended 31 December 2018 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2017—Income Tax Expense.”

This impact was partially offset by Ambev and certain of its subsidiaries joining the Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program in September 2017 whereby Ambev committed to pay some tax contingencies that were under dispute, totaling BRL 3.5 billion (USD 1.1 billion), with BRL 1.0 billion (USD 0.3 billion) paid in 2017 and the remaining amount payable in 145 monthly installments starting January 2018, plus interest. Within these contingencies, a dispute related to presumed taxation at Ambev’s subsidiary CRBS was not provided for until September 2017 as the loss was assessed as possible. The increase in thetotal amount recognized as exceptional is BRL 2.9 billion (USD 0.9 billion) of which BRL 2.8 billion (USD 0.9 billion) is reported as exceptional income tax cost and BRL 141 million (USD 44 million) is reported as exceptional financial cost.

The 2016 effective tax rate mainly results fromwas negatively impacted by thenon-deductible foreign exchange losses from certain derivatives entered into in relationnegativemark-to-market adjustment related to the proposed acquisitionhedging of SABMillerthe purchase price of the combination with SAB that could not qualify for hedge accounting under IFRS rules, as well as an unfavorable outcome of tax claims and uncertain tax positions. Changes in country profit mix are also impacting the effective tax rate. See also notes 8, 12 and 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2016 and 2015, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016 included in this Form20-F.accounting.

In 2015 and 2014, we recognized the benefit at the Ambev level from the impact of interest on equity payments and tax deductible goodwill resulting from theThe merger of Beverage Associates Holding Limited into Ambev in August 2006.2006 generated benefits related to goodwill amortization. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Ambev Special Goodwill Reserve.” The impact of the tax deductible goodwill resulting from the merger of Beverage Associates Holding Limited into Ambev in August 2006 and other mergers was to reduce income tax expense for the year ended 31 December 20152017 by USD 4453 million. In October 2013 and June 2016, Ambev received a tax assessment related to the goodwill amortization resulting from the merger of Beverage Associates Holding Limited into Ambev. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings—Ambev and Its Subsidiaries—Tax Matters—Special Goodwill Reserve” for further information.

We benefit fromtax-exempted income and tax credits which are expected to continue in the future, except for the tax deductibility of existing goodwill in Brazil, which will significantly reduce as from 2017.future. We do not have significant benefits coming from low tax rates in any particular jurisdiction.

Profit Attributable toNon-Controlling Interests

The profitProfit attributable tonon-controlling interests was USD 1,5941,187 million for the year ended 31 December 2015,2017, a decrease of USD 492341 million from USD 2,0861,528 million for the year ended 31 December 2014, with an improved operating performance2016, primarily due to the impact of the Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program entered into by Ambev, being offset by currency translation effects.

as discussed above.

Profit Attributable to Our Equity Holders

The profitProfit attributable to our equity holders for the year ended 31 December 20152017 was USD 8,2737,996 million (comparedcompared to USD 9,2161,241 million for the year ended 31 December 2014)2016, with basic earnings per share of USD 5.05,4.06, based on 1,6381,971 million shares outstanding, representing the weighted average number of sharesordinary and Restricted Shares outstanding during the year ended 31 December 2015.2017. For the definition of the weighted average number of shares outstanding, see footnote 2 of the table in “Item 3. Key Information—A. Selected Financial Data.”

Excluding theafter-tax impact of exceptional items discussed above and the impact of discontinued operations, profit attributable to our equity holders for the year ended 31 December 20152017 would have been USD 8,5137,967 million, and basic earnings per share would have been USD 5.20.4.04.

The increase in profit attributable to our equity holders in the year ended 31 December 2017 was primarily due to the increased profit, the timing of the prior year SABpre-acquisition funding costs which were not matched by earnings until the closing of the SAB combination and the reporting of SAB results as of the fourth quarter of 2016, and higher exceptional net finance cost in the year ended 31 December 2016. Profit attributable to our equity holders also benefitted from aone-time deferred tax remeasurement following the U.S. tax reform, partially offset by the impact of the Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program entered into by Ambev.

   Year ended
31 December 2017
   Year ended
31 December 2016(1)
 
   (USD per share) 

Profit from operations excluding exceptional items(1)

   10.38    7.72 

Mark-to-market (hedging of our share-based payment programs)(1)

   (0.17   (0.22

Pre-funding of the SAB combination(1)

   —      (0.71

Net finance cost(1)

   (3.22   (2.10

Income tax expense(1)

   (1.60   (0.98

Associates &non-controlling interest(1)

   (0.75   (0.88

Share dilution(1)

   (0.60   —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share excluding exceptional items and discontinued operations

   4.04    2.83 

Mark-to-market (hedging of our share-based payment programs)(1)

   0.17    0.22 

Share dilution(1)

   (0.02   —   

Underlying EPS

   4.19    3.05 

Earnings per share excluding exceptional items and discontinued operations

   4.04    2.83 

Exceptional net finance cost, before taxes

   (0.35   (1.96

Exceptional taxes

   0.42    0.04 

Exceptional items attributable tonon-controlling interest

   0.27    0.01 

Profit from discontinued operations

   0.01    0.03 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   4.06    0.72 

Note:

(1)

Earnings per share before dilution, calculated based upon the weighted average number of shares in the year ended 31 December 2016 of 1,717 million shares. Earnings per share after dilution based upon the weighted average number of shares in the year ended 31 December 2017 of 1,971 million shares.

A performance measure such as Underlying EPS is anon-IFRS measure. The measure most directly comparable to Underlying EPS and presented in accordance with IFRS in our consolidated financial statements is basic earnings per share. See “—Year Ended 31 December 2018 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2017—Profit Attributable to Equity Holders” above for more information about our definition of Underlying EPS.

F. IMPACT OF CHANGES IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

Foreign exchange rates have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. The following table sets forth the percentage of our revenue realized by currency for the years ended 31 December 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 2014:2016:

 

  Year ended 31 December,   Year ended 31 December, 
  2016 2015 2014   2018 2017 2016 

U.S. dollar

   33.1  34.0  32.4   28.6 27.5 33.1

Brazilian real

   15.8  18.5  22.1   13.6 14.5 15.8

Chinese yuan

   8.7 7.5 8.9

Mexican peso

   9.3  11.1  11.9   8.1 7.0 9.3

Chinese yuan

   8.9  9.6  8.2

Euro

   6.6  6.0  6.6   6.1 5.5 6.6

Colombian peso

   4.3 3.8 1.4

South African rand

   4.1 6.2 2.7

Canadian dollar

   4.1  4.1  3.6   3.4 3.3 4.1

Argentine peso

   3.5  4.8  4.2

Australian dollar

   3.2 3.0 0.8

South Korean won

   2.9  3.0  2.4   2.9 2.5 2.9

South African rand

   2.7  —     —   

Peruvian peso

   2.9 2.6 0.8

Argentinean peso(1)

   2.7 3.5 3.5

Pound sterling

   1.8  2.1  1.9   2.1 1.7 1.8

Colombian peso

   1.4  0.1  —   

Dominican peso

   1.6 1.5 1.9

Other

   9.9  6.7  6.7   7.7 9.9 6.4

Note:

(1)

Hyperinflation accounting was adopted in 2018 to report the company’s Argentinean operations. In line with IFRS, the 2017 and 2016 Argentinean operations were not restated for hyperinflation accounting.

As a result of the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates for the years ended 31 December 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 2014:2016:

 

We recorded a negative translation impact, including hyperinflation accounting impact, of USD 2,7942,302 million on our revenue for the year ended 31 December 20162018 (as compared to a negativepositive translation impact of USD 5,957347 million on our revenue in 20152017 and a negative impact of USD 2,3712,794 million on our revenue in 2014)2016) and a negative translation impact, including hyperinflation accounting impact, of USD 1,0041,103 million on our profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 20162018 (as compared to a negativepositive translation impact of USD 2,111112 million on our profit from operations in 20152017 and a negative impact of USD 8581,004 million in 2014)2016).

 

Our reported profit of the year was negatively affected by a USD 649684 million translation impact, including hyperinflation accounting impact, for the year ended 31 December 20162018 (as compared to a positive translation of USD 126 million in 2017 and a negative translation impact of USD 1,492649 million in 2015 and a negative impact of USD 534 million in 2014)2016), while the negative translation impact, including hyperinflation accounting impact, on our earnings per share base for the year ended 31 December 20162018 was USD 505 million, or USD 0.26 per share (as compared to a positive impact of USD 100 million, or USD 0.05 per share, in 2017 and a negative impact of USD 505 million, or USD 0.27 per share, (as compared to a negative impact of USD 1,109 million, or USD 0.68 per share, in 2015 and USD 316 million, or USD 0.19 per share, in 2014)2016).

Our net debt decreased by USD 349 million2.1 billion in the year ended 31 December 20162018 as a result of translation impacts (as compared to a decreasean increase of USD 1,1004,184 million in 2015,2017 and a decrease of USD 447349 million in 2014)2016).

 

Equity attributable to our equity holders decreased by USD 3,2657,379 million in the year ended 31 December 20162018 as a result of translation impacts (as compared to a decreasean increase of USD 6,1571,053 million in 20152017 and a decrease of USD 4,3743,265 million in 2014)2016).

See note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for details of the above sensitivity analyses, a fuller quantitative and qualitative discussion on the foreign currency risks to which we are subject and our policies with respect to managing those risks.

G. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

General

Our primary sources of cash flow have historically been cash flows from operating activities, the issuance of debt, bank borrowings and the issuance of equity securities. Our material cash requirements have included the following:

 

Debt service;

 

Capital expenditures;

 

Investments in companies participating in the brewing, carbonated soft drink and malting industries;

 

Increases in ownership of our subsidiaries or companies in which we hold equity investments;

 

Share buyback programs; and

 

Payments of dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity.

We are of the opinion that our working capital, as an indicator of our ability to satisfy our short-term liabilities is, based on our expected cash flow from operations for the coming 12 months, sufficient for the 12 months following the date of this Form20-F. Over the longer term, we believe that our cash flows from operating activities, available cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, along with our derivative instruments and our access to borrowing facilities, will be sufficient to fund our capital expenditures, debt service and dividend payments going forward. As part of our cash flow management, we manage capital expenditures by optimizing use of our existing brewery capacity and standardizing operational processes to make our capital investments more efficient. We are also attempting to improve operating cash flow through procurement initiatives designed to leverage economies of scale and improve terms of payment to suppliers.

Equity attributable to our equity holders andnon-controlling interests amounted to USD 71.9 billion as of 31 December 2018 (USD 80.2 billion as of 31 December 2017 and USD 81.4 billion as of 31 December 2016 (USD 45.7 billion as of 31 December 2015 and USD 54.2 billion as of 31 December 2014)2016) and our net debt amounted to USD 102.5 billion as of 31 December 2018 (USD 104.4 billion as of 31 December 2017 and USD 107.9 billion as of 31 December 2016 (USD 42.2 billion as of 31 December 2015 and USD 42.1 billion as of 31 December 2014)2016). Our overriding objectives when managing capital resources are to safeguard the business as a going concern and to optimize our capital structure so as to maximize shareholder value while keeping the desired financial flexibility to execute strategic projects.

In connection with the Transaction, former AB InBev entered into a USD 75.0 billion Senior Facilities Agreement (the “2015 Senior Facilities Agreement”), of which we currently have USD 8.0 billion outstanding, with a syndicate of banks on 28 October 2015. For more information on the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement and other Transaction-related financing activities, see “—Funding Sources—Borrowings.”

In December 2016, we completed a debt exchange offer in which USD 6.8 billion of SABMiller Group notes with stated rates of 2.20% to 6.625% maturing between 2018 and 2042 were tendered and accepted in an exchange for USD 6.8 billion of new Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. global notes with stated rates of 2.20% to 6.625% maturing between 2018 and 2042, plus a USD 1.00 cash payment per USD 1,000 principal amount of SABMiller Group notes tendered. Concurrent with this, we completed a debt exchange offer for (i) AUD 700 million FBG Treasury Aust. Pty Ltd notes with a stated rate of 3.75% maturing 2020 for comparable notes issued by a new subsidiary, FBG Finance Pty Ltd and (ii) EUR 1.0 billion SABMiller Holdings Inc. (now Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation) notes with a stated rate of 1.875% maturing 2020 for comparable notes issued by AB InBev. On 9 December 2016, we also redeemed in full the entire outstanding principal amount of three series of notes: (i) USD 1.2 billion of ABIFI notes with a stated rate of 1.125% maturing 2017; (ii) USD 2.0 billion of SABMiller notes with a stated rate of 2.450% maturing 2017; and (iii) EUR 600 million of AB InBev notes with a stated rate of 8.625% maturing 2017.

We expect the portion of our consolidated balance sheet represented by debt to remain significantly higher as compared to former AB InBev’s historical position. Our continued increased level of debt could have significant consequences, including:

 

increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

limiting our ability to fund future working capital and capital expenditures, to engage in future acquisitions or development activities or to otherwise realize the value of our assets and opportunities fully;

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

 

impairing our ability to obtain additional financing in the future, or requiring us to obtain financing involving restrictive covenants;

 

requiring us to issue additional equity (possibly under unfavorable conditions), which could dilute our existing shareholders’ equity; and

 

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt.

We also have a revolving facility under our 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement, with a total commitment of USD 9.0 billion, maturing in August 2020.2022. As of 31 December 2016,2018, the revolving facility was fully undrawn.

Our ability to manage the maturity profile of our debt and repay our outstanding indebtedness in line with management plans will nevertheless depend upon market conditions. If such uncertain market conditions as experienced in the period between late 2007 and early 2009 and again in 2011 continue in the future, our financing costs could increase beyond what is currently anticipated. Such costs could have a material adverse impact on our cash flows, results of operations or both. In addition, an inability to refinance all or a substantial amount of our debt obligations when they become due would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We may not be able to obtain the necessary funding for our future capital or refinancing needs and may face financial risks due to our level of debt, (including as a result of the Transaction), uncertain market conditions and as a result of the potential downgrading of our credit ratings.”

Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments in debt securities, less bank overdrafts, as of 31 December 20162018 amounted to USD 14.17.0 billion.

As of 31 December 2016,2018, we had total liquidity of USD 23.116.0 billion, which consisted of USD 9.0 billion available under committed long-term credit facilities and USD 14.17.0 billion of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments in debt securities, less bank overdrafts. Although we may borrow such amounts to meet our liquidity needs, we principally rely on cash flows from operating activities to fund our continuing operations.

Cash Flow

The following table sets forth our consolidated cash flows for the years ended 31 December 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 2014:2016:

 

  Year ended 31 December
(audited)
   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
  2016(2)   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016(1) 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Cash flow from operating activities

   10,110    14,121    14,144    14,663    15,430    10,110 

Cash flow from (used in) investing activities(1)

   (60,077   (4,930   (11,060   (3,965   7,854    (60,077

Cash flow from (used in) financing activities(1)

   50,731    (9,281   (3,947   (13,945   (21,004   50,731 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   764    (90   (863   (3,247   2,280    764 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)Reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.
(2)

Following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we are consolidating SABMillerconsolidated SAB and reportingreport results and volumes of the retained SABMillerSAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

Our cash flows from operating activities for the years ended 31 December 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 20142016 were as follows:

 

  Year ended 31 December
(audited)
   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
  2016(2)   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016(2) 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Profit of the year

   2,769    9,867    11,302    5,691    9,183    2,769 

Interest, taxes andnon-cash items included in profit

   13,572    6,859    7,029    15,870    12,484    13,572 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and provisions

   16,341    16,726    18,331    21,561    21,667    16,341 

Change in working capital(1)

   173    1,786    815    512    219    173 

Pension contributions and use of provisions

   (470   (449   (458   (488   (616   (470

Interest and taxes (paid)/received

   (5,977   (3,964   (4,574   (7,064   (5,982   (5,977

Dividends received

   43    22    30    141    142    43 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

   10,110    14,121    14,144    14,663    15,430    10,110 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

For purposes of the table above, working capital includes inventories, trade and other receivables and trade and other payables, both current andnon-current.

(2)

Following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we are consolidating SABMillerconsolidated SAB and reportingreport results of the retained SABMillerSAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Non-cash items included in profit of the year include: depreciation, amortization and impairments, including impairment losses on receivables and inventories; additions and reversals in provisions and employee benefits; losses and gains on sales of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, subsidiaries and assets held for sale; equity share-based payment expenses; share of resultresults of associates and joint ventures; net finance cost; income tax expense and othernon-cash items included in profit. Please refer to our consolidated cash flow statement in our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for a more comprehensive overview of our cash flow from operating activities.

Our primary source of cash flow for our ongoing activities and operations is our cash flow from operating activities. For extraordinary transactions (such as the 2008 Anheuser-Busch Companies acquisition, the 2013 Grupo Modelo combination and the Transaction)combination with SAB), we may, from time to time, also rely on cash flows from other sources. See “—Cash Flow used in Investing Activities” and “—Cash Flow fromfrom/(used in) Financing Activities” below.

Cash flow from operating activities in 20162018 decreased by USD 4,011767 million, or 28.4%4.9%, from USD 14,12115,430 million in 20152017 to USD 10,11014,663 million in 2016,2018, mainly explained by higher taxes and interest paid and a difficult comparable on working capital duein 2018 compared to lower trade payables as a result2017, including the payment of reduced production volumes in Brazil.taxes related to prior periods.

We devote substantial efforts to the efficient use of our working capital, especially those elements of working capital that are perceived as “core” (including trade receivables, inventories and trade payables). The initiatives to improve our working capital include the implementation of best practices on collection of receivables and inventory management, such as optimizing our inventory levels per stock taking unit, improving the batch sizes in our production process and optimizing the duration of overhauls. Similarly, we aim to efficiently manage our payables by reviewing our standard terms and conditions on payments and resolving, where appropriate, the terms of payment within 120 days upon receipt of invoice. Changes in working capital contributed USD 173512 million to operational cash flow in 2016.2018. This contribution includes USD 199445 million cash inflow from derivatives.

Cash flow from operating activities in 2015 decreased2017 increased by USD 235,320 million, or 0.2%53%, from USD 14,14410,110 million in 20142016 to USD 14,12115,430 million in 2015. The decrease2017, mainly results from unfavorable foreign exchange translational impacts, partly offsetexplained by strong working capital management and increases of trade payables atyear-end, related to the timing of our capital expenditures, these payables having, on average, longer payment terms.

By the end of 2014, we had satisfied ahead of schedule our target of delivering USD 500 million of working capital improvements within two yearshigher profit of the completion ofyear following the SAB combination with Grupo Modelo.

in the fourth quarter 2016.

Cash Flow used in Investing Activities

Our cash flows used in investing activities for the years ended 31 December 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 20142016 were as follows:

 

   Year ended 31  December
(audited)
 
   2016(3)   2015   2014 
   (USD millions) 

Net capital expenditure(1)

   (4,768   (4,337   (4,122

Acquisition of SABMiller, net of cash acquired

   (65,166   —      —   

Proceeds from SABMiller transaction-related divestitures

   16,342    —      —   

Acquisition and sale of subsidiaries and associates, net of cash acquired/disposed of

   (792   (918   (6,700

Proceeds from the sale of / (investment in) short-term debt securities

   (5,583   169    (187

Net of tax proceeds from the sale of assets held for sale

   146    397    (65

Other(2)

   (256   (241   14 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flow from (used in) investing activities

   (60,077   (4,930   (11,060
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
   2018   2017   2016(2) 
   (USD millions) 

Net capital expenditure(1)

   (4,649   (4,124   (4,768

Acquisition of SAB, net of cash acquired

   —      —      (65,166

Net of tax proceeds from SAB transaction-related divestitures

   (430   8,248    16,342 

Acquisition and sale of subsidiaries and associates, net of cash acquired / disposed of

   145    (556   (792

Proceeds from the sale of / (investment in) short-term debt securities

   1,296    4,337    (5,583

Other

   (327   (51   (110
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flow from (used in) investing activities

   (3,965   7,854    (60,077
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

Net capital expenditure consists of acquisitions of plant, property and equipment and of intangible assets, minus proceeds from sale.

(2)Reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.
(3)

Following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we are consolidating SABMillerconsolidated SAB and reportingreport results of the retained SABMillerSAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Cash flow used in investing activities was USD 60,0773,965 million in 20162018 as compared to USD 4,9307,854 million in 2015. Cashcash flow used infrom investing activities isin 2017. The cash flow from investing activities in 2017 mainly impacted by the payment associated with the Transaction net of the cash acquired andreflected the proceeds from the announced divestitures.SAB-related divestitures completed during 2017, net of taxes paid in 2017 on prior year divestitures, which were not repeated in 2018.

Our net capital expenditures amounted to USD 4,7684,649 million in 20162018 and USD 4,3374,124 million in 2015.2017. Out of the total 2018 capital expenditures of 2016, approximately 50%48% was used to improve our production facilities while 34%42% was used for logistics and commercial investments. Approximately 16%investments and 10% was used for improving administrative capabilities and the purchase of hardware and software.

Cash flow used infrom investing activities was USD 4,9307,854 million in 2015,2017 as compared to USD 11,06060,077 million in 2014. Cashcash flow used in 2016. The 2017 cash flow from investing activities in 2014mainly reflects the acquisitionproceeds from the announced divestitures completed during 2017, net of Oriental Brewery.taxes paid in 2017 on prior year divestitures.

Cash Flow from/(used in) Financing Activities

Our cash flows from/(used in) financing activities for the years ended 31 December 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 20142016 were as follows:

 

  Year ended 31  December
(audited)
   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
  2016(3)   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016(2) 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Dividends paid(1)

   (8,450   (7,966   (7,400   (7,761   (9,275   (8,450

Net (payments on) / proceeds from borrowings

   62,675    457    3,223    (4,707   (9,957   62,675 

Net proceeds from the issue of share capital

   —      5    73 

Share buyback

   —      (1,000   —   

Other (including net financing costs other than interest)(2)

   (3,494   (777   147 

Other (including net financing costs other than interest)

   (1,477   (1,772   (3,494
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash flow from (used in) financing activities

   50,731    (9,281   (3,947   (13,945   (21,004   50,731 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)

Dividends paid in 2018 consisted primarily of USD 6.5 billion paid by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and USD 0.9 billion paid by Ambev. Dividends paid in 2017 consisted primarily of USD 8.0 billion paid by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and USD 1.1 billion paid by Ambev. Dividends paid in 2016 consisted primarily of USD 7.1 billion paid by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and USD 1.2 billion paid by Ambev. Dividends paid in 2015 consisted primarily of USD 6.6 billion paid by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and USD 1.3 billion paid by Ambev. Dividends paid in 2014 consisted primarily of USD 5.4 billion paid by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and USD 2.0 billion paid by Ambev.

(2)Reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.
(3)

Following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we are consolidating SABMillerconsolidated SAB and reportingreport results of the retained SABMillerSAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Cash flow fromused in financing activities amounted to USD 50,73113,945 million in 2016,2018, as compared to a cash flow used in financing activities of USD 9,28121,004 million in 2015.2017. The cash flow used in financing activities in 2018 reflects dividends paid and payments on borrowings.

Cash flow used in financing activities amounted to USD 21,004 million in 2017, as compared to a cash flow from financing activities of USD 50,731 million in 20162016. The cash flow used in financing activities in 2017 reflects the funding of the Transaction.dividends paid and payments on borrowings.

In connection with the Transaction, former AB InBev entered into the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement on 28 October 2015. For more information on the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement as well as other Transaction-related financing activities andrelated to long-term debt issuances in 2016,2017 and 2018, see “—Funding Sources—Borrowings.” Please also refer to note 24 of our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

Transfers from Subsidiaries

The amount of dividends payable by our operating subsidiaries to us is subject to, among other restrictions, general limitations imposed by the corporate laws, capital transfer restrictions and exchange control restrictions of the respective jurisdictions where those subsidiaries are organized and operate. For example, in Brazil, which accounted for 19.9%15.3% of our profit from operations for the year ended 31 December 2016,2018, current legislation permits the Brazilian government to impose temporary restrictions on remittances of foreign capital abroad in the event of a serious imbalance or an anticipated serious imbalance in Brazil’s balance of payments. For approximately six months in 1989 and early 1990, the Brazilian government froze all dividend and capital repatriations held by the Brazilian Central Bank that were owed to foreign equity investors in order to conserve Brazil’s foreign currency reserves. Capital transfer restrictions are also common in certain developing countries, and may affect our flexibility in implementing a capital structure we believe to be efficient. For example, China has very specific approval regulations for all capital transfers to or from the country, and certain capital transfers to and from Ukraine are subject to obtaining specific permits.country. As at 31 December 2016,2018, the restrictions above mentioned were not deemed significant on the company’s ability to access or use the assets or settle the liabilities of the operating subsidiaries.

Dividends paid to us by certain of our subsidiaries are also subject to withholding taxes. Withholding tax, if applicable, generally does not exceed 15%.

Funding Sources

Funding Policies

We aim to secure committed credit lines with financial institutions to cover our liquidity risk on a12-month and24-month basis. Liquidity risk is identified using both the budget and strategic planning process input of the group on a consolidated basis. Depending on market circumstances and the availability of local debt capital markets, we may decide, based on liquidity forecasts, to secure funding on a medium- and long-term basis.

We also seek to continuously optimize our capital structure targeting to maximizing shareholder value while keeping desired financial flexibility to execute strategic projects. Our capital structure policy and framework aims to optimize shareholder value through cash flow distribution to us from our subsidiaries, while maintaining an investment-grade rating and minimizing investments with returns below our weighted average cost of capital.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, less bank overdrafts, at each of 31 December 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 20142016 were as follows:

 

  Year ended 31  December
(audited)
   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
  2016(1)   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016(1) 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Cash and cash equivalents

   8,579    6,923    8,357    7,074    10,472    8,579 

Bank overdrafts

   (184   (13   (41   (114   (117   (184

Investment in short-term debt securities

   5,659    55    301    87    1,304    5,659 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

   14,054    6,965    8,616    7,047    11,659    14,054 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)

Following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we are consolidating SABMillerconsolidated SAB and reportingreport results of the retained SABMillerSAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Borrowings

During 2016,2018, we issued the following series of bonds (excluding the issuances related to our exchange offers, as described below):

 

Issue date

 

Aggregate

principal amount

(in millions)

 

Currency

 

Interest rate

 

Maturity date

25 January 2016

 4,000 US dollar 1.900% 1 February 2019

25 January 2016

 7,500 US dollar 2.650% 1 February 2021

25 January 2016

 6,000 US dollar 3.300% 1 February 2023

25 January 2016

 11,000 US dollar 3.650% 1 February 2026

25 January 2016

 6,000 US dollar 4.700% 1 February 2036

25 January 2016

 11,000 US dollar 4.900% 1 February 2046

25 January 2016

 500 US dollar 3M LIBOR + 126 bps 1 February 2021

29 January 2016

 1,470 US dollar 4.915% 29 January 2046

29 March 2016

 1,750 Euro 0.625% 17 March 2020

29 March 2016

 2,000 Euro 0.875% 17 March 2022

29 March 2016

 2,500 Euro 1.500% 17 March 2025

29 March 2016

 3,000 Euro 2.000% 17 March 2028

29 March 2016

 2,750 Euro 2.750% 17 March 2036

29 March 2016

 1,250 Euro 3M EURIBOR + 75 bps 17 March 2020

Substantially all of the net proceeds of the two separate offerings was used to fund a portion of the purchase price for the Transaction and related transactions. The remainder of the net proceeds was used for general corporate purposes. The excess liquidity resulting from these bonds was mainly invested in U.S. Treasury Bills pending the closing of the combination.

Issue date

 

Aggregate

principal amount

(in millions)

 

Currency

 

Interest rate

 

Maturity date

23 January 2018

 1,500 EUR 3M EURIBOR + 30 bps 15 April 2024

23 January 2018

 2,000 EUR 1.150% 22 January 2027

23 January 2018

    750 EUR 2.000% 23 January 2035

4 April 2018

 1,500 USD 3.500% 12 January 2024

4 April 2018

 2,500 USD 4.000% 13 April 2028

4 April 2018

 1,500 USD 4.375% 15 April 2038

4 April 2018

 2,500 USD 4.600% 15 April 2048

4 April 2018

 1,500 USD 4.750% 15 April 2058

4 April 2018

    500 USD 3M LIBOR + 74bps 12 January 2024

In connection with the Transaction, former AB InBev entered into the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement. The 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement made the following five facilities available to us and our wholly owned subsidiaries, subject to certain conditions: (i) “Cash/DCM Bridge Facility A,” a364-day bridge facility for up to USD 15.0 billion principal amount available; (ii) “Cash/DCM Bridge Facility B,” a364-day bridge facility, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months, for up to USD 15.0 billion principal amount available; (iii) “Disposals Bridge Facility,” a364-day bridge facility for up to USD 10.0 billion principal amount available; (iv) “Term Facility A,” atwo-year term facility, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months, for up to USD 25.0 billion principal amount available; and (v) “Term Facility B,” a five-year term facility for up to USD 10.0 billion principal amount available. The facilities are to be drawn in USD, except that a portion of each facility may be drawn in euro at our option. For more information on the terms of the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement, see “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SABMiller—2015 Senior Facilities Agreement.”

In January 2016, we cancelled USD 42.5 billion of commitments under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement following debt capital market issuances by our subsidiary Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. announced on 13 January 2016 and 20 January 2016, in which we received approximately USD 47.0 billion of net proceeds. Following the receipt of the proceeds from the issuance announced on 13 January 2016 , we were required to cancel Cash/DCM Bridge Facility A and Cash/DCM Bridge Facility B in accordance with the mandatory cancellation and prepayment provisions of the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement.

In March 2016, former AB InBev issued bonds in a debt capital markets offering under our EMTN Programme resulting in aggregate net proceeds of approximately EUR 13.1 billion, to which we are thesuccessor-in-interest. As a result, we elected to cancel the remaining USD 12.5 billion of Term Facility A.

In October 2016, former AB InBev (i) utilized USD 10.0 billion of the Disposals Bridge Facility and USD 8.0 billion of Term Facility B and (ii) canceled the remaining USD 2.0 billion of Term Facility B. On 20 October 2016, we fully repaid and canceled the Disposals Bridge Facility. We currently have only USD 8.0 billion outstanding under the Term Facility B of the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement.

As a result of such cancellations in January 2016, April 2016 and October 2016, as of the date of this Form20-F, the total committed amount under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement comprised USD 8.0 billion under the Term Facility B. Please refer to note 6 of our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2016 and 2015, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.

A summary of the facilities, related cancellations and drawdowns as of 31 December 2016 is presented below:

Facility

  Term   Applicable
Margin (bps)
   Original
Amount

(billion
USD)
   2016
Cancellation
(billion

USD)
  2016
Drawdown
(billion

USD)
  Repayment
(billion

USD)
   Outstanding
Balance
(billion

USD)
 

Term Facility A

   3 Years    LIBOR + 110    25.0    (25.0  —     —      —   

Term Facility B

   5 Years    LIBOR + 125    10.0    (2.0  (8.0  —      (8.0

Disposal Bridge Facility

   1 Year    LIBOR + 100    10.0    —     (10.0  10.0    —   

Bridge to Cash / DCM Facility A

   1 Year    LIBOR + 100    15.0    (15.0  —     —      —   

Bridge to Cash / DCM Facility B

   2 Years    LIBOR + 100    15.0    (15.0  —     —      —   
      

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

       75.0    (57.0  (18.0  10.0    (8.0

The facilities bear interest rate calculated at LIBOR for a period equal to the length of the interest period plus an applicable margin. The margins on each facility are determined based on ratings assigned by rating agencies to our long-term debt. For Term Facility B, the margin ranges between 1.00% per annum and 1.45% per annum.

Furthermore, in 2016,2018, we completed the following early redemptions, exchange offers and credit facilities cancellation:

 

On 9 December 2016, we and19 March 2018, our wholly-ownedwholly owned subsidiary, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., exercised its respective option to redeem in full the entire outstanding principal amount of certain series of notes, consisting of USD 2,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2019 bearing interest at an annual rate of 7.750%.

On 23 April 2018, our wholly owned subsidiaries, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, and Anheuser-Busch Finance Inc. and SABMiller Holdings Inc. (now Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation), exercised ourtheir respective options to redeem in full the entire outstanding principal amount of certain series of notes, consisting of USD 1.2 billion2,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 20172020 bearing interest at an annual rate of 1.125%5.375%; USD 2.0 billion300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 20172019 bearing interest at an annual rate of 2.45%5.000%; and EUR 0.6 billionUSD 4,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 20172019 bearing interest at an annual rate of 8.625%1.900%; and USD 1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2019 bearing interest at an annual rate of 2.150%.

 

In November 2016, we cancelledOn 6 June 2018, our wholly owned subsidiary, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., exercised its respective option to redeem in full the entire outstanding principal amount of certain series of notes, consisting of USD 3.5 billion committed syndicated revolving credit facilities assumed as part1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Transaction, that were available for general corporate purposes.fixed rate notes due 2020 bearing interest at an annual rate of 5.000%.

 

In December 2016,On 26 November 2018, we completed United States private exchange offers for the followingoutstanding notes issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. listed below in exchange offers:for a combination of new notes on substantially identical terms issued by Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, and Anheuser-Busch Worldwide Inc. and cash, for a total principal amount of notes exchanged of USD 23.5 billion:

 

Former Issuer

New Issuer

Title of series of notes issued

exchanged

Aggregate principal
amount
% of total outstanding
principal of such series
of notes tendered
SABMiller LimitedAnheuser Bush InBev Worldwide Inc.6.500% Notes due 2018USD 700 million89.52%
SABMiller Holdings Inc. (now Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation)Anheuser Bush InBev Worldwide Inc.2.200% Fixed Rate Notes due 2018USD 750 million85.45%
SABMiller Holdings Inc. (now Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation)Anheuser Bush InBev Worldwide Inc.Floating Rate Notes due 2018USD 350 million88.33%
SABMiller Holdings Inc. (now Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation)Anheuser Bush InBev Worldwide Inc.3.750% Notes due 2022USD 2,500 million94.02%

Title of series of notes issued
exchanged

  Original
principal
amount
outstanding
(in USD millions)
   Principal
amount
outstanding
exchanged(1)
(in USD millions)
   Principal
amount
not
exchanged
(in USD thousands)
 
4.900% Notes due 2046   11,000    9,543    1,457 
4.700% Notes due 2036   6,000    5,385    615 
3.650% Notes due 2026   11,000    8,555    2,445 

The new notes will mature on the same date as the older notes and will bear interest at the same rate per annum as the old notes.

On 13 December 2018, our wholly owned subsidiary, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc., repurchased USD 2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of its 2.650% notes due 2021 in a cash tender offer.

SABMiller Limited

Anheuser Bush InBev Worldwide Inc.6.625% Guaranteed Notes due August 2033USD 300 million99.43

FBG Finance Pty Ltd (previously FBG Finance Limited)

Anheuser Bush InBev Worldwide Inc.5.875% Notes due 2035USD 300 million100

SABMiller Holdings Inc. (now Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation)

Anheuser Bush InBev Worldwide Inc.4.950% Notes due 2042USD 1,500 million99.36

SABMiller Limited

FBG Finance Pty Ltd.3.75% Notes due 2020AUD 700 million94.36

SABMiller Holdings Inc. (now Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation)

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV1.875% Notes due 2020EUR 1,000 million81.05

In 2010, we entered into a senior facilities agreement (the “2010 Senior Facilities Agreement”). The 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement comprised a USD 5.0 billion term loan maturing in 2013, which was fully prepaid and terminated in April 2013, and a USD 8.0 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility maturing in 2015.2015 (the “Revolving Facility”). In 2013, we amended the terms of the Revolving Facility, extending the provision of USD 7.2 billion to a revised maturity of July 2018. On 28 August 2015, we further amended the terms of the revolving facilityRevolving Facility to increase the total commitment to USD 9.0 billion and to extend the maturity to August 2020. Effective 3 October 2017, we further amended the Revolving Facility to extend the maturity by two years to August 2022. As of 31 December 2015,2018, the revolving facilityRevolving Facility was fully undrawn.

The terms of the Revolving Facility, and the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement, as well as their intended uses, are described under “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts.”

We expect the portion of our consolidated balance sheet represented by debt to remain significantly higher as compared to former AB InBev’s historical position. Our continued increased level of debt could have significant consequences, as described under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We may not be able to obtain the necessary funding for our future capital or refinancing needs and may face financial risks due to our level of debt, (including as a result of the Transaction), uncertain market conditions and as a result of the potential downgrading of our credit ratings.”

Most of our other interest-bearing loans and borrowings are for general corporate purposes, based upon strategic capital structure concerns, although certain borrowings are incurred to fund significant acquisitions of subsidiaries, such as the borrowings to fund the combination with Grupo Modelo. Although seasonal factors affect the business, they have little effect on our borrowing requirements.

We have a Euro Medium-Term Note Programme under which Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV may periodically issue and have outstanding debt denominated in any currency or currencies, subject to compliance with all applicable legal and/or regulatory and/or central bank requirements, outside the U.S. tonon-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S. The guarantors of payments of all amounts due in respect of notes issued under the EMTN Programme are Cobrew NV, Brandbrew SA, Brandbev S.à.R.L., Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., ABIFI and Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC (subject to certain terms and conditions). Under the EMTN Programme, we may issue notes on a continuing basis up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of EUR 40.0 billion (USD 42.245.8 billion) or its equivalent in other currencies. Such notes may be fixed, floating, zero coupon or a combination of these. The proceeds from the issuance of any such notes may be used to repay short-term and/or long-term debt and to fund general corporate

purposes of the AB InBev Group. If in respect of any particular issue of notes there is a particular identified use of proceeds, this will be stated in the applicable final terms relating to the notes. As of 31 December 2016,2018, the total outstanding debt under the EMTN Programme amounted to EUR 23.7524 billion (USD 25.027.5 billion). Additionally, as of 31 December 2016, EUR 1 billion of SABMiller Holdings Inc. (now Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation) notes with a stated rate of 1.875% maturing 2020 were scheduled to be exchanged for comparable notes issued under the EMTN Programme effective 20 January 2017. Our ability to issue additional notes under the EMTN Programme is subject to market conditions.

We have a Belgian commercial paper program under which Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Cobrew NV may issue and have outstanding at any time commercial paper notes up to a maximum aggregate amount of EUR 1.0 billion (USD 1.01.5 billion) or its equivalent in alternative currencies. The proceeds from the issuance of any such notes may be used for general corporate purposes. The notes may be issued in two tranches: Tranche A has a maturity of not less than seven and not more than 364 days from and including the day of issue; Tranche B has a maturity of not less than one year. We also have established a U.S. commercial paper program for an aggregate outstanding amount not exceeding USD 3.0 billion. As of 31 December 2016,2018, the total outstanding commercial paper under these programs amounted to USD 2.11.1 billion. Our ability to borrow additional amounts under the programs is subject to investor demand. If we are ever unable to refinance under thisthese commercial programs as they become due, we have access to funding through the use of our committed lines of credit.

Our borrowings are linked to different interest rates, both variable and fixed. As of 31 December 2016,2018, after certain hedging and fair value adjustments, USD 24.07 billion, or 19.5%1.8%, of our interest-bearing financial liabilities (which include loans, borrowings and bank overdrafts) bore a variable interest rate, while USD 99.0102.9 billion, or 80.5%98.2%, bore a fixed interest rate. Our net debt is denominated in various currencies, though primarily in the U.S. dollar and the euro. Our policy is to proactively address and manage the relationship between our various borrowing currency liabilities and our functional currency cash flows, through long-term or short-term borrowing arrangements, either directly in their functional currencies or indirectly through hedging arrangements.

The currency of borrowing is driven by various factors in the different countries of operation, including a need to hedge against functional currency inflation, currency convertibility constraints, or restrictions imposed by exchange control or other regulations. In accordance with our policy aimed at achieving an optimal balance between cost of funding and volatility of financial results, we seek to proactively address and manage the relationship between borrowing liabilities and functional currency cash flows, and we may enter into certain financial instruments in order to mitigate currency risk.

We use a hybrid currency matching model pursuant to which we may (i) match net debt currency exposure to cash flows in such currency, measured on the basis of EBITDA, as defined, adjusted for exceptional items, by swapping a significant portion of U.S. dollar debt to other currencies, such as Brazilian real (with a higher coupon), although this would negatively impact our profit and earnings due to the higher Brazilian real interest coupon, and (ii) use U.S. dollar cash flows to service interest payments under our debt obligations. For our definition of EBITDA, as defined, see “—E. Results of Operations—Year Ended 31 December 20162018 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2015—2017—EBITDA, as defined.”

We have also entered into certain financial instruments in order to mitigate interest rate risks.

Please refer to note 29 of our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016,2018, “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Market Risk, Hedging and Financial Instruments.”

We were in compliance with all our debt covenants as of 31 December 2016.2018. The 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement and the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement dodoes not include restrictive financial covenants. For further details regarding our total current andnon-current liabilities, please refer to note 24 of our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

The following table sets forth the level of our current andnon-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015:2017:

 

   Year ended 31 December (audited) 
   2016(1)   2015 
   (USD millions) 

Secured bank loans

   862    277 

Commercial papers

   2,053    2,087 

Unsecured bank loans

   9,662    1,469 

Unsecured bond issues

   109,627    45,442 

   Year ended 31 December (audited) 
   2016(1)   2015 
   (USD millions) 

Unsecured other loans

   121    52 

Finance lease liabilities

   234    126 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   122,559    49,453 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Notes:

(1)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.
   Year ended 31 December (audited) 
   2018   2017 
   (USD millions) 

Secured bank loans

   479    502 

Commercial papers

   1,142    1,870 

Unsecured bank loans

   108    892 

Unsecured bond issues

   107,796    112,837 

Unsecured other loans

   71    68 

Finance lease liabilities

   204    213 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   109,800    116,382 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the contractual maturities of our interest-bearing liabilities as of 31 December 2016:2018:

 

  Carrying
Amount(1)
   Less than
1  year
   1-2 years   2-3 years   3-5 years   More than
5  years
   Carrying
Amount(1)
   Less than
1 year
   1-2 years   2-3 years   3-5 years   More than
5 years
 
      (USD millions)       (USD millions) 

Secured bank loans

   862    652    107    26    21    56    479    370    38    14    26    31 

Commercial papers

   2,053    2,053    —      —      —      —      1,142    1,142    —      —      —      —   

Unsecured bank loans

   9,662    1,396    195    91    7,980    —      108    22    —      86    —      —   

Unsecured bond issues

   109,627    4,481    6,234    10,032    18,697    70,183    107,796    2,626    5,259    8,039    17,180    74,692 

Unsecured other loans

   121    10    20    15    22    54    71    14    18    7    9    23 

Finance lease liabilities

   234    26    26    31    46    105    204    42    19    17    12    114 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   122,559    8,618    6,582    10,195    26,766    70,398    109,800    4,216    5,334    8,163    17,227    74,860 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

“Carrying Amount” refers to net book value as recognized on the balance sheet at 31 December 2016.2018.

Please refer to note 29 of our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for a description of the currencies of our financial liabilities and a description of the financial instruments we use to hedge our liabilities.

Credit Rating

As of the date of this Form20-F, our credit rating from Standard & Poor’s wasA- for long-term obligations andA-2 for short-term obligations, with a stableNegative outlook, and our credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service was A3Baa1 for long-term obligations andP-2 for short-term obligations, with a stable outlook. Credit ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn at any time and are not a recommendation to buy, hold or sell any of our or our subsidiaries’ securities. Any change in our credit ratings could have a significant impact on the cost of debt capital to us and/or our ability to raise capital in the debt markets.

Capital Expenditures

We spent USD 4,649 million during 2018 on acquiring capital assets (net of proceeds from the sale of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets). Out of the total capital expenditures of 2018, approximately 48% was used to improve our production facilities while 42% was used for logistics and commercial investments. Approximately 10% was used for improving administrative capabilities and purchase of hardware and software.

We spent USD 4,124 million during 2017 on acquiring capital assets (net of proceeds from the sale of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets). Out of the total capital expenditures of 2017, approximately 45% was used to improve our production facilities while 30% was used for logistics and commercial investments. Approximately 25% was used for improving administrative capabilities and purchase of hardware and software.

We spent USD 4,768 million during 2016 on acquiring capital assets (net of proceeds from the sale of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets). Out of the total capital expenditures of 2016, approximately 50% was used to improve our production facilities while 34% was used for logistics and commercial investments. Approximately 16% was used for improving administrative capabilities and purchase of hardware and software.

Our capital expenditures are primarily funded through cash from operating activities.

We spent USD 4,337 million during 2015 on acquiring capital assets (net of proceeds from the sale of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets). Out of the total capital expenditures of 2015, approximately 52% was used to improve our production facilities while 36% was used for logistics and commercial investments. Approximately 12% was used for improving administrative capabilities and purchase of hardware and software.

We spent USD 4,122 million during 2014 on acquiring capital assets (net of proceeds from the sale of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets). Out of the total capital expenditures of 2014, approximately 50% was used to improve our production facilities while 40% was used for logistics and commercial investments. Approximately 10% was used for improving administrative capabilities and purchase of hardware and software.

Research and Development

In 2016, we spent USD 244 million (USD 207 million in 2015 and USD 217 million in 2014) on research and development. Part of this was spent in the area of market research, but the majority is related to innovation in the areas of process optimization and product development. For further information, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—10. Intellectual Property; Research and Development—Research and Development.”

Investments and Disposals

We regularly engage in acquisitions, divestitures and investments. We also engage instart-up or termination of activities and may transfer activities between business segments. Such events have had, and are expected to continue to have, a significant effect on our results of operations and the comparability ofperiod-to-period results. See “—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other Structural Changes” for further information on significant acquisitions, divestitures, investments, transfers of activities between business segments and other structural changes in the years ended 31 December 2016, 2015,2018, 2017, and 2014.2016. See also note 6 and note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 included in this Form20-F.

Net Debt and Equity

We define net debt asnon-current and current interest-bearing loans and borrowings plus bank overdrafts and minus cash and cash equivalents, interest-bearing loans granted and debt securities. Net debt is a financial performance indicator that is used by our management to highlight changes in our overall liquidity position. We believe that net debt is meaningful for investors as it is one of the primary measures our management uses when evaluating our progress towards deleveraging.

The following table provides a reconciliation of our net debt to the sum of current andnon-current interest bearing loans and borrowings as of the dates indicated:

 

  31 December (audited)   31 December (audited) 
  2016(2)   2015   2018   2017 
  (USD million)   (USD million) 

Non-current interest bearing loans and borrowings

   113,941    43,541    105,584    108,949 

Current interest bearing loans and borrowings

   8,618    5,912    4,216    7,433 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   122,559    49,453    109,800    116,382 

Bank overdrafts

   184    13    114    117 

Cash and cash equivalents

   (8,579   (6,923   (7,074   (10,472

Interest-bearing loans granted (included within Trade and other receivables)

   (528   (286   (267   (309

Non-current and current debt securities (included within Investment securities) (1)

   (5,683   (72   (111   (1,328
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net debt

   107,953    42,185    102,462    104,390 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1)

See note 24 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

(2)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

Net debt as of 31 December 20162018 was USD 108.0102,5 billion, an increasea decrease of USD 65.81.9 billion as compared to 31 December 2015.2017. Apart from operating results net of capital expenditures, the net debt is mainly impacted by the acquisition by Ambev of additional shares in Cervecería Nacional Dominicana S.A. following the partial exercise by E. León Jimenes S.A. of its put option (USD 0.9 billion), the payment associated withto Molson Coors Brewing Company related to a purchase price adjustment on the Transactiondisposal completed on 11 October 2016 of SAB’s interest in MillerCoors LLC and all trademarks, contracts and other assets primarily related to the international business of Miller (USD 0.3 billion), dividend payments to shareholders of AB InBev and Ambev (USD 7.8 billion), the payment of interests and taxes (USD 7.1 billion) and the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates (USD 2.1 billion decrease of net debt).

Net debt as of 31 December 2017 was USD 104.4 billion, a decrease of USD 3.6 billion as compared to 31 December 2016. Apart from operating results net of capital expenditures, the cash acquired andnet debt is mainly impacted by the proceeds from the announced divestitures completed at 31 Decemberduring 2017 (USD 11.7 billion), the payment of taxes on disposals completed in 2016 (USD 48.8 billion), the SABMiller debt assumed as part of the Transaction (USD 11.9 billion), the settlement of the portion of the derivatives hedging the SABMiller purchase consideration that did not qualify as hedge accounting (USD 4.53.4 billion), dividend payments to shareholders of former AB InBev and Ambev (USD 8.59.3 billion), the payment of interests and taxes (USD 6.0 billion) and the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates (USD 0.34.2 billion decreaseincrease of net debt).

Net debt as of 31 December 2015 was USD 42.2 billion, an increase of USD 0.1 billion as compared to 31 December 2014. Apart from operating results net of capital expenditures, net debt was mainly impacted by share buyback (USD 1.0 billion), dividend payments to shareholders of former AB InBev and Ambev (USD 8.0 billion), the payment of interests and taxes (USD 4.0 billion) and the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates (USD 1.1 billion decrease of net debt).

Consolidated equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev as at 31 December 2016 was USD 71,339 million, compared to USD 42,137 million as at 31 December 2015. The increase in equity is mainly related to the Transaction which resulted in the issuance of 325,999,817 Restricted Shares valued at 33.0 billion euro or (USD 36.8 billion).

The equity attributable to equity holders was negatively impacted by themark-to-market adjustments related to the hedging of the purchase price of the Transaction for the portion of the hedge that did not qualify for hedge accounting under IFRS rules. Following the Transaction, USD (12.3) billion negativemark-to-market adjustment related to such hedging and othernon-derivative items were recognized cumulatively over 2015 and 2016, of which USD (7.4) billion qualified for hedge accounting and was, accordingly, reclassified from equity and allocated as part of the consideration paid.

Furthermore, the combined effect of the weakening of mainly the closing rates of the Argentine peso, the Australian dollar, the Chinese yuan, the Colombian peso, the euro, the Mexican peso, the pound sterling and the South Korean won and the strengthening of mainly the closing rates of the Brazilian real, the Canadian dollar, the Peruvian nuevo sol, the Russian ruble and the South African rand resulted in a foreign exchange translation adjustment of USD (3.3) billion.

Consolidated equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev as at 31 December 20152018 was USD 42,13764,486 million, compared to USD 49,97272,585 million as at 31 December 2014.2017. The decrease in equity is primarily related to the combined effect of the weakening of, principally, the closing rates of the South African rand, the Brazilian real, the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar and the Euro, which resulted in a foreign exchange translation adjustment of USD 7,379 as at 31 December 2018.

Consolidated equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev as at 31 December 2017 was USD 72,585 million, compared to USD 71,339 million as at 31 December 2016. The increase in equity is mainly related to the combined effect of the strengthening of mainly the closing rates of the Argentine peso, the Brazilian real,Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the Chinese yuan, the euro, the Mexican peso, the pound sterling,Peruvian nuevo sol, the Russian rubleSouth African rand and the South Korean won and the weakening of mainly the closing rates of the Argentinean peso, the Brazilian real and the Nigerian naira resulted in a negativepositive foreign exchange translation adjustment of USD 6,157 million.1,053 million as at 31 December 2017.

Further details on equity movements can be found in our consolidated statement of changes in equity in our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

Our optimal capital structure remains a net debt to EBITDA, as defined (adjusted for exceptional items), ratio of around 2x. We expect our net debt to EBITDA, as defined (adjusted for exceptional items), ratio to be below 4x by the end of 2020.

See “—Funding Sources—Borrowings” above for details of long-term debt we entered into during 2016.2018.

H. CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contractual Obligations

The following table reflects certain of our contractual obligations, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods, as of 31 December 2016:2018:1

 

      Payment Due By Period       Payment Due By Period 

Contractual Obligations

  Contractual
cash flows (2)
 Less than
1 year
 1-2 years 2-3 years 3-5 years More than
5  years
   Contractual
cash flows (2)
 Less than
1 year
 1-2 years 2-3 years 3-5 years More than
5 years
 
  (USD millions)   (USD millions) 

Secured bank loans

   (937  (676  (116  (33  (32  (80   (496 (383 (39 (15 (27 (31

Commercial papers

   (2,054  (2,054  —      —      —      —       (1,142 (1,142  —     —     —     —   

Unsecured bank loans

   (11,057  (1,618  (535  (365  (8,535  (4   (135 (33 (6 (96  —     —   

Unsecured bond issues

   (162,300  (7,284  (10,262  (13,713  (25,383  (105,658   (165,979 (6,410 (9,146 (11,636 (23,672 (115,115

Unsecured other loans

   (279  (27  (41  (33  (41  (137   (110 (19 (22 (12 (12 (44

Finance lease liabilities

   (346  (44  (42  (44  (70  (146   (316 (62 (37 (33 (33 (151

Bank overdraft

   (184  (184  —      —      —      —       (114 (114  —     —     —     —   

Operating lease liabilities

   (1,658  (248  (199  (173  (317  (721   (1,654 (323 (193 (233 (351 (554

Purchase commitments

   (6,260  (3,852  (1,240  (620  (501  (47   (6,539 (3,744 (1,365 (917 (323 (189

Trade and other payables

   (25,398  (23,717  (449  (209  (331  (692   (24,722 (22,557 (260 (1,060 (333 (513
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total(1)

   (210,473  (39,704  (12,884  (15,190  (35,210  (107,485   (200,215 (34,021 (10,990 (13,972 (24,697 (116,535
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)

“Total” amounts refer tonon-derivative financial liabilities including interest payments.

 

(2)

The loan and bond issue contractual cash flow amounts presented above differ from the carrying amounts for these items in our financial statements in that they include our best estimates of future interest payable (not yet accrued) in order to better reflect our future cash flow position.

Please refer to “—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Funding Sources—Borrowings” for further information regarding our short-term borrowings and long-term debt.

Please refer to note 3129 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016,2018, and in particular to the discussions therein on “Liquidity Risk,” for more information regarding the maturity of our contractual obligations, including interest payments and derivative financial assets and liabilities.

Please refer to note 30 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for more information regarding our operating lease obligations.

Information regarding our pension commitments and funding arrangements is described in our Significant Accounting Policies and in note 25 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018. The level of contributions to funded pension plans is determined according to the relevant legislation in each jurisdiction in which we operate. In some countries there are statutory minimum funding requirements while in others we have developed our own policies, sometimes in agreement with the local trustee bodies. The size and timing of contributions will usually depend upon the performance of investment markets. Depending on the country and plan in question, the funding level will be monitored periodically and the contribution amount amended appropriately. Consequently, it is not possible to predict with any certainty the amounts that might become payable from 20172019 onwards. In 2016,2018, our employer contributions to defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans amounted to USD 379423 million. Contributions to defined benefit pension plans for 20172019 are estimated to be approximately USD 251246 million for our funded defined

1

Bracketed figures pending final confirmation.

benefit plans, and USD 8073 million in benefit payments to our unfunded defined benefit plans and post-retirement medical plans. Please refer to note 25 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for further information on our employee benefit obligations.

Collateral and Contractual Commitments

The following table reflects our collateral and contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, loans to customers and other commitments, as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015:2017:

 

   Year ended 31  December
(audited)
 
   2016(1)   2015 
   (USD million) 

Collateral given for own liabilities

   490    562 

Collateral and financial guarantees received for own receivables and loans to customers

   228    194 

Contractual commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment

   816    750 

Contractual commitments to acquire loans to customers

   11    14 

Other commitments

   1,768    1,713 

Note:

(1)Following completion of the Transaction, we are consolidating SABMiller and reporting results of the retained SABMiller operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.
   Year ended 31 December
(audited)
 
   2018   2017 
   (USD million) 

Collateral given for own liabilities

   404    426 

Collateral and financial guarantees received for own receivables and loans to customers

   335    326 

Contractual commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment

   416    550 

Contractual commitments to acquire loans to customers

   171    16 

Other commitments

   1,973    1,834 

As at 31 December 2016,2018, the following M&A related commitments existed with respect to the combination with Grupo Modelo:existed:

 

In As part of the 2012 shareholders agreement between our subsidiary Ambev and E. León Jimenes S.A. (“ELJ”), following the acquisition of Cervecería Nacional Dominicana S.A. (“CND”), a put and call option is in place which may result in Ambev acquiring additional shares in CND. On 1 December 2017, Ambev announced that ELJ partially exercised its option to sell approximately 30% of the shares of CND for an amount of USD 0.9 billion. The transaction relatedclosed in January 2018 resulting in Ambev’s participation in CND increasing from 55% to 85%. As at 31 December 2018, the combination with Grupo Modelo, select Grupo Modelo shareholders purchased a deferred share entitlementput option was valued USD 0.6 billion (2017: USD 1.7 billion before the exercise of the put option by ELJ in January 2018).

On 11 October 2016, we were notified by The Coca-Cola Company of its intention to acquire the equivalent of approximately 23.1 million AB InBev shares, to be delivered within five years, for consideration of approximately USD 1.5 billion. This investment occurred on 5 June 2013. Pending the delivery of AB InBev shares, we will pay a coupon on each undelivered share, so that the deferred share instrument holders are compensated on anafter-tax basis, for dividends they would have received had AB InBev shares been delivered to them prior to the record date for such dividend.

Intransition our stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (“CCBA”). On 21 December 2016, we reached an agreement with The Coca-Cola Company regarding the transition of our 54.5% equity stake in CCBA for USD 3.15 billion, after customary adjustments. CCBA includes the Coca-Cola bottling operations in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ghana, Mayotte and Comoros. This transaction was completed on 4 October 2017. In addition, we have completed in 2018 the sale of our brewery plant locatedcarbonated soft drink businesses in Obregón, Sonora, MéxicoZambia and Botswana to Constellation Brands, Inc. for a sale price of approximately USD 600 million,The Coca-Cola Company and simultaneously therewith we entered into aagreements to sell all of our carbonated soft drink business in eSwatini (Swaziland) and certainsix-monthnon-alcoholic transition services agreement with Constellation Brands, Inc. by virtuebeverage brands in El Salvador and Honduras. The closing of which Grupo Modelo or its affiliates agreedthese transactions is subject to provide certain transition services to Constellation Brands, Inc., to ensure a smooth operational transitioncustomary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. In El Salvador and Honduras, we have executed long-term bottling agreements that will become effective upon the closing of the Obregón brewery.

As at 31 December 2016,El Salvador and Honduras brand divestitures. In addition, together with The Coca-Cola Company, we continue to work towards finalizing the following M&A related commitments existed with respectterms and conditions for The Coca-Cola Company to the acquisition of SABMiller:

On 29 April 2016, we announced that we had offered the assets of SABMiller in Central and Eastern Europe (Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland) for divestiture, subject to certain third-party rights. On 13 December 2016, we announced that we had entered into a binding agreement with Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. to sell SABMiller’s businesses in Central and Eastern Europe for EUR 7.3 billion. The sale of SABMiller’s businesses in Central and Eastern Europe is conditional on the European Commission’s approval of Asahi as a suitable purchaser and is expected to close in the first half of 2017.

We have agreed to sell SABMiller’s stake in Distell Group Limited, comprised of 58,674,000 ordinary shares or approximately 26.4% of Distell Group Limited’s issued share capital, in order to address regulatory considerations raised in the context of the Transaction by the Competition Commission of South Africa. On 15 December 2016, we announced that we had entered into a binding agreement to sellacquire our interest in Distell Group Limited to Public Investment Corporation Limited, acting on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund. The Distell Divestiture remainsbottling operations in Zimbabwe and Lesotho. These transactions are subject to the approval ofrelevant regulatory and shareholder approvals in the South African competition authorities.different jurisdictions.

Please refer to note 31 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for more information regarding collateral and contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, loans to customers and others.

Contingencies

We are subject to various contingencies with respect to tax, labor, distributors and other claims. Due to their nature, such legal proceedings and tax matters involve inherent uncertainties including, but not limited to, court rulings, negotiations between affected parties and governmental actions. To the extent that we believe these contingencies will probably be realized, a provision has been recorded in our balance sheet.

To the extent that we believe that the realization of a contingency is possible (but not probable) and is above certain materiality thresholds, we have disclosed those items in note 32 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

I.OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We do not have anyoff-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors. Please refer to “—H. Contractual Obligations and Contingencies—Collateral and Contractual Commitments” for a description of certain collateral and contractual commitments to which we are subject. Please also refer to note 2931 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

In order to fulfill our commitments under various outstanding stock option plans, we entered into stock lending arrangements for up to 1520 million of our own Ordinary Shares. We shall pay the lenders any dividend equivalent, after tax, in respect of the loaned securities. This payment will be reported through equity as dividend. As of 31 December 2016, 132018, 20 million loaned securities were used to fulfill our stock option plan commitments. Please also refer to note 3126 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

J. OUTLOOK AND TREND INFORMATION

While recognizing the increased volatility in some of our key markets,In 2019, we expect to accelerate totaldeliver strong revenue and EBITDA, as defined (adjusted for exceptional items), growth, in 2017, driven by the solid growthperformance of our global brandsbrand portfolio and strong commercial plans, includingplans. Our growth model is even more focused on category expansion, targeting a more balancedtop-line growth between volume and revenue per hl. We expect to deliver revenue per hl growth ahead of inflation based on premiumization and revenue management initiatives.initiatives, while keeping costs (sum of cost of sales plus selling, general and administrative costs) below inflation.

We expect cost of sales per hectoliterhl to increase low singlebymid-single digits, on a constant geographic basis, despite unfavorable foreign exchange transactional impacts,with currency and growth in our premium brands.commodity headwinds to be offset by cost management initiatives.

We expect selling, general and administrative expenses to remain broadly flat, as we will continue to find savings in overhead to invest behind our brands.

We are updatingmaintain our USD 2.453.2 billion synergy and cost savings expectation to USD 2.8 billion on a constant currency basis as of August 2016. From this total, USD 547 million was reported by SABMillerformer SAB as of 31 March 2016, and USD 2822,391 million was captured between 1 April 2016 and 31 December 2016.2018. The balance of approximatelyroughly USD 2.0 billion250 million is expected to be captured inby the next three to four years.end of 2019.

We expect the average rate of interest on netgross debt coupon in 20172019 to be in the range of 3.5% to 4.0%between 3.75% and 4.00%. Net pension interest expenses and accretion expenses including IFRS 16Lease adjustments are expected to be approximately USD 30160 million and USD 150 million USD per quarter, respectively. Other financial resultsquarter. Net finance costs will continue to be impacted by any gains and losses related to the hedging of our share-based payment programs.

We expect net capital expenditure of approximatelybetween USD 3.74.0 and 4.5 billion in 2017.2019.

Approximatelyone-third 44% of our gross debt is denominated in currencies other than the U.S.US dollar, principally the euro. Our optimal capital structure remains a net debt to EBITDA, as defined (adjusted for exceptional items), ratio of around 2x. We expect our net debt to EBITDA, as defined (adjusted for exceptional items), ratio to be below 4x by the end of 2020.

We continue to expect dividends to be a growing flow over time, although growth in the short term is expected to be modest given the importance of deleveraging.our deleveraging commitments.

ITEM 6.

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Administrative, Management, Supervisory Bodies and Senior Management Structure

Our management structure is a“one-tier” governance structure composed of our Board, a Chief Executive Officer responsible for ourday-to-day management and, until 31 December 2018, an executive board of management and, from 1 January 2019, an executive committee chaired by our Chief Executive Officer. Our Board is assisted by four main committees: the Audit Committee, the Finance Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee. See “—C. Board Practices—Information about Our Committees.”

As announced on 26 July 2018, effective 1 January 2019, our executive board of management became an executive committee (the “Executive Committee”), comprised of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial and Solutions Officer, Chief External Affairs and Strategy Officer and General Counsel and Company Secretary. Thereafter, our senior leadership team includes all members of the Executive Committee, all other functional chiefs and all zone presidents. For the year ending 31 December 2019, the Executive Committee will be “senior management” for the purposes of the Form20-F.

Board of Directors

Role and Responsibilities, Composition, Structure and Organization

The role and responsibilities of our Board and its composition, structure and organization are described in detail in our corporate governance charter (“Corporate Governance Charter”), which is available on our website:http:https://www.ab-inbev.com/investors/corporate-governance/corporate-governance-charter.html.corporate-governance.html.

Our Board may be composed of a maximum of 15 directors. There are currently 15 directors, all of whom arenon-executives.

Under our articles of association, the directors are appointed as follows:

 

three independent directors will be appointed by our shareholders’ meeting upon proposal by our board of directors;

 

so long as the Stichting and/or any of its affiliates, any of their respective successors and/or successors’ affiliates own, in aggregate, more than 30% of the shares with voting rights in our share capital, nine directors will be appointed by our shareholders’ meeting upon proposal by the Stichting (and/or any of its affiliates, any of their respective successors and/or successors’ affiliates); and

 

so long as the holders of Restricted Shares, together with their affiliates and/or any of their successors and/or successors’ affiliates, own in aggregate:

more than 13.5% of the shares with voting rights in our share capital, three directors will be appointed by our shareholders’ meeting upon proposal by the holders of the Restricted Shares;

 

more than 9% but not more than 13.5% of the shares with voting rights in our share capital, two directors will be appointed by our shareholders’ meeting upon proposal by the holders of the Restricted Shares;

 

more than 4.5% but not more than 9% of the shares with voting rights in our share capital, one director will be appointed by our shareholders’ meeting upon proposal by the holders of the Restricted Shares; and

4.5% or less than 4.5% of the shares with voting rights in our share capital, the holders of the Restricted Shares will no longer have the right to propose any candidate for appointment as a member of our board of directors and no directors will be appointed upon proposal by the holders of the Restricted Shares.

As a consequence, our Board is currently composed of four directors nominated by Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A. (which represents Interbrew’s founding Belgian families and holds the class A Stichting certificates), four directors nominated by BRC S.à.R.L. (“BRC”) (which represents the Brazilian families that were previously the controlling shareholders of Ambev and holds the class B Stichting certificates), one additionalnon-executive director who was appointed by the Stichting, three directors who were appointed by the holders of Restricted Shares and three independent directors. The independent directors are recommended by our Nomination Committee, nominated by the Stichting board and subsequently elected at our shareholders’ meeting. Directors (other than the Restricted Share Directors) are appointed for a maximum term of four years.years, but the shareholders’ meeting can resolve for a shorter term. In accordance with our bylaws, Restricted Share Directors are appointed for renewable terms ending at the next shareholders’ meeting following their appointment.

Independent directors on our Board are required to meet the following requirements of independence pursuant to our current Corporate Governance Charter. Such requirements are derived from but not fully identical to the requirements of Belgian company law (when legally required, we shall apply the criteria of independence provided by Belgian company law). Based on the provisions of the Belgian Corporate Governance Code of March 2009 and the Belgian Company Code, the requirements of independence contained in our Corporate Governance Charter are the following:

 

the director is not an executive or managing director of us or an associated company, and has not been in such a position for the previous five years;

 

the director has not served for more than three successive terms as anon-executive director on our board, or for a total term of more than 12 years;

 

the director is not an employee of us or an associated company and has not been in such a position for the previous three years;

 

the director does not receive significant additional remuneration or benefits from us or an associated company apart from a fee received asnon-executive director;

 

the director is not the representative of a controlling shareholder or a shareholder with a shareholding of more than 10%, or a director or executive officer of such a shareholder;

 

the director does not have or has not had within the financial reported year a significant business relationship with us or an associated company, either directly or as a partner, shareholder, director or senior employee of a body that has such a relationship;

 

the director is not or has not been within the last three years a partner or an employee of our external auditor or the external auditor of an associated company; and

 

the director is not a close family member of an executive or managing director or of persons in the situations described above.

When an independent director has served on the Board for three terms, any proposal to renew his mandate as independent director must expressly indicate why the Board considers that his independence as a director is preserved.

Directors on our Board who serve on our Audit Committee are also required to meet the criteria for independence set forth in Rule10A-3 under the Exchange Act of 1934.

The appointment and renewal of all of our directors is based on a recommendation of the Nomination Committee, and is subject to approval by our shareholders’ meeting.

Our Board is our ultimate decision-making body, except for the powers reserved to our shareholders’ meeting by law, or as specified in the articles of association.

Our Board meets as frequently as our interests require. In addition, special meetings of our Board may be called and held at any time upon the call of either the chairmanchair of our Board or at least two directors. Board meetings are based on a detailed agenda specifying the topics for decision and those for information. Board decisions are made by a simple majority of the votes cast.

The composition of our Board is currently as follows:

 

Name

 

Principal

function

 

Nature of

directorship

 Initially
appointed
 Term
expires
 

Principal

function

 

Nature of

directorship

 Initially
appointed
 Term
expires
Maria Asunción Aramburuzabala Director Non-executive 2016 2018
María Asunción Aramburuzabala Director Non-executive 2016 2020
Martin J. Barrington Director1 Non-executive, nominated by the holders of Restricted Shares 2016 2017 Director1 Non-executive, nominated by the holders of Restricted Shares 2016 2019
Alexandre Behring Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class B Stichting certificates 2016 2018 Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class B Stichting certificates 2016 2020
M. Michele Burns Independent Director Non-executive 2016 2020 Independent Director Non-executive 2016 2020
Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class A Stichting certificates 2016 2018 Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class A Stichting certificates 2016 2020
Stéfan Descheemaeker Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class A Stichting certificates 2016 2018 Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class A Stichting certificates 2016 2020
William F. Gifford Jr. Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of Restricted Shares 2016 2017
William F. Gifford, Jr. Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of Restricted Shares 2016 2019
Olivier Goudet 

Independent Director,

Chairman of the Board

 Non-executive 2016 2020 

Independent Director,

Chair of the

Board

 Non-executive 2016 2020
Paulo Alberto Lemann Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class B Stichting certificates 2016 2018 Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class B Stichting certificates 2016 2020
Alejandro Santo Domingo Dávila Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of Restricted Shares 2016 2017 Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of Restricted Shares 2016 2019
Elio Leoni Sceti Independent Director Non-executive 2016 2020 Independent Director Non-executive 2016 2020
Carlos Alberto Sicupira Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class B Stichting certificates 2016 2018 Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class B Stichting certificates 2016 2020
Grégoire de Spoelberch Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class A Stichting certificates 2016 2020

Name

 

Principal

function

 

Nature of

directorship

 Initially
appointed
 Term
expires
Marcel Herrmann Telles Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class B Stichting certificates 2016 2020
Alexandre Van Damme Director Non-executive, nominated by the holders of class A Stichting certificates 2016 2020

Note:

 

1(1)

We have determined that Mr. Barrington is an independent director for purposes of Rule10A-3 of the Exchange Act.

Name

  Principal
function
  Nature of
directorship
  Initially
appointed
  Term
expires
Grégoire de Spoelberch  Director  Non-executive,
nominated by the
holders of class A
Stichting certificates
  2016  2018
Marcel Herrmann Telles  Director  Non-executive,
nominated by the
holders of class B
Stichting certificates
  2016  2018
Alexandre Van Damme  Director  Non-executive,
nominated by the
holders of class A
Stichting certificates
  2016  2018

The mandates of Martin J. Barrington, William F. Gifford Jr. and Alejandro Santo Domingo Dávila are scheduled to come to an end at the annual shareholders’ meeting to be held on 2624 April 2017.2019. Their mandates are renewable.

The business address for all of our directors is: Brouwerijplein 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

No member of the Board has any conflicts of interest within the meaning of the Belgian Company Code between any duties he/she owes to us and any private interests and/or other duties.

Ms. Aramburuzabala is anon-executive Board member.member of the Board. Born in 1963, she is a citizen of Mexico and holds a degree in Accounting from ITAM (Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo(Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de Mexico)Mexico). She has served as CEO of Tresalia Capital since 1996. She is currently chairmanchair of the Boards of Directors of Tresalia Capital, KIO Networks, Abilia and Red Universalia. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of Grupo Modelo and was formerly a member of the Grupo Modelo Board of Directors, and is currently on the Boards of Consejo Mexicano de Negocios and El Universal, Compania PeriodisticaCompañía Periodística Nacional and is an Advisory Board member of ITAM School of Business.

Mr. Barringtonis a representative of the Restricted Shareholders. Born in 1953, he is an American citizen and graduated from The College of Saint Rose with a Bachelor’s Degree in History, and from Albany Law School of Union University with a Juris Doctorate Degree. He is the retired Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Altria Group. During his more than 2025 years at Altria Group, he has served in numerous executivelegal and business roles – businessfor Altria and legal, domestic and international – for virtually all the companies in the Altria family.its companies. These include Vice Chairman of Altria Group; Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Altria Group; Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Philip Morris International (a separate public companyspun-off from Altria Group in 2008); and Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Philip Morris USA. Before joining Altria, Mr. Barrington practiced law in both the government and private sectors.

Mr. Behringis a representative of the AB InBev main shareholders (nominated by BRC S.à.R.L., the holder of the class B Stichting certificates). Born in 1967, he is a Brazilian citizen and received a BS in Electrical Engineering from PontificiaPontifícia Universidade CatolicaCatólica in Rio de Janeiro and an MBA from Harvard Business School, having graduated as a Baker Scholar and Loeb Scholar. He is aco-founder and the Managing Partner of 3G Capital, a global investment firm with offices in New York and Rio de Janeiro, since 2004. Mr. Behring has served as ChairmanChair of Restaurant Brands International since 3G Capital’s acquisition of Burger King in October 2010 and following Burger King’s subsequent acquisition of Tim Hortons in December 2014. Mr. Behring also serves as ChairmanChair of the Kraft Heinz Company following the acquisition of H.J. Heinz Company by Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital in June 2013 and subsequent combination with Kraft Foods Group in July 2015. Additionally, Mr. Behring formerly served as a Director of CSX Corporation, a leading U.S. rail-based transportation company, from 2008 to 2011. Previously, Mr. Behring spent approximately ten years at GP Investments, one of Latin America’s premier private-equity firms, including eight years as a partner and member of the firm’s Investment Committee. He served for seven years, from 1998 through 2004, as a Director and CEO of one of Latin America’s largest railroads, ALL (America(América Latina Logistica)Logística).

Ms. Burnsis an independent Board member.member of the Board. Born in 1958, she is an American citizen and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Accountancy. Ms. Burns was the ChairmanChair and Chief Executive Officer of Mercer LLC from 2006 until 2012. She currently serves on the Boards of Directors of The Goldman Sachs Group, where she chairs the Risk Committee, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, where she chairs the Strategy and RiskCompensation Committee, Cisco Systems, Etsy where she chairs the Audit Committee and Circle Online Financial, a private

company. From 2003 until 2013, she served as a director ofWal-Mart Stores, where she chaired the Compensation and Nominating Committee and the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee. From 2014 until 2018, she served on the Board of Alexion Pharmaceuticals. She also serves as the Center Fellow and Strategic Advisor to the Stanford Center on Longevity at Stanford University. Ms. Burns is on the Executive Board of the Elton John Aids Foundation, where she serves as Treasurer. Ms. Burns began her career in 1981 at Arthur Andersen, where she became a partner in 1991. In 1999, she joined Delta Air Lines, assuming the role of Chief Financial Officer from 2000 to 2004. From 2004 to 2006, Ms. Burns served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Restructuring Officer of Mirant Corporation, an independent power producer. From March 2006 until September 2006, Ms. Burns served as the Chief Financial Officer of Marsh and McLennan Companies.

Mr. Cornet de Ways Ruart is a representative of the main shareholders (nominated by Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A., the holder of the classClass A Stichting certificates). Born in 1968, he is a Belgian citizen and holds a Master’s Degree as a Commercial Engineer from the Catholic University of Louvain and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He has attended the Master Brewer program at the Catholic University of Louvain. From 2006 to 2011, he worked at Yahoo! and was in charge of Corporate Development for Europe before taking on additional responsibilities as Senior Financial Director for Audience and Chief of Staff. Prior to joining Yahoo!, Mr. Cornet was Director of Strategy for Orange UK and spent seven years with McKinsey & Company in London and Palo Alto, California. He is also a member of the Board of Directorsnon-executive director of Bunge Limited, EPS, Rayvax, Adrien Invest, Floridienne S.A. and several privately held companies.

Mr. Descheemaeker is a representative of the main shareholders (nominated by Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A., the holder of the classClass A Stichting certificates). Born in 1960, he is a Belgian citizen and graduated from Solvay Business School. He is the CEO of Nomad Food, aFoods, the leader inof the European frozen food sector whose brands include Birds Eye, Findus & Iglo. He joined Interbrew in 1996 as head of Strategy & External Growth, managing its M&A activities, culminating with the combination of Interbrew and Ambev. In 2004, he transitioned to operational management, first in charge of Interbrew’s operations in the United States and Mexico, and then as InBev’s Zone President Central and Eastern Europe and eventually, Western Europe. In 2008, Mr. Descheemaeker ended his operational responsibilities at AB InBev and joined ourthe AB InBev Board as anon-executive Director. He was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Delhaize Group in late 2008 and served as Chief Executive Officer of Delhaize Europe from January 2012 until the end of 2013. He is a professor in Business Strategy at the Solvay Business School.

Mr. Goudet is an independent Board member.member of the Board. Born in 1964, he is a French citizen, holds a degree in Engineering from l’Ecole Centrale de Paris and graduated from the ESSEC Business School in Paris with a major in Finance. Mr. Goudet is Partner and CEO of JAB Holding Company, LLC, a position he has held since June 2012. He started his professional career in 1990 at Mars, Inc., serving on the finance team of the French business. After six years, he left Mars to join the VALEO Group, where he held several senior executive positions, including Group Finance Director. In 1998 he returned to Mars, where he became Chief Financial Officer in 2004. In 2008, his role was broadened to become the Executive Vice President as well as CFO. Between June 2012 and November 2015 he served as an Advisor to the Board of Mars. Mr. Goudet is also a Board member of Jacobs Douwe Egberts, the world’s leading pure play FMCG coffee and tea company; a Board member of Keurig Green Mountain,Dr Pepper, a challenger and leader in single serve coffee andthe North American beverage technologies; Chairmanmarket; Chair of Peet’s Coffee & Tea, a premier specialty coffee and tea company andcompany; a board member of Caribou Einstein, a premium coffee and bagel restaurant chain; a Board memberChair of Krispy Kreme, an iconic branded retailer of premium quality sweet treats, and Coty Inc.,treats; Chair of Pret A Manger, a global leaderleading company in beauty;theready-to-eat food market; a Board member of Panera Bread Company, the leading fast casual restaurant company in the United States, and Espresso House, the largest branded coffee shop chain in Scandinavia; and a Board member of Jimmy Choo PLC,Coty Inc., a luxury leather goods company.global leader in beauty.

Mr. Gifford is a representative of the Restricted Shareholders. Born in the USAUnited States in 1970, he is an American citizen and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy. He serves as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of the Altria Group. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing Altria’s core tobacco businesses and the Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Audit, Investor Relations, Finance Decision Support and Strategy & Business Development organizations.Procurement Functions. He also

oversees the financial services business of Philip Morris Capital Corporation. Prior to his current position, Mr. Gifford was Senior Vice President, Strategy & Business Development. Since joining Philip Morris USA in 1994, he has served in numerous leadership roles in Finance, Marketing Information & Consumer Research and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Philip Morris USA. Prior to that, he was Vice President and Treasurer for Altria where he led various functions including Risk Management, Treasury Management, Benefits Investments, Corporate Finance and Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis. Prior to joining Philip Morris USA, MrMr. Gifford worked at the public accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand, which currently is known as PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Mr. Lemann is a representative of the main shareholders (nominated by BRC S.à.R.L., the holder of the class B Stichting certificates). Born in Brazil in 1968, he is a Brazilian citizen and graduated from Faculdade Candido Mendes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with a B.A. in Economics. Mr. Lemann interned at PriceWaterhouse in 1989 and was employed as an Analyst at Andersen Consulting from 1990 to 1991. Mr. Lemann also performed equity analysis while at Banco Marka and Dynamo Asset Management (both in Rio de Janeiro). From 1997 to 2004, he developed the hedge fund investment group at Tinicum Inc., a New York-based investment office that advised the Synergy Fund of Funds, where he served as Portfolio Manager. In May 2005, Mr. Lemann founded Pollux Capitalis a Founding Partner at Vectis Partners and is currently the Portfolio Manager there. Mr. Lemann is a board member of Lojas Americanas, the Lemann Foundation and Ambev.

Lone Pine Capital.

Mr. Leoni Sceti is an independent Board member.member of the Board. Born in 1966, he is an Italian citizen who lives in the U.K.UK. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in Economics from LUISS in Rome, where he passed the Dottore Commercialista post-graduate bar exam. Mr. Leoni Sceti has over 2530 years’ experience in the fast-moving consumer goods and media sectors. He wasis Chief Crafter and Chairman of The Craftory, a global investment house for purpose-driven challenger brands in FMCG. Mr. Sceti is Chairman of London-based LSG holdings and an early stage investor in Media & Tech, with over 25 companies in his portfolio. He is also an independent member of the Board at cocoa and chocolate leader Barry Callebaut. Mr. Sceti’s roles in thenon-profit space include being a Trustee and Counsellor at One Young World (a forum for young leaders from over 190 countries) and an advisor UK board member at Room to Read (promoting literacy and gender equality in education, globally). His previous roles included: CEO of Iglo Group, a European food business Group—whose brands are Birds Eye, Findus & Iglo. Iglo groupIglo—until May 2015, when the company was sold in May 2015 to Nomad Foods. He previously served as CEOFoods; Global Chief Executive Officer of EMI Music from 2008 to 2010. Prior2010; and—prior to EMI, Mr. Leoni Sceti had EMI—an international career in marketing and held senior leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and Reckitt Benckiser. Mr. Leoni Sceti is a private early investor in Media & Tech,Benckiser, where he later was CMO, global head of Innovation and then head of the Chairman of London based LSG holdings and a Counsellor and Trustee at One Young World.European operations.

Mr. Santo Domingo Dávilais a representative of the Restricted Shareholders. Born in 1977, he is a ColumbianColombian citizen and obtained a BAB.A. in History from Harvard College. He is a Senior Managing Director at Quadrant Capital Advisors, Inc. in New York City. He was a member of the Board of Directors of SABMiller Plc.plc. He was also Vice-ChairmanVice-Chair of SABMiller Plc.plc for Latin America. Mr. Santo Domingo was Chairmanis Chair of the Board of Bavaria S.A. in Colombia, and Chairman of Backus & Johnston, in Perú.Colombia. He is Chairmanalso Chair of the Board of Valorem, a company which manages a diverse portfolio of industrial & media assets in Latin America. Mr. Santo Domingo is also a director of Millicom, JDE (Jacobs Douwe Egberts), Keurig Green Mountain,ContourGlobal plc, Florida Crystals, the world’s largest sugar refiner, Caracol TV, Colombia’s leading broadcaster, El Espectador, a leading Colombian Daily, and Cine Colombia, Colombia’s leading film distribution and movie theatertheatre company. In thenon-profit sector, he is Vice ChairmanChair of the Wildlife Conservation Society, a memberMember of the Board of Trustees of theThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Educational Broadcasting Corporation (WNET Channel Thirteen). Mr. Santo Domingo is a member of the Board and Treasurer of Aid for AIDS, a foundation dedicated to helping HIV and AIDS patients. Furthermore, he is Chairman of Alas, a foundation focused on early childhood development which was founded by artists such as Shakira & Alejandro Sanz. Mr. Santo Domingo is also a memberMember of the Board of DKMS Americas,Americas; a foundation dedicated to finding donors for leukemia patients. He is a member of the Board of Endeavor Colombia and Fundacion Pies Descalzos.

Mr. Sicupira is a representative of the main shareholders (nominated by BRC S.à.R.L., the holder of the class B Stichting certificates). Born in 1948, he is a Brazilian citizen and received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and attended the Owners/Presidents Management Program at Harvard Business School. He has been ChairmanChair of Lojas Americanas since 1981, where he also served as Chief Executive Officer until 1992. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Restaurant Brands International Inc. and the Harvard Business School’s Board of Dean’s Advisors and aco-founder and Board member of Fundação Estudar, anon-profit organization that provides scholarships for Brazilians.

Mr. de Spoelberch is a representative of the main shareholders (nominated by Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A., the holder of the classClass A Stichting certificates). Born in 1966, he is a Belgian citizen and holds an MBA from INSEAD. Mr. de Spoelberch is an active private equity shareholder and his recent activities include shared Chief Executive Officer responsibilities for Lunch Garden, the leading Belgian self-service restaurant chain. He is a

member of the board of several family-owned companies, such as Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A., Verlinvest and Cobehold (Cobepa). He is also an administrator of the Baillet-Latour Fund, a foundation that encourages social, cultural, artistic, technical, sporting, educational and philanthropic achievements.

Mr. Telles is a representative of the main shareholders (nominated by BRC S.à.R.L., the holder of the class B Stichting certificates). Born in 1950, he is a Brazilian citizen and holds a degree in Economics from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and attended the Owners/Presidents Management Program at Harvard Business School. He was Chief Executive Officer of Brahma and Ambev and has beenwas a member of the Board of Directors of Ambev since 2000.Ambev. He served as member of the Board of Directors of H.J. Heinz Company and now serves as member of the Board of Directors of the Kraft Heinz Company and of the Board of associates of Insper. He isco-founder and Board member of Fundação Estudar, anon-profit organization that provides scholarships for Brazilians and a founder and ChairmanChair of Ismart, anon-profit organization that provides scholarships tolow-income students. He is also an ambassador for Endeavor, an internationalnon-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs in developing markets.

Mr. Van Damme is a representative of the main shareholders (nominated by Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A., the holder of the classClass A Stichting certificates). Born in 1962, he is a Belgian citizen and graduated from Solvay Business School, Brussels. Mr. Van Damme joined the beer industry early in his career and held various operational positions within Interbrew until 1991, including Head of Corporate Planning and Strategy. He has managed several private venture holding companies and is currently a director of Patri S.A. (Luxembourg), Restaurant Brands International (formerly Burger King Worldwide Holdings), Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) and Keurig Green Mountain (KGM).the Kraft Heinz Company. He is also an administrator of the Baillet-Latour Fund, a foundation that encourages social, cultural, artistic, technical, sporting, educational and philanthropic achievements, as well as a director of the charitable,non-profit organization DKMS, the largest bone marrow donor center in the world.

General Information on the Directors

In relation to each of the members of our Board, we are not aware of (i) any convictions in relation to fraudulent offenses in the last five years, (ii) any bankruptcies, receiverships or liquidations of any entities in which such members held any offices, directorships or partner or senior management positions in the last five years, or (iii) any official public incrimination and/or sanction of such members by statutory or regulatory authorities (including designated professional bodies), or disqualification by a court from acting as a member of the administrative, management or supervisory bodies of an issuer or from acting in the management or conduct of the affairs of any issuer for at least the previous five years.

No member of our Board has a family relationship with any other member of our Board or any member of our Executive Committee, or had a family relationship with any member of our executive board of management.

Over the five years preceding the date of this Form20-F, the members of our Board hold or have held the following main directorships (apart from directorships they have held with us and our subsidiaries) or memberships of administrative, management or supervisory bodies and/or partnerships:

 

Name

  

Current

  

Past

María Asunción Aramburuzabala

  Tresalia Capital, Grupo Modelo, KIO Networks, Abilia, Red Universalia, Consejo Mexicano de Negocios, Fresnillo, plc, El Universal, Compania PeriodisticaCompañía Periodística Nacional Calidad de Vida Progreso y Desarrollo para la Ciudad de México and Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) School of Business  Grupo Financiero Banamex, LLC, Banco Nacional de México,Telmex, América Móvil, Televisa, Cablevisión, Empresas ICA, Aeroméxico, Siemens, Tory Burch, LLC, Artega Automobil, Diblo, Dirección de Fábricas, Filantropía Modelo, Consejo Asesor para las Negociaciones Comerciales Internacionales, Compromiso Social por la Calidad de la Educación, Latin America Conservation Council, andFresnillo plc, Médica Sur and Calidad de Vida, Progreso y Desarrollo para la Ciudad de México

Name

Current

Past

Martin J. Barrington

  Altria Group, Inc., Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond Performing Arts Center L.L.L.P.L.L.P., Navy Hill District FoundationAltria Group, Inc., The College of Saint Rose, NextUp (formerly Middle School Renaissance 2020, LLC)The College of Saint Rose

Alexandre Behring

  3G Capital Partners., Restaurant Brands International and The Kraft Heinz Company  CSX Corporation

M. Michele Burns

  Cisco Systems Inc., The Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Etsy Inc., Circle Internet Financial  Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.,Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart

  Bunge Ltd, Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A., Rayvax Société d’Investissement S.A., Sebacoop SCRL, Adrien Invest SCRL, Floridienne S.A., Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc., Panera Bread Holdings Corp., Peet’s Coffee & Tea, LLC, Coffee & Bagel Brands Inc. Company, Inc. and the Stichting  Sparflex

Stéfan Descheemaeker

  Nomad Foods, Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A. and the Stichting  Telenet Group Holding NV, Delhaize Group

Olivier Goudet

  JAB Holding Company, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Inc.,LLC, Coty Inc., Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) BV, Acorn Holdings B.V., Jimmy Choo PLC, Espresso House Holding AB, Keurig Green MountainDr Pepper Inc. and, Caribou Coffee Company Inc. and, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc., Pret A Manger and Panera Bread Company  Mars Inc., Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Agence Française des Investissements Internationaux and the Washington Performing Arts Society, Jimmy Choo PLC

William F. Gifford, Jr.

  Altria Group Inc., Virginia Commonwealth University - School of Business Foundation Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.  Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, National Association of Manufacturers, Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.

Paulo Alberto Lemann

  Pollux Capital,Vectis Partners, Lojas Americanas S.A., Lemann Foundation and Ambev, Lone Pine Capital LLC  

Ambev

Name

Current

Past

Elio Leoni Sceti

  LSG Holdings, Barry Callebaut, One Young World, The Craftory (Chairman)  EMI Music, Iglo Group, Beamly LtdLtd. and Nomad Foods

Alejandro Santo Domingo Dávila

  Quadrant Capital Advisors, Inc., Bavaria S.A., Union de Cervecerias Perunas Backus & Johnston S.A.A., Valorem S.A., Millicom International Cellular SA, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) Keurig Green Mountain (KGM) Cine Colombia S.A., Organización Decameron S. dde R.L., Florida Crystals Corporation, Caracol Televisión S.A., Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wildlife Conservation Society, DKMS and Fundación Mario Santo Domingo, Contour Global plc  SABMiller plc., Celumóvil S.A., Avianca S.A., Sofasa S.A., Cervecería Nacional S.A. (Panamá), Compañía de Cervezas Nacionales S.A. (Ecuador), Union de Cervecerías Peruanas Backus & Johnston S.A.A., Keurig Green Mountain (KGM), Millicom International Cellular SA

Carlos Alberto Sicupira

  Restaurant Brands International, Lojas Americanas S.A., 3G Capital Partners, Fundaçao Estudar and the Stichting  B2W Companhia Global do Varejo, São Carlos Empreendimentos e Participações S.A,S.A., Burger King Worldwide, Inc.

Name

Current

Past

Grégoire de Spoelberch

  Agemar S.A., Wernelin S.A., Fiprolux S.A., Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A., the Stichting, G.D.S. Consult, Cobehold, Compagnie Benelux Participations, Vervodev, Wesparc, Groupe Josi,(1) Financière Stockel,(1) Immobilière du Canal,(1) Verlinvest,(1) Midi Developpement,(1) Solferino Holding S.A., Zencar S.A., Clearvolt S.A. and Fonds Baillet Latour  Atanor,(1) Amantelia,(1) Demeter Finance, Lunch Garden Services,(1) Lunch Garden,(1) Lunch Garden Management,(1) Lunch Garden Finance,(1) Lunch Garden
Concepts,
(1) HEC Partners,(1) Q.C.C.,(1)A.V.G. Catering Equipment,(1) Immo Drijvers-Stevens and(1) Elpo-Cuisinex Wholesale(1)Navarin S.A.

Marcel Herrmann Telles

  3G Capital Partners, The Kraft Heinz Company, Fundação Estudar, Instituto Social María Telles Ambev and the Stichting  Ambev, Lojas Americanas S.A., São Carlos Empreendimentos e Participações S.A., Editora Abril S.A. GP Investimentos and Instituto Veris—IBMEC São Paulo, Burger King Worldwide Holdings, Inc., Itau/Unibanco International, Instituto de Desenvolvimento Gerencial—INDG, and Harvard Business School’s Board of Dean’s Advisors

Alexandre Van Damme

  Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), Restaurant Brands International, Keurig Green Mountain (KGM), the Stichting, Eugénie Patri Sébastien, S.A., the Kraft Heinz Company and DKMSUCB S.A., Keurig Green Mountain (KGM), Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) and Fonds Baillet LatourUCB S.A.

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)

As permanent representative.

Proposed Changes to our Board

On 22 March 2019, we published the convening notice for our ordinary and extraordinary shareholders’ meeting to be held on 24 April 2019. The agenda items include proposed resolutions acknowledging that our chairman, Mr. Olivier Goudet, and directors Mr. Alexandre Behring, Mr. Stéfan Descheemaeker and Mr.��Carlos Sicupira will each be resigning and proposing the appointment of Ms. Xiaozhi Liu, Mr. Claudio Garcia, Ms. Sabine Chalmers and Ms. Cecilia Sicupira as directors. A change to our bylaws is also proposed, which would permit the chair of the Board of Directors to be a director who serves as a representative of the Restricted Shareholders. The convening notice also indicates that Mr. Martin J. Barrington is expected to be appointed as our next chair.

Chief Executive Officer and Senior Management

Role and Responsibilities, Composition, Structure and Organization

Our Chief Executive Officer is responsible for ourday-to-day management. He has direct responsibility for our operations and oversees the organization and efficientday-to-day management of our subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures. Our Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the execution and management of the outcome of all of our Board decisions.

He is appointed and removed by our Board and reports directly to it.

OurUntil 31 December 2018, our Chief Executive Officer leadsled an executive board of management comprised of the Chief Executive Officer, nineour global functional heads (or “Chiefs”), two transitional roles and nineour zone presidents.

Effective 10 October 2016:

Ricardo Tadeu was appointed to the newly created role of1 January 2018, Michel Doukeris became Zone President Africa,North America and CEO of Anheuser-Busch Companies, following his previous role as Zone President MexicoChief Sales Officer and member of the advisory board of Grupo Modelo;

succeeding João Castro Neves.

Michel Doukeris was appointed to the newly created role of Zone President Asia Pacific North,Effective 1 January 2018, David Almeida became Chief People Officer and, until 1 January 2019, Chief Sales Officer ad interim, following his previous role as Chief Integration Officer and succeeding Claudio Garcia.

Effective 31 January 2018, Claudio Braz Ferro, Chief Supply Integration Officer, left the company.

Effective 31 August 2018, Mauricio Leyva, Zone President Asia Pacific;

Jan Craps was appointed toMiddle Americas, left the newly created role ofcompany.

Stuart MacFarlane was Zone President Asia Pacific South,Europe until 31 December 2018.

Effective 1 January 2019, Jason Warner became Zone President Europe, following his previous role as Business UnitBU President for Canada under former AB InBev;Northern Europe.

Mauricio Leyva was appointed to the newly created role of Zone President Middle Americas,Effective 1 January 2019, Lucas Herscovici became ChiefNon-Alcohol Beverages Officer, following his previous role as SABMiller Chairman and Managing Director for South Africa; and

Ricardo Moreira was appointed to the newly created roleGlobal Marketing VP of Zone President Latin America COPEC,Strategic Functions.

Effective 1 January 2019, Pablo Panizza became Chief Owned-Retail Officer, following his previous role as former AB InBev’s Marketing ViceBU President for the Mexico Zone.

Effective December 2016, David Kamenetzky was appointed to the newly created role of Chief Strategy & External Affairs Officer.BU Rio de la Plata.

EffectiveAs announced on 26 July 2018, effective 1 January 2017:

Michel Doukeris (formerly Zone President Asia Pacific North) became Chief Sales Officer, succeeding Luiz Fernando Edmond;

Jean Jereissati (formerly Business Unit President China) became Zone President Asia Pacific North, succeeding Michel Doukeris; and

Carlos Lisboa (formerly Marketing Vice President for Global Brands) became Zone President Latin America South, succeeding Marcio Froes.

The members of the2019, our executive board of management work withbecame an Executive Committee, comprised of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial and Solutions Officer, Chief External Affairs and Strategy Officer and General Counsel and Company Secretary. Our senior leadership team includes all members of the Executive Committee, all other functional chiefs and our zone presidents. For the year ending 31 December 2019, the Executive Committee will be “senior management” for the purposes of the Form20-F.

The Executive Committee reports to enable our Chief Executive Officer and works with our Board on matters such as corporate governance, general management of our company and the implementation of corporate strategy as defined by our Board. The Executive Committee shall perform such duties as may be assigned to properly perform his duties of daily management.it from time to time by our Chief Executive Officer or our Board.

Although exceptions can be made in special circumstances, the upper age limit for the members of our executive board of managementExecutive Committee is 65, unless their employment contract provides otherwise.

OurAs of 31 December 2018, our executive board of management currently consistsconsisted of the following members:

 

Name

  

Function

Carlos Brito

  

Chief Executive Officer

David Almeida

  

Chief IntegrationPeople Officer and Chief Sales Officer ad interim

Claudio Braz FerroJohn Blood

  

Chief Supply Integration Officer

Sabine Chalmers

Chief Legal OfficerGeneral Counsel and Company Secretary

Felipe Dutra

  

Chief Financial and Technology Officer

Michel Doukeris

Chief SalesSolutions Officer

Pedro Earp

  

Chief Disruptive Growth Officer

Claudio Garcia

Chief People Officer

David Kamenetzky

  

Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer

Peter Kraemer

  

Chief Supply Officer

Tony Milikin

  

Chief Sustainability and Procurement & Sustainability Officer

Miguel Patricio

  

Chief Marketing Officer

Ricardo Tadeu

Zone President Africa

Jean Jereissati

Zone President Asia Pacific North

Jan Craps

  

Zone President Asia Pacific South

Jean Jereissati

Zone President Asia Pacific North

Stuart MacFarlane

  

Zone President Europe

Carlos LisboaRicardo Moreira

  

Zone President Latin America SouthCOPEC

Bernardo Pinto Paiva

  

Zone President Latin America North

Ricardo MoreiraCarlos Lisboa

  

Zone President Latin America COPECSouth

Mauricio LeyvaMichel Doukeris

Zone President North America

As of 1 January 2019, our Executive Committee consists of the following members:

Name

Function

Carlos Brito

Chief Executive Officer

John Blood

General Counsel and Company Secretary

Felipe Dutra

Chief Financial and Solutions Officer

David Kamenetzky

Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer

As of 1 January 2019, and in addition to the members of our Executive Committee, our senior leadership team consists of the following:

Name

Function

David Almeida

Chief People Officer

Pedro Earp

Chief Marketing and ZX Ventures Officer

Lucas Herscovici

ChiefNon-Alcohol Beverages Officer

Peter Kraemer

Chief Supply Officer

Tony Milikin

Chief Sustainability and Procurement Officer

Pablo Panizza

Chief Owned-Retail Officer

Miguel Patricio

Chief Special Global Projects – Marketing

Ricardo Tadeu

Chief Sales Officer

Jan Craps

Zone President Asia Pacific (APAC)

Michel Doukeris

Zone President North America

Carlos Lisboa

  

Zone President Middle Americas

João Castro Neves

Zone President North America

Ricardo TadeuMoreira

  

Zone President Africa

Bernardo Pinto Paiva

Zone President South America

Jason Warner

Zone President Europe

The business address for all of these executives is: Brouwerijplein 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

David Almeidais our Chief Integration Officer. Born in 1976, David is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Brazil and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Most recently, he served as Vice President, U.S. Sales, a role he took on in 2011, having previously held the position of Vice President, Finance for the North American organization. Prior to that, he served as InBev’s head of mergers and acquisitions, where he led the combination with Anheuser-Busch in 2008 and subsequent integration activities in the U.S. Before joining InBev in 1998, he worked at Salomon Brothers in New York as a financial analyst in the Investment Banking division.

Claudio Braz Ferro is our Chief Supply Integration Officer. Born in 1955, Mr. Ferro is a Brazilian citizen and holds a Degree in Industrial Chemistry from the Universidade Federal de Santa María, RS, and has studied Brewing Science at the Catholic University of Leuven. Mr. Ferro joined Ambev in 1977, where he held several key positions, including plant manager of the Skol brewery, Industrial Director of Brahma operations in Brazil and later VP Operations at Ambev in Latin America. Mr. Ferro also played a key role in structuring the supply organization when Brahma and Antarctica combined to form Ambev in 2000. He was appointed our Chief Supply Officer in January 2007.

Carlos Brito is our ChiefCEO and, from 1 January 2019, a member of the Executive Officer.Committee. Born in 1960, he is a Brazilian citizen and received a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and an MBA from Stanford University. HeUniversity Graduate School of Business. Mr. Brito joined the group in 1989 where he held positions at Shell Oil and Daimler Benz prior to joining Ambev in 1989. At Ambev, he had roles in Finance, Operations, and Sales, before being appointed Chief Executive Officer in January 2004. He was appointed Zone President North America at InBev in January 2005 and Chief Executive Officer in December 2005. He is also a member of the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors of Ambev and of the Advisory Board of Grupo ModeloModelo. He is also an Advisory Council Member of the Stanford Graduate School of Business and was formerlyserves on the Advisory Board of the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management.

David Almeida is our Chief People Officer. Born in 1976, Mr. Almeida is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Brazil and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Most recently, he served as Chief Integration Officer and Chief Sales Officer ad interim, having previously held the positions of Vice President, U.S. Sales and of Vice President, Finance for the North American organization. Prior to that, he served as InBev’s head of mergers and acquisitions, where he led the combination with Anheuser-Busch Companies in 2008 and subsequent integration activities in the U.S. Before joining the group in 1998, he worked at Salomon Brothers in New York as a financial analyst in the Investment Banking division.

John Blood is our General Counsel and Company Secretary and, from 1 January 2019, a member of the Grupo Modelo Board of Directors.

João Castro Neves is our Zone President North America.Executive Committee. Born in 1967, Mr. Castro NevesBlood is a BrazilianU.S. citizen and holds a Degree in Engineeringbachelor’s degree from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de JaneiroAmherst College and an MBAa JD degree from the University of Illinois. HeMichigan Law School. Mr. Blood joined AmbevAB InBev in 19962009 as Vice President Legal, Commercial and has held positionsM&A where he focused on global Mergers & Acquisitions, Compliance and Corporate law. Most recently Mr. Blood was Zone Vice President Legal & Corporate Affairs in various departments such as Mergers and Acquisitions, Treasury, Investor Relations, Business Development, Technology and Shared Services. He was Ambev’s Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer before being appointed Zone President Latin America South in January 2007. He took on the role of Zone President Latin America North and CEO of Ambev in January 2009 and was appointed Zone President North America effective 1 January 2015. He is also a member ofwhere he has led the Board of Directors of Ambev.

Sabine Chalmers is our Chief Legal Officerlegal and Secretarycorporate affairs agenda for the United States and Canada. Prior to joining the Board of Directors. Borncompany, Mr. Blood led the corporate and litigation teams in 1965, Ms. Chalmers is a U.S. citizen of German and Indian origin and holds an LL.B. from the London School of Economics. She is qualified as a solicitor in England and is a member of the New York State Bar. Ms. Chalmers joined us in January 2005 after over 12 years with Diageo plc where she held a number of senior legal positions in various geographies across Europe, the Americas and Asia including as General Counsel of the Latin American andDiageo’s North American businesses. Priorbusiness where he had been primary counsel to Diageo, she was an associate at the law firm of Lovells in London, specializing in mergersits U.S. hard liquor, wine and acquisitions. Ms. Chalmers is a member of the Advisory Board of Grupo Modelo and was formerly a member of the Grupo Modelo Board of Directors. She also serves on several professional councils andnot-for-profit boards, including the Association of Corporate Counsel and Legal Momentum, the United States’ oldest legal defense and education fund dedicated to advancing the rights of women and girls.beer divisions over his tenure.

Jan Craps is our Zone President Asia Pacific South.since 1 January 2019. Born in 1977, Mr. Craps is a Belgian citizen and receivedobtained a Degree in Business Engineering from KU Brussels and a Master’s Degree in Business Engineering from KU Leuven, bothBelgium. He has also completed post-graduate programs in Belgium.Marketing and Strategy from INSEAD in France, and the Kellogg School of Management and Wharton Business School in the United States. Mr. Craps joined InBev in 2002 following two years aswas an associate consultant with McKinsey & Company and subsequentlybefore joining Interbrew in 2002. He acquired a range of international experienceexperiences in a number of senior marketing, sales and saleslogistics executive positions in France and Belgium. In 2011, he relocated to Canada to lead AB InBev’s Quebec Sales Region andwhere he was then appointed Head of Sales for Canada followed by his appointment as Business Unit President and CEO of Labatt Breweries of Canada in 2014. Until 31 December 2018, he held the position of Zone President Asia Pacific South.

Michel Doukeris is our Chief Sales Officer.Zone President North America. Born in 1973, he is a Brazilian citizen and holds a Degree in Chemical Engineering from Federal University of Santa Catarina in Brazil and a Master’s Degree in Marketing from Fundação Getulio Vargas, also in Brazil. He has also completed post-graduate programs in Marketing and Marketing Strategy from the Kellogg School of Management and Wharton Business School in the United States. Mr. Doukeris joined our companythe group in 1996 and held sales positions of increasing responsibility before becoming Vice President, Soft Drinks for ourAB InBev’s Latin America North Zone in 2008. He was appointed President, AB InBev China in January 2010 and Zone President, Asia Pacific in January 2013. In January 2017, Mr. Doukeris became our Chief Sales Officer.

Felipe Dutra is our Chief Financial and Technology Officer.Solutions Officer and, from 1 January 2019, a member of the Executive Committee. Born in 1965, Mr. Dutra is a Brazilian citizen and holds a Degree in Economics from Candido Mendes and an MBA in Controlling from Universidade de Sao Paulo. He joined Ambevthe group in 1990 from Aracruz Celulose, a major Brazilian manufacturer of pulp and paper. At Ambev, he held various positions in Treasury and Finance before being appointed General Manager of one of ourAB InBev’s subsidiaries. Mr. Dutra was appointed Ambev’s Chief Financial

Officer in 1999 and our Chief Financial Officer in January 2005 and Global Vice President, Consumer Connections in 2013.2005. In 2014, Mr. Dutra became ourAB InBev’s Chief Financial and TechnologySolutions Officer. He is also a member of the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors of Ambev and of the Advisory Boardadvisory board of Grupo Modelo and was formerly a member of the Grupo Modelo Boardboard of Directors.directors.

Pedro Earpis our Chief Disruptive Growth Officer.Marketing and ZX Ventures Officer since 1 January 2019. Born in 1977, he is a Brazilian citizen and holds a Bachelor of Science Degreedegree in Financial Economics from the London School of Economics. Mr. Earp joined usAmbev in 2000 as a Global Management Trainee in ourthe Latin America North Zone. In 2002, he became responsible for the Zone’s M&A team and in 2005 he moved to our Global HeadquartersInBev’s global headquarters in Leuven, Belgium to become Global Director, M&A. Later, he was appointed Vice President, Strategic Planning in Canada in 2006, Global Vice President, Insights and Innovation in 2007, Global Vice President, M&A in 2009 and Vice President, Marketing for the Latin America North Zone in 2013. He was appointed Chief Disruptive Growth Officer of AB InBev in February 2015.2015 and held the role until 31 December 2018.

Claudio GarciaLucas Herscovici is our Chief People Officer.Non-Alcohol Beverages Officer since 1 January 2019. Born in 1968,1977, he is a Brazilianan Argentinean citizen and holdsreceived a Degreedegree in EconomicsIndustrial Engineering from the Universidade Estadual do RioInstituto Tecnológico de Janeiro.Buenos Aires. Mr. GarciaHerscovici joined Ambevus in 2002 as a management trainee in 1991 and thereafter held various positions in Finance and Operations before being appointed Information Technology and Shared Services Director in 2002. Mr. Garcia was appointed InBev’s Chief Information and Services Officer in January 2005 and its Chief People and Technology Officer in September 2006. To ensure a greater focus on building the best people pipeline globally, Mr. Garcia was appointed Chief People Officer in 2014, focusing on our People organization globally. This includes the Global Management Trainee Program, Global MBA recruitment, executive education and training and engagement initiatives.

Jean Jereissati isin our Zone President Asia Pacific North. Born in 1974, Mr. Jereissati is a Brazilian citizen and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Brazil. Mr. Jereissati joined Ambev in 1998 in the commercial area. Prior to his appointment as AB InBev’s Business Unit President China in 2013, he served as Business Unit President Hispanic Latin America during which timeSouth Zone and has built his career in marketing and sales. After working in Argentina in several commercial roles, became head of innovation for global brands and, later, Global Marketing Director of Stella Artois. In 2011, he ledwas responsible opening the integration“Beer Garage,” our global digital innovation office based out of Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana. Mr. Jereissati also integrated CoronaPalo Alto, California. In 2012, he joined the North America Zone to become VP Digital Marketing and, Modelo Especial into AB InBev’s portfolio in Guatemala.2014, he was appointed VP Consumer Connections for the United States. In 2017, he was appointed Global Marketing VP of Insights, Innovation and Consumer Connections, and held such role until 31 December 2018.

David Kamenetzkyis our Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer.Officer and, from 1 January 2019, a member of the Executive Committee. Born in 1969, he is a Swiss citizen and graduated from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, with a lic. oec. (diploma) in finance, accounting and controlling, and from Georgetown University, Washington DC, with a master of science in foreign service. Until September 2016, Mr. Kamenetzky served on the management team of Mars, Incorporated, one of the largest privately held companies and among the top food manufacturers, with responsibilities for corporate strategy, corporate affairs and enterprise wide strategic initiatives.Incorporated. He left Mars after aten-year tenure and successfully set up his own growth capital fund for disruptive food and beverage companies. Prior to joining Mars, Mr. Kamenetzky worked for Goldman Sachs & Co. in London and Frankfurt. Before going intoHe started his professional career by working for the private sector, he workedJewish community in Germany on the commemoration of Holocaust victims, the restitution of stolen assets and the promotion of civic community engagement. In 2000, the World Economic Forum recognized his contributions in these areas by naming him a Global Leader for many years in thenot-for-profit world.Tomorrow.

Peter Kraemer is our Chief Supply Officer. Born in 1965, he is a U.S. citizen. A fifth-generation Brewmaster and native of St. Louis, Mr. Kraemer holds a Bachelor’s Degreedegree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a Master’s Degreedegree in Business Administration from St. Louis University. He joined AB InBev 27Anheuser-Busch 30 years ago and has held various brewing positions over the years, including Group Director of Brewing and Resident Brewmaster of the St. Louis brewery. In 2008, Mr. Kraemer became VP,Vice President, Supply, for AB InBev’s North America Zone, leading all brewery operations, quality assurance, raw materials and product innovation responsibilities. He was appointed Chief Supply Officer of AB InBev in March 2016.

Mauricio Leyva is our Zone President Middle Americas. Born in 1970, Mr. Leyva is a Colombian citizen and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Universidad de Los Andes in Colombia and an International Management Diploma from ICN Postgraduate Business School, University de Nancy in France. Mr. Leyva joined SABMiller Colombia in January 2005 as Commercial Vice President. His background includes senior roles in Sales and Marketing. In 2009, he was appointed President of SABMiller Honduras and later moved to Peru as the President and CEO. In 2013, he was named Chairman and Managing Director for South Africa.

Carlos Lisboa is our Zone President Latin America South.Middle Americas since 1 January 2019. Born in 1969, Mr. Lisboa is a Brazilian citizen and received a Degree in Business Administration from the Catholic University of Pernambuco and a Marketing specialization from FESP, both in Brazil. Mr. Lisboa joined Ambevthe group in 1993 and has built his career in Marketingmarketing and Sales.sales. He was responsible for building the Skol brand in Brazil in 2001 and after that became Marketing Vice President for AB InBev’s Latin American North Zone. Mr. Lisboa then led the International Business Unit in AB InBev’s Latin America South Zone for two years prior to becoming Business Unit President for Canada. In 2015, he was appointed Marketing Vice President for AB InBev’s Global Brands.

Stuart MacFarlane is our Most recently, Mr. Lisboa held the role of Zone President Europe. Born in 1967, he is a citizen of the United Kingdom and received a Degree in Business Studies from Sheffield University in the United Kingdom. He is also a qualified Chartered Management Accountant. He joined our company in 1992 and since then has held senior roles in Finance, Marketing and Sales and was Managing

Latin America South until 31 December 2018.

Director for our company’s business in Ireland. Mr. MacFarlane was appointed President of AB InBev U.K. & Ireland in January 2008, and, in January 2012, became our Zone President Central & Eastern Europe. In January 2014, he was appointed as Zone President, Europe to lead our new single European zone.

Tony Milikin is our Chief Sustainability and Procurement & Sustainability Officer. Mr. Milikin joined AB InBev in April 2008 and is responsible for all procurement, sustainability and vertical operations and value creation globally. AB InBev’s vertical operations consists of 70+ facilities and 10,000 employees and a strategic partner to our supply organization. AB InBev’s value creation uses circular economic opportunities to create value from our waste. Born in 1961, he is a U.S. citizen and holds an undergraduate Finance Degree from the University of Florida and an MBA in Marketing from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. MilikinTony joined us in May 2009AB InBev from MeadWestvaco, where he was Vice President, Supply Chain and Chief Purchasing Officer, based in Richmond, Virginia, since 2004.Virginia. Prior to joining MeadWestvaco, he held various purchasing, transportation and supply chain positions with increasing responsibilities at Monsanto and Alcon Laboratories.

Ricardo Moreira is our Zone President Latin America COPEC.Africa since 1 January 2019. Born in 1971, Mr. Moreirahe is a Portuguese citizen and received a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rio de Janeiro Federal University in Brazil and a specialization in Management from University of Chicago in the U.S.United States. Mr. Moreira joined Ambevthe group in 1995 and held various positions in Salesthe sales and Financefinance organizations prior to becoming Regional Sales Director in 2001. He subsequently held positions as Vice President Logistics & Procurement for Latin America North, Business Unit President for Hispanic Latin America (HILA) and Vice President Soft Drinks Latin America North. In 2013, Mr. Moreira moved to Mexico to head AB InBev’s Sales, Marketingour sales, marketing and Distributiondistribution organizations and lead the commercial integration of Grupo Modelo. Most recently, Mr. Moreira was previously AB InBev’s Marketing Viceheld the role of Zone President Latin America COPEC until 31 December 2018.

Pablo Panizza is our Chief Owned-Retail Officer since 1 January 2019. Born in 1975, he is an Argentinean citizen and holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. Pablo manages our existing owned retail business, coordinating cross-market initiatives, sharing best practices and shaping its strategy. He joined our company in 2000 as a Global Management Trainee in the Latin America South Zone and has spent almost two decades developing a career in the commercial area. After holding senior roles in Argentina and Global Headquarters, he led our business in Chile and Paraguay. He most recently served as Business Unit President for the Mexico Zone.Argentina and Uruguay.

Miguel Patricio is our Chief Marketing Officer.of Special Global Projects. Born in 1966, he is a Portuguese citizen and holds a Degree in Business Administration from Fundação Getulio Vargas in São Paulo. Prior to joining Ambev in 1998, Mr. Patricio held several senior positions across the Americas at Philip Morris, The Coca-Cola Company and Johnson & Johnson. At Ambev, he was Vice President, Marketing before being appointed Vice President, Marketing of InBev’s North American zone based in Toronto in January 2005. In January 2006, he was promoted to Zone President, North America, and in January 2008 he moved to Shanghai to take on the role of Zone President, Asia Pacific. He became our Chief Marketing Officer in July 2012.2012 and held the position until 31 December 2018.

Bernardo Pinto Paiva is our Zone President Latin America North.South America. Born in 1968, he is a Brazilian citizen and holds a Degree in Engineering from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and an Executive MBA from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. Mr. Pinto Paiva joined Ambevthe group in 1991 as a management trainee and during his career at our companyAB InBev has held leadership positions in Sales, Supply, Distributionsales, supply, distribution and Finance.finance. He was appointed Zone President, North America in January 2008 and Zone President, Latin America South in January 2009 before becoming Chief Sales Officer in January 2012. Effective 1 January 2015, he became Zone President, Latin America North and CEO of Ambev.

Ricardo Tadeu is our Zone President Africa and Chief ExecutiveSales Officer of Grupo Modelo.since 1 January 2019. Born in 1976, he is a Brazilian citizen, and received a law degree from the Universidade Cândido Mendes in Brazil and a Master of LawLaws from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is also Six Sigma Black Belt certified. He joined AB InBevthe group in 1995 and has held various roles across the Commercial area. He was appointed Business Unit President for our operations in Hispanic Latin America in 2005, and served as Business Unit President, Brazil from 2008 to 2012. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of Grupo Modelo and was formerly a member of the Grupo Modelo Board of Directors. He served as Zone President, Mexico from 2013 until his appointment as Zone President Africa upon completion of the Transaction.Combination in 2016. Mr. Tadeu held the role of Zone President Africa until 31 December 2018.

Jason Warner is our Zone President Europe since 1 January 2019. Born in 1973, he is a dual British and U.S. citizen and received a BSc Eng. Hons. Industrial Business Studies degree from DeMontfort University in the United Kingdom. Prior to his current role, he was Business Unit President for North Europe between 2015 and 2018. He joined AB InBev in July 2009 as Global VP Budweiser, based in New York, before moving into a dual role of Global VP Budweiser and Marketing VP. He has also held Global VP roles for Corona as well as Innovation and Renovation. Prior to joining AB InBev, he held various positions at The Coca-Cola Company and Nestlé.

General Information on the Members of the Executive Board of Management

In relation to each of the members of the executive board of management as of 31 December 2018 (or the most recent practicable date, for former members), other than as set out below, we are not aware of (i) any convictions in relation to fraudulent offenses in the last five years, (ii) any bankruptcies, receiverships or liquidations of any entities in which such members held any office, directorships or partner or senior management positions in the last five years, or (iii) any official public incrimination and/or sanctions of such members by statutory or regulatory authorities (including designated professional bodies), or disqualification by a court from acting as a member of the administrative, management or supervisory bodies of an issuer or from acting in the management or conduct of the affairs of any issuer for at least the previous five years.

No member of our executive board of management had, and no member of the Executive Committee has, any conflicts of interests between any duties he/she owesowed to us and any private interests and/or other duties.

No member of our executive board of management had, and no member of the Executive Committee has, a family relationship with any director or member of executive management.

Over the five years preceding the date of this Form20-F, the current members of the executive board of management as of 31 December 2018 had, and the members of the Executive Committee have, held the following main directorships (apart from directorships they have held with us and our subsidiaries) or memberships of administrative, management or supervisory bodies and/or partnerships:

 

Name

  

Current

  

Past

David Almeida

    

Claudio Braz FerroJohn Blood

  Member of the Board of Touch Foundation  International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR)

Name

Current

Past

Carlos Brito

  

Member of the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee of the Greenwich Academy, Inc.

Member of the Advisory Board of the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management

Chairman

Member of the CEO Group at the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD)

Member of the Global Brewers Initiative (GBI)

Advisory Council Member of Stanford Graduate School of Business

IAB Council Member of the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)

João Castro NevesJan Craps

  Member of the Board of Melbourne Business School in Australia, IAB Council Member of the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)  

DirectorMember of Fundaçao

Antonio e Helena

Zerrenner

the Board of DrinkWise in Australia
Sabine Chalmers

Michel Doukeris

  DirectorChairman of U.S. Beer InstituteIAB Council Member of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), Legal MomentumChina Europe International Business School (CEIBS)
Jan Craps
Michel Doukeris

Felipe Dutra

    Director of Whitby School

Pedro Earp

    Voxus
Claudio GarciaDirector of Lojas Americanas
Jean Jereissati

Lucas Herscovici

    

David Kamenetzky

  DKSH Holding, Zume Inc.  

Pete Kraemer

  Member of the Board of Civic Progress in St Louis, MO  American Malting and Barley Association
Mauricio Leyva

Carlos Lisboa

    
Carlos Lisboa
Stuart MacFarlaneEfes

Tony Milikin

    Director of the Institute of Supply Management and Director of Supply Chain Council

Ricardo Moreira

    
Miguel Patricio

Pablo Panizza

    

Miguel Patricio

Bernardo Pinto Paiva

  Director of Fundaçao Antonio e Helena Zerrenner  

Ricardo Tadeu

Jason Warner

    

B. COMPENSATION

Introduction

Our compensation system has been designed and approved to help motivate high performance. The goal is to deliver market-leading compensation, driven by both company and individual performance, and alignment with shareholders’ interests by encouraging ownership of our shares. Our focus is on annual and long-term variable pay, rather than on base salary or fees.

Our compensation system and remuneration policies are identical to those of former AB InBev. Therefore, information or references to plans, policies, decisions and changes regarding the compensation system of former AB InBev that are reported below remain relevant and applicable to our current compensation system.

Share-Based Payment Plans

We currently have three primary, share-based payment plans, namely our long-term incentive warrant plan (“LTI Warrant Plan”), established in 1999 and replaced by the long-term incentive stock option plan for directors (“LTI Stock Option Plan Directors”) in 2014, our share-based compensation plan (“Share-Based Compensation Plan”), established in 2006 (and amended as from 2010) and our long-term incentive stock option plan for executives (“LTI Stock Option Plan Executives”), established in 2009.

In addition, from time to time, we make exceptional grants to our employees and employees of our subsidiaries or grants of shares, restricted stock units or options under plans established by us or by certain of our subsidiaries.

LTI Warrant Plan

Before 2014, we regularly issued warrants (droits(droits de souscription/warrants,, or rights to subscribe for newly issued shares)shares, or “LTI warrants”) under our LTI Warrant Plan for the benefit of our directors and, until 2006, for the benefit of members of our executive board of management and other senior employees.

Each LTI warrant gave its holder the right to subscribe for one newly issued share. Shares subscribed for upon the exercise of LTI warrants were ordinary registered shares of former AB InBev. Holders of such shares had the same rights as any other registered shareholder. The exercise price of LTI warrants was equal to the average price of our shares on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels during the 30 days preceding their issue date. LTI warrants granted in the years prior to 2007 (except for 2003) had a duration of ten years. From 2007 onwards, (and in 2003), LTI warrants have a duration of five years. LTI warrants are subject to a vesting period ranging from one to three years. Except as a result of the death of the holder, LTI warrants may not be transferred. Forfeiture of a warrant occurs in certain circumstances when the holder leaves our employment. At the annual shareholders’ meeting of former AB InBev on 30 April 2014, all outstanding LTI warrants under our LTI Warrant Plan were converted into LTI stock options,i.e., the right to purchase existing shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV instead of the right to subscribe to newly issued shares. All other terms and conditions of the existing grants under the LTI Warrant Plan remain unchanged.

Since 2007, members of our executive board of management (until 31 December 2018) and, as of 1 January 2019, the Executive Committee, and other employees are no longer eligible to receive warrants under the LTI Warrant Plan, but instead receive a portion of their compensation in the form of shares and options granted under our Share-Based Compensation Plan and LTI Stock Option Plan Executives. See “—Share-Based Compensation Plan” and “—LTI Stock Option Plan Executives” below. Since 2014, our directors are no longer eligible to receive warrants under the LTI Warrant Plan. Instead, on 30 April 2014, the annual shareholders’ meeting of former AB InBev decided to replace the LTI Warrant Plan with the LTI Stock Option Plan Directors. As a result, grants to our directors now consist of LTI stock options instead of LTI warrants,i.e., the right to purchase existing shares instead of the right to subscribe to newly issued shares. Grants are made annually at our shareholders’ meeting on a discretionary basis upon recommendation of our Remuneration Committee. See “—C. Board Practices—Information about Our Committees—The Remuneration Committee.”

Following the completion of the Transactioncombination with SAB on 10 October 2016, all rights and obligations attached to the outstanding LTI stock options of former AB InBev have been automatically transferred to us (as the absorbing company), with each outstanding LTI stock option giving a right to a share of AB InBev (the absorbing company) instead of a share of former AB InBev (the absorbed company).

LTI stock options have an exercise price that is set equal to the market price of our shares at the time of granting, with a maximum lifetime of ten10 years and an exercise period that starts after five years. The LTI stock options vest after five years. Unvested options are subject to specific forfeiture provisions in the event that the directorship is not renewed upon the expiry of its term or is terminated in the course of its term, both due to a breach of duty by the director.

The table below provides an overview of all of the options outstanding under our LTI Warrant Plan as of 31 December 2016:2018:

 

LTI  

Plan  

  

Issue date of

Options

  

Expiry date of

options

  Number  of
options
granted(1)(2)
  Number of
options
outstanding(1)
   Exercise
price
   Number of
options
outstanding(1)
   Exercise
price
 
             Unadjusted(3)   

As adjusted as a result

of rights offering(4)

 
          

(in

millions)

  (in millions)   (in EUR)   (in millions)   (in EUR) 
1  29 June 1999  28 June 2009   1.301   0    14.23    0    8.90 
2  26 October 1999  25 October 2009   0.046   0    13.76    —      —   
3  25 April 2000  24 April 2010   2.425   0    11.64    0    7.28 
4  31 October 2000  30 October 2010   0.397   0    25.02    0    15.64 
5  13 March 2001  12 March 2011   1.186   0    30.23    0    18.90 
6  23 April 2001  22 April 2011   0.343   0    29.74    0    18.59 
7  4 September 2001  3 September 2011   0.053   0    28.69    0    17.94 
8  11 December 2001  10 December 2011   1.919   0    28.87    0    18.05 
9  13 June 2002  12 June 2012   0.245   0    32.70    0    20.44 
10  10 December 2002  9 December 2012   3.464   0    21.83    0    13.65 
11  29 April 2003  28 April 2008   0.066   0    19.51    —      —   
12  27 April 2004  26 April 2014   3.881   0    23.02    0    14.39 
13  26 April 2005  25 April 2015   2.544   0    27.08    0    16.93 
14  25 April 2006  24 April 2016   0.688   0    38.70    0    24.20 
15  24 April 2007  23 April 2012   0.120   0    55.41    —      —   
16  29 April 2008  28 April 2013   0.120   0    58.31    —      —   
17  28 April 2009  27 April 2014   1.199(5)   0    21.72    —      —   
18  27 April 2010  26 April 2015   0.215   0    37.51    —      —   
19  26 April 2011  25 April 2016   0.215   0    40.92    —      —   
20  27 April 2012  26 April 2017   0.200   0.140    54.71    —      —   
21  24 April 2013  23 April 2018   0.185   0.185    76.20    —      —   
       

 

 

  

 

 

      

 

 

   
   

Total

     20.812   0.325       0   
       

 

 

  

 

 

      

 

 

   

LTI  

Plan  

  

Issue date of

Options

  

Expiry date of

options

  Number of
options
granted(1)(2)
   Number of
options
outstanding(1)
   Exercise
price
   Number of
options
outstanding(1)
   Exercise
price
 
              Unadjusted(3)   

As adjusted as a result

of rights offering(4)

 
          

(in

millions)

   (in millions)   (in EUR)   (in millions)   (in EUR) 
21  24 April 2013  23 April 2018   0.185    0    76.20    —      —   
       

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   
   

Total

     0.385    0       0   
       

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

Notes:Note:

(1)

At the annual shareholders’ meeting of former AB InBev on 30 April 2014, all outstanding LTI warrants under our LTI Warrant Plan (see “—LTI Warrant Plan”) were converted into LTI stock options,i.e., the right to purchase existing shares instead of the right to subscribe to newly issued shares. All other terms and conditions of the existing grants under the LTI Warrant Plan remained unchanged.

(2)

The number of stock options granted reflects the number of warrants originally granted under the LTI Warrant Plan, plus the number of additional warrants granted to holders of those warrants as a result of the adjustment resulting from the rights offering by former AB InBev in December 2008, as described in more detail below. The number of stock options remaining outstanding from such grants, and their respective exercise prices, are shown separately in the table based on whether or not the relevant warrants, which have subsequently been converted to stock options, were adjusted in connection with the rights offering in December 2008.

(3)

Entries in the “unadjusted” columns reflect the number of stock options outstanding, and the exercise price of such stock options, in each case that were not adjusted as a result of the rights offering in December 2008, as described in more detail below.

(4)

Entries in the “adjusted” columns reflect the adjusted number of stock options outstanding, and the adjusted exercise price of such stock options as a result of the rights offering in December 2008, as described in more detail below.

(5)984,203 of the 1,199,203 warrants granted on 28 April 2009 were granted to persons whose outstanding warrants were not adjusted as a result of the rights offering by former AB InBev in December 2008 to compensate such persons for the effects of thisnon-adjustment as described in more detail below.

As of 31 December 2016,2018, the total number of stock options and warrants granted under the LTI Warrant Plan since 1999, including the additional warrants granted to compensate for the effects of the December 2008 rights offering, is approximately 20.8 million. As of 31 December 2016, of the 0.325 million outstanding2018, no stock options 0.263 million were vested.

The LTI Warrant Plan terms and conditions provide that, in the event that a corporate change decided by us and having an impact on our capital has an unfavorable effect on the exercise price of the LTI stock options, their exercise price and/or the number of our shares to which they give rights will be adjusted to protect the interests of their holders. The rights offering by former AB InBev in December 2008 constituted such a corporate change and triggered an adjustment. Pursuant toremained under the LTI Warrant Plan terms and

conditions, we determined that the most appropriate manner to account for the impact of the rights offering on the unexercised warrants was to apply the “ratio method” as set out in the NYSE Euronext “Liffe’s Harmonised Corporate Action Policy,” pursuant to which both the number of warrants and their exercise price were adjusted on the basis of a(P-E)/P ratio where “E” represented the theoretical value of the December 2008 rights and “P” represented the closing price of our shares on Euronext Brussels on the day immediately preceding the beginning of the relevant rights subscription period. The unexercised warrants were adjusted on 17 December 2008, the day after the closing of the rights offering. Based on the above “ratio method,” we used an adjustment ratio of 0.6252. The adjusted exercise price of the warrants equals the original exercise price multiplied by the adjustment ratio. The adjusted number of warrants equals the original number of warrants divided by the adjustment ratio. In total, 1,615,453 new warrants were granted pursuant to the adjustment.

The adjustment was not applied to warrants owned by persons who were directors of former AB InBev at the time the warrants were granted. In order to compensate such persons, an additional 984,203 warrants were granted under the LTI grant on 28 April 2009, as authorized by the 2009 shareholders’ meeting of former AB InBev. The table above reflects the adjusted exercise price and adjusted number of warrants.Plan.

The table below provides an overview of all of the stock options outstanding under our new LTI Stock Option Plan Directors as of 31 December 2016:2018:

 

Grant date of

stock options

  Expiry date of
stock options
   Number of
options
granted
   Number of
options
outstanding
   Exercise
price
   Expiry date of
stock options
   Number of
options
granted
   Number of
options
outstanding
   Exercise
price
 
      (in millions)   (in millions)   (in EUR)       (in millions)   (in millions)   (in EUR) 

30 April 2014

   29 April 2024    0.185    0.185    80.83    29 April 2024    0.185    0.185    80.83 

29 April 2015

   28 April 2025    0.236    0.236    113.10    28 April 2025    0.236    0.236    113.10 

27 April 2016

   27 April 2026    0.236    0.236    113.25    27 April 2026    0.236    0.236    113.25 

26 April 2017

   26 April 2027    0.221    0.221    104.50 

25 April 2018

   25 April 2028    0.228    0.228    84.47 
    

 

   

 

        

 

   

 

    

Total

     0.657    0.657         1.105    1.105    
    

 

   

 

        

 

   

 

    

As of 31 December 2016,2018, the total number of stock options granted under the LTI Stock Option Plan Directors is 0.6571.105 million. As of 31 December 2016,2018, of the 0.6571.105 million outstanding options, none were vested.

For additional information on the LTI stock options held by members of our Board of Directors and members of our executive board of management, see “—Compensation of Directors and Executives.”

Share-Based Compensation Plan

Since 2006, members of our executive board of management (until 31 December 2018) and, as of 1 January 2019, our Executive Committee and certain other senior employees are granted variable compensation under our Share-Based Compensation Plan. On 5 March 2010, the general structure of the compensation under the plan was modified.

Share-Based Compensation Plan through 2009

Pursuant to the Share-Based Compensation Plan through 2009, half of each eligible employee’s variable compensation was settled in our shares. These shares must be held for three years (that is, the shares are fully owned by the employee from the date of grant but are subject to alock-up of three years, and failure to comply with thelock-up results in forfeiture of any matching options granted under the plan as described below).

Through 2009, pursuant to the Share-Based Compensation Plan, eligible employees could elect to receive the other half of their variable compensation in cash or invest all or half of it in our shares. These shares must be held for five years. If an eligible employee voluntarily agreed to defer receiving part of their variable compensation by electing to invest in such shares, they would receive matching options (that is, rights to acquire existing shares) that will become vested after five years, provided that certainpre-defined financial targets are met or exceeded. These targets which required our return on invested capital less our weighted average cost of capital over a period of three to five years to exceed certainpre-agreed thresholds were met for all matching options granted. The number of matching options received was determined based on the proportion of the remaining 50% of the eligible employee’s variable compensation that he invested in such shares. For instance, if an eligible employee invested all of the remaining 50% of his or her variable compensation in our shares, he or she received a number of options equal to 4.6 times the number of shares he or she purchased, based on the gross amount of the variable compensation invested. If the eligible employee instead chose to receive 25% of his or her total variable compensation in cash and invests the remaining 25% in our shares, he or she would receive a number of options equal to 2.3 times the number of shares he or she purchased, based on the gross amount of the variable compensation invested.

The shares granted and purchased under the Share-Based Compensation Plan through 2009 were ordinary registered shares of former AB InBev. Holders of such shares have the same rights as any other registered shareholder, subject, however, to a three-year or five-yearlock-up period, as described above.

In addition, the shares granted and purchased under the Share-Based Compensation Plan through 2009 are:

 

entitled to dividends paid as from the date of granting; and

 

granted and purchased at the market price at the time of granting. Nevertheless, our Board of Directors could, at its sole discretion, grant a discount on the market price.

The matching options granted under the Share-Based Compensation Plan have the following features:

 

the exercise price is set equal to the market price of our shares at the time of granting;

 

options have a maximum life of ten10 years and an exercise period that starts after five years, subject to financial performance conditions to be met at the end of the second, third or fourth year following the granting;

 

upon exercise, each option entitles the option holder to purchase one share; and

 

specific restrictions or forfeiture provisions apply in case the grantee leaves our employment.

Following the completion of the Transactioncombination with SAB on 10 October 2016, all rights and obligations attached to the outstanding matching options of former AB InBev have been automatically transferred to us (as the absorbing company), with each outstanding matching option giving a right to a share of AB InBev (the absorbing company) instead of a share of former AB InBev (the absorbed company).

The table below gives an overview of the matching options that were granted under the Share-Based Compensation Plan that were outstanding as of 31 December 2016:2018:

 

Issue Date

  Number of
shares
granted
   Number of
matching
options
granted(3)
   Number of
matching
options
outstanding
   Exercise
price
   Expiry date  of
options
 
   (in millions)   (in millions)   (in millions)   (in EUR)     

27 April 2006

   0.28    0.98    0    24.78    26 April 2016 

2 April 2007(1)

   0.44    1.42    0.009    33.59    1 April 2017 

3 March 2008

   0.42    1.66    0.095    34.34    2 March 2018 

6 March 2009

   0.16    0.40    0.108    20.49    5 March 2019 

14 August 2009

   1.10    3.76    0.728    27.06    13 August 2019 

1 December 2009(2)

   —      0.23    0    33.24    26 April 2016 

1 December 2009(2)

   —      0.39    0    33.24    1 April 2017 

1 December 2009(2)

   —      0.46    0.004    33.24    2 March 2018 

1 December 2009(2)

   —      0.02    0    33.24    5 March 2019 

5 March 2010

   0.28    0.70    0.248    36.52    4 March 2020 

30 November 2010(2)

   —      0.03    0    42.41    26 April 2016 

30 November 2010(2)

   —      0.02    0    42.41    1 April 2017 

30 November 2010(2)

   —      0.02    0.002    42.41    2 March 2018 

30 November 2010(2)

   —      0.03    0.003    42.41    13 August 2019 

30 November 2010(2)

   —      0.03    0.025    42.41    4 March 2020 

30 November 2011(2)

   —      0.01    0    44.00    26 April 2016 

30 November 2011(2)

   —      0.01    0    44.00    1 April 2017 

30 November 2011(2)

   —      0.01    0    44.00    2 March 2018 

30 November 2011(2)

   —      0.01    0    44.00    5 March 2019 

30 November 2011(2)

   —      0.03    0.002    44.00    13 August 2019 

30 November 2011(2)

   —      0.01    0    44.00    4 March 2020 

25 January 2013(2)

   —      0.01    0    67.60    2 March 2018 

25 January 2013(2)

   —      0.01    0    67.60    13 August 2019 

25 January 2013(2)

   —      0.01    0    67.60    4 March 2020 

Issue Date

  Number of
shares
granted
   Number of
matching
options
granted(3)
   Number of
matching
options
outstanding
   Exercise
price
   

Expiry date of

options

   (in millions)   (in millions)   (in millions)   (in EUR)    

15 May 2013(2)

   —      0.05    0.049    75.82   2 March 2018

15 May 2013(2)

   —      0.04    0.042    75.82   5 March 2019

15 May 2013(2)

   —      0.08    0.078    75.82   13 August 2019

15 May 2013(2)

   —      0.01    0    75.82   4 March 2020

15 January 2014(2)

   —      0.002    0.002    75.29   2 March 2018

15 January 2014(2)

   —      0.005    0    75.29   5 March 2019

15 January 2014(2)

   —      0.005    0.005    75.29   13 August 2019

15 January 2014(2)

   —      0.007    0.007    75.29   4 March 2020

12 June 2014(2)

   —      0.006    0.006    83.29   13 August 2019

12 June 2014(2)

   —      0.002    0.002    83.29   4 March 2020

1 December 2014(2)

   —      0.002    0.002    94.46   4 March 2020

Total

   2.68    10.469    1.418     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Issue Date

  Number of
shares
granted
   Number of
matching
options
granted(2)
   Number of
matching
options
outstanding
   Exercise
price
   Expiry date of
options
 
   (in millions)   (in millions)   (in millions)   (in EUR)     

3 March 2008

   0.42    1.66    0    34.34    2 March 2018 

6 March 2009

   0.16    0.40    0.014    20.49    5 March 2019 

14 August 2009

   1.10    3.76    0.330    27.06    13 August 2019 

1 December 2009(1)

   —      0.46    0.004    33.24    2 March 2018 

1 December 2009(1)

   —      0.02    0    33.24    5 March 2019 

5 March 2010

   0.28    0.70    0.173    36.52    4 March 2020 

30 November 2010(1)

   —      0.02    0    42.41    2 March 2018 

30 November 2010(1)

   —      0.03    0.003    42.41    13 August 2019 

30 November 2010(1)

   —      0.03    0.025    42.41    4 March 2020 

30 November 2011(1)

   —      0.01    0    44.00    2 March 2018 

30 November 2011(1)

   —      0.01    0    44.00    5 March 2019 

30 November 2011(1)

   —      0.03    0    44.00    13 August 2019 

30 November 2011(1)

   —      0.01    0    44.00    4 March 2020 

25 January 2013(1)

   —      0.01    0    67.60    2 March 2018 

25 January 2013(1)

   —      0.01    0    67.60    13 August 2019 

25 January 2013(1)

   —      0.01    0    67.60    4 March 2020 

15 May 2013(1)

   —      0.05    0    75.82    2 March 2018 

15 May 2013(1)

   —      0.04    0.042    75.82    5 March 2019 

15 May 2013(1)

   —      0.08    0.078    75.82    13 August 2019 

15 May 2013(1)

   —      0.01    0    75.82    4 March 2020 

15 January 2014(1)

   —      0.002    0    75.29    2 March 2018 

15 January 2014(1)

   —      0.005    0    75.29    5 March 2019 

15 January 2014(1)

   —      0.005    0.003    75.29    13 August 2019 

15 January 2014(1)

   —      0.007    0.002    75.29    4 March 2020 

12 June 2014(1)

   —      0.006    0.006    83.29    13 August 2019 

12 June 2014(1)

   —      0.002    0.002    83.29    4 March 2020 

1 December 2014(1)

   —      0.002    0    94.46    4 March 2020 

Total

   1.96    7.38    0.679     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)Certain matching options granted in April 2007 have an exercise price of EUR 33.79 (USD 35.62).
(2)

Following the establishment of our New York functional support office, we established a “dividend waiver” program, which aims at encouraging the international mobility of executives while complying with all legal and tax obligations. According to this program, where applicable, the dividend protection feature of the outstanding matching options owned by executives who moved to the United States has been cancelled.canceled. In order to compensate for the economic loss resulting from this cancellation, a number of new matching options have been granted to these executives with a value equal to this economic loss. The new options have a strike price equal to the share price on the day preceding the grant date of the options. All other terms and conditions, in particular with respect to vesting, exercise limitations and forfeiture rules of the new options, are identical to the outstanding matching options for which the dividend protection feature was cancelled.canceled. The table above includes the new options.

(3)(2)

The Share-Based Compensation Plan terms and conditions provide that, in the event that a corporate change decided by us and having an impact on our capital has an unfavorable effect on the exercise price of the matching options, the exercise price and/or number of our shares to which the options relate will be adjusted to protect the interests of the option holders. The December 2008 rights offering by former AB InBev constituted such a corporate change and triggered an adjustment. Pursuant to the Share-Based Compensation Plan terms and conditions, the unexercised matching options were adjusted in the same manner as the unexercised LTI warrants (see “—LTI Warrant Plan” above), and 1.37 million new matching options were granted in 2008 in connection with this adjustment. The table above reflects the adjusted exercise price and number of options.

protect the interests of the option holders. The December 2008 rights offering by former AB InBev constituted such a corporate change and triggered an adjustment. Pursuant to the Share-Based Compensation Plan terms and conditions, the unexercised matching options were adjusted in the same manner as the unexercised LTI warrants (see “—LTI Warrant Plan” above), and 1.37 million new matching options were granted in 2008 in connection with this adjustment. The table above reflects the adjusted exercise price and number of options.

As of 31 December 2016,2018, all of the 1.4180.679 million outstanding matching options all were vested.

Share-Based Compensation Plan from 2010

On 5 March 2010, we modified the structure of the Share-Based Compensation Plan for certain executives, including members of our executive board of management and other senior managementemployees in our general headquarters. These executives receive their variable compensation in cash but have the choice to invest some or all of the value of their variable compensation in our shares to be held for a five-year period, referred to as voluntary shares. Such voluntary investment leads to a 10% discount to the market price of the shares. Further, we will match such voluntary investment by granting three matching shares for each voluntary share invested, up to a limited total percentage of each executive’s variable compensation. The matching is based on the gross amount of the variable compensation invested. The percentage of the variable compensation that is entitled to get matching shares varies depending on the position of the executive. The Chief Executive Officer and members of our executive board of management currentlyand senior leadership team, as applicable, may take up to a maximum of 60% of their variable compensation with matching shares. The current maximum for executives below the executive board of management or senior leadership team, as applicable, is 40% or less. From 1 January 2011, the new plan structure applies to all other senior management.employees.

Voluntary shares are:

 

our existing Ordinary Shares;

 

entitled to dividends paid as from the date of granting;

 

subject to alock-up period of five years; and

granted at market price. The discount is at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Currently, the discount is 10%, which is delivered as restricted stock units subject to specific restrictions or forfeiture provisions in case of termination of service.

Matching shares and discounted shares are granted in the form of restricted stock units which will be vested after five years. In case of termination of service before the vesting date, special forfeiture rules will apply. No performance conditions apply to the vesting of the restricted stock units. However, restricted stock units will only be granted under the double condition that the executive:

 

has earned a bonus, which is subject to the successful achievement of total company, business unit and individual performance targets (performance condition); and

 

has agreed to reinvest all or part of his or her bonus in company shares that are locked up for a five-year period (ownership condition).

Depending on local regulations, the cash element in the variable compensation may be replaced by options which are linked to a stock market index or an investment fund of listed European blue-chip companies.

In accordance with the authorization granted in our bylaws, the variable compensation system deviates from article 520 of the Belgian Company Code, as it allows:

 

for the variable remuneration to be paid out based on the achievement of annual targets without staggering its grant or payment over a three-year period. However, executives are encouraged to invest

1.for the variable remuneration to be paid out based on the achievement of annual targets without staggering its grant or payment over a three-year period. However, executives are encouraged to invest

some or all of their variable compensation in voluntary shares, which are locked up for five years. Such voluntary investment also leads to a grant of matching shares in the form of restricted stock units which only vest after five years, ensuring sustainable long-term performance; and

 

2.for the voluntary shares granted under the Share-Based Compensation Plan to vest at their grant, instead of applying a vesting period of a minimum of three years. Nonetheless, as indicated above, the voluntary shares remain locked up for five years. On the other hand, any matching shares that are granted will only vest after five years.

for the voluntary shares granted under the Share-Based Compensation Plan to vest at their grant, instead of applying a vesting period of a minimum of three years. Nonetheless, as indicated above, the voluntary shares remain locked up for five years. On the other hand, any matching shares that are granted will only vest after five years.

During 2016, former AB InBev2018, we issued 0.731.49 million matching restricted stock units pursuant to the new Share-Based Compensation Plan as described above, in relation to the 20152017 bonus.

Following the completion of the Transactioncombination with SAB on 10 October 2016, all rights and obligations attached to the outstanding restricted stock units of former AB InBev have been automatically transferred to us (as the absorbing company), with each outstanding restricted stock unit giving a right to a share of AB InBev (the absorbing company) instead of a share of former AB InBev (the absorbed company).

LTI Stock Option Plan Executives

As from 1 July 2009, senior employees are eligible for an annual long-term incentive to be paid out in LTI stock options (or, in the future, similar share-based instruments), depending on management’s assessment of the employee’s performance and future potential.

LTI stock options have the following features:

 

upon exercise, each LTI stock option entitles the option holder to one share. As of 2010, we have also issued LTI stock options entitling the holder to one ADS;

 

an exercise price that is set equal to the market price of our share or our ADS at the time of granting;

 

a maximum lifetime of ten10 years and an exercise period that starts after five years; and

 

the LTI stock options cliff vest after five years. Unvested options are subject to specific forfeiture provisions in case of termination of service before the end of the five-year vesting period.

Following the completion of the Transactioncombination with SAB on 10 October 2016, all rights and obligations attached to the outstanding LTI stock options of former AB InBev have been automatically transferred to us (as the absorbing company), with each outstanding LTI stock option giving a right to a share of AB InBev (the absorbing company) instead of a share of former AB InBev (the absorbed company).

The table below gives an overview of the LTI stock options on our shares that have been granted under the LTI Stock Option PlanPlans outstanding as of 31 December 2016:2018:

 

Issue Date

  Number of
LTI stock
options
granted
   Number of
LTI stock
options
outstanding
   Exercise
price
   

Expiry date of options

  Number of
LTI stock
options
granted
   Number of
LTI stock
options
outstanding
   Exercise
price
   

Expiry date of options

  (in millions)   (in millions)   (in EUR)      (in millions)   (in millions)   (in EUR)    

18 December 2009

   1.54    0.71      35.90   17 December 2019   1.54    0.70    35.90   17 December 2019

30 November 2010

   2.80    1.48      42.41   29 November 2020   2.80    1.22    42.41   29 November 2020

30 November 2011

   2.85    2.09      44.00   29 November 2021   2.85    1.50    44.00   29 November 2021

30 November 2012

   2.75    2.37      66.56   29 November 2022   2.75    2.01    66.56   29 November 2022

14 December 2012

   0.22    0.18      66.88   13 December 2022   0.22    0.15    66.88   13 December 2022

2 December 2013

   2.48    2.22      75.15   1 December 2023   2.48    1.95    75.15   1 December 2023

19 December 2013

   0.37    0.33      74.49   18 December 2023   0.37    0.28    74.49   18 December 2023

1 December 2014

   2.48    2.29      94.46   30 November 2024

17 December 2014

   0.53    0.52      88.53   16 December 2024

1 December 2015

   1.70    1.56    121.95   30 November 2025

22 December 2015

   1.90    1.85    113.00   21 December 2025

1 December 2016

   2.32    2.32      98.04   30 November 2026

15 December 2016

   0.98    0.98      97.99   14 December 2026

Issue Date

  Number of
LTI stock
options
granted
   Number of
LTI stock
options
outstanding
   Exercise
price
   Expiry date of
options
 
   (in millions)   (in millions)   (in EUR)     

1 December 2014

   2.48    1.98    94.46    
30 November
2024
 
 

17 December 2014

   0.53    0.42    88.53    
16 December
2024
 
 

1 December 2015

   1.63    1.30    121.95    
30 November
2025
 
 

22 December 2015

   1.86    1.53    113.00    
21 December
2025
 
 

1 December 2016

   2.32    2.05    98.04    
30 November
2026
 
 

15 December 2016

   1.15    1.01    97.99    
14 December
2026
 
 

13 January 2017

   0.02    0.01    99.01    
12 January
2027
 
 

20 January 2017

   0.96    0.87    98.85    
19 January
2027
 
 

5 May 2017

   0.52    0.26    109.10    4 May 2027 

1 December 2017

   4.79    4.59    96.70    
30 November
2027
 
 

22 January 2018

   1.05    1.03    94.36    
21 January
2028
 
 

8 March 2018

   0.27    0.27    89.43    
7 March
2028
 
 

3 December 2018

   4.67    4.67    67.64    
2 December
2028
 
 

The table below gives an overview of the LTI stock options on our ADS that have been granted under the LTI Stock Option PlanPlans outstanding as of 31 December 2016:2018:

 

Issue Date

  Number of
LTI stock
options
granted
   Number of
LTI stock
options
outstanding
   Exercise
price
   

Expiry date of options

  Number of
LTI stock
options
granted
   Number of
LTI stock
options
outstanding
   Exercise
price
   Expiry date of
options
 
  (in millions)   (in millions)   (in USD)      (in millions)   (in millions)   (in USD)     

30 November 2010

   1.23    0.55      56.02   29 November 2020   1.23    0.44      56.02    
29 November
2020
 
 

30 November 2011

   1.17    0.85      58.44   29 November 2021   1.17    0.62      58.44    
29 November
2021
 
 

30 November 2012

   1.16    0.86      86.43   29 November 2022   1.16    0.73      86.43    
29 November
2022
 
 

14 December 2012

   0.17    0.15      87.34   13 December 2022   0.17    0.11      87.34    
13 December
2022
 
 

2 December 2013

   1.05    0.81    102.11     1 December 2023   1.05    0.74    102.11    
1 December
2023
 
 

19 December 2013

   0.09    0.08    103.39   18 December 2023   0.09    0.08    103.39    
18 December
2023
 
 

1 December 2014

   1.04    0.85    116.99   30 November 2024   1.04    0.74    116.99    
30 November
2024
 
 

17 December 2014

   0.22    0.19    108.93   16 December 2024   0.22    0.19    108.93    
16 December
2024
 
 

1 December 2015

   1.00    0.93    128.46   30 November 2025   1.00    0.78    128.46    
30 November
2025
 
 

22 December 2015

   0.14    0.14    123.81   21 December 2025   0.14    0.13    123.81    
21 December
2025
 
 

1 December 2016

   1.29    1.29    103.27   30 November 2026   1.29    1.10    103.27    
30 November
2026
 
 

15 December 2016

   0.08    0.08    102.91    
14 December
2026
 
 

1 December 2017

   1.40    1.30    114.50    
30 November
2027
 
 

3 December 2018

   1.21    1.21      76.87    
2 December
2028
 
 

Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Programs

As of 2010, we have in place three Restricted Stock Unit Programs.four restricted stock unit programs.

Restricted Stock Units Program: This program allows for the offer of restricted stock units to certain employees in certain specific circumstances.circumstances (“Restricted Stock Unit Programs”). Grants are made at the discretion of our Chief Executive Officer. For example, grants may be made as a special retention incentive or to compensate for assignments of expatriates in countries with difficult living conditions. The characteristics of the restricted stock units are identical to the characteristics of the corresponding share that are granted as part of the Share-Based Compensation Plan. See “—Share-Based Compensation Plan from 2010.” The restricted stock units vest after five years and in the case of termination of service before the vesting date, specific forfeiture rules apply. In 2016, 0.382018, 2.35 million restricted stock units were granted under the program to our senior management.

Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Program: This program allows for the exceptional offer of restricted stock units to certain employees at the discretion of our Remuneration Committee as a long-term retention incentive for our key employees. Employees eligible to receive a grant under the program will receive two series of restricted stock units. The first half of the restricted stock units vests after five years. The second half of the restricted stock units vests after ten10 years. Under a variant of this program, restricted stock units may be granted with a shorter vesting period of between two and a half and three years for the first half, and five years for the second half. In case of termination of service before the vesting date, specific forfeiture rules apply. Beginning in 2017, instead of restricted stock units, stock options may also be granted under this program, with similar vesting and forfeiture rules. In 2016, 0.162018, 0.44 million restricted stock units were granted under the program to ourmembers of the senior management.

No restricted stock units were granted under the program to members of the executive board of management in 2018.

Share Purchase Program: This program allows certain employees to purchase our shares at a discount. This program is a long-term retention incentive (i) for high-potential employees who are at amid-manager level (“People Bet Share Purchase Program”) or (ii) for newly hired employees. A voluntary investment in our shares by the participating employee is matched with a grant of three matching shares for each share invested.invested or, as the case may be, a number of matching shares corresponding to a fixed monetary value that depends on seniority level. The discount and matching shares are granted in the form of restricted stock units which vest after five years. In case of termination before the vesting date, special forfeiture rules apply. Beginning in 2016, instead of restricted stock units, stock options may also be granted under this program with similar vesting and forfeiture rules. In 2016,2018, our employees purchased 0.01 million shares under the program. No shares under the program were purchased by members of the executive board of management in 2018.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units: This program allows for the offer of performance-based restricted stock units to certain members of our management. Upon vesting, each performance-based restricted stock unit gives the executive the right to receive one existing Ordinary Share. The performance-based restricted stock units can have a vesting period of five years or of ten years. The shares resulting from the vesting of the performance-based restricted stock units will only be delivered provided a performance test is met by the company. Specific forfeiture rules apply if the employee leaves the company before the vesting date or if the performance test is not achieved by a certain date.

On 14 August 2018, 0.5 million performance-based restricted stock units were granted to a select group of senior managers of the company. Out of these performance-based restricted stock units, 207,760 were granted to members of our executive board of management as follows: 51,940 performance-based restricted stock units to each of John Blood and Jan Craps (having a10-year vesting period) and 51,940 performance-based restricted stock units to each of Peter Kraemer and Tony Milikin (having a5-year vesting period). These performance-based restricted stock units are subject to an organic EBITDA compounded annual growth rate target which must be achieved by 31 December 2024, at the latest.

Following the completion of the Transactioncombination with SAB on 10 October 2016, all rights and obligations attached to the outstanding restricted stock units of former AB InBev have beenwere automatically transferred to us (as the absorbing company), with each outstanding restricted stock unit giving a right to a share of AB InBev (the absorbing company) instead of a share of former AB InBev (the absorbed company).

Ambev Exchange of Share-Ownership Program

From time to time certain members of Ambev’s senior managementemployees are transferred to us and vice versa. In order to encourage management mobility and ensure that the interests of these managers are fully aligned with our interests, our Board has approved a program that aims at facilitating the exchange by these managerssenior employees of their Ambev shares into our shares. Under the ABI/Ambev Exchange Program, Ambev shares can be exchanged for our shares based on the average share price of both the Ambev shares and our shares on the date the exchange is requested. A discount of 16.66% is granted in exchange for a five-yearlock-up period for the shares and provided that the manager remains in service during this period.

In total, members of our senior managementemployees exchanged 4.41.14 million Ambev shares for a total of 0.250.08 million of our shares in 2016 (0.282018 (0.06 million in 20152017 and 0.620.25 million in 2014)2016). The fair value of these transactions amounted to approximately USD 51.32 million in 20162018 (USD 5.901.16 million in 20152017 and USD 12.015.00 million in 2014)2016).

Programs for Maintaining Consistency of Benefits Granted and for Encouraging Global Mobility of Executives

Two programs aimed at maintaining consistency of benefits granted to executives and encouraging the international mobility of executives while complying with all legal and tax obligations were approved at the annual shareholders’ meeting of former AB InBev on 27 April 2010.

The Exchange Program: Under this program, the vesting and transferability restrictions of the Series A Options granted under the November 2008 Exceptional Grant21 and the Optionsoptions granted under the April 2009 Exceptional Grant32 could be released,e.g., for executives who moved to the United States.States (“Exchange Program”). These executives were then offered the opportunity to exchange their options against a number of our shares that remainremained locked up until 31 December 2018.

Because the Series A Options granted under the November 2008 Exceptional Grant and the Options granted under the April 2009 Exceptional Grant vested on 1 January 2014, the Exchange Program is no longer relevant for these options. Instead, the Exchange Program has now become applicable to the Series B Options granted under the November 2008 Exceptional Grant. Under the extended program, executives who are relocated,e.g.,to the United States, can elect to exchange their options against a number of our Ordinary Shares that, in principle, remain locked up until 31 December 2023.

 

21 

The Series A Options have a duration of ten10 years from granting and vested on 1 January 2014. The Series B Options have a duration of 15 years from granting and vest on 1 January 2019. The exercise of the stock options is subject, among other things, to AB InBev meeting a performance test. This performance test has been met as the net debt/EBITDA, as defined (adjusted for exceptional items), ratio fell below 2.5 before 31 December 2013. Specific forfeiture rules apply in the case of termination of employment. The exercise price of the options is EUR 10.32 (USD 12.53)11.82) or EUR 10.50 (USD 12.75)12.02), which corresponds to the fair market value of the shares at the time of the option grant, as adjusted for the rights offering that took place in December 2008.

32 

The options have a duration of ten10 years from granting and vested on 1 January 2014. The exercise of the stock options is subject, among other things, to AB InBev meeting a performance test. This performance test has been met as the net debt/EBITDA, as defined (adjusted for exceptional items), ratio fell below 2.5 before 31 December 2013. Specific forfeiture rules apply in the case of termination of employment. The exercise price of the options is EUR 21.94 (USD 26.64)25.12) or EUR 23.28 (USD 28.26)26.66), which corresponds to the fair market value of the shares at the time of the option grant.

In 2016,2018, no exchanges were executed under this program.

Under a variant of this plan, our Board has approved theupon recommendation of the Remuneration Committee, our Board has also approved a variant of the Exchange Program to allow the early release of the vesting conditions of the Series B Options granted under the November 2008 Exceptional Grant for executives who are relocated,e.g., to the United States. The shares that result from the exercise of these options will, in principle, remain blocked until 31 December 2023. In accordance with this approval, Michel Doukeris,the vesting of 0.2 million stock options was accelerated in 2018. Out of these 0.2 million stock options, the vesting of 180,742 stock options was accelerated for Ricardo Tadeu, a member of ourthe executive board of management exercised 0.18 million options in 2016. No other members of the senior management have exercised options under the variant of this program.2018.

The Dividend Waiver Program: The dividend protection feature of the outstanding options, where applicable, owned by executives who move to the United States will be cancelled.canceled. In order to compensate for the economic loss which results from this cancellation, a number of new options will be granted to these executives with a value equal to this economic loss. The new options have a strike price equal to the share price on the day preceding the grant date of the options. All other terms and conditions, in particular with respect to vesting, exercise limitations

and forfeiture rules, of the new options are identical to the outstanding options for which the dividend protection feature is cancelled.canceled. As a consequence, the grant of these new options does not result in the grant of any additional economic benefit to the executives concerned. In 2016,2018, no options were granted under this program:program.

On 15 December 2016, 0.23 million options were granted to our senior management and have a strike price of EUR 97.99 (USD 103.29),i.e., the closing share price on 14 December 2016.

All other terms and conditions of the options are identical to the outstanding options for which the dividend protection was cancelled.canceled.

Upon recommendation of the Remuneration Committee in December 2015, our Board has also approved the early release of vesting conditions of unvested stock options which are vesting within six months of the executive’s relocation. The shares that result from the early exercise of the options must remain locked up until the end of the initial vesting period of the stock options. UnderIn 2018, the vesting of 0.2 million stock options and restricted stock units was accelerated under this program Michel Doukeris, a memberfor members of our management. Out of these, the vesting of 22,382 stock options and 44,660 restricted stock units was accelerated for Ricardo Tadeu, and the vesting of 17,449 restricted stock units was accelerated for Jean Jereissati, both members of the executive board of management has exercised 0.05 million options with an exercise price of EUR 44.00 and whose vesting had been accelerated. In 2016, other members of our senior management have exercised approximately 0.01 million stock options whose vesting had been accelerated.in 2018.

Exceptional Long-Term Incentive Stock Options

2020 Incentive Plan: On 22 December 2015, approximately 4.7 million options were granted to a select group of approximately 65 members of our senior management, who are considered to be instrumental in helping us achieve our ambitious growth target. Each option gives the grantee the right to purchase one existing share. The exercise price of the options is EUR 113.00, which corresponds to the closing share price on the day preceding the grant date.

The options have a duration of ten10 years from granting and vest after five years. The exercise of the exceptional long-term incentive stock options is subject to a performance test under which we must meet a net revenue target by 2022 at the latest.

No exceptional incentive stock options were granted to members of the executive board of management.

Following the completion of the Transactioncombination with SAB on 10 October 2016, all rights and obligations attached to the outstanding LTI stock options of former AB InBev have beenwere automatically transferred to us (as the absorbing company), with each outstanding LTI stock option giving a right to a share of AB InBev (the absorbing company) instead of a share of former AB InBev (the absorbed company).

Integration Incentive Plan: On 15 December 2016, approximately 13.17 million options were granted to a select group of approximately 300 members of the senior management of the company considering the significant contribution that these employees can make to the success of the company and the achievement of integration benefits.benefits (“Integration Incentive Plan”). In January 2017, certain other options were also granted to senior management under the Integration Incentive Plan.

Each option gives the grantee the right to purchase one existing ordinary AB InBev share. The exercise price of the options granted on 15 December 2016 is EUR 97.99, which corresponds to the closing share price on the day preceding the grant date.

The options have a duration of ten10 years from grant and vest on 1 January 2022.

The options2022 and only become exercisable provided we meet a performance test. This performance test is based on an EBITDA compounded annual growth rate target and may be complemented by additional countrycountry- or region specificregion-specific or function specificfunction-specific targets. 100% of the options will become exercisable if the performance test is achieved by 31 December 2019, 90% of the options will become exercisable if the performance test is achieved by 31 December 2020 and 80% of the options will become exercisable if the performance test is achieved by 31 December 2021. Specific forfeiture rules apply if the employee leaves the company before the performance test achievement or the vesting date.

No stock options were granted to members of the executive board of management.management at the time of the grant on 15 December 2016. Throughout 2018, no additional options were granted under the Integration Incentive Plan. As of 31 December 2018, no members of our executive board of management participated in this program.

Incentive Plan for SABMillerSAB Employees: On 15 December 2016, approximately 1.321.43 million options were granted to employees of SABMiller.SAB. The grant results from the commitment that we have made under the terms of the Transaction,combination with SAB, that we would, for at least one year, preserve the terms and conditions for employment of all employees that remainremained with the SABMiller Group.SAB.

Each option gives the grantee the right to purchase one existing ordinary AB InBev share. The exercise price of the options is EUR 97.99 (USD 103.29)117.52), which corresponds to the closing share price on the day preceding the grant date.

The options have a duration of ten10 years as from granting and vest after three years. Specific forfeiture rules apply if the employee leaves the company before the vesting date.

In 2018, no options were granted under the Incentive Plan for SAB employees.

Long Run Stock Options Incentive Plan: On 1 December 2017, 18.02 million stock options were granted to a select group of approximately 50 members of our management, including a number of our executive board of management, under a new long-term special incentive plan to incentivize and retain senior leaders who are considered to be instrumental in achieving our ambitious long-term growth agenda over the next 10 years (“Long Run Stock Options Incentive Plan”).

Each option gives the grantee the right to purchase one existing share. The exercise price of the options is EUR 96.70 (USD 115.97) which corresponds to the closing share price on the day preceding the grant date. The options have a duration of 15 years as from granting and, in principle, vest after 10 years on 1 January 2028. The options only become exercisable provided a performance test is met by AB InBev. This performance test is based on an organic EBITDA compounded annual growth rate target which must be achieved by 31 December 2024 at the latest. Specific forfeiture rules apply if the employee leaves the company before the performance test achievement or vesting date.

Throughout 2018, 2.94 million additional options were granted under the Long Run Stock Options Incentive Plan, having an exercise price corresponding to the closing share price on the day preceding the relevant grant date. Out of these 2.94 million additional options, 1,708,044 options were grated to Carlos Brito on 18 May 2018 (having an exercise price of EUR 80.34 (USD 91.99) and a five-year vesting period) and 618,164 options were granted to each of Ricardo Moreira and David Kamenetzky on 14 August 2018 (having an exercise price of EUR 84.42 (USD 96.66) and a10-year vesting period.

New Performance Related Incentive Plan for Disruptive Growth Function

In 2016, we implemented a new performance related incentive plan, which substituted the long-term incentive stock option plan for those executives in the Disruptive Growth Function.Function, called ZX Ventures. The Disruptive Growth Function was created in 2015 to accelerate new business development opportunities, focusing on initiatives ine-commerce, mobile, craft and branded experiences, such as brew pubs, and is headed by Pedro Earp, Chief Disruptive GrowthMarketing and ZX Ventures Officer.

The new incentive plan, which is inspired by compensation models in technology andstart-up businesses, aims at specifically linking compensation to the value creation and success of the disruptive growth business within the AB InBev Group.

Executives are granted performance units whose value depends on the internal rate of return of their business area. The units will vest after five years, provided a performance test is met, which is based on a minimal growth rate of the internal rate of return. At vesting, the performance units may be settled in cash or in our Ordinary Shares. Specific forfeiture rules apply if the executive leaves the AB InBev Group.

In 2016,2018, approximately 2.362.7 million performance units were granted to senior management under this program. Out of these, 513,861132,828 performance units were granted to Pedro Earp, a member of the executive board of management.management in 2018.

Compensation of Directors and Executives

Unless otherwise specified, all compensation amounts in this section are gross of tax.

Board of Directors

Our directors receive fixed compensation in the form of annual fees and supplemental fees for physical attendance at Board committee meetings or supplemental Board meetings, and variable compensation in the form of LTI stock options. Our Remuneration Committee recommends the level of remuneration for directors, including the ChairmanChair of the Board. These recommendations are subject to approval by our Board and, subsequently, by our shareholders at the annual general meeting. The Remuneration Committee benchmarks directors’ compensation against peer companies. In addition, the Board sets and revises, from time to time, the rules and level of compensation for directors carrying out a special mandate or sitting on one or more of the Board committees and the rules for reimbursement of directors’ business-related,out-of-pocket expenses. See “—C. Board Practices—Information about Our Committees—The Remuneration Committee.”

Board Compensation in 20162018

The base annual fee for our directors in 20162018 amounted to EUR 75,000 (USD 83,073) based on attendance at ten Board meetings.88,684). The base supplement for each additional physical Board meeting after ten meetings or for each Committee meeting attended amounted to EUR 1,500 (USD 1,661)1,774).

The fees received by the ChairmanChair of our Board in 20162018 were doubleincreased from EUR 150,000 to EUR 187,500 (USD 221,711), which is 2.5 times the respective base amounts.fixed annual fee of the other directors (other than the Chair of the Audit Committee). The ChairmanChair of the Audit Committee was granted fees in 20162018 which were 70% higher than the respective base amounts, which is higher than the fixed annual fee for the other directors.amounts.

All other directors received the base amount of fees. We do not provide pensions, medical benefits, benefits upon termination or end of service or other benefit programs to directors.

At the request of the Remuneration Committee, a benchmarking exercise regarding directors’ remuneration covering 24 global peer companies has been conducted by an independent consulting firm. Further to such exercise, it is contemplated to submit a proposal to the upcoming annual shareholders’ meeting to be held on 24 April 2019 to increase the Chair’s fee to EUR 255,000.

In addition, a simplification of the structure of the cash component of the remuneration of Board members is contemplated, whereby the Committee attendance fees would be replaced by a retainer granted to Board committee members.

On 2725 April 2016,2018, the annual shareholders’ meeting of former AB InBev granted each director 15,000 LTI stock options. The ChairmanChair of the Board was granted 30,00037,500 LTI stock options and the ChairmanChair of the Audit Committee was granted 25,50025,000 LTI stock options. The LTI stock options have an exercise price of EUR 113.2584.47 per share, which is the closing price of our shares on the day preceding the grant date,i.e., on 2624 April 2016.2018. The LTI stock options have a lifetime of ten10 years and cliff vest after five years,i.e., on 2726 April 2021.2022. See “—Share-Based Payment Plans—LTI Warrant Plan” for a description of the LTI Stock Option Plan Directors.

It is envisaged to submit to the upcoming annual shareholders’ meeting to be held on 24 April 2019 a proposal to approve a change to the share-based component of the remuneration package of Board members. The change would consist in paying out such share-based component in the form of restricted stock units corresponding to a fixed value in EUR rather than in the form of stock options. Such restricted stock units would vest after 5 years and, upon vesting, would entitle their holders to one AB InBev share per restricted stock unit.

The table below provides an overview of the fixed and variable compensation that our directors received in 2016. The amounts for each director are aggregate amounts comprising both (i) the remuneration received for the exercise of their mandate with the former AB InBev before the completion of the Transaction and (ii) the remuneration received for the exercise of their mandate with us after the completion of the Transaction.2018.

 

Name

  Number of
Board
meetings
attended
   Annual
fee for
Board
meetings
   Fees for
Committee
meetings
   Total fee   Number of
stock  options
granted(1)(2)
   Number of
Board
meetings
attended
   Annual
fee for
Board
meetings
   Fees for
Committee
meetings
   Total fee   Number of
stock options

granted(1)(2)
 
      (EUR)   (EUR)   (EUR)           (EUR)   (EUR)   (EUR)     

Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala

   12    75,000    0    75,000    15,000 

Martin J. Barrington (as of 8 October 2016)(3)

   2    0    0    0    0 

María Asunción Aramburuzabala

   10    75,000    0    75,000    15,000 

Martin J. Barrington(3)

   10    46,371    7,500    53,871    0 

Alexandre Behring

   11    75,000    6,000    81,000    15,000    8    75,000    4,500    79,500    15,000 

Michele Burns

   12    127,500    28,500    156,000    25,500    10    127,500    33,000    160,500    25,500 

Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart

   9    75,000    0    75,000    15,000    10    75,000    0    75,000    15,000 

Stéfan Descheemaeker

   12    75,000    4,500    79,500    15,000    9    75,000    4,500    79,500    15,000 

Grégoire de Spoelberch

   13    75,000    6,000    81,000    15,000    10    75,000    6,000    81,000    15,000 

Valentin Diez (until 8 October 2016)

   8    56,250    0    56,250    15,000 

William F. Gifford Jr. (as of 8 October 2016)(3)

   2    0    0    0    0 

William F. Gifford Jr.(4)

   10    0    0    0    0 

Olivier Goudet

   13    150,000    31,500    181,500    30,000    10    187,500    28,500    216,000    37,500 

Paulo Lemann

   13    75,000    6,000    81,000    15,000    10    75,000    6,000    81,000    15,000 

Elio Leoni Sceti

   13    75,000    10,500    85,500    15,000    10    75,000    0    75,000    15,000 

Kasper Rorsted (until 8 October 2016)

   5    56,250    7,500    63,750    15,000 

Alejandro Santo Domingo (as of 8 October 2016)

   2    18,750    0    18,750    0 

Alejandro Santo Domingo

   10    75,000    22,500    97,500    15,000 

Carlos Alberto Sicupira

   11    75,000    6,000    81,000    15,000    10    75,000    6,000    81,000    15,000 

Marcel Herrmann Telles

   13    75,000    33,000    108,000    15,000    10    75,000    30,000    105,000    15,000 

Alexandre Van Damme

   12    75,000    30,000    105,000    15,000    10    75,000    18,000    93,000    15,000 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

All directors as group

   —      1,158,750    169,500    1,328,250    235,500      1,186,371    166,500    1,352,871    228,000 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)

Stock options were granted under the LTI Stock Option Plan Directors on 2725 April 2016.2018. See “—Share-Based Payment Plans—LTI Warrant Plan.” The stock options have an exercise price of EUR 113.2584.47 (USD 119.38)96.72) per share, have a term of ten10 years and cliff vest after five years.

(2)

Following the completion of the Transactioncombination with SAB on 10 October 2016, all rights and obligations attached to the outstanding LTI stock options of former AB InBev have been automatically transferred to us (as the absorbing company), with each outstanding LTI stock option giving a right to a share of AB InBev (the absorbing company) instead of a share of former AB InBev (the absorbed company).

(3)

Mr. Barrington and Mr. Gifford havehas waived theirhis entitlement to any type of remuneration, including long-term incentive stock options, relating to the exercise of their mandate.his mandate in 2018 up to the date of his retirement as Chief Executive Officer of Altria on 18 May 2018. Mr. Barrington’s annual remuneration is prorated for the exercise of his mandate during the remainder of 2018. In addition, Mr. Barrington is entitled to the remuneration linked to Board committee attendance as from 18 May 2018.

(4)

Mr. Gifford has waived his entitlement to any type of remuneration, including long-term incentive stock options, relating to the exercise of his mandate in 2018.

Stock Options Held by Directors

The table below sets forth, for each of our current directors, the number of LTI stock options they owned as of 31 December 20162018(1):

 

  LTI 24(2)   LTI 23   LTI 22   LTI 21   LTI 20(3)   LTI  19(3)   LTI 1(3)   Total
options
   LTI 26(2)   LTI 25   LTI 24   LTI 23   LTI 22   LTI 21(3)   Total
options
 
Grant date  27 April
2016
   29 April
2015
   30 April
2014
   24 April
2013
   25 April
2012
   26 April
2011
   25 April
2006
       25 April
2018
   26 April
2017
   27 April
2016
   29 April
2015
   30 April
2014
   24 April
2013
     
Expiry date  26 April
2025
   28 April
2025
   29 April
2024
   23 April
2018
   24 April
2017
   25 April
2016
   24 April
2016
       24 April
2028
   25 April
2027
   26 April
2026
   28 April
2025
   29 April
2024
   23 April
2018
     

María Asuncion Aramburuzabala

   15,000    15,000    0    0    0    0    0    30,000 

María Asunción Aramburuzabala

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    60,000 

Martin J. Barrington(4)

   0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0 

Alexandre Behring

   15,000    15,000    0    0    0    0    0    30,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    60,000 

M. Michele Burns

   25,500    0    0    0    0    0    0    25,500    25,500    25,500    25,500    0    0    0    76,500 

Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    75,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    75,000 

Stéfan Descheemaeker

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    75,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    75,000 

Grégoire de Spoelberch

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    0    60,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    75,000 

William F. Gifford, Jr.(4)

   0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0 

Olivier Goudet

   30,000    25,500    20,000    20,000    15,000    0    0    110,500    37,500    30,000    30,000    25,500    20,000    0    143,000 

Paulo Alberto Lemann

   15,000    15,000    0    0    0    0    0    30,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    60,000 

Alejandro Santo Domingo Dávila

   15,000    15,000    0    0    0    0    30,000 

Elio Leoni Sceti

   15,000    15,000    0    0    0    0    0    30,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    60,000 

Alejandro Santo Domingo Dávila

   0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0 

Carlos Alberto da Veiga Sicupira

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    75,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    75,000 

Marcel Herrmann Telles

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    75,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    75,000 

Alexandre Van Damme

   15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    0    0    60,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    15,000    0    75,000 
  

 

                 

 

   

 

           

Strike price (EUR)

   113.25    113.10    80.83    76.20    54.71    40.92    38.70    —      84.47    104.50    113.25    113.10    80.83    76.20    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)

At the annual shareholders’ meeting of former AB InBev on 30 April 2014, all outstanding LTI warrants under our LTI Warrant Plan (see “—Share-Based Payment Plans—LTI Warrant Plan”) were converted into LTI stock options,i.e., the right to purchase existing shares instead of the right to subscribe to newly issued shares. All other terms and conditions of the existing grants under the LTI Warrant Plan remained unchanged. Following the completion of the merger between Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (formerly Newbelco) and former AB InBev that took placecombination with SAB on 10 October 2016, in the framework of the Transaction, all rights and obligations attached to the outstanding LTI stock options of former AB InBev have been automatically transferred to Anheuser-Busch InBev (the absorbing company), with each outstanding LTI stock option giving right to one share of Anheuser-Busch InBev (the absorbing company) instead of one share of former AB InBev (the absorbed company).

(2)

Stock options were granted under the LTI Stock Option Plan Directors in April 2016.2018. See “—Share-Based Payment Plans—LTI Warrant Plan.” The stock options have an exercise price of EUR 113.2584.47 (USD 119.38)96.72) per share, have a term of ten10 years and cliff vest after five years.

(3)

In March 2018, Olivier Goudet exercised 20,000 options of the LTI 21 Series that expired in April 2018. In April 2016,2018, Carlos Sicupira, and Marcel Telles and Paul Cornet each exercised 15,000 options of the LTI 1921 Series and 8,269 options of the LTI 14 Series, both of whichthat expired in April 2016. In April 2016, Grégoire de Spoelberch exercised 15,000 options of the LTI 20 Series. In December 2016, Alexandre Van Damme exercised 15,000 options of the LTI 20 Series.2018.

(4)

Mr. Barrington andhas waived his entitlement to any type of remuneration, including long-term incentive stock options, relating to the exercise of his mandate in 2018 up to the date of his retirement as Chief Executive Officer of Altria on 18 May 2018. Mr. Barrington’s annual remuneration is prorated for the exercise of his mandate during the remainder of 2018. In addition, Mr. Barrington is entitled to the remuneration linked to Board committee attendance as from 18 May 2018. Mr. Gifford havehas waived theirhis entitlement to any type of remuneration, including long-term incentive stock options, relating to the exercise of their mandate.mandate in 2018.

Board Share Ownership

The table below sets forth, as of 154 February 2017,2019, the number of our shares owned by our directors serving in 20162018 andyear-to-date 2017:2019:

 

Name

  Number of
our shares
held
   % of our
outstanding
shares
 

María AsuncionAsunción Aramburuzabala

   (*)    (*) 

Martin J. Barrington

   (*)    (*) 

Alexandre Behring

   (*)    (*) 

M. Michele Burns

   (*)    (*) 

Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart

   (*)    (*) 

Stéfan Descheemaeker

   (*)    (*) 

William F. Gifford Jr.

   (*)    (*) 

Olivier Goudet

   (*)    (*) 

Paulo Alberto Lemann

   (*)    (*) 

Name

Number of
our shares
held
% of our
outstanding
shares

Elio Leoni Sceti

   (*)    (*) 

Alejandro Santo Domingo Dávila

   (*)    (*) 

Grégoire de Spoelberch

   (*)    (*) 

Marcel Herrmann Telles

   (*)    (*) 

Alexandre Van Damme

   (*)    (*) 

Carlos Alberto Sicupira

   (*)    (*) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL

   5,683,58023.47 million    <1%1.2% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Notes:Note:

 

(*)

Each director owns less than 1% of our outstanding shares as of 154 February 2017.2019.

Executive Board of Management (until 31 December 2018)

The main elements of our executive remuneration are (i) a fixed basefixed-base salary, (ii) variable performance-related compensation, (iii) long-term incentive stock options, (iv) long-term restricted stock units, (v) post-employment benefits and (v)(vi) other compensation.

Figures in this section may differ from the figures in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for the following reasons: (i) figures in this section are figures gross of tax, while figures in the notes to our consolidated financial statements are reported as “cost for the Company”; (ii) the split “short-term employee benefits” vs. “share-based compensation” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements does not necessarily correspond to the split “base salary” vs. “variable compensation” in this section. Short-term employee benefits in the notes to our consolidated financial statements include the base salary and the portion of the variable compensation paid in cash. Share-based compensation includes the portion of the variable compensation paid in shares and certainnon-cash elements, such as the fair value of the options granted, which is based on financial pricing models;models and (iii) the scope for the reporting is different as the figures in the notes to our consolidated financial statements also contain the remuneration of executives who left during the year, while figures in this section only contain the remuneration of executives who were in service at the end of the reporting year.

Our executive compensation and reward programs are overseen by our Remuneration Committee. It submits recommendations on the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer to the Board for approval. Upon the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer, the Remuneration Committee also submits recommendations on the compensation of the other members of our executive board of management (until 31 December 2018) and, as of 1 December 2019, our Executive Committee to our Board for approval. Such submissions to our Board include recommendations on the annual targets and corresponding variable compensation scheme. Further, in certain exceptional circumstances, the Remuneration Committee or its appointed designees may grant limited waivers fromlock-up requirements, provided that adequate protections are implemented to ensure that the commitment to hold shares remains respected until the original termination date. The Nomination Committee approves our targets and individual annual targets and the Remuneration Committee approves the target achievement and corresponding annual and long-term incentives of members of our executive board of management.management (until 31 December 2018) and, as of 1 January 2019, our Executive Committee. See “C.“—C. Board Practices—Information about Our Committees—The Remuneration Committee.” The remuneration policy and any schemes that grant shares or rights to acquire shares are submitted to our annual shareholders’ meeting for approval. Going forward, the procedures for developing the remuneration policy and determining the individual remuneration of the members of the Executive Committee will be similar.

Our compensation system is designed to support our high-performance culture and the creation of long-term sustainable value for our shareholders. The goal of the system is to reward executives with market-leading compensation, which is conditional upon both our overall success and individual performance. It ensures alignment with shareholders’ interests by strongly encouraging executive ownership of shares in our company and enables us to attract and retain the industry’s best talent at global levels.

Through our Share-Based Compensation Plan, executives who demonstrate personal financial commitment to us by investing (all or part of) their annual variable compensation in our shares will be rewarded with the potential for significantly higher long-term compensation.

Unless otherwise specified, the information and amounts in this section relate to the members of our executive board of management as of 1 January 2017.

31 December 2018. See “—A. Directors and Senior Management—Administrative, Management, Supervisory Bodies and Senior Management Structure.”

Base Salary

In order to ensure alignment with market practice, base salaries are reviewed against benchmarks on an annual basis. These benchmarks are collated by independent compensation consultants, in relevant industries and geographies. For benchmarking, a custom sample of Fast Moving Consumer Goods peer companies (“Peer Group”) is used when available. The Peer Group includes, among others, Apple, Coca Cola Enterprises,Company, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo International and Unilever. If Peer Group data are not available for a given level in certain geographies, data from Fortune 100 companies are used. Our executives’ base salaries are intended to be aligned tomid-market levels for the appropriate market.Mid-market means that for a similar job in the market, 50% of companies in that market pay more and 50% of companies pay less. Executives’ total compensation is intended to be 10% above the third quartile.

In 2016,2018, based on his employment contract, our Chief Executive Officer earned a fixed salary of EUR 1.481.43 million (USD 1.641.69 million). The other members of our executive board of management earned an aggregate base salary of EUR 11.210.12 million (USD 12.411.97 million). These amounts are aggregate amounts comprising both (i) the remuneration received with former AB InBev before the completion of the Transaction and (ii) the remuneration received with us after the completion of the Transaction.

Variable Performance-Related Compensation – Share-Based Compensation Plan

The variable performance-related compensation element of remuneration for members of our executive board of management (until 31 December 2018) and, as of 1 January 2019, our Executive Committee is aimed at rewarding executives for driving our short- and long-term performance.

The target variable compensation is expressed as a percentage of the annual market reference salary applicable to the executive based on Peer Group or other data (as described above).

The effectivepay-out of variable compensation is directly correlated with performance,i.e.i.e.,linked to the achievement of total company, business unit and individual targets, all of which are based on performance metrics.

Company and business unit targets aim to achieve a balance oftop-line growth and cash-flow generation.

Below a hurdle of achievement for total company and business unit targets, no bonus is earned irrespective of individual target achievement.

In addition, the final individual bonuspay-out percentage also depends on each executive’s personal achievement of his or her individual performance targets. Individual performance targets of the CEO and theour executive board of management (until 31 December 2018) and, as of 1 January 2019, our Executive Committee may consist of financial andnon-financial targets, such as sustainability and other elements of corporate social

responsibility, as well as compliance- and ethics-related targets. Typical performance measures in this area can relate to employee management, talent pipeline, Better World goals and compliance dashboards, among other metrics that are also important for sustainable financial performance.

Targets achievement is assessed by the Remuneration Committee on the basis of accounting and financial data.

Variable compensation is generally paid annually in arrears after publication of our full-year results. The variable compensation may be paid out semi-annually at the discretion of the Board based on the achievement of semi-annual targets.Board. In such cases, the first half of the variable compensation is paid immediately after publication of the half-year results, and the second half of the variable compensation is paid after publication of the full-year results. In 2015, in order to align the U.S. organization against the delivery of specific targets for this market, the Board decided to apply semi-annual targets which resulted in a semi-annual payment of 50% of the annual incentive in August 2015 and in March 2016, respectively. For 2016,2018, the variable compensation for the executives will be paid in arrears after publication of our full-year results in or around March 2017.2019.

Variable Compensation for Performance in 20162018 – Expected to Be Paid in March 20172019

For the full year 2016,2018, the Chief Executive Officer earned no variable compensation.compensation of EUR 0.73 million (USD 0.84 million). The other members of the executive board of management earned aggregate variable compensation of EUR 2.34.20 million (USD 2.54.81 million).

The amount of variable compensation is based on our company’s performance during the year 20162018 and the executives’ individual target achievements. Because performance targets for 2016 were not met, the Chief Executive Officer and most of his management team received zero variable compensation. The variable compensation is expected to be paid in March 2017. The amounts are aggregate amounts comprising both (i) the variable compensation for performance with former AB InBev before the Transaction and (ii) the variable compensation for performance after the completion of Transaction.

2019.

Variable Compensation for Performance in 2015 for Former AB InBev – Paid in March 2016

For the full year 2015, the Chief Executive Officer earned variable compensation of EUR 2.96 million (USD 3.29 million). The other members of the executive board of management earned aggregate variable compensation of EUR 13.19 million (USD 14.67 million). These amounts relate to the members of the executive board of management as of 1 January 2016.

The amount of variable compensation is based on our company’s performance during the year 2015 and the executives’ individual target achievements. The variable compensation was paid in March 2016. No variable compensation was paid to members of the executive board of management in August 2015 for performance in the first half of 2015.

Long-Term Incentive Stock Options

The following table sets forth information regarding the number of stock options granted for performance in 2016 underto the 2009 Long-Term Incentive Stock Option Plan to our Chief Executive Officer and the other members of ourthe executive board of management serving in 2016 andyear-to-date 2017. See “—Share-Based Payment Plans—LTI Stock Option Plan Executives” above.

The options were granted on 2022 January 2017, have2018, with an exercise price of EUR 98.8594.36 (USD 104.20)108.04), and become exercisable after five years:

 

Name

  Long-Term Incentive
options granted
(2)(3)
 

Carlos Brito – CEO

   396,266359,606 

David Almeida

   29,13755,527 

Sabine ChalmersJohn Blood

   021,153 

Jan Craps (as of 10 October 2016)(1)

   039,662 

Michel Doukeris

   46,61969,806 

Felipe Dutra

   125,873158,650 

Pedro Earp(1)

   0 

Luiz Fernando Edmond (until 1 January 2017)Jean Jereissati

   0

Claudio Braz Ferro

0

Marcio Froes (until 1 January 2017)

0

Claudio Garcia

0

Jean Jereissati (as of 1 January 2017)(2)

17,32326,441 

David Kamenetzky

   052,883 

Peter Kraemer

   29,13737,018 

Mauricio Leyva (as of 10 October 2016)

   19,20326,441 

Carlos Lisboa (as of 1 January 2017)(2)

   22,6160 

Stuart MacFarlane

   69,92938,076 

Tony Milikin

   43,70555,527 

Ricardo Moreira (as of 10 October 2016)(2)

   17,323

João Castro Neves

125,87331,730 

Miguel Patricio

   69,9290 

Bernardo Pinto Paiva(1)(2)

   0 

Ricardo Tadeu

   34,96479,325 

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)

Pedro Earp, Chief Marking and ZX Ventures Officer, participated in the performance-related incentive plan for Disruptive Growth Function.

(2)

Bernardo Pinto Paiva, as Zone President Latin America North, reports to the Board of Directors of Ambev. He participated in 20162018 in the incentive plans of Ambev S.A. that are disclosed separately by Ambev. Similarly, Jan CrapsLikewise, Carlos Lisboa, as Zone President Latin America South, participated in 20162018 in the incentive plans of Ambev S.A. since he was an executive of Labatt, which is a subsidiary of Ambev S.A.

(2)(3)

The options were granted on 1 December 2016,22 January 2018, have an exercise price of EUR 98.0494.36 (USD 103.34)108.04) and become exercisable after five years.

Programs for Maintaining Consistency of Benefits Granted and for Encouraging Global Mobility of Executives

In 2016, in accordance with the decision of the Remuneration Committee to approve a variant of the Exchange Program and to allow the early release of the vesting conditions of the Series B Options granted under the November 2008 Exceptional Grant for executives who are relocated,e.g., to the United States, Michel Doukeris, a member of the executive board of management, has exercised 0.18 million Series B Options. The shares that resulted from the exercise of these options will remain locked up until 31 December 2023.

None of the members of our executive board of management participated in the Dividend Waiver Program in 2016.

See “—Share-Based Payment Plans” above.

Post-Employment Benefits

We sponsor various post-employment benefit plans worldwide. These include pension plans, both defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans, and other post-employment benefits. See note 25 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for further details on our employee benefits.

Our Chief Executive Officer participates in a defined contribution plan. Our annual contribution to his plan amounts to approximately USD 0.240.07 million. The total amount we had set aside to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for members of our executive board of management in the aggregate was USD 20.57 million as of 31 December 20152018 and USD 0.40.82 million as of 31 December 2016.2017. See note 34 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

Other Compensation

We also provide executives with life and medical insurance and perquisites and other benefits that are competitive with market practice in the markets where such executives are employed. In addition to life and medical insurance, our Chief Executive Officer enjoys a schooling allowance in accordance with local market practice for a limited period of time.

Employment Agreements and Termination Arrangements

Terms of hiring of our executive board of management (until 31 December 2018) and, as of 1 January 2019, our Executive Committee are included in individual employment agreements. Executives are also required to comply with our policies and codes such as the Code of Business Conduct and Code of Dealing and are subject to exclusivity, confidentiality andnon-compete obligations.

The employment agreement typically provides that the executive’s eligibility for payment of variable compensation is determined exclusively on the basis of the achievement of corporate and individual targets to be set by us. The specific conditions and modalities of the variable compensation are fixed by us in a separate plan which is approved by the Remuneration Committee.

Termination arrangements are in line with legal requirements and/or jurisprudential practice. The termination arrangements for the members of the executive board of management (until 31 December 2018) and, as of 1 January 2019, the Executive Committee provide for a termination indemnity of 12 months of remuneration including variable compensation in case of termination without cause. The variable compensation for purposes of the termination indemnity shall be calculated as the average of the variable compensation paid to the executive for the last two years of employment prior to the year of termination. In addition, if we decide to impose upon the executive anon-compete restriction of 12 months, the executive shall be entitled to receive an additional indemnity of six months.

Carlos Brito was appointed to serve as our Chief Executive Officer starting as of 1 March 2006. In the event of termination of his employment other than on the grounds of serious cause, he is entitled to a termination indemnity of 12 months of remuneration including variable compensation as described above. There is no “claw-back” provision in case of misstated financial statements.

Options Owned by Executives

The table below sets forth the number of LTI stock options and matching options owned by the members of our executive board of management in aggregate as of 31 December 20162018 under the LTI Stock Option Plan

Executives, the Share-Based Compensation Plans, the November 2008 Exceptional Grant, and the 2020 Incentive Plan, the Integration Incentive Plan and the Long Run Stock Options Incentive Plan. OurMembers of our executive board of management does(until 31 December 2018) and, as of 1 January 2019, our Executive Committee do not hold any warrants or stock options relating to our shares under our other incentive plans.

 

Program(1)

  Options held in
aggregate  by our
executive board
of management
   Strike
price
(EUR)
   Grant date   Expiry date 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   371,698    35.90    18 December 2009    17 December 2019 

Program(1)

  Options held in
aggregate  by our
executive board of
management
   Strike
price
(EUR)
   Grant date   Expiry date   Options held in
aggregate by our
executive board of
management
   Strike
price
(EUR)
   Grant date   Expiry date 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   358,938    35.90    18 December 2009    17 December 2019 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   620,719    42.41    30 November 2010    29 November 2020    562,480    42.41    30 November 2010    29 November 2020 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009(2)

   21,880    56.02    30 November 2010    29 November 2020    21,880    56.02    30 November 2010    29 November 2020 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   742,459    44.00    30 November 2011    29 November 2021    617,449    44.00    30 November 2011    29 November 2021 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009(2)

   23,257    58.44    30 November 2011    29 November 2021    23,257    58.44    30 November 2011    29 November 2021 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   1,017,909    66.56    30 November 2012    29 November 2022    898,934    66.56    30 November 2012    29 November 2022 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009(2)

   15,685    86.43    30 November 2012    29 November 2022    15,685    86.43    30 November 2012    29 November 2022 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   843,204    75.15    2 December 2013    1 December 2023    736,985    75.15    2 December 2013    1 December 2023 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009(2)

   12,893    102.11    2 December 2013    1 December 2023    12,893    102.11    2 December 2013    1 December 2023 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   656,438    94.46    1 December 2014    30 November 2024    591,864    94.46    1 December 2014    30 November 2024 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009(2)

   11,473    116.99    1 December 2014    30 November 2024    11,473    116.99    1 December 2014    30 November 2024 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   54,160    121.95    1 December 2015    30 November 2025    65,747    121.95    1 December 2015    30 November 2025 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009(2)

   10,521    128.46    1 December 2015    30 November 2025    10,521    128.46    1 December 2015    30 November 2025 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   1,039,226    113.00    22 December 2015    21 December 2025    855,877    113.00    22 December 2015    21 December 2025 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   57,262    98.04    1 December 2016    30 November 2026    75,897    98.04    1 December 2016    30 November 2026 

Matching options 2007

   0    33.59    2 April 2007    1 April 2017 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   836,790    98.85    20 January 2017    19 January 2027 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   261,706    109.10    5 May 2017    4 May 2027 

LTI Stock Option Plan 2009

   1,025,404    94.36    22 January 2018    21 January 2028 

Matching options 2008

   61,974    34.34    3 March 2008    2 March 2018    61,974    34.34    3 March 2008    2 March 2018 

Matching options 2009

   80,765    20.49    6 March 2009    5 March 2019    80,765    20.49    6 March 2009    5 March 2019 

Matching options 2009

   140,106    27.06    14 August 2009    13 August 2019    140,106    27.06    14 August 2009    13 August 2019 

Matching options 2010

   0    36.52    5 March 2010    4 March 2020    0    36.52    5 March 2010    4 March 2020 

November 2008 Exceptional Grant Options Series A

   0    10.32    25 November 2008    24 November 2018 

November 2008 Exceptional Grant Options Series A

   0    10.50    25 November 2008    24 November 2018 

November 2008 Exceptional Grant Options Series A – Dividend Waiver 09(3)

   0    33.24    1 December 2009    24 November 2018 

November 2008 Exceptional Grant Options Series B

   722,968    10.50    25 November 2008    24 November 2023    542,226    10.50    25 November 2008    24 November 2023 

November 2008 Exceptional Grant Options Series B

   4,337,809    10.32    25 November 2008    24 November 2023    3,614,841    10.32    25 November 2008    24 November 2023 

November 2008 Exceptional Grant Options Series B – Dividend Waiver 09(3)

   2,291,935    33.24    1 December 2009    24 November 2023    1,833,736    33.24    1 December 2009��   24 November 2023 

November 2008 Exceptional Grant Options Series B – Dividend Waiver 11(3)

   243,901    40.35    11 July 2011    24 November 2023    243,901    40.35    11 July 2011    24 November 2023 

November 2008 Exceptional Grant Options Series B – Dividend Waiver 13(3)

   286,977    75.82    15 May 2013    24 November 2023    286,977    75.82    15 May 2013    24 November 2023 

Matching options 2007 – Dividend Waiver 09(3)

   0    33.24    1 December 2009    1 April 2017 

Matching options 2008 – Dividend Waiver 09(3)

   0    33.24    1 December 2009    2 March 2018 

Matching options 2008 – Dividend Waiver 13(3)

   49,468    75.82    15 May 2013    2 March 2018 

Matching options 2009 – Dividend Waiver 13(3)

   37,131    75.82    15 May 2013    5 March 2019    37,131    75.82    15 May 2013    5 March 2019 

Matching options 2009 – Dividend Waiver 13(3)

   74,869    75.82    15 May 2013    13 August 2019    74,869    75.82    15 May 2013    13 August 2019 

2020 Incentive Options(4)

   286,942    113.00    22 December 2015    21 December 2025    334,765    113.00    22 December 2015    21 December 2025 

Integration Incentive Stock Options(5)

   1,570,237    109.10    5 May 2017    4 May 2027 

Long Run Stock Options Incentive Plan(6)

   7,008,764    96.70    1 December 2017    31 December 2032 

Long Run Stock Options Incentive Plan

   1,708,044    80.34    18 May 2018    31 December 2032 

Long Run Stock Options Incentive Plan

   1,236,328    84.42    14 August 2018    14 August 2033 

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)

Following the completion of the Transactioncombination with SAB on 10 October 2016, all rights and obligations attached to the outstanding LTI stock options of former AB InBev have been automatically transferred to us (as the absorbing company), with each outstanding LTI stock option giving a right to a share of AB InBev (the absorbing company) instead of a share of former AB InBev (the absorbed company).

(2)

Options granted in form of American Depositary Receipts (strike price is in USD).

(3)

Options granted under the Dividend Waiver Program. See “—Share-Based Payment Plans.”

(4)

Options granted under the 2020 Incentive Plan. See “—Share-Based Payment Plans—Exceptional Long-Term Incentive Stock Options.”

(5)

Options granted under the Integration Incentive Plan. See “—Share-Based Payment Plans—Exceptional Long-Term Incentive Stock Options.”

(6)

Options granted under the Long Run Stock Options Incentives Plan. See “—Share-Based Payment Plans—Exceptional Long-Term Incentive Stock Options.”

Executive Share Ownership

The table below sets forth, as of 15 February 2017,the most recent practicable date, the number of our shares owned by the members of the executive board of management and Executive Committee serving in 20162018 andyear-to-date 2017:

2019, respectively:

                                          

Name

  Number of our
shares held
   % of our
outstanding
shares
 

Carlos Brito – CEO

   (*)    (*) 

David Almeida

   (*)    (*) 

Sabine ChalmersJohn Blood

   (*)    (*) 

Jan Craps

   (*)    (*) 

Michel Doukeris

   (*)    (*) 

Felipe Dutra

   (*)    (*) 

Pedro Earp

   (*)    (*) 

Luiz Fernando Edmond

(*)(*)

Claudio Braz Ferro

(*)(*)

Marcio Froes

(*)(*)

Claudio Garcia

   (*)    (*) 

Jean Jereissati

   (*)    (*) 

David Kamenetzky

   (*)    (*) 

Peter Kraemer

   (*)    (*) 

Mauricio Leyva

   (*)    (*) 

Carlos Lisboa

   (*)    (*) 

Stuart MacFarlane

   (*)    (*) 

Tony Milikin

   (*)    (*) 

Ricardo Moreira

   (*)    (*) 

João Castro Neves

(*)(*)

Miguel Patricio

   (*)    (*) 

Bernardo Pinto Paiva

   (*)    (*) 

Ricardo Tadeu

   (*)    (*) 

TOTAL

   15.314.27 million    <1% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Notes:Note:

 

(*)

Each member of our executive board of management and Executive Committee serving in 20162018 andyear-to-date 20172019 owns less than 1% of our outstanding shares as of 1528 February 2017.2019.

C. BOARD PRACTICES

General

Our directors are appointed by our shareholders’ meeting, which sets their remuneration and term of mandate. Their appointment is published in the Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge)(Moniteur belge). No service contract is concluded between us and our directors with respect to their Board mandate. Our Board also may request a director to carry out a special mandate or assignment. In such case, a special contract may be entered into between us and the respective director. For details of the current directors’ terms of office, see “—A. Directors and Senior Management—Board of Directors.” We do not provide pensions, medical benefits or other benefit programs to directors.

Information about Our Committees

General

Our Board is assisted by four committees: the Audit Committee, the Finance Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee.

The existence of the Committees does not affect the responsibility of our Board. Board committees meet to prepare matters for consideration by our Board. By exception to this principle, (i) the Remuneration Committee may make decisions on individual compensation packages, other than with respect to our Chief Executive Officer and our executive board of managementsenior leadership team (which are submitted to our Board for approval) and on performance against targets, and (ii) the Finance Committee may make decisions on matters specifically delegated to it under our Corporate Governance Charter, in each case without having to refer to an additional Board decision. Each of our Committees operates under typical rules for such committees under Belgian law, including the requirement that a majority of the members must be present for a valid quorum and decisions are taken by a majority of members present.

The Audit Committee

The Audit Committee consists of a minimum of three voting members. The Audit Committee’s ChairmanChair and the Committee members are appointed by the Board from among thenon-executive directors. The ChairmanChair of the Audit Committee is not the ChairmanChair of the Board. A majority of the members of our Audit Committee are independent directors according to our Corporate Governance Charter (see “—A. Directors and Senior Management—Board of Directors—Role and Responsibilities, Composition, Structure and Organization”). Each of them is independent under Rule10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Legal OfficerGeneral Counsel and Company Secretary and Chief Financial and TechnologySolutions Officer are invited to the meetings of the Audit Committee, unless the ChairmanChair or a majority of the members decide to meet in closed session.

The current members of the Audit Committee are M. Michele Burns (Chairman)(Chair), MichaelMartin J. Barrington, Olivier Goudet and Elio Leoni Sceti.

Our Board of Directors has determined that M. Michele Burns and Olivier Goudet are each “audit committee financial experts” as defined in Item 16A of Form20-F under the Exchange Act.

The Audit Committee assists our Board in its responsibility for oversight of (i) the integrity of our financial statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and environmental and social responsibilities, (iii) the statutory auditors’ qualification and independence, and (iv) the performance of the statutory auditors and our internal audit function. The Audit Committee is entitled to review information on any point it wishes to verify, and is authorized to acquire such information from any of our employees. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the statutory auditor. It also establishes procedures for confidential complaints regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. It is also authorized to obtain independent advice, including legal advice, if this is necessary for an inquiry into any matter under its responsibility. It is entitled to call on the resources that will be needed for this task. It is entitled to receive reports directly from the statutory auditor, including reports with recommendations on how to improve our control processes.

The Audit Committee holds as many meetings as necessary with a minimum of four per year. Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart attends Audit Committee meetings as anon-voting observer.

The Finance Committee

The Finance Committee consists of at least three, but no more than six, members appointed by the Board. The Board appoints a ChairmanChair and, if deemed appropriate, a Vice-ChairmanVice-Chair from among the Finance Committee members. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial and TechnologySolutions Officer are invitedex officio to the Finance Committee meetings unless explicitly decided otherwise. Other employees are invited on an ad hoc basis as deemed useful.

The current members of the Finance Committee are Alexandre Van Damme (Chairman)(Chair), Stéfan Descheemaeker, Paulo Alberto Lemann, Alexandre Behring,Carlos Alberto Sicupira, William F. Gifford Jr. and M. Michele Burns.

The Corporate Governance Charter requires the Finance Committee to meet at least four times a year and as often as deemed necessary by its ChairmanChair or at least two of its members.

The Finance Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in the areas of corporate finance, risk management, treasury controls, mergers and acquisitions, tax and legal, pension plans, financial communication and stock market policies and all other related areas as deemed appropriate.

The Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee consists of three members appointed by the Board, all of whom arenon-executive directors. The ChairmanChair of the Committee is a representative of the controlling shareholders and the other two members meet the requirements of independence as established in our Corporate Governance Charter and by the Belgian Company Law. The ChairmanChair of our Remuneration Committee would not be considered independent under NYSE rules, and, therefore, our Remuneration Committee would not be in compliance with the NYSE Corporate Governance Standards for domestic issuers in respect of independence of compensation committees. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief People Officer are invitedex officio to the meetings of the Committee unless explicitly decided otherwise.

The current members of the Remuneration Committee are Marcel Herrmann Telles (Chairman)(Chair), Olivier Goudet and Elio Leoni Sceti.

The Remuneration Committee meets at least four times a year, and more often if required, and can be convoked by its ChairmanChair or at the request of at least two of its members.

The Remuneration Committee’s principal role is to guide the Board with respect to all its decisions relating to the remuneration policies for the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and the executive board of management,senior leadership team, and on their individual remuneration packages. The Committee ensures that the Chief Executive Officer and members of the executive board of managementsenior leadership team are incentivized to achieve, and are compensated for, exceptional performance. The Committee also ensures the maintenance and continuous improvement of our company’s compensation policy, which is to be based on meritocracy with a view to aligning the interests of its employees with the interests of all shareholders. In certain exceptional circumstances, the Remuneration Committee or its appointed designees may grant limited waivers fromlock-up requirements provided that adequate protections are implemented to ensure that the commitment to hold shares remains respected until the original termination date.

The Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee consists of five members appointed by the Board. The five members include the ChairmanChair of the Board and the ChairmanChair of the Remuneration Committee. Four of the five Committee members are representatives of the controlling shareholders. These four members of our Nomination Committee would not be considered independent under NYSE rules, and therefore our Nomination Committee would not be in compliance with the NYSE Corporate Governance Standards for domestic issuers in respect of independence of nominating committees. The Chief Executive Officer, the Chief People Officer and the Chief Legal OfficerGeneral Counsel and Company Secretary are invitedex officio to attend the meetings of the Nomination Committee unless explicitly decided otherwise.

The current members of the Nomination Committee are Marcel Herrmann Telles (Chairman)(Chair), Carlos Alberto Sicupira,Alexandre Behring, Grégoire de Spoelberch, Olivier Goudet and Alexandre Van Damme.

The Nomination Committee’s principal role is to guide the Board succession process. The Committee identifies persons qualified to become Board members and recommends director candidates for nomination by the Board and election at the shareholders’ meeting. The Committee also guides the Board with respect to all its decisions relating to the appointment and retention of key talent within our company.

D. EMPLOYEES

As of 31 December 2016,2018, we employed more than 200,000 peopleapproximately 175,000 employees as compared to 150,000more than 180,000 as of 31 December 2015. The increase of 50,000 year-over-year mainly results from the completion of the Transaction.2017.

Overview of Employees per Business Segment

The table below sets out the number of full-time employees at the end of each relevant period in our business segments.

 

  As of 31 December   As of 31 December 
  2016(2)   2015(1)   2014(1)   2018(3)   2017(2)   2016(1) 

North America

   19,314    16,844    15,348    19,150    19,306    19,314 

Latin America West

   51,418    32,201    32,122    47,042    48,892    51,418 

Latin America North

   40,416    39,359    38,381    37,387    38,651    40,416 

Latin America South

   9,571    9,615    9,677    9,214    9,603    9,571 

EMEA

   43,456    11,749    13,865    23,604    26,823    43,456 

Asia Pacific

   39,213    40,101    42,727    31,523    36,386    39,213 

Global Export and Holding Companies

   3,245    2,454    1,910    4,683    3,254    3,245 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   206,633    152,321    154,029    172,603    182,915    206,633 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)Effective 1 October 2016, our business segments changed to be as follows: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Global Export and Holding Companies. The figures for the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014 have been restated to reflect this allocation.
(2)

Following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we are consolidating SABMillerconsolidated SAB and reportingreport results and volumes of the retained SABMillerSAB operations as of the fourth quarter of 2016.

(2)

The reduction of employees in 2017 compared to 2016, mainly results from the disposals completed during the year.

(3)

The reduction of employees in 2018 compared to 2017, mainly results from the combination of the AB InBev Russia and Ukraine businesses under AB InBev Efes. As a result of that transaction, we have stopped consolidated our Russia and Ukraine businesses and account for the investment in AB InBev Efes under the equity method as of 30 March 2018.

Employee Compensation and Benefits

To support our culture that recognizes and values results, we offer employees competitive salaries benchmarked to fixedmid-market local salaries, combined with variable incentive schemes based on individual performance and performance of the business entity in which they work. Senior employees above a certain level are eligible for the Share-Based Compensation Plan. See “—B. Compensation—Share-Based Payment Plans—Share-Based Compensation Plan” and “—B. Compensation—Compensation of Directors and Executives—Executive Board of Management.Management (until 31 December 2018).” Depending on local practices, we offer employees and their family members pension plans, life insurance, medical, dental and optical insurance,death-in-service insurance and illness and disability insurance. Some of our countries have tuition reimbursement plans and employee assistance programs.

Labor Unions

Many of our hourly employees across our business segments are represented by unions, with a variety of collective bargaining agreements in place. Generally, relationships between us and the unions that represent our employees are good. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We are exposed to labor strikes and disputes that could lead to a negative impact on our costs and production level.”

In Europe, collective bargaining occurs at the local and/or national level in all countries with union representation for our employees. The degree of membership in unions varies from country to country, with a low proportion of membership in the United KingdomBelgium and the Netherlands, andGermany, for example, having a high proportion of membership in Belgium and Germany.membership. A European Workers Council has been established since 1996 to promote social dialogue and to exchange opinions at a European level.

In Mexico, approximately half of our employees are union members. Our collective bargaining agreements are negotiated and executed separately for each facility or distribution center. They are periodically reviewed with the unions as mandated by Mexican Labor Law (i.e.(i.e., yearly revisions of salary, benefits and salary revisions every two years).

All of our employees in Brazil are represented by labor unions, but less than 5% of our employees in Brazil are actually members of labor unions. The number of administrative and distribution employees who are members of labor unions is not significant. Salary negotiations are conducted annually between the workers’ unions and us. Collective bargaining agreements are negotiated separately for each facility or distribution center. Our Brazilian collective bargaining agreements have a term of one or two years, and we usually enter into new collective bargaining agreements on or prior to the expiration of the existing agreements.

A majority of our brewery and distribution employees in Canada are represented by labor unions. The number of administrative employees who are members of labor unions is not significant. Salary negotiations are conducted through collective bargaining agreements between the workers’ unions and us. Collective bargaining agreements are generally negotiated separately for each facility or distribution center. Our Canadian collective bargaining agreements have a term of three to seven years, and we generally enter into new collective bargaining agreements on or prior to the expiration of existing agreements.

Our United States organization has approximately 5,100 hourly brewery workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Their compensation and other terms of employment are governed by collective bargaining agreements negotiated between us and the Teamsters. We recently completed negotiations of new five-year agreements with the Teamsters, which will expire on 2829 February 2019.2024. Approximately 2,1002,200 hourly employees at certain company-owned distributorships and packaging plants also are represented by the Teamsters and other unions, with local bargaining agreements ranging in distribution from three to five years.

E. SHARE OWNERSHIP

For a discussion of the share ownership of our directors and executives, as well as arrangements involving our employees in our capital, see “—B. Compensation.”

ITEM 7.

ITEM 7.

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

Shareholding Structure

The following table shows our shareholding structure on 31 December 2016as at 13 March 2019 based on the notifications(i) transparency declarations made by shareholders who are compelled to us anddisclose their shareholdings pursuant to the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (the “FSMA”) by the shareholders specified below in accordance with Article 6 of the Belgian Lawlaw of 2 May 2007 on the disclosurenotification of significant shareholdings in listed companies orand the Articles of Association of the company, (ii) notifications made by such shareholders to the company on a voluntary basis prior to 15 December 2018 for the purpose of updating the above information, based onand (iii) information included in public filings with the SEC.

The first twelvethirteen entities mentioned in the table act in concert (it being understood that (i) the first ten entities act in concert within the meaning of article 3, § 1,§1, 13º of the Belgian Lawlaw of 2 May 2007 on the disclosure of significant shareholdings in issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market and containing various provisions, implementing into Belgian Lawlaw Directive 2004/109/CE, and (ii) the eleventh, twelfth and twelfththirteenth entities act in concert with the first ten entities within the meaning of article 3, § 2§2 of the Belgian Lawlaw of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids) and hold, as per the most recent notifications received by us and the FSMA in accordance with article 6 of the Belgian law of 2 May 2007 on the notification of significant shareholdings, in

aggregate, 847,648,483 of our shares,851,779,303 Ordinary Shares, representing 43.84%43.47% of the voting rights attached to ourthe shares outstanding as of 31 December 201613 March 2019 excluding the 85,540,39259,862,607 treasury shares held by us and our subsidiaries Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à.R.L. and Mexbrew S.à.R.L. Pursuant to our articles of association, shareholders are required to notify us as soon as the amount of securities held giving voting rights exceeds or falls below a 3% threshold held by us and our subsidiaries Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à.R.L. and Mexbrew S.à.R.L. as of 31 December 2018. Pursuant to our articles of association, shareholders are required to notify us as soon as the amount of securities held giving voting rights exceeds or falls below a 3% threshold.

 

Major shareholders

  Number of
Shares
   % of voting
rights
attached to
our
outstanding
shares held(9)
 

Holders of Ordinary Shares

    

Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev, a stichting incorporated under Dutch law (the “Stichting”)(1)(2)

   663,074,832    34.29

EPS Participations S.à.R.L, a company incorporated under Luxembourg law, affiliated with Eugénie Patri Sébastien (EPS) S.A., its parent company(2)(3)(5) (“EPS Participations”)

   130,257,459    6.74

Eugénie Patri Sébastien (EPS) S.A., a company incorporated under Luxembourg law, affiliated with the Stichting that it jointly controls with BRC S.à.R.L(2)(3)(5) (“EPS”)

   99,999    0.01

BRC S.á.R.L., a company incorporated under Luxembourg law, affiliated with the Stichting that it jointly controls with EPS(2)(4) (“BRC”)

   37,598,236    1.94

Rayvax Société d’Investissements SA, a company incorporated under Belgian law (“Rayvax”)

   484,794    0.03

Sébastien Holding SA, a company incorporated under Belgian law, affiliated with Rayvax Société d’Investissements SA, its parent company(2)

   10    0.00

Fonds Verhelst SPRL, a company with a social purpose incorporated under Belgian law

   0    0.00

Fonds Voorzitter Verhelst SPRL, a company with a social purpose incorporated under Belgian law, affiliated to Fonds Verhelst SPRL with social purpose, which controls it

   6,997,665    0.36

Stichting Fonds InBev-Baillet Latour, a stichting incorporated under Dutch law

   0    0.00

Fonds Baillet Latour SPRL, a company with a social purpose incorporated under Belgian law, affiliated to Stichting Fonds InBev-Baillet Latour under Dutch law, which controls it(6)

   5,485,415    0.28

MHT Benefit Holding Company Ltd, a company incorporated under the law of the Bahamas, acting in concert with Marcel Herrmann Telles within the meaning of Article 3, § 2 of the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids

   3,645,605    0.19

Major shareholders

  Number of
Shares
   % of voting
rights
attached to
our
outstanding
shares held(9)
   Number of
Shares
   % of voting
rights
attached to
our
outstanding
shares held(9)
 

LTS Trading Company LLC, a company incorporated under Delaware law, acting in concert with Marcel Herrmann Telles, Jorge Paulo Lemann and Carlos Alberto Sicupira within the meaning of Article 3, § 2 of the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids

   4,468    0.00

Holders of Ordinary Shares

    

Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev, a stichting incorporated under Dutch law (the “Stichting”)(1)(2)

   663,074,832    33.84

EPS Participations S.à.R.L, a company incorporated under Luxembourg law, affiliated with Eugénie Patri Sébastien (EPS) S.A., its parent company(2)(3)(5) (“EPS Participations”)

   131,898,152    6.73

Eugénie Patri Sébastien (EPS) S.A., a company incorporated under Luxembourg law, affiliated with the Stichting that it jointly controls with BRC S.à.R.L(2)(3)(5) (“EPS”)

   99,999    0.01

BRC S.á.R.L., a company incorporated under Luxembourg law, affiliated with the Stichting that it jointly controls with EPS(2)(4) (“BRC”)

   39,962,901    2.04

Rayvax Société d’Investissements SA, a company incorporated under Belgian law (“Rayvax”)

   24,158    0.00

Sébastien Holding SA, a company incorporated under Belgian law, affiliated with Rayvax Société d’Investissements SA, its parent company(2)

   10    0.00

Fonds Verhelst SPRL, a company with a social purpose incorporated under Belgian law

   0    0.00

Fonds Voorzitter Verhelst SPRL, a company with a social purpose incorporated under Belgian law, affiliated to Fonds Verhelst SPRL with social purpose, which controls it

   6,997,665    0.36

Stichting Fonds InBev-Baillet Latour, a stichting incorporated under Dutch law

   0    0.00

Fonds Baillet Latour SPRL, a company with a social purpose incorporated under Belgian law, affiliated to Stichting Fonds InBev-Baillet Latour under Dutch law, which controls it(6)

   5,485,415    0.28

MHT Benefit Holding Company Ltd, a company incorporated under the law of the Bahamas, acting in concert with Marcel Herrmann Telles within the meaning of Article 3, § 2 of the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids

   3,972,703    0.20

LTS Trading Company LLC, a company incorporated under Delaware law, acting in concert with Marcel Herrmann Telles, Jorge Paulo Lemann and Carlos Alberto Sicupira within the meaning of Article 3, § 2 of the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids

   4,468    0.00

Olia 2 AG, a company incorporated under Liechtenstein law, acting in concert with Jorge Paulo Lemann within the meaning of Article 3, § 2 of the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids

   259,000    0.01

Holders of Restricted Shares

        

Altria Group, Inc. (7)

   185,115,417    9.57   185,115,417    9.45

BEVCO Lux Sàrl(8)

   96,862,718    5.01   96,862,718    4.94

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)

See section “—Controlling Shareholder.”Shareholder” below. By virtue of their responsibilities as directors of the Stichting, Stéfan Descheemaeker, Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart, Grégoire de Spoelberch, Alexandre Van Damme, Marcel Herrmann Telles, Jorge Paulo Lemann, Roberto Moses Thompson Motta and Carlos Alberto Sicupira may be deemed, under the rules of the SEC, to be beneficial owners of our Ordinary Shares held by the Stichting. However, each of these individuals disclaims such beneficial ownership in such capacity.

(2)

See section “—Shareholders’ Arrangements.”Arrangements” below.

(3)

By virtue of their responsibilities as directors of Eugénie Patri Sébastien (EPS) S.A. and EPS Participations S.à.R.L., Stéfan Descheemaeker, Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart, Grégoire de Spoelberch and Alexandre Van Damme may be deemed, under the rules of the SEC, to be beneficial owners of our Ordinary Shares held by Eugénie Patri Sébastien (EPS) S.A. and EPS Participations S.à.R.L. However, each of these individuals disclaims such beneficial ownership in such capacity.

(4)

Marcel Herrmann Telles, Jorge Paulo Lemann and Carlos Alberto Sicupira have disclosed to us that they control BRC S.à.R.L. and as a result, under the rules of the SEC, they are deemed to be beneficial owners of our Ordinary Shares held by BRC S.à.R.L. By virtue of their responsibilities as directors of BRC S.à.R.L., Alexandre Behring and Paulo Alberto Lemann may also be deemed, under the rules of the SEC, to be the beneficial owners of our Ordinary Shares held by BRC S.à.R.L. However, Alexandre Behring and Paulo Alberto Lemann disclaim such beneficial ownership in such capacity.

(5)

On 18 December 2013, Eugénie Patri Sébastien (EPS) S.A. contributed to EPS Participations S.à.R.L. its certificates in the Stichting and the shares it held directly in former AB InBev, except for 100,000 shares.

(6)

On 27 December 2013, Stichting Fonds InBev-Baillet Latour, under Dutch law, acquired a controlling stake in Fonds Baillet Latour SPRL with a social purpose.

(7)

In addition to the Restricted Shares listed above, Altria Group Inc. announced in its Schedule 13D beneficial ownership report on 11 October 2016 that, following completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, it purchased 11,941,937 Ordinary Shares in the company, thereby increasingcompany. Altria further increased its voting controlposition of Ordinary Shares in the companyCompany to 10.2%.12,341,937, as disclosed in the Schedule 13D beneficial ownership report filed by the Stichting dated 1 November 2016, resulting in an aggregate ownership of 10.08% based on the number of shares with voting rights as at 13 March 2019.

(8)

In addition to the Restricted Shares listed above, BevcoBEVCO Lux Sàrl announced in a notification made on 1617 January 2017 in accordance with the Belgian law of 2 May 2007 on the notification of significant shareholdings, that it purchased 4,215,794 Ordinary Shares in the company. BEVCO Lux Sàrl disclosed to us that it increased its position of Ordinary Shares in the company thereby increasing itsto an aggregate of 6,000,000 Ordinary Shares, resulting in an aggregate ownership to 5.23% of 5.25% based on the totalnumber of shares with voting rates issued and outstandingrights as of 16 January 2017.at 13 March 2019.

(9)

Percentages are calculated on the total number of outstanding shares as at 31 December 201613 March 2019 (2,019,241,973 shares) minus the number of outstanding shares held in treasury by us and our subsidiaries Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à.R.L. and Mexbrew S.à.R.L. as at 31 December 2016 (85,540,39213 March 2019 (59,862,607 Ordinary Shares).

Since 10 October 2016 and until 31 December 2016, there have been no significant changes for the first ten entities mentioned in the table above.

U.S. Holders of Record

As a number of our shares are held in dematerialized form, we are not aware of the identity of all our shareholders. As of 31 December 2016,2018, we had 560,880,40021,105,817 registered Ordinary Shares and 325,999,817185,120,057 registered Restricted ShareholdersShares held by 262549 record holders in the United States, representing approximately 208,226,288206.23 million of the voting rights attached to our shares outstanding as of such date. As of 31 December 2016,2018, we also had 114,190,23998,250,518 ADSs outstanding, each representing one Ordinary Share.

Controlling Shareholder

Our controlling shareholder is the Stichting, a foundation organized under the laws of the Netherlands which represents an important part of the interests of the founding Belgian families of Interbrew (mainly represented by Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A.) and the interests of the Brazilian families which were previously the controlling shareholders of Ambev (represented by BRC S.à.R.L.).

As of 31 December 2016,13 March 2019, the Stichting owned 663,074,832 of our shares, which represented a 34.29%33.84% voting interest based on the number of our shares outstanding as of 31 December 2016,13 March 2019, excluding the 85,540,39259,862,607 treasury shares held by us and our subsidiaries Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à.R.L. and Mexbrew S.à.R.L. The Stichting and certain other entities acting in concert (within the meaning of Article 3, 13° of the Belgian Law of 2 May on disclosure of significant holdings in listed companies and/or within the meaning of Article 3, § 2 of the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids) with it (see “—Shareholders’ Arrangements” below) held, based on (i) transparency declarations made by shareholders who are compelled to disclose their shareholdings pursuant to the Belgian law of 2 May 2007 on the notification of significant shareholdings and the Articles of Association of the company, (ii) notifications made by such shareholders to the company on a voluntary basis prior to 15 December 2018 for the purpose of updating the above information, and (iii) information included in public filings with the SEC, in the aggregate, 43.84%43.47% of our shares based on the number of our shares outstanding on 31 December 2016,13 March 2019, excluding the 85,540,39259,862,607 treasury shares held by us and our subsidiaries Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à.R.L. and

Mexbrew S.à.R.L. As of 31 December 2016,13 March 2019, BRC S.à.R.L. held 331,537,416 class B Stichting certificates (indirectly representing 17.15%16.92% of our shares), Eugénie Patri Sébastien S.A. held one class A Stichting certificate and EPS Participations S.à.R.L. held 331,537,415 class A Stichting certificates (together indirectly representing 17.15%16.92% of our shares). The Stichting is governed by its bylaws and its conditions of administration. Shares held by our main shareholders do not entitle such shareholders to different voting rights.

Shareholders’ Arrangements

The 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement

On 11 April 2016, the Stichting, EPS, EPS Participations S.à R.L,R.L., BRC and Rayvax entered into an Amended and Restated New Shareholders’ Agreement (the “2016 Shareholders’ Agreement”).

The 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement addresses, among other things, certain matters relating to the governance and management of both us and the Stichting, as well as (i) the transfer of the Stichting certificates and (ii) thede-certification andre-certification process for the Ordinary Shares and the circumstances in which the shares held by the Stichting may bede-certified and/or pledged at the request of BRC, EPS or EPS Participations.

The 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement provides for restrictions on the ability of BRC, EPS or EPS Participations to transfer their Stichting certificates.

Pursuant to the terms of the 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement, BRC and EPS/EPS Participations jointly and equally exercise control over the Stichting and the Sharesshares held by the Stichting. The Stichting is managed by an eight-member board of directors and each of, on the one hand BRC and, on the other hand, EPS and EPS Participations has the right to appoint four directors to the Stichting board of directors. Subject to certain exceptions, at least seven of the eight Stichting directors must be present or represented in order to constitute a quorum of the Stichting board, and any action to be taken by the Stichting board of directors will, subject to certain qualified majority conditions, require the approval of a majority of the directors present or represented, including at least two directors appointed by BRC and two directors appointed by EPS/EPS Participations. Subject to certain exceptions, all decisions of the Stichting with respect to the Shares it holds, including how such shares will be voted at AB InBev’s shareholders’ meetings, will be made by the Stichting board of directors.

The 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement requires the Stichting board of directors to meet prior to each of our shareholders’ meetings to determine how the shares held by the Stichting are to be voted. In addition, prior to each meeting of the board of directors of AB InBev at which certain key matters are considered, the Stichting board of directors will meet to determine how the eight members of the board of directors of AB InBev nominated exclusively by BRC and EPS/EPS Participations should vote.

The 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement requires EPS, EPS Participations, BRC and Rayvax, as well as any other holder of certificates issued by the Stichting, to vote their Shares in the same manner as the Sharesshares held by the Stichting. The parties agree to effect any free transfers of their Shares in an orderly manner of disposal that does not disrupt the market for Shares and in accordance with any conditions established by us to ensure such orderly disposal. In addition, under the 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement, EPS, EPS Participations and BRC agree not to acquire any shares of Ambev’s capital stock, subject to limited exceptions.

Pursuant to the 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement, the Stichting board of directors will propose to AB InBev’s shareholders’ meeting nine candidates for appointment to our Board of Directors, among which each of, on the one hand, BRC and, on the other hand, EPS and EPS Participations will have the right to nominate four candidates, and one candidate will be nominated by the Stichting board of directors.

The 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement will remain in effect for an initial term until 27 August 2034 and will be automatically renewed for successive terms of ten10 years each unless, not later than two years prior to the expiration of the initial or any successiveten-year10-year term, any party to the 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement notifies the others of its intention to terminate the 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement.

The 2016 Shareholders’ Agreement is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Form20-F.

Voting Agreement between the Stichting, Fonds Baillet Latour and Fonds Voorzitter Verhelst

The Stichting entered into a voting agreement, effective 1 November 2015 (the “Fonds Voting Agreement”) with Fonds Baillet Latour and Fonds Voorzitter Verhelst, which replaces in its entirety the voting agreement between the parties dated 16 October 16, 2008, which was due to expire on 16 October 16, 2016 if not renewed.

This agreement provides for consultations between the three bodies before any of our shareholders’ meetings to decide how they will exercise the voting rights attached to our shares. Under this voting agreement, consensus is required for all items that are submitted to the approval of any of our shareholders’ meetings. If the parties fail to reach a consensus, each of Fonds Baillet Latour and Fonds Voorzitter Verhelst will vote their AB InBev shares in the same manner as the Stichting. The Fonds Voting Agreement will expire on November 1, 2034.

The Fonds Voting Agreement is filed atas Exhibit 3.1 to this Form20-F.

Voting Agreement between the Stichting and Restricted Shareholders

Each holder of Restricted Shares representing more than 1% of our total share capital, being Altria and BEVCO, was required, upon completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, to enter into an agreement with the Stichting. Each of Altria and BEVCO entered into the Restricted Shareholder Voting Agreement with the Stichting and us on 8 October 2016 (the “Restricted Shareholder Voting Agreement”), under which:

 

the Stichting is required to exercise the voting rights attached to its Ordinary Shares of AB InBev to give effect to the directors’ appointments principles set out in articles 19 and 20 of our articles of association;

 

each holder of Restricted Shares is required to exercise the voting rights attached to his or her Ordinary Shares and Restricted Shares, as applicable, to give effect to the directors’ appointments principles set out in articles 19 and 20 of our articles of association; and

 

each holder of Restricted Shares is required not to exercise the voting rights attached to his or her Ordinary Shares and Restricted Shares, as applicable, in favor of any resolutions that would be proposed to modify the rights attached to Restricted Shares, unless such resolution has been approved by a qualified majority of the holders of at least 75% of the Restricted Shareholder Voting Shares (as defined in our articles of association).

As of 27 October 2016, Altria held 185,115,417 Restricted Shares and 12,341,937 Ordinary Shares, representing 10.21% of the total shares with voting rights issued and outstanding as of 27 October 2016. As of 16 January 2017, BEVCO held 4,215,794 Ordinary Shares and 96,862,718 Restricted Shares, representing 5.23% of the total shares with voting rights issued and outstanding as of 17 January 2017.

Each of the first twelve13 entities mentioned in the table appearing under ShareholderShareholding Structure have disclaimed beneficial ownership of all of the Restricted Shares and Ordinary Shares, as applicable, held by Altria and BEVCO.

The Restricted Shareholder Voting Agreement is filed as Exhibit 3.3 to this Form20-F.

B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

AB InBev Group and Consolidated Entities

We engage in various transactions with affiliated entities that form part of the consolidated AB InBev Group. These transactions include, but are not limited to: (i) the purchase and sale of raw material with affiliated entities, (ii) entering into distribution, cross-licensing, transfer pricing, indemnification, service and other agreements with affiliated entities, (iii) intercompany loans and guarantees with affiliated entities, (iv) import agreements with affiliated entities, such as the import agreement under which

Anheuser-Busch Companies imports our European brands into the United States, and (v) royalty agreements with affiliated entities, such as our royalty agreement with one of our United Kingdom subsidiaries related to the production and sale of our Stella Artois brand in the United Kingdom. Such transactions between Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and our subsidiaries are not disclosed in our consolidated financial statements as related party transactions because they are eliminated on consolidation. A list of our principal subsidiaries is shown in note 3436 “AB InBev Companies” to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 20152017 and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

Unrealized gains arising from transactions with associates and jointly controlled entities are eliminated to the extent of our interest in the entity. Unrealized losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealized gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment. Transactions with associates and jointly controlled entities are discussed further below.

Transactions with Directors and Executive Board of Management Members (Key Management Personnel)

Total compensation of our directors and executive board of management included in our income statement for 20162018 set out below can be detailed as follows:

 

  Year ended 31 December 2016   Year ended 31 December 2018 
  Directors   Executive
Board of
Management
   Directors   Executive
Board of
Management
 
  (USD million)   (USD million) 

Short-term employee benefits

   2    18    2    27 

Post-employment benefits

   —      —      —      —   

Other long-term employee benefits

   —      —      —      —   

Share-based payments

   3    64    —      24 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

         5        82            2            97 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

In addition to short-term employee benefits (primarily salaries), the members of our executive board of management members arewere entitled to post-employment benefits. More particularly, members of the executive board of management participatesenior leadership team participated in the pension plan of their respective country. See also note 25 “Employee benefits” and note 34 “Related parties” to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018. In addition, key management personnel are eligible for our share-based payment plan and/or our exchange of share ownership program. See also “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation” and note 26 “Share-based payments” to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.2018.

Directors’ compensation consists mainly of directors’ fees. Key management personnel did not have any significant outstanding balances with our company. During 2016,2018, no payments were made to key management personnel except in the transactions listed below.

Deferred Share Entitlements

In a transaction related to the combination with Grupo Modelo, two Grupo Modelo shareholders, María AsuncionAsunción Aramburuzabala and Valentín Diez Morodo, purchased a deferred share entitlement to acquire the equivalent of approximately 23.1 million AB InBev shares, to be delivered within five years, for consideration of approximately USD 1.5 billion. This investment occurredbillion paid on 5 June 2013. At such time, María AsuncionAsunción Aramburuzabala and Valentín Diez Morodo agreed to serve on the Board of Directors for former AB InBev for a term of at least four years. Following the completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, María AsuncionAsunción Aramburuzabala was appointed to our Board of Directors with a two yeartwo-year term. They haveShe also agreed to anon-competition provision for three years following the completion of the combination with Grupo Modelo. We completed the delivery of the 23,076,922 Ordinary Shares due under this deferred share transaction on 21 May 2018. The delivery obligation was through the use of part of our outstanding treasury shares.

Other Transactions

In 2016, 2017 and 2018, our subsidiary Bavaria SA, along with other subsidiaries in Colombia, paid approximately 4 billion Colombian pesos (USD 1.341.3 million), 16 billion Colombia pesos (USD 5.4 million) and 24 billion Colombian pesos (USD 8.1 million), respectively, for transportation services, lease agreements and advertising services to companies of which Alejandro Santo Domingo Dávila, a member of our Board of Directors, is (i) part of the controlling shareholder group of such companies or (ii) ChairmanChair of the Board of a significant or controlling shareholder of such companies.

In 20152016, 2017 and 2016,2018, Grupo Modelo paid MXN 67.3 million (USD 4.3 million) and MXN 22.2 million (USD 1.2 million), MXN 15.1 million (USD 0.8 million) and MXN 19.1 million (USD 1.0 million), respectively, to a company of which María AsuncionAsunción Aramburuzabala, a member of our Board of Directors, is ChairmanChair of the Board. These payments were made for information technology infrastructure services provided by that company to Grupo Modelo in 20152016, 2017 and 2016.2018.

On 7 April 2014, Valentín Diez Morodo, also a member of our Board of Directors, purchased real estate located in Toluca, Mexico from Modelo Museum of Technology, anon-consolidated,non-profit affiliate of Grupo Modelo, for USD 28 million, a price corresponding to the average of two independent external valuation reports. Mr. Diez has agreed to lease part of the premises back to another affiliate of Grupo Modelo pursuant to a sublease contract entered into in June 2015 at a rate of MXN 6 million (USD 0.4 million) per year. In addition, in 2015, Grupo Modelo entered into a sponsorship agreement with a sports team owned by Mr. Diez. The sponsorship agreement provides for payments of MXN 66.7 million (USD 4.2 million) per year for three years.

Transactions with Significant Shareholders

We have entered into certain agreements with Altria and BEVCO in connection with the Transaction.combination with SAB. These agreements are described further under “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SABMiller—SAB—Information Rights Agreement,” “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SABMiller —TaxSAB—Tax Matters Agreement” and “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SABMiller —RegistrationSAB—Registration Rights Agreement.”

Jointly Controlled Entities

Significant interests we hold in joint ventures include three entities in Brazil, one in Mexico and two in Canada. None of these joint ventures are material to us. Aggregate amounts of our interests in such entities are as follows:

 

   As of 31 December 20162018 
   (USD million) 

Non-current assets

   11 

Current assets

   5 

Non-current liabilities

   9 

Current liabilities

   612 

Result from operations

   (64) 

Profit attributable to equity holders

   (73) 

Transactions with Associates

Our transactions with associates were as follows:

 

   Year ended 31 December 20162018 
   (USD million) 

Gross profit

   (4774) 

Current assets

   (8152) 

Current liabilities

   20130 

Our transactions with associates primarily consist of sales to distributors in which we have anon-controlling interest.

Transactions with Pension Plans

Our transactions with pension plans mainly consisted of USD 12 million other income from pension plans in the United States.

Transactions with Government-Related Entities

We have no material transactions with government-related entities.

Ambev Special Goodwill Reserve

As a result of the merger of InBev Brasil into Ambev in July 2005, Ambev acquired tax benefits resulting from the partial amortization of the special premium reserve pursuant to article 7 of the Normative Ruling No. 319/99 of the CVM, the Brazilian Securities Commission. Such amortization will be carried out within the ten10 years following the merger. As permitted by Normative

Ruling No. 319/99, the Protocol and Justification of the Merger, entered into between us, Ambev and InBev Brasil on 7 July 2005, established that 70% of the goodwill premium, which corresponded to the tax benefit resulting from the amortization of the tax goodwill derived from the merger, would be capitalized in Ambev for the benefit of us, with the remaining 30% being capitalized in Ambev without the issuance of new shares for the benefit of all shareholders. Since 2005, pursuant to the Protocol and Justification of the Merger, Ambev has carried out, with shareholders’ approval, capital increases through the partial capitalization of the goodwill premium reserve. Accordingly, two wholly owned subsidiaries of Anheuser-Busch InBev (which hold our interest in Ambev) have annually subscribed to Ambev shares corresponding to 70% of the goodwill premium reserve (and Ambev minority shareholders subscribed shares pursuant to preferred subscription right under Brazilian law) and the remaining 30% of the tax benefit was capitalized without issuance of new shares for the benefit of all Ambev shareholders. The Protocol and Justification of the Merger also provides, among other matters, that we shall indemnify Ambev for any undisclosed liabilities of InBev Brasil.

In December 2011, Ambev received a tax assessment from theSecretaria da Receita Federal do Brasil related to the goodwill amortization resulting from InBev Brasil’s merger referred to above. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings—Ambev and Its Subsidiaries—Tax Matters—Special Goodwill Reserve” for further information. Effective 21 December 2011, we entered into an agreement with Ambev formalizing the arrangement whereby we shall reimburse Ambev the amount proportional to the benefit received by us pursuant to the merger protocol, as well as the respective costs.

Ambev Stock Swap Merger

On 7 December 2012, Companhia de Bebidas das Américas—Ambev (“Companhia de Bebidas”), a majority-owned subsidiary of AB InBev, announced its intention to propose for deliberation by its shareholders, at an extraordinary general shareholders’ meeting, a corporate restructuring to combine Companhia de Bebidas’s dual-class capital structure comprised of voting common andnon-voting preferred shares into a new, single-class capital structure comprised exclusively of voting common shares. The purpose of the proposed corporate restructuring is to simplify Companhia de Bebidas’s corporate structure and improve its corporate governance with a view to increasing liquidity to all Companhia de Bebidas shareholders, eliminating certain administrative, financial and other costs and providing more flexibility for management of Companhia de Bebidas’s capital structure.

The extraordinary general shareholders’ meeting was held on 30 July 2013, and the proposed corporate restructuring was approved. The restructuring has been implemented by means of a stock swap merger under the Brazilian Corporate Law (incorporação de ações) of Companhia de Bebidas with Ambev S.A. As a result of this stock swap merger, Companhia de Bebidas became a wholly owned subsidiary of Ambev S.A. and the Companhia de Bebidas shareholders received five Ambev S.A. common shares in exchange for each Companhia de Bebidas common or preferred share, and holders of ADRs representing common or preferred shares of Companhia de Bebidas received five Ambev S.A. ADRs in exchange for each Companhia de Bebidas ADR.

On 30 October 2013, the Brazilian Securities Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários—CVM) granted Ambev S.A.’s registration as a publicly held company and its shares and ADRs began to be traded, respectively, on the BM&FBOVESPA and on the NYSE on 11 November 2013. The shares issued by Companhia de Bebidas have no longer been traded on the traditional segment of BM&FBOVESPA since 8 November 2013.

On 2 January 2014, the Ambev S.A. shareholders approved the merger of Companhia de Bebidas into Ambev S.A. Thereafter, we retained an unchanged 61.9% economic interest in Ambev S.A., which will continue the Companhia de Bebidas operations, and our voting interest in Ambev S.A. was reduced to 61.9%.

Keurig Green MountainDr Pepper Joint Venture

In December 2016, we entered into an agreement with Keurig Dr Pepper, formerly Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., to establish a joint venture for conducting research and development of anin-home alcohol drink system, focusing on the USUnited States and Canadian markets. The transaction, which closed in the first quarter of 2017, includesincluded the contribution of intellectual property and manufacturing assets from Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Dr Pepper. Pursuant to the terms of the joint venture agreement, we own 70% of the voting and economic interest in the joint venture and Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Dr Pepper owns 30% and has certain minority protection rights. The chairmanchair of our board, Olivier Goudet, sits on the board of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Dr Pepper and is a partner in and CEO of JAB Holding Company, which indirectly controls Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Dr Pepper. In addition, Alexandre Van Damme and Alejandro Santo Domingo, two members of our board of directors, sitformerly sat on the board of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Dr Pepper. All three of these directors recused themselves from the deliberation and decision by our board regarding the joint venture.

C. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Consolidated Financial Statements

See “Item 18. Financial Statements.” For a discussion of our export sales, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review.”

Legal and Arbitration Proceedings

Litigation is subject to uncertainty and we and each of our subsidiaries named as a defendant believe, and have so been advised by counsel handling the respective cases, that we have valid defenses to the litigation pending against us, as well as valid bases for appeal of adverse verdicts, if any. All such cases are, and will continue to be, vigorously defended. However, we and our subsidiaries may enter into settlement discussions in particular cases if we believe it is in our best interests to do so. Except as set forth herein, there have been no governmental, judicial or arbitration proceedings (including any such proceedings which are pending or threatened against us or our subsidiaries of which we are aware) during athe period between 1 January 20152018 and the date of this Form20-F which may have, or have had in the recent past, significant effects on our financial position and profitability.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Budweiser Trademark Litigation

We are involved in a long-standing trademark dispute with the brewer Budejovicky Budvar, n.p. located in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. This dispute involves the BUD and BUDWEISER trademarks and includes actions pending in national trademark offices as well as courts. Currently there are approximately 8065 cases pending in around 4036 jurisdictions. While there are a significant number of actions pending, taken in the aggregate, the actions do not represent a material risk to our financial position or profitability.

Starbev Litigation

At the time of the 2009 sale of our Central European operations to CVC Capital Partners (“CVC”), we received rights under a Contingent Value Right Agreement (“CVR Agreement”) to a future payment that was contingent on CVC’s return on its initial investments. On 15 June 2012, CVC sold the business to Molson Coors Brewing Company (“Molson Coors”) for an aggregate consideration of EUR 2.65 billion (USD 3.50 billion). We believe that as a result of the sale to Molson Coors, the return earned by CVC triggered our right to a further payment under the CVR Agreement. On 25 October 2012, CVC issued proceedings against us in the English Commercial Court in relation to the CVR Agreement and sought a declaration that the return it received following the sale to Molson Coors did not trigger our right to payment. We served our defense and counterclaim on 19 December 2012. In April 2014, the English Commercial Court ruled in favor of us and found that CVC had breached certain contractual obligations under the CVR Agreement. Under the CVR Agreement, we received approximately EUR 32 million (USD 42 million) in 2013 and EUR 143 million (USD 192 million) in 2014 from CVC. In May 2016, the English Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal relating to the Commercial Court’s April 2014 judgment. No further appeals were filed and the matter is closed.

Investigations Inquiring into Indian Operations

We have previously reported that the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice informed us that they were conducting investigations into our current and former affiliates in India, including anon-consolidated Indian joint venture that we exited in 2015, AB InBev India Private Limited, and whether certain relationships of agents and employees were compliant with the FCPA. We cooperated in the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice investigations. On 8 June 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice notified us that it was closing its investigation and would not be pursuing enforcement action in this matter. On 28 September 2016, we entered into a settlement agreement with the SEC, pursuant to which we agreed to pay an aggregate amount (including disgorgement and penalties) of USD 6 million and assume certain ongoing reporting and cooperation obligations.

obligations, which ended on 28 September 2018.

Alcohol-by-Volume Litigation

In 2018, the first quarterCompetition Commission of 2013, nine lawsuits were filedIndia opened an investigation against usSAB India Limited (now AB InBev India Limited) and other brewers relating to thealcohol-by-volumelegacy pricing practices in severalthe Indian market involving sharing of our beer brands. Eightinformation among competitors with a view to align on prices. We have been fully cooperating with the Competition Commission of these lawsuits were filedIndia throughout its investigation, which is ongoing. At this stage, it is not possible to indicate how long the investigation will take or what the outcome will be and no provision has been made in federal courts located in California, Colorado, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. The ninth was filed in state court in Missouri. The lawsuits generally allege that such products contain loweralcohol-by-volume levels than what is stated on the labels, in violation of various federal and state laws. In June 2013, the lawsuits in federal courts were consolidated into a multi-district litigation in Ohio. In June 2014, the lawsuits in federal courts were dismissed with prejudice. Plaintiffs appealed the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, which affirmed the dismissal in March 2016. The dismissal is now final. Following the Sixth Circuit ruling, the Missouri state case, which was stayed pending appeal, was also dismissed. All nine lawsuits are now concluded.connection therewith.

Belgian Tax Matters

In February 2015, the European Commission opened anin-depth state aid investigation into the Belgian excess profit ruling system. On 11 January 2016, the European Commission adopted a negative decision finding that the Belgian excess profit ruling system constitutes an aid scheme incompatible with the internal market and ordering Belgium to recover the incompatible aid from a number of aid beneficiaries. The Belgian authorities must now determine whichhave contacted the companies that have benefitted from the system and have advised each company of the precise amountsamount of incompatible aid that is potentially subject to be recovered from each company. We had a Belgian excess profit ruling, but Belgium has not yet formally required any recovery. In addition, theThe European Commission decision was appealed to the European Union’s General Court by Belgium on 22 March 2016 and by us on 12 July 2016. The appeals do not suspend the recovery process, and we cannot at this stage estimate the final outcome of such legal proceedings. Based on the estimated exposure related to the excess profit ruling applicable to us, the different elements referred to above, as well as the possibility that taxes paid abroad andnon-recognized tax loss carry-forwardscarryforwards could eventually partly or fully offset amounts subject to recovery, if any, we have not recorded any provisions in connection therewith as of 31 December 2016.2018.

In addition, the Belgian tax authorities have also questioned the validity and the actual application of the excess profit ruling that was issued in favor of us and have refused the actual tax exemption which it confers. Against such decision, we have filed a court claim before the Brussels court of first instance. Also in respect of this aspect of the excess profit ruling matter, considering the company’s and its counsel assessment, as well as the position taken by the tax authorities’ mediation services, in respect of the merits of the case, we have not recorded any provisions as of 31 December 2018.

On 24 January 2019, we deposited EUR 68 million (USD 77 million) in a blocked account. Depending on the final outcome of the European Court procedures on the Belgian excess profit ruling system, as well as the pending Belgian court case, this amount will either be slightly modified, released back to the company or paid over to the Belgian State.

On 14 February 2019, the European General Court concluded that the Belgian excess profit ruling system does not constitute illegal state aid. The European Commission can appeal the judgment of the General Court.

Antitrust Matters

European Commission Antitrust Investigation

On 30 JuneIn 2016, the European Commission announced an investigation into alleged abuse of a dominant position by AB InBev in Belgium through certain practices aimed at restricting trade from other European Union member states to Belgium. The fact that an investigation has been initiated does not mean that the European Commission has concluded that there is an infringement. We are fully cooperating with the investigation. It is not possible to indicate how long the investigation will take or what the outcome will be and no provision has been made in connection therewith. There is no connection between this investigation and the Transaction.

German Antitrust Investigation

In August 2011, the German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) launched an investigation against several breweries and retailers in Germany in connection with an allegationthese ongoing proceedings, we made a provision of anti-competitive vertical price maintenance by breweriesvis-à-vis their trading partners in Germany. On 18 June 2015 and on 9 May 2016, theBundeskartellamt announced that it partially concluded these proceedings and issued fines against a number of German retailers. On 13 December 2016, the investigation of theBundeskartellamt was closed. Due to our cooperation with the Bundeskartellamt, we received full immunity from fines, which was confirmed by theBundeskartellamt by a letter dated 13 December 2016.USD 230 million.

Grupo ModeloSAB Transaction

Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, before the combination with Grupo Modelo could be completed, Grupo Modelo and we were each required to file a notification and report form and to wait until the applicable waiting period had expired or been terminated. In July 2012, we and Grupo Modelo filed notification and report forms under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. The initial30-day waiting period was extended on 17 August 2012 for a period of time necessary for us and Grupo Modelo to respond to requests for additional information we and Grupo Modelo received from the U.S. Department of Justice, plus an additional 30 days for the relevant U.S. authorities to review after both parties substantially complied with the requests.

On 31 January 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the proposed combination with Grupo Modelo and seeking an injunction to block the transaction.

Thereafter, on 19 April 2013, we announced that, together with Grupo Modelo and Constellation Brands, Inc., we had reached a final settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The terms of the settlement were substantially in line with the revised transaction announced on 14 February 2013, and included binding commitments to the revised transaction, designed to

ensure a prompt divestiture of assets by us to Constellation Brands, Inc. and the necessarybuild-out of the Piedras Negras brewery by Constellation Brands, Inc., as well as certain distribution guarantees for Constellation Brands, Inc. in the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia and Guam. For more information on the settlement agreement, see “Item 10—C. Material Contracts—Grupo Modelo Settlement Agreement.”

SABMiller Transaction

On 20 July 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust action in the U.S. federal district court in the District of Columbia, seeking to enjoin the Transaction.combination with SAB. On the same date, we announced that we had entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice, which cleared the way for United States approval of the Transaction.combination with SAB. For more information on the terms of the consent decree, see “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SABMiller—SAB—U.S. Department of Justice Consent Decree.”

Ambev and Its Subsidiaries

Cerveceria Bucanero Trademark ClaimTax Matters

In 2009, we received noticethe past, Ambev has been subject to various tax assessments, as detailed below. In 2017, Ambev decided to participate in the Federal Tax Amnesty Program established by Provisional Measure No. 783/2017, converted into Law No. 13,496/2017 (“PERT 2017”), undertaking to pay tax assessments that were in dispute under administrative or judicial level, including debts from its subsidiaries, in the total amount of a claim purportingR$3.5 billion (USD 1.1 billion) (already considering discounts established by the program). The total amount paid in 2017 was approximately R$1.0 billion (USD 0.3 billion) and the balance will be paid in 145 monthly installments, with interest, starting in January 2018. All installments due from Ambev up to be made under the Helms-Burton Act relating to the use of a trademark by Cerveceria Bucanero S.A., which is alleged todate have been confiscatedpaid by the Cuban government and trafficked by us through our ownership and management of this company. Although we have attempted to review and evaluate the validity of the claim, due to the uncertain underlying circumstances, we are currently unable to express a view as to the validity of such claims, or as to the standing of the claimants to pursue them.

Tax Matters

ICMS Value-Added Tax, IPIImposto sobre Produtos Industrializados Excise Tax and Taxes on Net Sales

In 2013, 2014 and 2015, Ambev has been partyreceived tax assessments issued by the States of Pará and Piauí to legal proceedings with the state of Rio de Janeiro where it is challenging such State’s attempt to assesspay aImposto Sobre Operações Relativas à Circulação de Mercadorias e Servicos de Transporte Interestadual dè Intermunicipal e de Comunicações (“ICMS”) value-added tax allegedly due with respect to unconditional discounts granted by Ambev from January 1996 to February 1998. In 2015, these proceedings were beforeAmbev. The tax assessments are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial levels of the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice and the Brazilian Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal). In October 2015 and January 2016, Ambev paid the amounts related to the state of Rio de Janeiro’s proceedings with discounts under an incentive tax payment program granted by that state in the total amount of R$271 million (USD 78 million). In 2013, 2014 and 2015, we received similar tax assessments issued by the States of Pará and Piauí relating to the same issue, which are currently under discussion.courts. Ambev management estimates the amount involved in these proceedings to be approximately R$559.5 million0.6 billion (USD 172 million)0.2 billion) as of 31 December 2016 (which reflects the payments made in October 2015 and January 2016),2018, which is classified as a possible loss and, therefore, for which no provision has been made.

Goods manufactured within the Manaus Free Trade Zone (“ZFM”) intended for remittance elsewhere in Brazil are exempt from the BrazilianImposto Sobre Produtos Industrializados (“IPI”) excise tax. Ambev has been registering IPI excise tax(excise tax) presumed credits upon the acquisition of exempted inputs manufactured in the Manaus Free Trade Zone.ZFM. Since 2009, Ambev has been receiving a number of tax assessments from the Brazilian federal tax authorities relating to the disallowance of such presumed tax credits, which are under discussion before the Brazilian Supreme Court.Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal), with a trial expected for April 2019. Ambev management estimates the possible losses in relation to these assessments to be R$2.03.8 billion (USD 610 million)1.0 billion) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection with these assessments.

In addition, over the years, Ambev has received tax assessments from the Brazilian federal tax authorities charging federal taxes that they considered unduly offset with the disallowed IPI excise tax credits which are under discussion in the otherabove-mentioned proceedings. Ambev is currently challenging those charges in the courts. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to these assessments to be approximately R$735.5 million1.1 billion (USD 226 million)0.3 billion) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection with these assessments.

In 2014 and 2015, Ambev received tax assessments from the Brazilian federal tax authorities relating to IPI excise tax, associated withallegedly due over remittances of manufactured goods to other related factories. The cases are being challenged at both administrative and judicial levels. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to these assessments to be approximately R$1.51.6 billion (USD 460 million)0.4 billion) as of 31 December 2016.

In June 2015, Ambev received a tax assessment issued by the State of Pernambuco, relating to ICMS value-added tax differences, based on allegednon-compliance with a state tax incentive agreement, PRODEPE, related to February 2014. In 2015,

Ambev was notified of new tax assessments related to the same matter. In March 2016, Ambev achieved a partial victory relating to one of the tax assessments, where the respective fine was definitively annulled by the administrative court. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to this matter to be approximately R$ 404.1 million (USD 124 million) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has not recorded provisionsany provision in the total amount of R$2.6 million (USD 0.8 million) in relation to the proceedings for which Ambev considers the chances of loss to be probable, considering specific procedural issues.connection with these assessments.

Over the years, Ambev has received tax assessments relating to alleged ICMS value-added tax differences that some Brazilian states consider due in the tax substitution system in cases where the price of certain products sold by a factoryAmbev reached levels close to or above the fixed price table basis established by such states. Ambev is currently challenging those charges beforestates, where the courts. In 2015, Ambevstate tax authorities expect that the calculation basis should be based on a value-added percentage over the actual price and not on the fixed table price.

Among other similar cases, the company received new taxthree assessments related to the same issue, in the amount of approximately R$332 million (USD 102 million). In August 2016, Ambev received a new assessment, issued by the State of Minas Gerais in theoriginally for an amount of R$1.4 billion regarding(USD 0.4 billion). In the first quarter of 2018, the Upper House of the Administrative Tax Court of the State of Minas Gerais ruled against Ambev on these three cases. The State of Minas Gerais has filed judicial claims and Ambev has filed defenses in the judicial courts. In 2018, Ambev also received assessments from the State of Rio de Janeiro in the original amount of R$0.9 billion (USD 0.2 billion) related to the same matter (USD 430 million). Considering this new assessmentissue. Ambev is defending against these tax assessments and others received in 2016,now awaits the decisions from the relevant administrative courts. Ambev management estimates the amount related to this issue to be approximately R$4.57.7 billion (USD 1.42.0 billion) as of 31 December 2016,2018, classified as a possible loss and, therefore, for which we haveAmbev has made no provision. We haveAmbev has recorded provisions in the total amount of R$1.78 million (USD 0.52 million) for proceedings where we considerit considers the chances of loss to be probable, considering specific procedural issues.

In 2015, Ambev received a tax assessment issued by the State of Pernambuco to charge ICMS differences due to allegednon-compliance with the state tax incentive agreement (“PRODEPE”). As a result of the modification of Ambev’s monthly reports, state tax authorities decided that Ambev was unable to use the tax incentives. In 2017, Ambev received a favorable decision nullifying the assessment due to formal mistakes committed by the tax auditor. However, in September 2018, Ambev received a new tax assessment for payment of the same disputed amounts. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to this issue to be approximately R$0.6 billion (USD 0.2 billion) as of 31 December 2018. Ambev has recorded a provision in the total amount of R$3 million (USD 1 million) in relation to one proceeding where it considers the chances of loss to be partially probable.

In addition to the ICMS matters, Ambev is currently challenging tax assessments issued by various Brazilian states, as described below.

State Tax Incentives of the National Council on Fiscal Policy (Conselho Nacional de Política Fazendária or “CONFAZ”CONFAZ)

Many states in Brazil offer tax incentive programs to attract investments to their regions, pursuant to the rules of the CONFAZ, a council formed by the Treasury Secretaries from each of the 27 Brazilian states. Ambev participates in ICMS value-added tax credit programs offered by various Brazilian states which provide (i) tax credits to offset ICMS value-added tax payables and (ii) ICMS value-added tax deferrals. In return, Ambev is required to meet certain operational requirements, including, depending on the state, production volume and employment targets, among others. All of these conditions are included in specific agreements between Ambev and the relevant state governments.

There isAs previously disclosed, there has in recent years been a controversy regarding whether these benefits are constitutional when granted without the prior approval of every Brazilian state participating in the CONFAZ. Some states and public prosecutors have filed direct actions of unconstitutionality (Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade) before the Brazilian Supreme Court to challenge the constitutionality of certain state laws granting tax incentive programs unilaterally, without the prior approval of the CONFAZ.

Since 2007, Ambev hashad received tax assessments from thevarious states, of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and other states in the aggregate amount of R$1.8 billion (USD 550 million) as of 31 December 2016, challenging the legality of tax credits arising from existing tax incentives received by Ambev in other states. Ambev has treatedAmbev’s management estimates the possible losses related to these proceedingsassessments to be approximately R$2.1 billion (USD 0.5 billion) as a possible (butof 31 December 2018 and have not probable) loss. Such estimate is based on Ambev management assessments, but should Ambev lose such proceedings,recorded any provisions in connection therewith.

In 2017, Supplementary Law No. 160 was published authorizing the expected net impact on its income statement would be an expense for this amount. Moreover, Ambev cannot rule outstates and the possibility of other Brazilian states issuing similarFederal District to revalidate within 180 days the tax assessments relating to other of Ambev’s state tax incentives. In 2011, the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled 14 Brazilian state laws granting tax incentivesbenefits allegedly created without the prior approvalapprovals required under Brazilian tax laws and regulations by means of an Interstate Agreement. Under the provisions of the CONFAZ to be unconstitutional, including one granting incentives to Ambev in the federal district, which Ambev has ceased to benefit from since such decision. In a meeting heldaforementioned Supplementary Law, Confaz Interstate Agreement No. 190 was published on 30 September 2011, the CONFAZ issued a resolution suspending the right of18 December 2017, allowing the states to claimrepublish and reinstall the returnstate tax benefits created up to 8 August 2017. The validation of thesuch tax incentives, incurredhowever, is not self-applicable and it depends on the fulfillment of certain conditions by the beneficiariesgranting state. Ambev’s management believes that the states will be able to comply with such conditions, with the exception of the state laws declared unconstitutional. There are a number of other lawsuits before the Brazilian Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of incentives laws offered by some states without the prior approval of the CONFAZ,Amazonas, which may impact Ambev’s state tax incentives.

In 2012, the Brazilian Supreme Court issued a binding precedent proposal (Proposta de Súmula Vinculante No. 69/2012), which would automatically declare as unconstitutional all tax incentives granted without prior unanimous approval of the CONFAZ. In order to become effective, such proposal must be approved bytwo-thirds of the members of the Brazilian Supreme Court. Ambev doesdecided not expect that the Brazilian Supreme Court will vote on this matter before the Brazilian Congress votes a bill of law aimed at regulating this issue. There are currently a number of different proposals before the Brazilian Congress, which generally provide for (i) existing tax incentives to be grandfathereda party to the Interstate Agreement. Ambev will continue to defend its position in these assessments, including those related to the state of Amazonas and those related to the states in which the conditions for a number of years; (ii) new tax incentives to be approved by a majority of the Brazilian states (rather than unanimously); and (iii) a reduction on interstate ICMS value-added taxes in order to decrease the effect of tax benefits on interstate transactions. However, no assurance can be given that the Brazilian Supreme Court willvalidation are not vote on the binding precedent proposal before the matter is ultimately legislated by the Brazilian Congress. It is also unclear whether the Supreme Court decision would forgive the already availed incentives or establish a transition period.satisfied.

Ambev Profits Generated Abroad

During the first quarter of 2005, certain subsidiaries of Ambev received a number of assessments from Brazilian federal tax authorities relating to profits obtained by its subsidiaries domiciled outside Brazil. In December 2008, the Administrative Tax Court

rendered a decision on one of these tax assessments relating to the earnings of Ambev’s foreign profits.subsidiaries. This decision was partially favorable to Ambev, and in connection with the remaining part, Ambev filed an appeal to the Upper House of the Administrative Tax Court, which was denied in full in March 2017. In September 2017, renderedAmbev filed a decision fully against us. With respectjudicial proceeding for an injunction in relation to anotherthe tax assessment, which was granted.

In 2016, 2017 and 2018, Ambev received other tax assessments relating to the profits of its foreign subsidiaries. In July and September 2018, the Upper House of the Administrative Court decided two of the tax assessments relating to foreign profits,against Ambev. Ambev has filed a judicial proceeding in one of the cases, where it requested an injunction that was granted. Ambev is considering its potential appeals in the other cases.

In October 2018, the Lower Administrative Tax Court rendered a partially favorable decision in a tax assessment. Ambev is waiting to be notified of the decision in order to analyze potential appeals. The Upper House of the Administrative Court rendered a partially favorable decision to Ambev in September 2011.one assessment and, in another, rendered an unfavorable decision to Ambev. Currently, Ambev received two new tax assessments relatedis waiting to this matterbe notified of the decisions in December 2013 and December 2016. order to analyze the applicable appeals.

As of 31 December 2016,2018, Ambev estimated its exposure tomanagement estimates the possible losses in relation to these assessments to be approximately R$4.97.7 billion (USD 1.52.0 billion) as of 31 December 2016 and, its exposure to probable losses to be R$42 million (USD 13 million), for whichtherefore, has not recorded any provision in connection therewith. Ambev has recorded a provisionprovisions in the corresponding amount. The recent Administrative decision does not changetotal amount of R$46 million (USD 12 million) for proceedings where it considers the likelihoodchance of loss.loss to be probable.

Brazilian Income Tax – Tax Loss Offset

Ambev and certain of its subsidiaries received a number of assessments from Brazilian federal tax authorities relating to the offset of tax loss carryforwards arising in the context of business combinations. In February 2016, Ambev was notifiedthe Upper House of the endAdministrative Tax Court concluded the judgment of two tax assessments on this matter. In both cases, the administrative phase,decision was unfavorable to Ambev and consequently, Ambev promptly filed lawsuits on the matter.a judicial proceeding. In September 2016, Ambev received a favorable courtfirst-level decision in one of the judicial claims. In March 2017, Ambev received an unfavorable first-level decision on the second judicial case and filed an appeal to the judicial court. Both cases are awaiting decisions from the judicial courts. Ambev has also other cases at the administrative level which are pending final decision. Ambev management estimates the total exposures of possible losses in relation to these assessments to be approximately R$0.5 billion (USD 0.20.1 billion) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection with these disputes.

Special Goodwill Reserve

In December 2011, Ambev received a tax assessment from the Brazilian federal tax authorities related to the goodwill amortization resulting from InBev Brasil’s merger with Ambev referred to under “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Ambev Special Goodwill Reserve.” In June 2012, Ambev filed an appeal against the unfavorable first-level administrative decision. In November 2014,The final decision rendered by the Lower Administrative Tax Court concluded the judgment. The decision was a partially favorable anddecision to Ambev. As a result, Ambev presentedfiled a motionjudicial proceeding to clarifydiscuss the unfavorable part of the decision, of the Lower Administrative Tax Courtpursuant to the Upper House ofwhich Ambev was rewarded an injunction. The remaining favorable result will be reexamined by the Administrative Tax Court in September 2016. Ambev is currently waiting for the clarified decision. Upper Court.

In June 2016, Ambev received a new tax assessment charging the remaining value of the goodwill amortization from 2011 to 2013, related to InBev Brasil’s merger with Ambev. In March 2017, Ambev was notified of a partially favorable first-level administrative decision and filed an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court. In May 2018, Ambev received a partially favorable decision at the Lower Administrative Court and is currently waiting to be formally notified of the decision in order to analyze the applicable appeals. Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter and its management estimates possible losses in relation to this assessment to be approximately R$7.89.3 billion (USD 2.4 billion) as of 31 December 2016.2018. In the event that Ambev is required to pay these amounts, we will reimburse Ambev in the amount proportional to the benefit received by us pursuant to the merger protocol, as well as related costs.

In October 2013, Ambev also received a tax assessment related to the goodwill amortization resulting from the merger of Beverage AssociateAssociates Holding Limited into Ambev. Ambev filed its defense in November 2013, and in November 2014,The decision from the Lower Administrative Tax Court published a decisionfirst-level administrative court was unfavorable to Ambev. After submission of a motion to clarify from Ambev, the unfavorable decision was confirmed and Ambev filed an appeal on 2 December 2014to the Lower Administrative Court. In November 2018, Ambev received a partially favorable decision at the Lower Administrative Court, which it is awaiting formal notification of in order to analyze the applicable appeals. In April and has been awaitingAugust 2018, Ambev received new tax assessments charging the decisionremaining value of the Appeals Administrative Tax Court.goodwill amortization, and filed defenses that are currently pending review by the first-level administrative court. Ambev management estimates the amount of possible losses in relation to this assessment to be approximately R$1.52.1 billion (USD 460 million)0.5 billion) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection with this assessment.

In November 2017, Ambev received a tax assessment related to the goodwill amortization resulting from the merger of CND Holdings into Ambev. In November 2018, Ambev received an unfavorable decision from the first-level administrative court and filed an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court, which is currently pending review. Ambev management estimates the amount of possible losses in relation to this assessment to be approximately R$1.1 billion (USD 0.3 billion) as of 31 December 2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

Disallowance of Expenses and Deductibility of Losses

In December 2014, Ambev received a tax assessment from the Brazilian federal tax authorities related to disallowance of allegednon-deductible expenses and certain loss deductions mainly associated with financial investments and loans. Ambev’s defense was presented on 28 January 2015. In July 2016, Ambev was notified of the unfavorable decision of the Lower Administrative Tax Courtfirst-level court and filed an appeal to the UpperLower Administrative Tax Court. In August 2017, the Lower Administrative Tax Court ruled favorably on Ambev’s appeal and, considering that Brazilian tax authorities forfeited their right to appeal the decision, the case was then finalized.

In December 2015 and December 2016, Ambev also received two new tax assessments related to the same matter.matter, to which it presented defenses that are currently awaiting review by the first-level administrative court. Ambev estimates its exposure to possible losses in relation to these assessments to be approximately R$5.64.6 billion (USD 1.71.2 billion) as of 31 December 2016,2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection with these assessments.

Disallowance of Taxes Paid Abroad

BetweenSince 2014, and 2016, Ambev has received tax assessments from the Brazilian federal tax authorities related to the disallowance of deductions associated with alleged unproven taxes paid abroad, for which the decision from the Upper House of the Administrative Tax Court is still pending. In September 2017, Ambev decided to include part of those tax assessments in the Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program of Provisional Measure No. 783. In June 2018, Ambev was notified of a favorable decision from the first-level administrative court, cancelling four of these assessments from 2015 and 2016. In August and September 2018, however, the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service issued new decisions reestablishing these assessments and issued new tax assessments. As of 31 December 2016,2018, Ambev management estimated the exposure of approximately R$2.89.5 billion (USD 860 million)2.5 billion) as a possible risk, and accordingly Ambev has not recorded a provision for such amount, and estimated approximately R$194 million (USD 60 million) as a probable loss for which Ambev has recorded a provision in the same amount.

Presumed Profit

In April 2016, Arosuco, a subsidiary of Ambev, received a tax assessment regarding the use of the presumed profit method for the calculation of income tax and the social contribution on net profit instead of the real profit method. In September 2017, Arosuco hasreceived an unfavorable first-level administrative decision, and filed a defense and is awaiting the decision ofan appeal to the Lower Administrative Tax Court. In January 2019, the case was reviewed by the Lower Administrative Court, which ruled favorably to Ambev. Ambev is awaiting formal notification of the decision in order to analyze its content and any applicable legal motions or appeals. Arosuco management estimates the amount of possible losses in relation to this assessment to be approximately R$569.6 million0.6 billion (USD 175 million)0.2 billion) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Arosuco has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

In December 2016, CRBS, a subsidiary of Social Contributions

Ambev has received a number of tax assessment regarding the same matter. CRBS has filed a defense and is awaiting the decision of the Lower Administrative Tax Court. CRBS estimates that the possible losses related to this matter are approximately R$3.6 billion (USD 1.1 billion).

Social Contributions

In December 2015, Ambev received a tax assessmentassessments issued by the Brazilian federal tax authorities relating to amounts allegedly due under Integration Program/Social Security Financing Levy (PIS/COFINS) over bonus products granted to its customerscustomers. The cases are now being discussed at the relevant judicial and administrative courts. In January 2019, three lawsuits relating to the matter were included in a decision from a judgment panel in the first quarter of 2011. In 2016,Lower Administrative Court. The decision was favorable to Ambev, received new assessments relatedwhich is awaiting formal notification to analyze the same issue for subsequent periods.applicable appeals. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to these assessments to be approximately R$1.454.0 billion (USD 0.51.0 billion) as of 31 December 2016. Ambev filed defenses against these assessments and currently awaits judgment.2018. No related provision has been made.

Labor Matters

Ambev is involved in more than 25,00020,000 labor claims. Most of the labor claims facing Ambev relate to its Brazilian operations. In Brazil, it is not unusual for a large company to be named as a defendant in such a significant number of claims. As of 31 December 2016,2018, Ambev has made provisions totaling R$165.7114 million (USD 5129 million) in connection with the above labor claims involving former, current and outsourced employees and relating mainly to overtime, dismissals, severance, health and safety premiums, supplementary retirement benefits and other matters, all of which are awaiting judicial resolution and have probable chance of loss.

In connection with these labor matters, Ambev is also involved in claims regarding the social charges on payroll. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to these claims to be approximately R$0.3 billion (USD 0.1 billion) as of 31 December 2018. Ambev has recorded provisions of R$20 million (USD 5 million) for proceedings where it considers the chance of loss to be probable.

Civil ClaimsMatters

As of 31 December 2016,2018, Ambev was involved in more than 7,800approximately 9,000 civil claims pending, including third-party distributors and product-related claims. Ambev has established provisions totaling R$43.948 million (USD 12 million) reflecting applicable adjustments, such as accrued interest, as of 31 December 20162018 in connection with civil claims.

Subscription Warrants

In 2002, Ambev decided to request a ruling from the CVM (ComissaoComissão de Valores Mobiliarios, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil) in connection with a dispute between Ambev and some of its warrant holders regarding the criteria used in the calculation of the strike price of certain Ambev warrants. In March and April 2003, the CVM ruled that the criteria used by Ambev to calculate the strike price were correct. In response to the CVM’s final decision and seeking to reverse it, some of the warrant holders filed separate lawsuits before the courts of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Although the warrants expired without being exercised, the warrant holders claim that the strike price should be reduced to take into account the strike price of certain stock options granted by Ambev under its then-existing stock ownership program, as well as for the strike price of other warrants issued in 1993 by Brahma.

Ambev has knowledge of at least seven claims in which the plaintiffs argue that they would be entitled to those rights. One of these cases was settled. Two of them were ruled favorably to Ambev by the appellate court of the State of São Paulo. Both decisions were confirmed by the Superior Court of Justice. The plaintiffs have appealed to the Special Court of the Superior Court of Justice with requests for reconsideration based on conflicting precedent and such appeals are pending. Of the four other claims, Ambev received a favorable ruling in one claim by a first level court in Rio de Janeiro, and the appellate court of the state of Rio de Janeiro ruled against Ambev in another three claims. Ambev has appealed to the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice with respect to the final decisions issued by the appellate court of the State of Rio de Janeiro. In 2016, Ambev received a favorable ruling in one such appeal, to which the plaintiffplaintiffs filed a further appeal, which is currently pending judgment. In the beginning ofDuring 2017, the SupremeSuperior Court of Justice ruled on two otherof the appeals in Ambev’s favor, and the plaintiffs also filed appeals against the decisions. These three cases, ruled favorably to us, are pending final judgment. In November 2017, the Federal Public Prosecutor filed a motion favorable to Ambev, butAmbev’s position in one of the plaintiffs may appeal such decision to the Special Court.cases. The remaining appeal isappeals are still pending final disposition.

The warrant holders of both claims that were deniedjudgment by the appellate court of the State of São Paulo have also appealed to the Superior Court of Justice. The Superior Court of Justice decided in favor of Ambev on both claims, although the decisions are subject to appeal.

In the event the plaintiffs prevail in the above six pending proceedings, Ambev believes that the corresponding economic dilution for the existing shareholders would be the difference between the market value of the shares at the time they were issued and the value ultimately established in liquidation proceedings as being the subscription price pursuant to the exercise of the warrants. Ambev believes that the warrants that are the object of those six proceedings represented, on 31 December 2016,2018, 172,831,574 Ambev common shares that would be issued at a value substantially below fair market value, should the claimants ultimately prevail. The plaintiffs also claim they should receive past dividends related to these shares in the amount of R$761.7 million0.9 billion (USD 234 million)0.2 billion) as of 31 December 2016.2018.

Ambev believes, based on its management assessments, that its chances of receiving unfavorable final decisions in this matter are either possible or remote, and, therefore, it has not established a provision for this litigation in its audited consolidated financial statements. As these disputes are based on whether Ambev should receive as a subscription price a lower price than the price that it considers correct, a provision of amounts with respect to these proceedings would only be applicable with respect to legal fees and past dividends.

Environmental Matters

Riachuelo

In 2004, an environmental complaint was initiated by certain neighbors residing in the Riachuelo BasinLawsuit against the State of Argentina, the Province of Buenos Aires, the city of Buenos Aires and more than 40 corporate entities (including Ambev’s subsidiary, Cerveceria y Malteria Quilmes S.A.) with premises located in the Riachuelo Basin or that discharge their waste into the Riachuelo River. In this complaint, the Argentine Supreme Court of Justice ruled that the State of Argentina, the Province of Buenos Aires and the city of Buenos Aires remain primarily responsible for the remediation of the environment, and further resolved that the Riachuelo Basin Authority, an environmental authority created in 2006 pursuant to the Argentine Law No. 26, 168, would be responsible for the implementation of a Remediation Plan for the Riachuelo Basin. The Argentine Supreme Court of Justice also decided that any claim on damages should be initiated before a civil court. No further claims have been initiated against Cerveceria y Malteria Quilmes S.A.

Lawsuit Against the Brazilian Beer Industry

On 28 October 2008, the Brazilian Federal Prosecutor’s Office (Ministério Público Federal) filed a suit for damages against Ambev and two other brewing companies claiming total damages of approximately R$2.8 billion (USD 860 million)0.7 billion) (of which approximately R$2.1 billion (USD 640 million)0.5 billion) are claimed against Ambev). The public prosecutor alleges that: (i) alcohol causes serious damage to individual and public health, and that beer is the most

consumed alcoholic beverage in Brazil; (ii) defendants have approximately 90% of the national beer market share and are responsible for heavy investments in advertising; and (iii) the advertising campaigns increase not only the market share of the defendants but also the total consumption of alcohol and, hence, cause damage to society and encourage underage consumption.

Shortly after the above lawsuit was filed, a consumer-protection association applied to be admitted as a joint-plaintiff. The association has made further requests in addition to the ones made by the Public Prosecutor, including the claim for “collective moral damages” in an amount to be ascertained by the court; however, it suggests that it should be equal to the initial request of R$2.8 billion (USD 860 million)0.7 billion), therefore doubling the initial amount involved. The court has admitted the association as joint plaintiff and has agreed to hear the new claims. After the exchange of written submissions and documentary evidence, the case was dismissed by the lower court judge, dismissed the case in May 2016, rejectingwho denied all claims filed bysubmitted against Ambev and the Federal Prosecutor’s Office.

other defendants. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has appealed to the Federal Court, but Ambev believes, based on management assessments, that its chances of loss remain remote and, therefore, has not made any provision with respect to such claim.

Class Action Canada (Brewers Retail Inc. Litigation)

On 12 December 2014, a lawsuit was commenced in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Brewers Retail Inc. (known as The Beer Store or “TBS”TBS) and the owners of Brewers Retail Inc. (Molson Coors Canada, Sleeman Breweries Ltd. and Labatt Breweries of Canada LP). The lawsuit was brought in Canada pursuant to the Ontario Class Proceedings Act, and sought, among other things: (i) to obtain a declaration that the defendants conspired with each other to allocate markets for the supply of beer sold in Ontario since 1 June 2000; (ii) to obtain a declaration that Brewers Retail Inc. and the owners of Brewers Retail Inc. conspired to fix, increase and/or maintain prices charged to Ontario licensees(on-trade) for beer and the fees charged by TBS to other competitive brewers who wished to sell their products through TBS; and (iii) damages for unjust enrichment.

As part of this third allegation, the plaintiffs allege illegal trade practices by the owners of Brewers Retail Inc. They are seeking damages not exceeding CAD $1.4 billion (USD 1.0 billion), as well as punitive, exemplary and aggravated damages of CAD $5 million (USD 3.74 million) and changes/repeals of the affected legislation. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith. A motion forIn March 2018, the court granted summary judgment has been filed byand dismissed the defendants and should be heard inclass claims. The plaintiffs have appealed. The hearing before the fourth quarter of 2017. The class certification and trial on the merits is not expected to be held before 2018.

Anheuser-Busch

Dispositions Pension Litigation

On 1 December 2009, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC and the Anheuser-Busch Companies Pension Plan were sued in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in a lawsuit styled Richard F. Angevine v. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, et al. The plaintiff sought to represent a class of certain employees of Busch Entertainment Corporation, which was divested on 1 December 2009, and the four Metal Container Corporation plants which were divested on 1 October 2009. He also sought to certify a class action and represent certain employees of any other subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC that has been divested or may be divested during the three-year period from the date of the Anheuser-Busch acquisition, 18 November 2008 through 17 November 2011. Among other things, the lawsuit claimed that we failed to provide him and the other class members (if certified) with certain enhanced benefits, and breached our fiduciary duties under the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. On 16 July 2010, the court dismissed plaintiff’s lawsuit. The court ruled that the claims for breach of fiduciary duty and punitive damages were not proper. The court also found that the plaintiff did not exhaust all of his administrative remedies, which he must first do before filing a lawsuit. On 9 August 2010, the plaintiff filed an appeal of this decision to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals which was deniedtook place on 22 July 2011. No further appeals were filed.

On 15 September 2010, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV28 and several of its related companies were sued in Federal Court for the Southern District of Ohio in a lawsuit entitled Rusby Adams et al. v. AB InBev, et al. This lawsuit was filed by four employees of Metal Container Corporation’s facilities in Columbus, Ohio, Gainesville, Florida,29 January 2019, and Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin that were divested on 1 October 2009. Similar to the Angevine lawsuit, these plaintiffs seek to represent a class of participants of the Anheuser-Busch Companies Salaried Employees’ Pension Plan (the “Plan”) who had been employed by subsidiaries of Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC that had been divested during the period of 18 November 2008 through 17 November 2011. The plaintiffs also allege claims similar to the Angevine lawsuit, namely, that by failing to provide plaintiffs with these enhanced benefits, we breached our fiduciary duties under the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. We filed a Motion to Dismiss and obtained dismissal of the breach of fiduciary duty claims in April 2011, leaving only the claims for benefits remaining. On 28 March 2012, the Court certified that the case could proceed as a class action comprised of former employees of the divested Metal Container Corporation operations. On 9 January 2013, the Court granted our Motion for Judgment on the Administrative Record. The plaintiffs appealed the decision on 5 February 2013. On 11 July 2014, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the lower court and remanded the case for judgment. On 16 September 2014, our Motion for Rehearing En Banc was denied. A Final Order and Judgment was then entered by the district court on 24 December 2014, which ordered the Plan to provide the enhanced pension benefits to members of the certified class. We believe the total amount of the enhanced benefitsjudgment is approximately USD 8 million.

On 10 January 2012, a class action complaint asserting claims very similar to those assertedexpected in the Angevine lawsuit was filed in Federal Court for the Eastern Districtsecond quarter of Missouri, styled Nancy Anderson et al. v. 2019.

Anheuser-Busch Companies Pension Plan et al. Unlike the Angevine case, however, the plaintiff in this matter alleges complete exhaustion of all administrative remedies. On 11 March 2013 the court consolidated the case with the Knowlton case mentioned below. A three-count consolidated complaint was filed on 19 April 2013. On 30 October 2013, the court dismissed Counts II and III, including the breach of fiduciary claims, but granted plaintiff leave to amend. On 19 November 2013, the plaintiff filed an amended Count III. We filed an Answer to amended Count III on 30 May 2014. On 16 May 2014, the Court granted the plaintiff’s class certification motion on Count I, which certified a class of divested employees of Busch Entertainment Corporation.

On 10 October 2012, another class action complaint was filed against Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, Anheuser-Busch Companies Pension Plan, Anheuser-Busch Companies Pension Plan Appeals Committee and the Anheuser-Busch Companies Pension Plan Administrative Committee by Brian Knowlton and several other former Busch Entertainment Corporation Employees in the Southern District of California. Like the other lawsuits, the Knowlton case claims that the employees of any divested assets were entitled to enhanced retirement benefits under section 19.11(f) of the Plan. However, it specifically excluded the divested Metal Container Corporation facilities that were included in the Adams class action. On 11 March 2013 the court consolidated the case with the Anderson matter. On 30 October 2013, the court dismissed Counts II and III of the Consolidated Complaint, including the breach of fiduciary claims, but granted plaintiff leave to amend. On 19 November 2013, the plaintiff filed an amended Count III, which was answered. On 16 May 2014, the Court granted plaintiffs’ request for class certification, which certified a class of divested employees of Busch Entertainment Corporation. On 8 July 2015, the Court granted plaintiffs’ Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, which was

based on the decision by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in the Adams case. On 9 October 2015, the Court issued a final, appealable order, as well as a stay pending appeal. On 22 February 2017, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court’s decision awarding enhanced pension benefits to the class of divested employees of Busch Entertainment Corporation, but remanded the case to the lower court and in so doing asked the lower court to reconsider whether plaintiffs were entitled to a judgment containing the specific benefits owed. We believe that the total amount of enhanced pension benefit at issue in this case is approximately USD 67.8 million.

Tax Matters

In early 2014, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, received a net proposed tax assessment from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) of USD 306 million, predominately involving certain intercompany transactions related to tax returns for the years 2008 and 2009. In November 2015, the IRS issued an additional proposed tax assessment of USD 130 million for tax years 2010 and 2011. Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. has contestedreached a settlement with the proposed assessmentsIRS for the 2008 to 2011 tax years with the IRSfor approximately USD 300 million that includes federal tax and intends to vigorously defend its position.interest, and associated state tax and interest.

SAP Arbitration

On 21 February 2017, SAP America, Inc. (“SAP”) commenced an arbitration in New York against Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The statement of claim asserts multiple breaches of a 30 September 2010 Software License Agreement (together with related amendments and ancillary documents, the “SLA”) based on allegations that company employees used SAP systems and data—directly and indirectly—without appropriate licenses, and that the company underpaid fees due under the SLA. The statement of claim seeks both reformation of the SLA in certain respects and also damages potentially in excess of USD 600 million. We intend to defend against SAP’s asserted claims vigorously.

Dividend Policy

Our current dividend policy is to declare a dividend representing in aggregate at least 25% of our consolidated profit attributable to our equity holders, excluding exceptional items, such as restructuring charges, gains or losses on business disposals and impairment charges, subject to applicable legal provisions relating to distributable profit.

Any matter relating to our dividend payout policy (except that the actual amount of any dividend remains subject to approval at our shareholders’ meeting in accordance with the Belgian Companies Code) is within the jurisdiction of our shareholders’ meetings and shall be adopted with a positive vote of at least 75% of the shares attending or represented at the meeting, regardless of the number of shares attending or represented, if and only if any four of our directors request that the matter be submitted at our shareholders’ meeting.

The dividends are approved by our annual shareholders’ meeting and are paid on the dates and at the places appointed by our Board. Our Board may pay an interim dividend in accordance with the provisions of the Belgian Companies Code.

The dividends payable for any given fiscal year are paid in November of such year and in May of the following year. The dividend payable in November is an advance amount decided by the Board of Directors in the form of an interim dividend. The dividend payable in May of the following year is decided at the shareholders’ meeting and supplements the amount already distributed in November. In both cases, the Any dividends are paid on the dates and at the places communicated by the Board of Directors.

The table below summarizes the dividends paid by us in the most recent financial years.

 

Financial year

  Number of our  shares
outstanding at end of
relevant financial
year
   Gross amount
of dividend  per share
(in EUR)
   Gross
amount of
dividend
per share
(in USD)
   Payment date(s) 

2016

   2,019,241,973    1.60    1.75    17 November 2016 

2015

   1,608,242,156    2.00    2.20    3 May 2016 

2015

   1,608,242,156    1.60    1.75    16 November 2015 

2014

   1,608,242,156    2.00    2.27    6 May 2015 

2014

   1,608,242,156    1.00    1.25    14 November 2014 

2013

   1,607,844,590    1.45    2.00    8 May 2014 

2013

   1,607,844,590    0.60    0.83    18 November 2013 

2012

   1,606,787,543    1.70    2.24    2 May 2013 

2011

   1,606,071,789    1.20    1.55    3 May 2012 

2010

   1,605,183,954    0.80    1.07    2 May 2011 

2009

   1,604,301,123    0.38    0.55    3 May 2010 

Financial year

  Number of our shares
outstanding at end of
relevant financial
year
   Gross amount
of dividend per share
(in EUR)
   Gross
amount of
dividend
per share
(in USD)
   Payment date(s) 

2018

   2,019,241,973    0.80    0.91    29 November 2018 

2017

   2,019,241,973    2.00    2.44    3 May 2018 

2017

   2,019,241,973    1.60    1.89    16 November 2017 

2016

   2,019,241,973    2.00    2.11    4 May 2017 

2016

   2,019,241,973    1.60    1.75    17 November 2016 

2015

   1,608,242,156    2.00    2.20    3 May 2016 

2015

   1,608,242,156    1.60    1.75    16 November 2015 

2014

   1,608,242,156    2.00    2.27    6 May 2015 

2014

   1,608,242,156    1.00    1.25    14 November 2014 

2013

   1,607,844,590    1.45    2.00    8 May 2014 

2013

   1,607,844,590    0.60    0.83    18 November 2013 

2012

   1,606,787,543    1.70    2.24    2 May 2013 

2011

   1,606,071,789    1.20    1.55    3 May 2012 

2010

   1,605,183,954    0.80    1.07    2 May 2011 

2009

   1,604,301,123    0.38    0.55    3 May 2010 

B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

None.

 

ITEM 9.

THE OFFER AND LISTING

A. THE OFFER AND LISTING

Price History of StockPrincipal Equity Markets

Ordinary Shares ListedWe are a publicly traded company, with our primary listing on Euronext Brussels

The table below shows under the quoted highsymbol “ABI.” We also have secondary listings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange under the symbol “ANH” and low closing sales prices in eurothe Mexican Stock Exchange under the symbol “ANB.” ADSs representing rights to receive our Ordinary Shares are listed and trade on Euronext Brussels for our shares for the indicated periods.

   Per Share 
   High   Low 
   (in EUR) 

Annual

    

2016

   118.80    92.13 

2015

   123.25    89.68 

2014

   94.80    69.55 

2013

   78.66    63.90 

2012

   69.94    46.35 

Quarterly

    

2016

    

Fourth Quarter

   117.40    93.76 

Third Quarter

   118.80    108.95 

Second Quarter

   117.60    106.05 

First Quarter

   116.15    100.60 

2015

    

Fourth Quarter

   123.25    94.29 

Third Quarter

   118.80    91.28 

Second Quarter

   118.50    104.80 

First Quarter

   115.85    89.68 

Monthly

    

2017

    

February

   103.60    96.65 

January

   101.10    96.15 

2016

    

December

   100.95    92.13 

November

   106.40    94.02 

October

   117.40    104.55 

September

   118.80    108.95 

ADSs Listed on NYSE under the symbol “BUD.”

On 16 September 2009, former AB InBev listed 1,608,663,943 Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs on the NYSE.

Following the completion of the Transactioncombination with SAB on 10 October 2016, all rights and obligations attached to the outstanding ADSs of former AB InBev have been automatically transferred to us (as the absorbing company), with each outstanding ADS giving a right to a share of AB InBev (the absorbing company) instead of a share of former AB InBev (the absorbed company).

Each ADS represents one of our Ordinary Shares. The table below shows the quoted high and low closing sales prices in USD on NYSE for our shares for the indicated periods.

   Per Share 
   High   Low 
   (in USD) 

Annual

    

2016

   133.44    98.28 

2015

   129.14    103.86 

2014

   116.99    94.17 

2013

   106.46    84.29 

2012

   90.27    58.92 

Quarterly

    

2016

    

Fourth Quarter

   131.91    98.28 

Third Quarter

   133.44    121.94 

Second Quarter

   131.77    120.54 

First Quarter

   126.71    111.50 

2015

    

Fourth Quarter

   129.14    106.67 

Third Quarter

   128.51    103.86 

Second Quarter

   126.66    117.20 

First Quarter

   127.69    107.85 

Monthly

    

2017

    

February

   109.49    104.35 

January

   106.80    104.26 

2016

    

December

   106.20    98.28 

November

   116.34    101.00 

October

   129.26    115.49 

September

   133.44    122.55 

Share Details

See “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association and Other Share Information—Form and Transferability of Our Shares” for details regarding our shares.

Each of our shares is entitled to one vote except for shares owned by us, or by any of our direct subsidiaries, the voting rights of which are suspended. Shares held by our main shareholders do not entitle such shareholders to different voting rights. Our Restricted Shares are unlisted, not admitted to trading on any stock exchange and are subject to, among other things, restrictions on transfer until converted into new Ordinary Shares.

B. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Not applicable.

C. MARKETS

We are incorporated under the laws of Belgium (register of legal entities number 0417.497.106), and our shares are listed on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels under the symbol “ABI.” We also have secondary listings of our shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange under the symbol “ANB”“ANH” and on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the symbol “ANB.” The securities that we have listed on the NYSE are ADSs, each of which represents one of our shares. We listed 1,608,663,943 ADSs listed on the NYSE on 16 September 2009 (such number equal to the number of our shares plus the number of warrants on our shares

outstanding as of 7 September 2009). For more information on our shares, see “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association and Other Share Information—Form and Transferability of Our Shares.” Our ADSs are described in greater detail under “Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities—D. American Depositary Shares.”

Euronext Brussels

Euronext Brussels is a subsidiary of Euronext N.V., and holds a license as a Belgian market operator under the Belgian Act of 2 August 2002. Pursuant to this legislation, the FSMA is responsible for disciplinary powers against members and issuers, control of sensitive information, supervision of markets, and investigative powers. Euronext Brussels is responsible for the organization of the markets and the admission, suspension and exclusion of members, and has been appointed by law as the “competent authority” within the meaning of the Listing Directive (Directive 2001/34/EC of 28 May 2001 of the European Parliament, as amended).

Euronext is the leadingpan-European exchange in the Euro zone with more thanEurozone, covering Belgium, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal and the UK. With 1,300 listed issuers worth more than EUR 3.0€3.9 trillion in market capitalization as of the end of December 2016,September 2018, Euronext is an unmatched blue chip franchise consisting of 25that has 24 issuers in the EURO STOXX 50Morningstar® benchmark Eurozone 50 IndexSM and a strong diverse domestic and international client base. Euronext operates regulated and transparent equity and derivatives markets and is the largest center for debt and funds listings in the world. Its total product offering includes Equities, Exchange Traded Funds, Warrants & Certificates, Bonds, Derivatives, Commodities and Indices. Euronext also leverages its expertise in running markets by providing technology and managed services to third parties. In addition to its main regulated market, Euronext also operates Euronext GrowthTM and Euronext AccessTM, simplifying access to listing for SMEs.

Trading Platform and Market Structure.Structure. Euronext operates fivesix securities markets in Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, London and Paris as well as four derivatives markets in Amsterdam, Brussels, Lisbon and Paris, all of which are subject to the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (Directive 2004/39/EC of 21 April 2004 of the European Parliament, as amended). Trading on Euronext is governed both by a single harmonized rulebook for trading on each of Euronext’s markets and bynon-harmonized Euronext Rulebooks containing a few local exchange-specific rules. Euronext’s trading rules provide for an order-driven market using an open electronic central order book for each traded security, various order types and automatic order matching and a guarantee of full anonymity both for orders and trades.

Trading Members. The majority of Euronext’s cash trading members are brokers and dealers based in Euronext’s marketplaces, but also include members in other parts of Europe, most notably the United Kingdom and Germany.

Clearing and Settlement.Settlement. Clearing and settlement of trades executed on Euronext in Europe are generally handled by LCH.ClearnetLCH.SA (for central counterparty clearing), and independent entities that provide services to Euronext pursuant to contractual agreement. Euroclear is taking care of the settlement part of the transactions.

D. SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

Not applicable.

E. DILUTION

Not applicable.

F. EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A. SHARE CAPITAL

Not applicable.

B. MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION AND OTHER SHARE INFORMATION

A copy of our articles of association dated 10 October 201626 April 2017 has been filed as Exhibit 99.41.1 to thethis Form6-K filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 11 October 2016 at 5:07 p.m. EDT.20-F.

Corporate Profile

We are a public limited liability company incorporated in the form of asociété anonyme/naamloze vennootschap under Belgian law (Register of Legal Entities number 0417.497.106 (Brussels)). Our registered office is located at Grand-Place/Grote Markt 1, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, and our headquarters are located at Brouwerijplein 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. We were incorporated on 3 March 2016 for an unlimited duration under the laws of Belgium under the original name Newbelco SA/NV, and are the successor entity to former AB InBev, which was incorporated on 2 August 1977 for an unlimited duration under the laws of Belgium under the original name BEMES and which we absorbed on 10 October 2016. Our financial year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

Corporate Purpose

According to Article 4 of our articles of association, our corporate purpose is:

 

to produce and deal in all kinds of beers, drinks, foodstuffs and ancillary products, process and deal in allby-products and accessories, of whatsoever origin or form, of its industry and trade, and to design, construct or produce part or all of the facilities for the manufacture of the aforementioned products;

 

to purchase, construct, convert, sell, let and sublet, lease, license and operate in any form whatsoever all real property and real property rights and all businesses, movable property and movable property rights connected with our activities;

 

to acquire and manage participating interests and shares in companies or undertakings having a corporate purpose similar or related to, or likely to promote the attainment of, any of the foregoing corporate purposes, and in financial companies; to finance such companies or undertakings by means of loans, guarantees or in any other manner whatsoever; to take part in the management of the aforesaid companies through membership of our board of directors or any similar governing body; and

 

to carry out all administrative, technical, commercial and financial work and studies for the account of undertakings in which it holds an interest or on behalf of third parties.

We may, within the scope of our corporate purpose, engage in all civil, commercial, industrial operations and financial transactions either in or outside Belgium. We may take interests by way of asset contribution, merger, subscription, equity investment, financial support or otherwise in all undertakings, companies or associations having a corporate purpose similar or related to or likely to promote the furtherance of our corporate purpose.

Board of Directors

A description of the provisions of our articles of associations as applied to our board of directors can be found in “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—A. Directors and Senior Management—Board of Directors” and “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—C. Board Practices.”

We are relying on a provision in the NYSE Listed Company Manual that allows us to follow Belgian corporate law and the Belgian Corporate Governance Code with regard to certain aspects of corporate governance. This allows us to continue following certain corporate governance practices that differ in significant respects from the corporate governance requirements applicable to U.S. companies listed on the NYSE. See “Item 16G. Corporate Governance” for a concise summary of the significant ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from those followed by a U.S. company under the NYSE rules.

Belgian law does not regulate specifically the ability of directors to borrow money from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV.

Our Corporate Governance Charter prohibits us from making loans to directors, whether for the purpose of exercising options or for any other purpose (except for routine advances for business-related expenses in accordance with our rules for reimbursement of expenses). See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Transactions with Directors and Executive Board of Management Members (Key Management Personnel).”

In addition, Article 523 of the Belgian Companies Code provides that if one of our directors directly or indirectly has a personal financial interest that conflicts with a decision or transaction that falls within the powers of our Board, the director concerned must inform our other directors before our Board makes any decision on such transaction. The statutory auditor must also be notified. The director may not participate in the deliberation or vote on the conflicting decision or transaction. An excerpt from the minutes of the meeting of our Board that sets forth the financial impact of the matter on us and justifies the decision of our Board must be published in our annual report. The statutory auditors’ report to the annual accounts must contain a description of the financial impact on us of each of the decisions of our Board where director conflicts arise.

Form and Transferability of Our Shares

Our share capital is represented by 2,019,241,973 shares. There are two classes of shares: all shares are Ordinary Shares, except for 325,999,817 Restricted Shares.

Our Ordinary Shares can take the form of registered shares or dematerialized shares. Restricted Shares may only be held in registered form.

All of our shares are fullypaid-up. Ordinary Shares are freely transferable. Restricted Shares are subject to the transfer restrictions summarized below and further described in our articles of association.

Restricted Shares

Restrictions on Transfers and Pledges

No holder of Restricted Shares (a “Restricted Shareholder”) shall transfer, sell, contribute, offer, grant any option on, otherwise dispose of, pledge, charge, assign, mortgage, grant any lien or any security interest on, enter into any certification (certification / certificering) or depository arrangement or enter into any form of hedging arrangement with respect to, in each case directly or indirectly, any of its Restricted Shares or any interests therein or any rights relating thereto, or enter into any contract or other agreement to do any of the foregoing, for a period of five years expiring on 10 October 2021, except as provided below.

As an exception to this rule, any Restricted Shareholder may transfer, sell, contribute, offer, grant any option on, otherwise dispose of, pledge, charge, assign, mortgage, grant a lien or any security interest on, or enter into any form of hedging arrangement with respect to, in each case directly or indirectly, any of its Restricted Shares or any interests therein or any rights relating thereto, or enter into any contract or other agreement to do any of the foregoing, to or for the benefit of any person that is its affiliate, its Successor and/or Successor’s affiliate (as such terms are defined in our articles of association),provided that if any such transferee ceases to be an affiliate, a Successor and/or a Successor’s affiliate of the Restricted Shareholder that initially made the transfer (or of its Successor), all such Restricted Shares which such transferee owns or in which it holds an interest shall be automatically transferred to such Restricted Shareholder (or to a person which, at the time of such transfer, is its affiliate or its Successor) and shall therefore remain Restricted Shares.

Also, under certain conditions set out in our articles of association, Restricted Shareholders (or, in certain cases, pledgees or receivers) may (i) with the prior written consent granted by our board of directors (a “Pledge Consent”), pledge, charge, assign, mortgage, or otherwise grant a lien over or grant any security interest on all or any part of their Restricted Shares or any interests therein and any rights relating thereto as security (in each case, a “Pledge”), and (ii) transfer, sell, contribute, offer, grant any option on, or otherwise dispose of, in each case directly or indirectly, or enter into any contract or other agreement to do any of the foregoing in respect of all or part of (or any interest in) their holding of Restricted Shares that are the subject of a Pledge (to which a Pledge Consent has been given) in the context of an enforcement action with respect to such Pledge or when the Restricted Shareholder has determined in good faith that such transfer is the only commercially reasonable alternative available to prevent an imminent enforcement of a Pledge.

Conversion into Ordinary Shares

Each Restricted Shareholder will have the right to convert all or part of its holding of Restricted Shares into Ordinary Shares at its election (i) at any time after 10 October 2021, and (ii) in some limited other instances, including immediately prior to or at any time after entering into an agreement or arrangement to effect a permitted transfer with respect to Restricted Shares that are the subject of a Pledge, as set out above.

The Restricted Shares shall automatically convert into Ordinary Shares (i) upon any transfer, sale, contribution or other disposal, except in the case of permitted transfers to or for the benefit of any person that is an affiliate, a Successor and/or a Successor’s affiliate of the relevant Restricted Shareholders or in the case of a Pledge Consent, provided that, in such cases, the Restricted Shares shall automatically be converted into Ordinary Shares upon any subsequent transfer, sale, contribution or disposal to any party which is not an affiliate, a Successor or a Successor’s affiliate of the Restricted ShareholderShareholder; (ii) immediately prior to the closing of a successful public takeover bid for our shares or the completion of a merger of the company as acquiring or disappearing company, in circumstances where the shareholders directly or indirectly, controlling or exercising directly or indirectly joint control over us immediately prior to such takeover bid or merger will not directly or indirectly control, or exercise joint control over, us or the surviving entity following such takeover bid or merger,merger; or (iii) upon the announcement of asqueeze-out bid for our outstanding shares, in accordance with Article 513 of the Belgian Companies Code.

Upon conversion, each Restricted Share will bere-classified as one Ordinary Share. From the time of conversion, the Ordinary Shares will be freely transferable.

Holders of Restricted Shares may benefit from registration rights, as described in “—C. Material Contracts—Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SABMiller—SAB—Registration Rights Agreement.”

Changes to Our Share Capital

Capital Increase by Our Shareholders’ Meeting

Changes to our share capital may be decided by our shareholders’ meeting. Our shareholders’ meeting may at any time decide to increase or decrease our share capital. Such resolution must satisfy the following quorum and majority requirements: (i) a quorum of 50% of the issued share capital must be present or represented at the meeting, and (ii) the capital increase must be approved by at least 75% of the votes cast at the meeting (not counting abstentions). If there is no quorum, a second meeting must be convened where no quorum requirement applies but where the special 75% majority requirement applies. See “—Description of the Rights and Benefits Attached to Our Shares—Right to Attend and Vote at Our Shareholders’ Meeting—Quorum and Majority Requirements.”

Capital Increase by Our Board of Directors

Subject to the same quorum and majority requirements described above, our shareholders’ meeting may authorize our Board, within certain limits, to increase our share capital without any further approval of shareholders, by way of authorized capital. This authorization needs to be limited in time (i.e., it can only be granted for a renewable period of a maximum of five years) and in scope (i.e., the increase by way of authorized capital may not exceed the amount of the share capital at the time of the authorization).

A proposal to grant an authorization to increaseAt the capital for an amount up to 3% of our capital will be submitted for approval to our Ordinary Shareholders’annual shareholders’ meeting on 26 April 2017.If approved by2017, our shareholders’ meeting suchauthorized our Board to increase the share capital of AB InBev to an amount not to exceed 3% of the total number of shares issued and outstanding on 26 April 2017 (i.e., 2,019,241,973). This authorization willhas been granted for five years and can be in placeused for several purposes, including when the sound management of our business or the need to react to appropriate business opportunities calls for a periodrestructuring, an acquisition (whether private or publish) of five years from the datesecurities or assets in one or more companies, or generally, any other appropriate increase of publication of the amendment to the articles of association decided by our shareholders’ meeting in respect of the authorized capital.

Preferential Subscription Right and Anti-Dilution

In the event of a share capital increase by way of the issue of new shares, convertible bonds, bonds repayable in shares, subscription rights or other financial instruments giving a right to shares (any such shares, bonds, rights or instruments being “EquityInterests”), all shareholders will have a preferential right to subscribe for any such Equity Interests, as set out in and in accordance with Article 592 of the Belgian Companies Code. The preferential subscription right shall entitle each shareholder to subscribe for any new Equity Interests, pro rata to the proportion of existing share capital as he or she holds immediately prior to such issue. Each shareholder may exercise his or her preferential right in whole or in part.

Our shareholders’ meeting may restrict or cancel the preferential subscription right, in accordance with Article 596 of the Belgian Companies Code, for a purpose that is in our best interests, provided, however, that if the preferential subscription right is restricted or cancelledcanceled with respect to any issuance in which any of our shareholders acquires any such Equity Interests, all our shareholders shall be given the same right and be treated in the same way. This requirement shall not apply when the preferential subscription right is restricted or cancelledcanceled with respect to issuances of Equity Interests issued solely pursuant to stock option plans or other compensation plans in the ordinary course of business. Where our shareholders’ meeting has granted an authorization to our board of directors to effect a capital increase in the framework of the authorized capital and such authorization allows our board of directors to do so, our board of directors may likewise restrict or cancel the preferential subscription right applying the same principles as set out in this paragraph.

Any decision to restrict or cancel the preferential subscription right will require a quorum at the shareholders’ meeting of shareholders holding at least 50% of the share capital and, approval by a qualified majority of at least 75% of the votes cast at the meeting (not counting abstentions). If there is no quorum, a second meeting must be convened. At the second meeting, no quorum is required, but the relevant resolution must be approved by a qualified majority of at least 75% of the votes cast at the meeting (not counting abstentions).

If any Restricted Shareholder exercises its preferential subscription right in respect of its holding of Restricted Shares, we shall issue, at the election of the Restricted Shareholder, either Restricted Shares or Ordinary Shares (or a combination thereof) to such Restricted Shareholder. No Restricted Shares shall be issued other than to a Restricted Shareholder exercising its preferential subscription right. In case of any event referred to in Article 8.1 of our articles of association, Restricted Shareholders shall only be entitled or required to receive Restricted Shares in respect of the Restricted Shares held by them.

Certain shareholders (including shareholders resident in, or citizens of, certain jurisdictions, such as the United States, Australia, Canada and Japan) may not be entitled to exercise such rights even if they are not disapplied unless the rights and related shares are registered or qualified for sale under the relevant legislative or regulatory framework.

Purchases and Sales of Our Own Shares

We may only acquire our own shares pursuant to a decision by our shareholders’ meeting taken under the conditions of quorum and majority provided for in the Belgian Companies Code. Such a decision requires a quorum at the shareholders’ meeting of shareholders holding at least 50% of the share capital and approval by a qualified majority of at least 80% of the votes cast at the meeting (not counting abstentions). If there is no quorum, a second meeting must be convened. At the second meeting, no quorum is required, but the relevant resolution must be approved by a qualified majority of at least 80% of the votes cast at the meeting (not counting abstentions).

On 28 September 2016, our shareholders’ meeting granted an authorization allowing us to acquire our shares, either on or outside of the stock exchange, up to a maximum of 20% of the issued shares for a unitary price which will not be lower than one Euro and not higher than 20% above the highest closing price on Euronext Brussels in the last 20 trading days preceding the transaction. This authorization is valid for a period of five years as from 28 September 2016.

We may only dispose of our own shares pursuant to a decision by our shareholders’ meeting taken under the conditions of quorum and majority provided for in the Belgian Companies Code. Such a decision requires a quorum at the first shareholders’ meeting of shareholders holding at least 50% of the share capital and approval by a qualified majority of at least 80% of the votes cast at the meeting (not counting abstentions). If there is no quorum, a second meeting must be convened. At the second meeting, no quorum is required, but the relevant resolution must be approved by a qualified majority of at least 80% of the votes cast at the meeting (not counting abstentions).

On 28 September 2016, our shareholders’ meeting granted an authorization allowing us to dispose of our own shares, either on or off the stock exchange under conditions to be determined by our Board. This authorization is valid for a period of five years beginning from 28 September 2016.

With respect to the shares acquired by us as a result of the merger between us and former AB InBev, our Board shall be entitled to dispose of such shares only in connection with (i) any share delivery obligations undertaken by former AB InBev prior to 11 November 2015, (ii) any stock option plans or other compensation plans (including the former SAB’s Zenzele Scheme) or (iii) any stock lending agreement or similar arrangement in respect of which we used our own shares for the purposes set out in items (i) and (ii).

See “Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer” for details of our recent share repurchase programs.

Description of the Rights and Benefits Attached to Our Shares

Right to Attend and Vote at Our Shareholders’ Meeting

Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting

Our ordinary shareholders’ meeting will be held on the last Wednesday of April of each year, at 11:00 a.m., Belgian time, in one of the municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, in Leuven or in Liège, at the place which will be mentioned in the convening notice. If this date is a legal holiday, the meeting will be held on the next business day at the same time.

At this meeting, our Board and the statutory auditor will present a report on our management and financial situation as at the end of the previous accounting year, which shall run from 1 January to 31 December. The shareholders will then vote on the approval of the annual accounts, the allocation of our profit or loss, the appointment or renewal, if necessary, of directors or statutory auditors, remuneration of the directors and the auditor and the release from liability of the directors and the statutory auditor.

Ad hoc and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meetings

Our Board or our statutory auditor (or the liquidators, if appropriate) may, whenever our interests so require, convene a special or extraordinary shareholders’ meeting. Such shareholders’ meeting must also be convened every time one or more of our shareholders holding at leastone-fifth of our share capital so demand.

Such shareholders’ meetings shall be held on the day, at the hour and in the place designated by the convening notice. They may be held at locations other than our registered office.

Notices Convening Our Shareholders’ Meeting

Notices of our shareholders’ meetings contain the agenda of the meeting and the recommendations of our board of directors on the matters to be voted upon.

Notices for our shareholders’ meetings are given in the form of announcements placed at least 30 days prior to the meeting in at least one Belgian newspaper and in the Belgian State Gazette (Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad). Notices will be sent 30 days prior to the date of our shareholders’ meetings to the holders of our registered shares, holders of our registered warrants and to our directors and our statutory auditor.

Notices of all our shareholders’ meetings and all related documents, such as specific board of directors’ and auditor’s reports, will also be published on our website.

Admission to Meetings

All shareholders are entitled to attend our shareholders’ meetings, take part in the deliberations and, within the limits prescribed by the Belgian Companies Code and our articles of association, vote,provided they have complied with the formalities for admission set out in the convening notice.

The right to participate in and vote at a shareholders’ meeting will require a shareholder to:

 

have the ownership of his or her shares recorded in his or her name on the 14th calendar day preceding the date of the shareholders’ meeting, either through registration in the register of our registered shares, for holders of registered shares, or through book-entry in the accounts of an authorized account holder or clearing organization, for holders of dematerialized shares; and

 

notify us (or a person designated by us) at the latest on the sixth calendar day preceding the date of the shareholders’ meeting of his or her intention to participate in the meeting, indicating the number of shares in respect of which he or she intends to do so. In addition, a holder of dematerialized shares must, at the latest on the same day, provide us (or a person designated by us) with an original certificate issued by an authorized account holder or a clearing organization certifying the number of shares owned by the relevant shareholder on the record date for the shareholders’ meeting and for which he or she has notified his or her intention to participate in that meeting.

Voting by Proxy

Any shareholder with the right to vote may either personally participate in the meeting or give a proxy to another person, who need not be a shareholder, to represent him or her at the meeting. A shareholder may designate, for a given meeting, only one person as proxy holder, except in circumstances where Belgian law allows the designation of multiple proxy holders. The appointment of a proxy holder may take place in paper form or electronically (in which case, the form shall be signed by means of an electronic signature in accordance with applicable Belgian law), through a form which shall be made available by us. The signed original paper or electronic form must be received by us at the latest on the sixth calendar day preceding the date of the shareholders’ meeting. Any appointment of a proxy holder shall comply with relevant requirements of applicable Belgian law in terms of conflicting interests, record keeping and any other applicable requirements.

Remote Voting

Any shareholder with the right to vote may vote remotely in relation to our shareholders’ meeting by sending a paper form or, if permitted by us in the notice convening the meeting, by sending a form electronically (in which case, the form shall be signed by means of an electronic signature in accordance with applicable Belgian law). These forms shall be made available by us. Only forms received by us at the latest on the sixth calendar day preceding the date of the meeting will be taken into account.

Shareholders voting remotely must, in order for their vote to be taken into account for the calculation of the quorum and voting majority, comply with the admission formalities set out in the convening notice.

Right to Request the Items Be Added to the Agenda and to Ask Questions at the Shareholders’ Meeting

One or more shareholders that together hold at least 3% of our share capital may request for items to be added to the agenda of any convened meeting and submit proposals for resolutions with regard to existing agenda items or new items to be added to the agenda, provided that (i) they prove ownership of such shareholding as at the date of their request and record their shares representing such shareholding on the record date for the relevant shareholders’ meeting and (ii) the additional items to be added to the agenda and/or proposed resolutions have been sent in writing (by registered mail ore-mail) by these shareholders to our registered office no later than on the twenty-second day preceding the date of the relevant shareholders’ meeting. Such shareholdings must be proven by a certificate evidencing the registration of the relevant shares in our share register or by a certificate issued by the authorized account holder or the clearing organization certifying the book-entry of the relevant number of dematerialized shares in the name of the relevant shareholder(s).

We shall acknowledge receipt of shareholders’ requests within 48 hours and, if required, publish a revised agenda of the shareholders’ meeting at the latest on the 15th day preceding the date of the shareholders’ meeting. The right to request that items be added to the agenda or that proposed resolutions in relation to existing agenda items be submitted does not apply in case of a second shareholders’ meeting that must be convened because the quorum was not obtained during the first shareholders’ meeting.

Within the limits of Article 540 of the Belgian Companies Code, our directors and our auditor shall answer, during the shareholders’ meeting, any questions raised by shareholders. Shareholders may ask questions either during the meeting or in writing,provided that we receive the written question at the latest on the sixth day preceding the date of the shareholders’ meeting.

Quorum and Majority Requirements

Each of our shares is entitled to one vote except for shares owned by us, or by any of our subsidiaries, the voting rights of which are suspended. Without prejudice to the specific rights and obligations attached to the Restricted Shares, the shares held by our principal shareholders do not entitle such shareholders to different voting rights.

Save as provided in the Belgian Companies Code and our articles of association, there will be no quorum requirement at our shareholders’ meetings and decisions will be taken by a simple majority vote.

Resolutions relating to amendments of our articles of association or a merger or split are subject to special quorum and majority requirements. Specifically, any resolution on these matters will require the presence in person or by proxy of shareholders holding an aggregate of at least 50% of our issued share capital, and the approval of at least 75% of the votes cast at the meeting (not counting abstentions). If there is no quorum, a second meeting must be convened. At the second meeting, the quorum requirement will not apply. However, the special majority requirement will continue to apply.

Resolutions relating to the modification of the rights attached to a particular class of our shares are subject to special quorum and majority requirements. Specifically, any resolution on these matters will require the presence in person or by proxy of shareholders holding an aggregate of at least 50% of the issued share capital in each class of our shares and the approval of at least 75% of the votes cast at the meeting in each class of our shares (not counting abstentions). If there is no quorum, a second meeting must be convened. At the second meeting, the quorum requirement will not apply. However, the special majority requirement will continue to apply.

Any modification of our corporate purpose or legal form or any authorization to repurchase shares will require a quorum of shareholders holding an aggregate of at least 50% of the share capital and approval by a qualified majority of at least 80% of the votes cast at the meeting (not counting abstentions). If there is no quorum, a second meeting must be convened. At the second meeting, no quorum will be required, but the relevant resolution must be approved by a qualified majority of at least 80% of the votes cast at the meeting (not counting abstentions).

Pursuant to Article 40 of our articles of association, any acquisition or disposal of tangible assets by us for an amount higher than the value ofone-third of our consolidated total assets as reported in our most recent audited consolidated financial statements shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of our shareholders’ meeting and shall be adopted with a positive vote of 75% of the shares attending or represented at the meeting, regardless of the number of shares attending or represented.

Dividends

All of our shares participate equally in our profits. Our Ordinary Shares (including our Ordinary Shares represented by our ADSs) and Restricted Shares have the same rights in relation to dividends and other distributions.

The Belgian Companies Code provides that dividends can only be paid up to an amount equal to the excess of our shareholders’ equity over the sum of(i) paid-up orcalled-up share capital and (ii) reserves not available for distribution pursuant to law or our articles of association. Under Belgian law and our articles of association, we must allocate an amount of 5% of our annual net profit on an unconsolidated basis to a legal reserve in our unconsolidated financial statements until such reserve equals 10% of our share capital.

In general, we may only pay dividends with the approval of the shareholders’ meeting. The annual dividend payment (if any) will be approved by our shareholders at our Ordinary Shareholders’ meeting and will be paid on the dates and the places determined by our board of directors. In addition, our Board may declare interim dividends without shareholder approval, in accordance with the provisions of the Belgian Companies Code and Article 44 of our articles of association. It is expected that our board will decide the payment of dividends on a semi-annual basis.

See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy” for further information on our current dividend policy.

Appointment of Directors

Under our articles of association, the directors are appointed as follows:

 

three independent directors will be appointed by our shareholders’ meeting upon proposal by our board of directors;

 

so long as the Stichting and/or any of its affiliates, any of their respective successors and/or successors’ affiliates own, in aggregate, more than 30% of the shares with voting rights in our share capital, nine directors will be appointed by our shareholders’ meeting upon proposal by the Stichting (and/or any of its affiliates, any of their respective successors and/or successors’ affiliates); and

 

so long as the Restricted Shareholders, together with their affiliates and/or any of their successors and/or successors’ affiliates, own in aggregate:

 

more than 13.5% of the shares with voting rights in our share capital, three directors will be appointed by our shareholders’ meeting upon proposal by the Restricted Shareholders;

more than 9% but not more than 13.5% of the shares with voting rights in our share capital, two directors will be appointed by our shareholders’ meeting upon proposal by the Restricted Shareholders;

 

more than 4.5% but not more than 9% of the shares with voting rights in our share capital, one director will be appointed by our shareholders’ meeting upon proposal by the Restricted Shareholders; and

 

4.5% or less than 4.5% of the shares with voting rights in our share capital, the Restricted Shareholders will no longer have the right to propose any candidate for appointment as a member of our board of directors and no directors will be appointed upon proposal by the Restricted Shareholders.

Liquidation Rights

We can only be dissolved by a shareholders’ resolution passed in accordance with the conditions laid down for the amendment of our articles of association (i.e., with a majority of at least 75% of the votes cast (not counting abstentions) at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting where at least 50% of the share capital is present or represented).

If, as a result of losses incurred, the ratio of our net assets (determined in accordance with Belgian legal and accounting rules) to share capital is less than 50%, our board of directors must convene an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting within two months as of the date upon which our board of directors discovered or should have discovered this undercapitalization. At this shareholders’ meeting, our board of directors must propose either the dissolution of the company or the continuation of the company, in which case, our board of directors must propose measures to redress our financial situation. Shareholders’ resolutions relating to our dissolution are adopted in accordance with the conditions laid down for the amendments of our articles of association.

If, as a result of losses incurred, the ratio of our net assets to share capital is less than 25%, the same procedure must be followed;provided, however,, that in this instance, shareholders representing 25% of the votes validly cast at the relevant shareholders’ meeting can decide to dissolve the company. If the amount of our net assets has dropped below EUR 61,500 (the minimum amount of share capital of a Belgian limited liability company (société anonyme / naamloze vennootschap)), any interested party is entitled to request the competent court to dissolve the company. The court can order the dissolution of the company or grant a grace period within which we may remedy the situation.

In the event of our dissolution and liquidation, the assets remaining after payment of all debts and liquidation expenses shall be distributed to the holders of our shares, each receiving a sum proportional to the number of our shares held by them. Our Ordinary Shares and Restricted Shares have the same rights in relation to all proceeds of a dissolution, liquidation orwinding-up.

Transactions with Major Shareholders

In the event of (i) a contribution in kind to us with assets owned by any person or entity which is required to file a transparency declaration pursuant to applicable Belgian law or a subsidiary of such person or entity or (ii) a merger of the company with such a person or entity or a subsidiary of such person or entity, then such person or entity and its subsidiaries shall not be entitled to vote on the resolution submitted to the shareholders’ meeting to approve such contribution in kind or merger.

Disclosure of Significant Shareholdings

In addition to the transparency disclosure thresholds set out by the applicable Belgian legislation (i.e., 5%, 10%, 15% and so on in five percentage point increments), the disclosure obligation set out in such legislation shall also apply as soon as the amount of securities giving voting rights held by a person acting alone or by persons acting in concert reaches, exceeds or falls below a 3% or 7.5% threshold of the total outstanding securities with voting

rights. Any obligation imposed by the applicable Belgian legislation to holders of 5% (or any multiple of 5%) of the total outstanding securities with voting rights shall also apply to the additional notification thresholds of 3% and 7.5%. For details of our major shareholders, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders.”

Mandatory Bid

Public takeover bids for our shares and other securities, if any, are subject to supervision by the FSMA. Any public takeover bids must be extended to all of our voting securities, as well as all other securities giving access to voting rights. Prior to making a bid, a bidder must publish a prospectus which has been approved by the FSMA prior to publication.

Belgium has implemented the Thirteenth Company Law Directive (European Directive 2004/25/EC of 21 April 2004) in the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids and the Belgian Royal Decree of 27 April 2007 on public takeover bids. The Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids provides that a mandatory bid must be launched if a person, as a result of his or her own acquisition or the acquisition by persons acting in concert with him or her or by persons acting for his or her account, directly or indirectly holds more than 30% of the voting securities in a company having its registered office in Belgium and of which at least part of the voting securities are traded on a regulated market or on a multilateral trading facility, as designated by the Belgian Royal Decree of 27 April 2007 on public takeover bids (as set out in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders—Shareholding Structure”).

The mere fact of exceeding the relevant threshold through the acquisition of shares will give rise to a mandatory bid, irrespective of whether the price paid in the relevant transaction exceeds the current market price. The duty to launch a mandatory bid does not apply in case of an acquisition if it can be shown that a third party exercises control over us or that such third party holds a larger stake than the person holding 30% of the voting securities.

There are several provisions of Belgian company law and certain other provisions of Belgian law, such as the obligations to disclose significant shareholdings and merger control regulations, that may apply to us and which may make an unsolicited tender offer, merger, change in management or other change in control more difficult. These provisions could discourage potential takeover attempts that other shareholders may consider to be in their best interest and could adversely affect the market price of our shares. These provisions may also have the effect of depriving the shareholders of the opportunity to sell their shares at a premium.

In addition, the board of directors of a Belgian company may, in certain instances and subject to prior authorization by the shareholders, deter or frustrate public takeover bids through dilutive issuances of equity securities (pursuant to the company’s authorized capital) or through sharebuy-backs (i.e.i.e., the purchase of our own shares).

Limitations on the Right to Own Securities

Neither Belgian law nor our articles of association imposes any general limitation on the right ofnon-residents or foreign persons to hold our securities or exercise voting rights on our securities other than those limitations that would generally apply to all shareholders.

C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS

The following contracts have been entered into by us within the two years immediately preceding the date of this Form20-F or contain provisions under which we or another member of our group has an obligation or entitlement which is material to our group:

Material Contracts Related to the Acquisition of SABMillerSAB

2015 Senior Facilities Agreement

On 28 October 2015, we entered into a USD 75.0 billion Senior Facilities Agreement with a syndicate of banks in connection with the Transaction, of which we currently have USD 8.0 billion outstanding (the “2015Senior Facilities Agreement”).

The 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement contains customary representations, covenants and events of default. Among other things and subject to certain thresholds and limitations, an event of default is triggered if any of our or our subsidiaries’ financial indebtedness is accelerated following an event of default. Our obligations as borrower under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement will be jointly and severally guaranteed by us (in the event an additional borrower is added at a later date), Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, ABIFI, Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à.R.L. and Cobrew SA/NV. Within six months of the settlement of the Transaction, to the extent such entities remain obligors under SABMiller’s existing publicly held debt securities (and subject to certain other conditions, including the absence of financial assistance, general statutory limitations, corporate benefit considerations, the absence of fraudulent preference or similar principles that may affect the ability of entities to provide a guarantee), SABMiller and certain of its key subsidiaries are required to accede as guarantors to the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement.

All proceeds from the drawdown under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement were required to be applied to finance the cash consideration payable pursuant to former AB InBev’s proposed offer for all Newbelco shares and, following the settlement date of the proposed offer, for financing fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Transaction and the refinancing of any existing SABMiller Group indebtedness.

The availability of funds under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions precedent. In addition to these conditions, the utilizations under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement also require that no default is continuing or would result from the proposed utilizations and that certain representations made by the borrower and each guarantor remain true in all material respects.

The 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement made the following five facilities available to us and our wholly owned subsidiaries, subject to certain conditions: (i) “Cash/DCM Bridge Facility A,” a364-day bridge facility for up to USD 15.0 billion principal amount available; (ii) “Cash/DCM Bridge Facility B,” a364-day bridge facility, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months, for up to USD 15.0 billion principal amount available; (iii) “Disposals Bridge Facility,” a364-day bridge facility for up to USD 10.0 billion principal amount available; (iv) “Term Facility A,” atwo-year term facility, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months, for up to USD 25.0 billion principal amount available; and (v) “Term Facility B,” a five-year term facility for up to USD 10.0 billion principal amount available. The facilities are to be drawn in USD, except that a portion of each facility may be drawn in euro at our option. The 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement is filed as Exhibit 4.5 to this Form20-F.

The interest rates applicable under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement are equal to LIBOR (or EURIBOR, for euro-denominated loans) plus the applicable margin on each facility, based on ratings assigned by rating agencies to our long-term debt. For Cash/DCM Bridge Facility A and Cash/DCM Bridge Facility B, the margin ranges between 0.85% per annum and 1.30% per annum, which margin will increase in fixed increments of 0.20% per annum from the date falling three months after the settlement date of our proposed offer for all Newbelco shares and on the last day of each three-month period thereafter. For the Disposals Bridge Facility, the margin ranges between 0.85% per annum and 1.30% per annum. For Term Facility A, the margin ranges between 0.90% per annum and 1.35% per annum. For Term Facility B, the margin ranges between 1.00% per annum and 1.45% per annum, which margin will increase in fixed increments of 0.0625% per annum from the date fallingthirty-six months after the settlement date of our proposed offer for all Newbelco shares and on the last day of each three-month period thereafter. Based on our ratings as of 31 December 2015, the applicable margins for each facility were: (i) for Cash/DCM Bridge Facility A, Cash/DCM Bridge Facility B and the Disposals Bridge Facility, 1.00% per annum; (ii) for Term Facility A, 1.10% per annum and (iii) for Term Facility B, 1.25% per annum. Customary ticking fees are payable on any undrawn but available funds under the facilities.

In January 2016, we cancelled USD 42.5 billion of commitments under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement following debt capital market issuances by our subsidiary Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. announced on 13 January 2016 and 20 January 2016, in which we received approximately USD 47.0 billion of net proceeds. Following the receipt of the proceeds from the issuance announced on 13 January 2016, we were required to cancel Cash/DCM Bridge Facility A and Cash/DCM Bridge Facility B in accordance with the mandatory cancellation and prepayment provisions described below.

Additionally, in March 2016, former AB InBev issued bonds in a debt capital markets offering under our Euro Medium-Term Note Programme resulting in aggregate net proceeds of approximately EUR 13.1 billion, to which we are thesuccessor-in-interest. As a result, we elected to cancel the remaining USD 12.5 billion of Term Facility A. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Funding Sources” for further details on our debt capital markets issuances.

In October 2016, former AB InBev (i) utilized USD 10.0 billion of the Disposals Bridge Facility and USD 8.0 billion of Term Facility B and (ii) canceled the remaining USD 2.0 billion of Term Facility B. On 20 October 2016, we fully repaid and canceled the Disposals Bridge Facility. We currently have only USD 8.0 billion outstanding under the Term Facility B of the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement.

Mandatory prepayments are not required to be made under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement, except in certain limited circumstances, including (i) for Cash/DCM Bridge Facility A, Cash/DCM Bridge Facility B and the Disposals Bridge Facility, an amount equal to (a) the net proceeds of any disposal made by SABMiller or its subsidiaries or us or our subsidiaries and (b) 80% of the net proceeds received by us or our subsidiaries from funds raised in the public international debt capital markets, in each case subject to certain exceptions, and (ii) for all facilities, where a person or a group of persons acting in concert (other than our controlling shareholder, the Stichting or any of its certificate holders or any persons or group of persons acting in concert with such persons) acquires control of us.

Co-operation Agreement

On 11 November 2015, we entered into an agreement with SABMiller relating to, among other things, the implementation of the Transaction (as amended from time to time, the “Co-operation Agreement”). TheCo-operation Agreement contains certain obligations that we must meet following completion of the Transaction. For example, in accordance with theCo-operation Agreement, we have procured the provision of directors’ and officers’ insurance for former directors and officers of SABMiller for a period of six years following the completion of the Transaction.

On 1 July 2016, we entered into a deed of amendment amending theCo-operation Agreement to clarify the scope of the retention and other Transaction-related arrangements for SABMiller employees. On 17 August 2016, AB InBev and SABMiller entered into a further deed of amendment amending theCo-operation Agreement in order to modify the transitional bonus arrangements for SABMiller employees in respect of the period following completion of the Transaction to take account of the impact on bonus targets of the planned divestments of various SABMiller businesses by AB InBev on and following completion. TheCo-operation Agreement, the deed of amendment dated 1 July 2016 and the deed of amendment dated 17 August 2016 have been filed as Exhibits 4.19, 4.20 and 4.21, respectively, to this Form20-F.

Information Rights Agreement

On 11 November 2015, former AB InBev and Altria entered into an information rights agreement (“Information Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which we agreed to share certain information to enable Altria to comply with its financial reporting, financial controls and financial planning requirements as they apply to Altria’s investment in AB InBev. Upon the closing of the Transaction,combination with SAB, this Information Rights Agreement replaced the existing relationship agreement that was in place between Altria and SABMiller.SAB.

Under the terms of the Transaction,combination with SAB, any former SABMillerSAB shareholder other than Altria is entitled, from completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, to enter into an agreement with us on substantially the same terms as the Information Rights Agreement,provided that it is able to demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of our board of directors that it meets the following criteria:

 

it will be the sole legal and beneficial holder of no less than 10% of our share capital in issue from time to time;

 

for the purposes of its financial reporting, it accounts for its shareholding in AB InBev on the basis of the equity method of accounting in accordance with U.S. GAAP;Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”); and

it is a U.S. listed company subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act and section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

The Information Rights Agreement has beenis filed as Exhibit 4.26 to this Form20-F.

Deed of Indemnity

Former AB InBev and SABMiller entered into a deed of indemnity on 19 August 2016 pursuant to which, in consideration for SABMiller:

providing us selected financial and commercial information and representation letters for various purposes, including certain regulatory filings made in connection with our bond financing arrangements, assessments by certain ratings agencies of the potential credit rating of a new entity to be carved out of SABMiller in the event of completion of the Transaction under a range of different scenarios, the preparation of certain reports by Ernst & Young LLP at the instruction of former AB InBev relating to the Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime brands and their associated businesses in Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, and for information purposes in connection with the sale of the Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime businesses;

agreeing to consider and/or conduct a bondholder consent solicitation process with regard to SABMiller’s USD 300,000,000 6.625% guaranteed notes due 2033; and

entering into an engagement letter with and agreeing to indemnify the third-party agent appointed by certain shareholders of SABMiller pursuant to the scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the United Kingdom Companies Act 2006 in connection with the Transaction and hold it and its connected persons harmless against any liabilities (other than those that are finally judicially determined to have arisen out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the scheme agent) which arise out of matters contemplated by or consequent upon the scheme agent’s engagement in relation to the Transaction.

We have agreed to indemnify and hold SABMiller and its connected persons harmless from and against any losses, liabilities and claims made against SABMiller and its connected persons (and any costs and expenses stemming from such claims) in connection with the items mentioned above, other than when finally judicially determined to have arisen from the gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or fraud by SABMiller or its connected persons, as well as to reimburse SABMiller for any expenses incurred in connection with the bondholder consent solicitation process. SABMiller consented to the ongoing inclusion and/or provision of such information and letters in certain places and/or situations. The Deed of Indemnity is filed as Exhibit 4.29 to this Form20-F.

Tax Matters Agreement

On 11 November 2015, former AB InBev entered into the a tax matters agreement (the “Tax Matters Agreement”) with Altria, pursuant to which we agreed to provide assistance andco-operation to, and to give certain representations and undertakings to, Altria in relation to certain matters that are relevant to Altria under U.S. tax legislation, including the structure and implementation of the Transaction.combination with SAB.

The Tax Matters Agreement sets out the framework for ongoingco-operation between us and Altria after completion of the Transactioncombination with SAB in relation to certain matters that are relevant to Altria under U.S. tax legislation. The Tax Matters Agreement provided that, upon completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, the existing tax matters agreement in place between Altria and SABMillerSAB was terminated.

On 25 August 2016, former AB InBev and Altria entered into an amended and restated Tax Matters Agreement, in order to make certain adjustments to the representations as to the structure and implementation of the Transactioncombination with SAB to reflect additional details that had developed since 11 November 2015.

Under the terms of the Transaction,combination with SAB, as stated in the November Rule 2.7 Announcement, any SABMillerSAB shareholder other than Altria is entitled to enter into an agreement with us on substantially the same terms as the Tax Matters Agreement,provided that it is able to demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of our board of directors that it meets the following criteria:

 

it is a United States corporation;

 

it owned (or was deemed to own for U.S. federal income tax purposes) no less than 5% of the SABMillerSAB shares; and

 

it owned (or was deemed to own for U.S. federal income tax purposes) no less than 10% of the Restricted Shares at completion of the Transaction.combination with SAB.

The Tax Matters Agreement is filed as Exhibit 4.22 to this Form20-F.

Molson Coors Purchase Agreement

On 11 November 2015, Molson Coors Brewing Company (“Molson Coors”) entered into a purchase agreement (the “Molson Coors Purchase Agreement”) with former AB InBev pursuant to which, upon completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, Molson Coors acquired all of SABMiller’sSAB’s interest in MillerCoors LLC, a joint venture between SABMillerSAB and Molson Coors (“MillerCoors”), and certain assets (including trademarks, other intellectual property, contracts, inventory and other assets) related to SABMiller’sSAB’s portfolio of Miller brands outside the U.S. for an aggregate purchase price of USD 12.0 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments as described in the Molson Coors Purchase Agreement. Following the closing of the MillerCoors divestiture on 11 October 2016, MillerCoors has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Molson Coors and Molson Coors has full control of the operations and resulting economic benefits of MillerCoors.

We agreed to indemnify Molson Coors for losses arising out of: (i) certain breaches of representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of AB InBev contained in the Molson Coors Purchase Agreement; (ii) all liabilities of AB InBev, SABMiller and any of their respective affiliates that are not expressly assumed by Molson Coors in the MillerCoors divestiture; and (iii) certain other liabilities (including in connection with actions required to be taken by Molson Coors to obtain necessary regulatory consents and approvals). Our indemnification obligations arising from breaches of our representations and warranties in the Molson Coors Purchase Agreement survive for twenty-four months after closing of the MillerCoors divestiture and are subject to a USD 5 million deductible and a USD 750 million cap.

We agreed to provide certain transition services to Molson Coors, including producing certain Miller branded products in specified countries outside the U.S. for three years, and to provide certain other transition services for one year following the closing of the MillerCoors divestiture.years. We also agreed to enter into amendments to certain existing agreements between SABMillerSAB and its affiliates and MillerCoors in respect of the license and/or supply of certain brands owned by SABMillerSAB and distributed by MillerCoors in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including granting perpetual licenses to such brands to MillerCoors and committing to supply product to MillerCoors under those brands for three years (plus twoone-year extensions at Molson Coors’ election).

The Molson Coors Purchase Agreement also contains other customary representations, warranties and covenants by each party that are subject, in some cases, to specified exceptions and qualifications contained in the Molson Coors Purchase Agreement.

On 25 March 2016, former AB InBev and Molson Coors entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Molson Coors Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which we and Molson Coors (i) agreed to include in the MillerCoors divestiture certain rights and assets relating to MillerCoors and SABMiller’s business operations in the U.S. that were intended to be included in the MillerCoors divestiture but were unintentionally omitted from the Molson Coors Purchase Agreement, (ii) clarified the process by which we and Molson Coors would seek certain third-party consents, approvals and assignments in connection with the MillerCoors divestiture and (iii) clarified the inapplicability of certain restrictions on SABMiller’s portfolio of Miller brands outside of the U.S. On 3 October 2016, former AB InBev and Molson Coors entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Molson Coors Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which we and Molson Coors (i) clarified our respective rights and obligations with respect to the intellectual property of MillerCoors, (ii) agreed to terminate or assign to Molson Coors certain agreements between MillerCoors and SABMiller and (iii) clarified the scope of our obligation to remove commercial limitations on Molson Coors’ activities from our existing contractual arrangements.

The Molson Coors Purchase Agreement, Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2 have beenare filed as Exhibits 4.23, 4.24 and 4.25, respectively, to this Form20-F.

Registration Rights Agreement

On 10 October 2016, we entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with Altria and BEVCO, pursuant to which we are required to register for resale under the Securities Act all registrable shares held by Restricted Shareholders no earlier than five years after completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, at which point, the Restricted Shares will become eligible for conversion into Ordinary Shares at the option of the Restricted Shareholder. We are also required to file with the SEC a shelf registration statement relating to such registrable shares pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act at the request of Restricted Shareholders holding, in aggregate, at least the lesser of $2.5 billion of our equity securities by market value and 1.5% of our outstanding share capital. We will be responsible for bearing the costs and expenses of each such registration.

In addition, each Restricted Shareholder owning at least 1.0% of our outstanding share capital has certain “piggyback” registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to which such Restricted Shareholder may register the resale of their securities alongside any offering of Ordinary Shares (including ADSs) by AB InBev. We have also agreed to certain other customary provisions, including the indemnification of Altria and BEVCO and the underwriters of any registered offering.

The Registration Rights Agreement will terminate on the date when there is no Restricted Shareholder that owns more than the lesser of $2.5 billion of our equity securities by market value and 1.5% of our outstanding share capital. The Registration Rights Agreement has been filed as Exhibit 4.27 to this Form20-F.

U.S. Department of Justice Consent Decree

On 20 July 2016, former AB InBev announced that it had entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice, which cleared the way for United States approval of the Transaction.combination with SAB. The terms of the consent decree formalizeformalized former AB InBev’s agreement to divest SABMiller’sSAB’s U.S. interest in MillerCoors to Molson Coors previously announced on 11 November 2015, as well as prior commitments made by former AB InBev, including:

 

we will not acquire control of a distributor if doing so would result in more than 10% of our U.S. annual volume being distributed through majority-owned distributorships in the U.S.; and

 

we will not terminate any wholesalers as a result of the Transaction.combination with SAB.

The terms of the consent decree also require us to notify the U.S. Department of Justice at least 30 days prior to the consummation of any acquisition of a beer brewer, importer, distributor or brand owner deriving more than $7.5 million in annual gross revenue from beer sold for further resale in the United States or from license fees generated by such sales, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, certain aspects of AB InBev’s U.S. sales programs and policies have been reviewed and modified to conform to the consent decree to ensure that we do not limit the ability and incentives of independent distributors to sell and promote third-party brewers’ products.

The consent decree will expire tenon 20 July 2026 (ten (10) years after the U.S. Department of Justice filed its approvalcomplaint); however, the consent decree may be terminated at any time after 22 October 2023 upon notice by the U.S. federal districtDepartment of Justice to the court that continuation of the consent decree is no longer necessary or in the District of Columbia, unless the court grants an extension.public interest. Our compliance with the consent decree is monitored by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Monitoring Trustee appointed by it. The terms of the consent decree are reflected in the proposedmodified final judgment which is attachedfiled as Exhibit 4.28 to this Form20-F.

Revolving Facility

As of 31 December 2016,2018, we have fully repaid our obligations under the Revolving Facility (as defined below), and USD 9.0 billion remains available to be drawn.

On 26 February 2010, we entered into USD 17.2 billion of senior credit agreements, comprising a USD 13 billion senior facilities agreement (the “2010 Senior Facilities Agreement”) with a syndicate of 13 banks, and two term facilities totaling USD 4.2 billion, enabling us to fully refinance a previous senior facilities agreement related to our Anheuser-Busch Companies merger in 2008. The 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement made the following two senior facilities available to us and our subsidiary, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc.: (i) the term facility and (ii) the “Revolving Facility,” a five-year multi-currency revolving credit facility for up to USD 8.0 billion principal amount. The two term facilities totaling USD 4.2 billion were cancelledcanceled on 31 March 2010 before being drawn and only the Revolving Facility remains available.

The 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report onthis Form20-F for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2009, filed with the SEC on 15 April 2010.20-F.

The Revolving Facility contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and events of default. Among other things, an event of default is triggered if either a default or an event of default occurs under any of our or our subsidiaries’ financial indebtedness. The obligations of the borrowers under the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement are jointly and severally guaranteed by the other borrowers, ABIFI, Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, and Brandbev S.à.R.L.

Mandatory prepayments are required to be made under the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement in circumstances where a person or a group of persons acting in concert (other than our controlling shareholder, the Stichting or any of its certificate holders or any persons or group of persons acting in concert with such persons) acquires control of us, in which case, individual lenders are accorded rights to require prepayment in full of their respective portions of the outstanding utilizations.

We borrow under the Revolving Facility at an interest rate equal to LIBOR (or EURIBOR for euro-denominated loans) plus a margin of 0.2250% per annum based upon the ratings assigned by rating agencies to our long-term debt as of the date of this report. These margins may change to the extent that the ratings assigned to our long-term debt are modified, ranging between 0.175% per annum and 0.70% per annum. A commitment fee of 35% of the applicable margin is applied to any undrawn but available funds under the Revolving Facility. A utilization fee of up to 0.3% per annum is payable, dependent on the amount drawn under the Revolving Facility.

Effective 25 July 2011, we amended the Revolving Facility under the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement. The termination date of the Revolving Facility was amended to 25 July 2016. On 5 July 2011, in connection with the amendment, we fully prepaid and terminated the term facility under the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement. The amendment to the Revolving Facility is incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4.2 to this Form20-F. Effective 20 August 2013, we amended the terms of the USD 8.0 billion five-year Revolving Facility extending the provision of USD 7.2 billion to a revised maturity of July 2018. The amendment to the Revolving Facility is incorporated by

reference as Exhibit 4.3 to this Form20-F. Effective 28 August 2015, we amended the terms of our Revolving Facility to increase the total commitment to USD 9.0 billion and to extend the maturity to August 2020. The amendment to the Revolving Facility is filed as Exhibit 4.4 to this Form20-F.

Grupo Modelo Settlement Agreement

On 19 April 2013, former AB InBev, Grupo Modelo, Constellation Brands, Inc. and Crown Imports LLC, reached a final agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice on the terms of a settlement of the Department of Justice’s litigation challenging our acquisition of Grupo Modelo. The settlement required the divestiture to Constellation Brands, Inc. of Grupo Modelo’s brewery in Piedras Negras, Mexico and Grupo Modelo’s 50% stake in Crown Imports LLC, as well as the grant of perpetual brand licenses to Constellation Brands, Inc. The final judgment was approved by the Court in Effective 3 October 2013.

Under2017, we amended the terms of the stipulation order and final judgment, (i) Constellation Brands, Inc. was joined as a partyRevolving Facility to extend the maturity to August 2022. The amendment to the action for the purposes of settlement and for the entry of a final judgment, (ii) we and Grupo Modelo agreed to the prompt and certain divestiture of certain rights and assets held by them, (iii) we and Constellation Brands, Inc. agreed to amend certain agreements that were executed in connection with the acquisition of the equity interest in Crown Imports LLC and the brewery, (iv) Constellation Brands, Inc. is obligated to build out and expand the Grupo Modelo’s brewery to a nominal capacity of at least 20 million hectoliters of packaged beer annually by 31 December 2016, and to use its best efforts to achieve certain construction milestones by specified dates, (v) the United States has approval rights, in its sole discretion, for amendments or modifications to the agreements between us and Constellation Brands, Inc., and (vi) the United States has a right of approval, in its sole discretion, of any extension beyond three years of the term of the interim supply agreement, which was executed by us and Constellation Brands, Inc. at the closing of the acquisition. In December 2016, we completed the sale of our brewery plant located in Obregón, Sonora, México to Constellation Brands, Inc. for a sale price of approximately USD 600 million. The final judgmentRevolving Facility is filed as Exhibit 4.184.5 to this Form20-F.

D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS

There are no Belgian exchange control regulations that would affect the remittance of dividends tonon-resident holders of our shares. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Transfers from Subsidiaries” for a discussion of various restrictions applicable to transfers of funds by our subsidiaries.

E. TAXATION

Belgian Taxation

The following paragraphs are a summary of material Belgian tax consequences of the ownership of our shares or ADSs by an investor. The summary is based on laws, treaties and regulatory interpretations in effect in Belgium on the date of this document, all of which are subject to change, including changes that could have retroactive effect.

The summary only discusses Belgian tax aspects which are relevant to U.S. holders of our shares or ADSs (“Holders”). This summary does not address Belgian tax aspects which are relevant to persons who are residents in Belgium or engaged in a trade or business in Belgium through a permanent establishment or a fixed base in Belgium. This summary does not purport to be a description of all of the tax consequences of the ownership of our shares or ADSs, and does not take into account the specific circumstances of any particular investor, some of which may be subject to special rules, or the tax laws of any country other than Belgium. This summary does not describe the tax treatment of investors that are subject to special rules, such as banks, insurance companies, collective investment undertakings, dealers in securities or currencies, or persons that hold, or will hold, our shares or ADSs in a position, in a straddle, share-repurchase transaction, conversion transaction, synthetic security or other integrated financial transaction. Investors should consult their own advisorsadvisers regarding the tax consequences of an investment in our shares or ADSs in the light of their particular circumstances, including the effect of any state, local or other national laws.

Dividend Withholding Tax

As a general rule, a withholding tax of 30% is levied on the gross amount of dividends paid on or attributed to our shares or ADSs, subject to such relief as may be available under applicable domestic or tax treaty provisions. Dividends subject to the dividend withholding tax include all benefits paid on or attributed to our shares or ADSs, irrespective of their form, as well as reimbursements of statutory share capital, except reimbursements of fiscal capital made in accordance with the Belgian Companies Code. In principle, fiscal capital includespaid-up statutory share capital, and subject to certain conditions, thepaid-up issue premiums and the cash amounts subscribed to at the time of the issue of profit-sharing certificates. Note that as of 2018 (i.e., financial years starting on or after 1 January 2018), any reduction of fiscal capital is deemed to be paid out on a pro rata basis of the fiscal capital and certain reserves (i.e., and in the following order: the taxed reserves incorporated in the statutory capital, the taxed reserves not incorporated in the statutory capital and thetax-exempt reserves incorporated in the statutory capital). Only the part of the capital reduction that is deemed to be paid out of the fiscal capital may, subject to certain conditions, not be considered as a dividend distribution for Belgian tax purposes.

If we redeem our own shares or ADSs, the redemption distribution (after deduction of the portion of fiscal capital represented by our redeemed shares or ADSs) will be treated as a dividend, which in certain circumstances may be subject to a withholding tax of 30%, subject to such relief as may be available under applicable domestic or tax treaty provisions. No withholding tax will be triggered if such redemption is carried out on a stock exchange and meets certain conditions. In case of our liquidation, any amounts distributed in excess of the fiscal capital will be subject to a 30% withholding tax, subject to such relief as may be available under applicable domestic or tax treaty provisions.

Dividends paid or attributed as of 1 January 2018 toA reducednon-resident individuals who do not use our shares or ADSs in the exercise of a professional activity may be exempt fromnon-resident individual income tax up to the amount of 640 EUR (for income year 2018). Consequently, if Belgian withholding tax ratehas been levied on dividends paid or attributed to our shares or ADSs, such Belgiannon-resident may request in his or hernon-resident income tax return that any Belgian withholding tax levied on dividends up to the amount of 1.6995% (the “Reduced Withholding Tax”)EUR 640 (for income year 2018) be credited and, as the case may be, reimbursed. However, if no Belgiannon-resident income tax return has to be filed by thenon-resident individual, any Belgian withholding tax levied on dividends up to such an amount could in principle be reclaimed by filing a request thereto addressed to the tax official to be appointed in a Royal Decree. Such a request has to be made at the latest on 31 December of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the relevant dividend(s) have been received, together with an affidavit confirming thenon-resident individual status and certain other formalities which are still to be determined in a Royal Decree. For the avoidance of doubt, all dividends paid or attributed to thenon-resident individual are taken into account to assess whether the maximum amount of EUR 640 (for income year 2018) is reached (and hence not only the amount of dividends paid or attributed on our shares or ADSs). A withholding tax exemption will apply on dividends paid by us to a company that is a resident of the United States, provided thatthat: (i) the U.S. company has a legal form similar to the ones listed in the Annex to the European Union Parent-Subsidiary Directive of 30 November 30, 2011 (2011/96/EU) (“EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive”), as amended from time to time,time; (ii) the U.S. company owns, on the date the dividend is payable or attributable, a participation representing less than 10% of our capital but with an acquisition value of at least EUR 2,500,000,2,500,000; (iii) the U.S. company holds our shares or ADSs in full legal ownership for an uninterrupted period of at least one year,year; and (iv) the U.S. company submits an affidavit to us or our paying agent (see below). The Reduced Withholding Taxwithholding tax exemption only applies if and to the extent that the Belgian dividend withholding tax, which would be due in the absence of said exemption, is in principle neithernot creditable nor reimbursableor refundable in the hands of the U.S. resident company.

In order to benefit from the Reduced Withholding Tax,above withholding tax exemption, the U.S. resident company must provide us or our paying agent with an affidavit confirming the following points: (i) the U.S. company has a legal form similar to the ones listed in the Annex to the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive, as amended from time to time,time; (ii) the U.S. company is subject to U.S. corporate income tax or a similar tax without benefiting from a tax regime that deviates from the ordinary U.S. corporate income tax regime,regime; (iii) the acquisition value of the participation amounts to at least EUR 2,500,000 (but representing less than 10% of our capital),; (iv) the dividends relate to our shares or ADSs which the U.S. company holds or has held in full legal ownership for an uninterrupted period of at least one year,year; (v) to which extent the Belgian withholding tax, which would be due in the absence of said exemption, is in principle creditable or refundable in the hands of the U.S. company according to the legal provisions in force on December 31 of the year preceding the year of the payment or attribution of the dividendsdividends; and (vi) the full name, legal form, address and, if applicable, the fiscal identification number of the U.S. company.

Withholding tax is also not applicable, pursuant to Belgian domestic tax law, on dividends paid to a U.S. pension fund which satisfies the following conditions: (i) it is a legal entity with separate legal personality and fiscal residence in the United States; (ii) whose corporate purpose consists solely in managing and investing funds collected in order to pay legal or complementary pensions; (iii) whose activity is limited to the investment of funds collected in the exercise of its corporate purpose, without any profit making aim; (iv) which is exempt from income tax in the United States; and (v) provided that it is not contractually obligated to redistribute the dividends to any ultimate beneficiary of such dividends for whom it would manage the shares or ADSs, nor obligated to pay a manufactured dividend with respect to the shares or ADSs under a securities borrowing transaction. The exemption will only apply if the U.S. pension fund provides a certificate confirming that it is the full legal owner or usufruct holder of the shares or ADSs and that the above conditions are satisfied. The organization must then forward that certificate to us or our paying agent.

Fornon-resident individuals and companies, the dividend withholding tax will be the only tax on dividends in Belgium, unless thenon-resident holds our shares or ADSs in connection with a business conducted in Belgium, through a fixed base in Belgium or a Belgian permanent establishment.

Relief of Belgian Dividend Withholding Tax

Under the income tax convention between the United States of America and Belgium (the “Treaty”), there is a reduced Belgian withholding tax rate of 15% on dividends paid by us to a U.S. resident that beneficially owns the dividends and is entitled to claim the benefits of the Treaty under the limitation of benefits article included in the Treaty (“Qualifying Holders”). If such Qualifying Holder is a company that owns directly at least 10% of our voting stock, the Belgian withholding tax rate is further reduced

to 5%. No withholding tax is, however, applicable if the Qualifying Holder is: (i) a company that is a resident of the United States that has owned directly our shares or ADSs representing at least 10% of our capital for a12-month period ending on the date the dividend is declared,declared; or (ii) a pension fund that is a resident of the United States, provided that such dividends are not derived from the carrying on of a business by the pension fund or through an associated enterprise.

Under the normal procedure, we or our paying agent must withhold the full Belgian withholding tax (without taking into account the Treaty rate). Qualifying Holders may make a claim for reimbursement for amounts withheld in excess of the rate defined by the Treaty. The reimbursement form (Form 276Div-Aut.) may be obtained from the Bureau Central de Taxation Bruxelles-Etranger, 33Centre Étrangers – Team 6 – 17P, 50 box 3429 Boulevard Roi Albert II, 33 (North Galaxy Tower B7), 1030du Jardin Botanique, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. Qualifying Holders may also, subject to certain conditions, obtain the reduced Treaty rate at source. Qualifying Holders should deliver a duly completed Form 276Div-Aut. no later than ten days after the date on which the dividend becomes payable. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisers as to whether they qualify for reduction in withholding tax upon payment or attribution of dividends, and as to the procedural requirements for obtaining a reduced withholding tax upon the payment of dividends or for making claims for reimbursement.

Capital Gains and Losses

Pursuant to the Treaty, capital gains and/or losses realized by a Qualifying Holder from the sale, exchange or other disposition of our shares or ADSs do not fall within the scope of application of Belgian domestic tax law.

Capital gains realized on our shares or ADSs by a corporate Holder which is not entitled to claim the benefits of the Treaty under the limitation of benefits article included in the Treaty are generally not subject to taxation and losses are not deductible, (providedprovided that our shares or ADSs are neither held in connection with a business conducted in Belgium, nor through a fixed base or permanent establishment in Belgium).Belgium.

Private individual Holders who are not entitled to claim the benefits of the Treaty under the limitation of benefits article included in the Treaty and who are holding our shares or ADSs as a private investment will, as a rule, not be subject to tax on any capital gains arising out of a disposal of our shares or ADSs and capital losses will, as a rule, not be deductible in Belgium, subject to the exceptions below.

If capital gains realized by private individual Holders who are not entitled to claim the benefits of the Treaty under the limitation of benefits article included in the Treaty on our shares or ADSs are deemed to be realized outside the scope of the normal management of such individual’s private estate and the capital gain is obtained or received in Belgium, the gain will be subject to a final professional withholding tax of 30.28% or must be reported in anon-resident tax return for the income year during which the gain has been realized, in which case the gain will be taxable at the rate of 35.51% (33% to be increased with a current surcharge of currently 7%). The Official Commentary to the ITC 1992 stipulates that occasional transactions on a stock exchange regarding our shares or ADSs should not be considered as transactions realized outside the scope of normal management of one’s own private estate.

Capital gains realized by such individual Holders on the disposal of our shares or ADSs for consideration, outside the exercise of a professional activity, to anon-resident company (or a body constituted in a similar legal form), to a foreign State (or one of its political subdivisions or local authorities) or to anon-resident legal entity that is established outside the European Economic Area, are in principle taxable at a rate of 16.5% (plus a current surcharge of currently 7%) if, at any time during the five years preceding the sale, such individual Holder has owned directly or indirectly, alone or with his/her spouse or with certain relatives, a substantial shareholding in us (that is, a shareholding of more(more than 25% of our shares).

Capital gains realized by a Holder upon the redemption of our shares or ADSs or upon our liquidation will generally be taxable as a dividend (see above).

Estate and Gift Tax

There is no Belgium estate tax on the transfer of our shares or ADSs on the death of a Belgiannon-resident.

Donations of our shares or ADSs made in Belgium may or may not be subject to gift tax depending on the modalities under whichhow the donation is carried out.

Belgian Tax on Stock Exchange Transactions

A stock market tax is normally levied on the purchase and the sale and on any other acquisition and transfer for consideration in Belgium of our existing shares or ADSs through a professional intermediary established in Belgium on the secondary market(so-called “secondary market transactions”). The applicable rate amounts to 0.27%0.35% of the consideration paid, but with a cap of EUR 1,600 (USD 1,722)1,804) per transaction and per party.

Belgiannon-residents who purchase or otherwise acquire or transfer, for consideration, existing shares or ADSs in Belgium for their own account through a professional intermediary may be exempt from the stock market tax if they deliver a sworn affidavit to the intermediary in Belgium confirming theirnon-resident status.

In addition to the above, no stock market tax is payable by: (i) professional intermediaries described in Article 2, 9° and 10° of the Law of 2 August 2002 acting for their own account, (ii) insurance companies described in Article 2, § 1 of the Law of 9 July 1975 acting for their own account, (iii) professional retirement institutions referred to in Article 2, 1° of the Law of 27 October 2006 relating to the control of professional retirement institutions acting for their own account, (iv) collective investment institutions acting for their own account or (v) regulated real estate companies acting for their own account.

No stock market tax will thus be due by Holders on the subscription, purchase or sale of existing shares or ADSs if the Holders are acting for their own account. In order to benefit from this exemption, the Holders must file with the professional intermediary in Belgium a sworn affidavit evidencing that they arenon-residents for Belgian tax purposes.

Belgian Tax on Securities Accounts

Non-resident individuals may be taxed at a rate of 0.15% on their share in the average value of qualifying financial instruments (such as shares, bonds, certain other type of debt instruments, units of undertakings for collective investment, warrants) held on one or more securities accounts with one or more financial intermediaries during a reference period of 12 consecutive months starting on 1 October and ending on 30 September of the subsequent year. However, the first reference period started as of the day following the publication of the law in the Belgian State Gazette (9 March 2018) and end on 30 September 2018 (“Tax on Securities Accounts”).

No Tax on Securities Accounts is due provided the holder’s share in the average value of the qualifying financial instruments on those accounts amounts to less than EUR 500,000. If, however, the holder’s share in the average value of the qualifying financial instruments on those accounts amounts to EUR 500,000 or more, the Tax on Securities Accounts is due on the entire share of the holder in the average value of the qualifying financial instruments on those accounts (and hence, not only on the part which exceeds the EUR 500,000 threshold).

Qualifying financial instruments held bynon-resident individuals only fall within the scope of the Tax on Securities Accounts provided they are held on securities accounts with a financial intermediary established or located in Belgium.

A financial intermediary is defined as (i) a credit institution or a stockbroking firm as defined by Article 1, §2 and §3 of the Law of 25 April 2014 on the legal status and supervision of credit institutions and stockbroking firms and (ii) the investment companies as defined by Article 3, §1 of the Law of 25 October 2016 on access to the activity of investment services and on the legal status and supervision of portfolio management and investment advice companies, which are pursuant to national law admitted to hold financial instruments for the account of customers.

The Tax on Securities Accounts is in principle due by the financial intermediary established or located in Belgium if (i) the holder’s share in the average value of the qualifying financial instruments held on one or more securities accounts with said intermediary amounts to EUR 500,000 or more or (ii) the holder instructed the financial intermediary to levy the Tax on Securities Accounts due (e.g., in case such holder holds qualifying financial instruments on several securities accounts held with multiple intermediaries of which the average value of each of these accounts do not amount to EUR 500,000 or more but of which the holder’s share in the total average value of these accounts exceeds EUR 500,000). Otherwise, the Tax on Securities Accounts must be declared and is due by the holder itself, unless the holder provides evidence that the Tax on Securities Accounts has already been withheld, declared and paid by an intermediary which is not established or located in Belgium. In that respect, intermediaries located or established outside of Belgium can appoint a Tax on the Securities Accounts representative in Belgium, subject to certain conditions and formalities (“Tax on the Securities Accounts Representative”). Such a Tax on the Securities Accounts Representative is then liable towards the Belgian Treasury for the Tax on the Securities Accounts due and for complying with certain reporting obligations in that respect.

Non-resident individuals need to report in their annual Belgiannon-resident income tax return their various securities accounts held with one or more financial intermediaries established or located in Belgium of which they are considered as a holder within the meaning of the Tax on Securities Accounts.

Prospective investors are strongly advised to seek their own professional advice in relation to the Tax on Securities Accounts.

U.S. Taxation

This section describes the material United States federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares or ADSs. It applies to you only if you are a U.S. holder, as described below, and you hold your shares or ADSs as capital assets for United States federal income tax purposes. This discussion addresses only United States federal income taxation and does not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your individual circumstances, including foreign, state or local tax consequences, estate and gift tax consequences, and tax consequences arising under the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income or the alternative minimum tax. This section does not apply to you if you are a member of a special class of holders subject to special rules, including:

 

a bank;

 

a dealer in securities;

 

a trader in securities that elects to use amark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings;

 

a tax exempttax-exempt organization;

 

a life insurance company;

a person liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

a person that actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the combined voting power of our voting stock or of the total value of our stock;

 

a person that holds shares or ADSs as part of a straddle or a hedging or conversion transaction;

 

a person that purchases or sells shares or ADSs as part of a wash sale for tax purposes; or

 

a person whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.

This section is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect, as well as on the Treaty. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. In addition, this section is based in part upon the representations of the Depositarydepositary and the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.

You areIf an entity or arrangement that is treated as a U.S. holder if you are a beneficial owner of shares or ADSs and you are:

a citizen or resident of the United States;

a domestic corporation;

an estate whose income is subject topartnership for United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or

a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of our shares and ADSs in your particular circumstances. In particular, you should confirm whether you qualify for the benefits of the Treaty and the consequences of failing to do so.

If a partnershippurposes holds our shares or ADSs, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the tax treatment of the partnership. If you hold our shares or ADSs as a partner in a partnership, you should consult your tax advisoradviser with regard to the United States federal income tax treatment of an investment in our shares or ADSs.

You are a U.S. holder if you are a beneficial owner of shares or ADSs and you are, for United States federal income tax purposes:

a citizen or resident of the United States;

a domestic corporation;

an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or

a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

You should consult your own tax adviser regarding the United States federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of our shares and ADSs in your particular circumstances. In particular, you should confirm whether you qualify for the benefits of the Treaty and the consequences of failing to do so.

The tax treatment of your shares or ADSs will depend in part on whether or not we are classified as a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” for United States federal income tax purposes. Except as discussed below under “—PFIC Rules,” this discussion assumes that we are not classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes.

Taxation of DividendsDistributions

Under the United States federal income tax laws, and subject to the passive foreign investment company (or “PFIC”) rules discussed below, if you are a U.S. holder, the gross amount of any dividenddistribution we pay out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes), other than certainpro-rata distributions of our shares, will be treated as a dividend that is subject to United States federal income taxation. If you are anon-corporate U.S. holder, dividends that constitute qualified dividend income will be taxable to you at the preferential rates applicable to long-term capital gains,provided that you hold our shares or ADSs for more than 60 days during the121-day period beginning 60 days before theex-dividend date and meet other holding period requirements. Dividends we pay with respect to the shares or ADSs generally will be qualified dividend income.income provided that, in the year that you receive the dividend, we are eligible for the benefits of the Treaty. We believe that we are currently eligible for the benefits of the Treaty and we therefore expect that dividends on the ordinary shares or ADSs will be qualified dividend income, but there can be no assurance that we will continue to be eligible for the benefits of the Treaty.

You must include any Belgian tax withheld from the dividend payment in this gross amount even though you do not in fact receive it. The dividend is taxable to you when you receive, in the case of shares, or the depositary receives, in the case of ADSs, the dividend, actually or constructively. The dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to United States corporations in respect of dividends received from other United States corporations. If the dividend is paid in euros,euro, the amount of the dividend distribution that you must include in your income as a U.S. holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the euro payments made, determined at the spot euro/U.S. dollar rate on the date the dividend distribution is includible in your income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Generally, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange

fluctuations during the period from the date you include the dividend payment in income to the date you convert the payment into U.S. dollars will be treated as ordinary income or loss and will not be eligible for the special tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income. The gain or loss generally will be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, will be treated as anon-taxable return of capital to the extent of your basis in the shares or ADSs and thereafter as capital gain. However, we do not expect to calculate earnings and profits in accordance with United States federal income tax principles. Accordingly, you should expect to generally treat distributions we make as dividends.

Subject to certain limitations, the Belgian tax withheld in accordance with the Treaty and paid over to Belgium will be creditable against your United States federal income tax liability. Special rules apply in determining the foreign tax credit limitation with respect to dividends that are subject to the preferential tax rates. To the extent a reduction or refund of the tax withheld is available to you under Belgian law or under the Treaty, the amount of tax withheld that is refundable will not be eligible for credit against your United States federal income tax liability. In addition, if you are eligible under the Treaty for a lower rate of Belgian withholding tax on a distribution with respect to the shares or ADSs, yet you do not claim such lower rate and, as a result, you are subject to a greater Belgian withholding tax on the distribution than you could have obtained by claiming benefits under the Treaty, such additional Belgian withholding tax would likely not be eligible for credit against your United States federal income tax liability.

Dividends will generally be income from sources outside the United States and depending on your circumstances, will generally be either “passive” or “general” income for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable to you.

Taxation of Capital Gains

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, ifIf you are a U.S. holder and you sell or otherwise dispose of your shares or ADSs, you will recognize capital gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount that you realize and your tax basis, determined in U.S. dollars, in your shares or ADSs. Capital gain of anon-corporate U.S. holder is generally taxed at preferential rates where the property is held for more than one year. The gain or loss will generally be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Your ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations.

PFIC Rules

We believe that our shares and ADSs should not currently be treated as stock of a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes butand we do not expect to become a PFIC in the foreseeable future. However, this conclusion is a factual determination that is made annually and thus may be subject to change. It is therefore possible that we could become a PFIC in a future taxable year. A company is considered a PFIC if, for any taxable year, either (i) at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. If we were to be treated as a PFIC unlessand you are a U.S. holder, elects to be taxed annually on amark-to-market basis with respect to the shares or ADSs or makes aunless you make an effective “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”) election, the first taxable year in which we are treated as a PFIC, gain realized on the sale or other disposition of your shares or ADSs would in general not be treated as capital gain. Instead, ifunless you areeffectively elect to be taxed annually on a U.S. holder,mark-to-market basis with respect to your shares or ADSs, you would be treated as if you had realized such gain and certain excess distributions ratably over your holding period for the shares or ADSs and would be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for each such year to which the gain was allocated, together with an interest charge in respect of the tax attributable to each such year. With certain exceptions, your shares or ADSs will be treated as stock in a PFIC if we were a PFIC at any time during your holding period in your shares or ADSs. Dividends that you receive from us will not be eligible for the special tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income if we are a PFIC or are treated as a PFIC with respect to you either in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year, but instead will be taxable at rates applicable to ordinary income. The QEF election is conditioned upon our furnishing you annually with certain tax information. We may not take the action necessary for a U.S. shareholder to make a QEF election in the event our company is determined to be a PFIC.

Belgian Stock Market Tax

Any Belgian stock market tax that you pay will likely not be a creditable tax for United States federal income tax purposes. However, U.S. holders are exempt from such tax if they act for their own account and certain information is provided to relevant professional intermediaries (as described under “—Belgian Taxation—Belgian Tax on Stock Exchange Transactions”). U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisorsadvisers regarding the potential application of Belgian tax law to the ownership and disposition of our shares or ADSs.

F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS

Not applicable.

G. STATEMENT BY EXPERTS

Not applicable.

H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

You may read and copy any reports or other information that we file at the public reference rooms of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the SEC’s regional offices located at 3 World Financial Center, Suite 400, New York, NY 10281 and 175 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60604. Please call the SEC at1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. Electronic filings made through the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system are also publicly available through the SEC’s website on the Internet athttp://www.sec.gov.www.sec.gov.

We also make available on our website, free of charge, our annual reports on Form20-F, as well as certain other SEC filings, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Our website address ishttp://www.ab-inbev.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this document.

We have filed our amended and restated articles of association and all other deeds that are to be published in the annexes to the Belgian State Gazette with the clerk’s office of the Commercial Court of Brussels (Belgium), where they are available to the public. A copy of the articles of association dated 10 October 201626 April 2017 has been filed as Exhibit 99.41.1 to thethis Form6-K20-F, filed on 11 October 2016, regarding the Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Articles of Association, and is also available on our website underhttp:https://www.ab-inbev.com/investors/corporate-governance/bylaws.htmlcorporate-governance.html.

In accordance with Belgian law, we must prepare audited annual statutory and consolidated financial statements. The audited annual statutory and consolidated financial statements and the reports of our Board and statutory auditor relating thereto are filed with the Belgian National Bank, where they are available to the public. Furthermore, as a listed company, we publish an annual announcement preceding the publication of our annual financial report (which includes the audited annual financial statements, the report of our Board and the statutory auditor’s report). In addition, we publish interim management statements. Copies of these documents are available on our website underhttp:https://www.ab-inbev.com/investors/reports-and-filings.htmlinvestors.html.

We also disclose price sensitive information (inside information) and certain other information to the public. In accordance with the Belgian Royal Decree of 14 November 2007 on the obligations of issuers of financial instruments that are admitted to trading on a regulated market, such information and documentation is made available through our website, press releases and the communication channels of Euronext Brussels.

Our head office is located at Brouwerijplein 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Our telephone number is +32 (0)1 627 6111 and our website ishttp://www.ab-inbev.com.www.ab-inbev.com. The contents of our website do not form a part of this Form20-F. Although certain references are made to our website in this Form20-F, no information on our website forms part of this Form20-F.

Documents related to us that are available to the public (reports, our Global Citizenship Report, our Corporate Governance Charter, written communications, financial statements and our historical financial information for each of the three financial years preceding the publication of this FormForm 20-F) can be consulted on our website (http://www.ab-inbev.com) and at: Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Brouwerijplein 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

Unless stated otherwise in this Form20-F, none of these documents form part of this Form20-F.

I. SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 11.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Foreign Exchange Risk on the Acquisition of SABMiller

During 2015 and 2016, we entered into derivative foreign exchange forward contracts, as well as othernon-derivative items also documented in a hedge accounting relationship, in order to economically hedge against exposure to changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate for the cash component of the purchase consideration in pound sterling and South African rand. Although these derivatives andnon-derivative items were considered to be economic hedges, only a portion of such derivatives could qualify for hedge accounting under IFRS rules. Since inception of the derivative contracts in 2015 and upon the completion of the Transaction, USD 12.3 billion negativemark-to-market adjustment related to such hedging were recognized cumulatively over 2015 and 2016, of which USD 7.4 billion qualified for hedge accounting and was, accordingly, allocated as part of the consideration paid.

See notes 8, 11 and 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2016 and 2015, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.

Market Risk, Hedging and Financial Instruments

Our activities expose us to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, fair value interest risk, cash flow interest risk, commodity risk and equity risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. We analyze each of these risks individually as well as on an interconnected basis, and define strategies to manage the economic impact on our performance in line with our financial risk management policy. Management meets on a frequent basis and is responsible for reviewing the results of the risk assessment, approving recommended risk management strategies, monitoring compliance with the financial risk management policy and reporting to the Finance Committee of our Board.

Some of our risk management strategies include the use of derivatives. The main derivative instruments used are foreign currency rate agreements, exchange traded foreign currency futures and options, interest rate swaps and forwards, cross currency interest rate swaps, exchange traded interest rate futures, commodity swaps, exchange traded commodity futures and equity swaps. We do not, as a matter of policy, make use of derivative financial instruments in the context of speculative trading.

Financial markets experienced significant volatility over the past years, which we have addressed and are continuing to address through our existing risk management policies.

Please refer to note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for a fuller quantitative and qualitative discussion on the market risks to which we are subject and our policies with respect to managing those risks.

Foreign Currency Risk

We are exposed to foreign currency risk on borrowings, investments, (forecasted) sales, (forecasted) purchases, royalties, dividends, licenses, management fees and interest expense/income whenever they are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of our subsidiary engaged in the relevant transaction. To manage this risk, we primarily make use of foreign currency rate agreements, exchange traded foreign currency futures and cross-currency interest rate swaps.

As far as foreign currency risk on firm commitments and forecasted transactions is concerned, our policy is to hedge operational transactions which are reasonably expected to occur (e.g.(e.g., cost of goods sold and selling, general &and administrative expenses) within the forecast period determined in the financial risk management policy. Operational transactions that are certain are hedged without any limitation in time.Non-operational transactions (such as acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries) are hedged as soon as they are certain.

As of 31 December 2016,2018, we have substantially locked in our anticipated exposures related to firm commitments and forecasted transactions for 20172019 for the most important currency pairs such as USD/Brazilian real, USD/Mexican peso and euro/USD.USD/Argentine peso. Some exposures in certain countries had been either mostly or partially covered due to the fact that hedging can be limited in such countries as the local foreign exchange market prevents us from hedging at a reasonable cost. Open positions can also be the result of our risk management policy.

We have performed analyses in relation to our foreign currency transaction exposures using a currency sensitivity model that identified varying ranges of possible closing rates for 2016,2018, factoring in the possible volatility in those exchange rates (see note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016)2018). Based on such analysis, we estimate that if certain currencies had weakened or strengthened against the U.S. dollar or euro during 2016,2018, our 20162018 profit before taxes would have been USD 11276 million higher or lower, respectively, while thepre-tax translation reserves in equity would have been USD 774587 million higher or lower, respectively.

Foreign exchange rates have been subject to significant volatility in the recent past and may be again in the future. See note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for details of the above sensitivity analyses, a fuller quantitative and qualitative discussion on the foreign currency risks to which we are subject and our policies with respect to managing those risks.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk on our variable-rate interest-bearing financial liabilities. As of 31 December 2016,2018, after certain hedging and fair value adjustments, USD 24.07 billion, or 19.5%1.8%, of our interest-bearing financial liabilities (which include loans, borrowings and bank overdrafts) bore a variable interest rate. We apply a dynamic interest rate hedging approach where the target mix between fixed and floating rate is reviewed periodically. The purpose of our policy is to achieve an optimal balance between cost of funding and volatility of financial results, while taking into account market conditions as well as our overall business strategy. From time to time, we enter into interest rate swap agreements and forward rate agreements to manage our interest rate risk, and also enter into cross-currency interest rate swap agreements to manage both our foreign currency risk and interest rate risk.

We have performed sensitivity analyses in relation to our interest-bearing financial liabilities and assets that bear a variable rate of interest, factoring in a range of possible volatilities in the different markets where we hold such instruments (see note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016)2018). We have estimated that a change in market interest rates based on the range of volatilities considered in our analysis could have impacted our 20162018 interest expense by plus or minus USD 238 million in relation to our floating rate debt. Such increase or decrease would be more than offset by a USD 5360 million decrease or increase in interest income on our interest-bearing financial assets.

Interest rates have been subject to significant volatility in the recent past and may be again in the future. See note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for details of the above sensitivity analyses, a fuller quantitative and qualitative discussion on the interest rate risks to which we are subject and our policies with respect to managing those risks.

Commodity Price Risk

We have significant exposures to the following commodities: aluminum, barley, corn grits, coal, corn syrup, corrugated cardboard, fuel oil, diesel, glass, hops, labels, malt, natural gas, orange juice, plastics, rice, steel and wheat. The commodity markets have experienced and are expected to continue to experience price fluctuation in the future. We therefore use both fixed-price purchasing contracts and commodity derivatives to minimize exposure to commodity price volatility, such as for aluminum.

As of 31 December 2016,2018, we had the following commodity derivatives outstanding, by maturity:

 

  Notional   Fair Value   Notional   Fair Value 
Commodities  <1 year   1-5 years   >5 years   Total       <1 year   1-5 years   >5 years   Total     

Aluminum swaps

   1,211    31    —      1,242    61    1,597    73    —      1,670    (149

Other commodity derivatives

   1,124    189    —      1,313    64    1,241    32    —      1,273    (20

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)Represents the excess of assets over liabilities as of 31 December 2016.

These hedges are designated in a cash flow hedge accounting relationship in accordance with IFRS 9.

These hedges are designated in a cash flow hedge accounting relationship in accordance with IAS 39.

See note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for a fuller quantitative and qualitative discussion on the commodity risks that we are subject to, and our policies with respect to managing those risks.

Equity price riskPrice Risk

We entered into a series of derivative contracts to hedge the risk arising from the different share-based payment programs. The purpose of these derivatives is mainly to effectively hedge the risk that a price increase in our shares could negatively impact future cash flows related to the share-based payments. Furthermore, we entered into a series of derivative contracts to hedge the deferred share instrument related to the Grupo Modelo combination (see also notes 11 and 23 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016)2018) and some share-based payments in connection with the acquisition of SABMiller.SAB. Most of these derivative instruments could not qualify for hedge accounting,accounting; therefore, they have not been designated in any hedging relationships.

As of 31 December 2016,2018, an exposure for an equivalent of 91.692.4 million of our shares was hedged, resulting in a total loss of USD 851 million3.5 billion recognized in the profit or loss account for the period, of which USD 384 million1.8 billion related to our share-based payment programs, and USD 340873 million and USD 127849 million related to the Grupo Modelo and SABMillerSAB acquisitions, respectively.

The sensitivity analysis on the share-based payments hedging program, calculated based on a 22.84%22.03% reasonable possible volatility of our share price, and with all the other variables held constant, would show USD 2,2361,345 million positive/negative impact on our 20162018 profit before tax. Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2018.

Other Risks

See note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and for the three years ended 31 December 20162018 for a fuller quantitative and qualitative discussion on the equity, credit and liquidity risks to which we are subject and our policies with respect to managing those risks.

 

ITEM 12.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

A. DEBT SECURITIES

Not applicable.

B. WARRANTS AND RIGHTS

Not applicable.

C. OTHER SECURITIES

Not applicable.

D. AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

Upon completion of the Transaction,combination with SAB, we assumed the rights and obligations of former AB InBev under its Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated 30 June 2009,23 March 2018, as amended from time to time, among former AB InBev, The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, and the owners and holders of ADSs from time to time under the Deposit Agreement, and the former AB InBev ADSs thereby became new AB InBev ADSs. As used in this section headed “—American Depositary Shares,” all references to the “depositary” are references to The Bank of New York Mellon in its capacity as depositary under the Deposit Agreement, and all references to the “custodian” are to the principal Brussels office of ING Belgium SA/NV in its capacity as custodian under the Deposit Agreement as appointed by the depositary.

Copies of the Deposit Agreement and any amendments to the Deposit Agreement are or will be on file with the SEC under cover of a Registration Statement on FormF-6. You may obtain copies of the Deposit Agreement and any amendments thereto from the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 and from the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov.

The Deposit Agreement is among us, The Bank of New York Mellon, as ADR depositary, and all holders from time to time of ADRs issued under the Deposit Agreement. Copies of the Deposit Agreement are also on file at the ADR depositary’s corporate trust office and the office of the custodian. They are open to inspection by owners and holders during business hours.

Uncertificated ADSs may be registered on the books of the depositary in electronic book entrybook-entry form by means of the Direct Registration System (“DRS”) operated by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). Periodic statements will be mailed to our ADS holders that reflect their ownership interest in such ADSs. Alternatively, under the Deposit Agreement, our ADSs may be certificated by ADRs delivered by the depositary to evidence the ADSs. Unless otherwise specified in this description, references to “ADSs” include (i) our uncertificated ADSs, the ownership of which will be evidenced by periodic statements ADS holders will receive, and (ii) our certificated ADSs evidenced by our ADRs.

The depositary’s office is located at 101 Barclay240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.10286, United States. Because the depositary or its nominee actually holds the underlying Ordinary Shares, ADS holders generally receive the benefit from such underlying AB InBev Ordinary Shares through the depositary. ADS holders must rely on the depositary to exercise the rights of a shareholder on their behalf, including the voting of the Ordinary Shares represented by the ADSs. If a person becomes an owner of our ADSs, it will become a party to the Deposit Agreement and therefore will be bound by its terms and by the terms of the ADSs and the ADRs. The Deposit Agreement specifies the rights and obligations of AB InBev, the ADS holders’ rights and obligations as owners of ADSs and the rights and obligations of the depositary. The Deposit Agreement, the ADSs and the ADRs will be governed by New York law. However, the underlying Ordinary Shares will continue to be governed by Belgian law, which may be different from New York law.

American Depositary Shares

The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, will register and deliver American Depositary Shares, also referred to as ADSs. Each ADS will represent one share (or a right to receive one share) deposited with the principal Brussels office of ING Belgium SA/NV, as custodian for the depositary. Each ADS will also represent any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the depositary. The depositary’s corporate trust office at which the ADSs will be administered is located at 101 Barclay240 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10286.New York 10286, United States. The Bank of New York Mellon’s principal executive office is located at One Wall240 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10286.New York 10286, United States.

You may hold ADSs either (A) directly (i) by having an American Depositary Receipt, also referred to as an ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (ii) by having ADSs registered in your name in the Direct Registration System,DRS, or (B) indirectly by holding a security entitlement in ADSs through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, you are a registered ADS holder, also referred to as an ADS holder. This description assumes you are an ADS holder. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.

Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2016.

The Direct Registration System, or DRS is a system administered by The Depository Trust Company, also referred to as DTC, pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements sent by the depositary to the registered holders of uncertificated ADSs.

As an ADS holder, we will not treat you as one of our shareholders and you will not have shareholder rights. Belgian law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the shares underlying your ADSs. As a registered holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary and you, as an ADS holder, and all other persons indirectly holding ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. New York law governs the Deposit Agreement and the ADSs.

The following is a summary of the fee provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information regarding ADRs, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR.

Fees and Expenses Payable by Holders

 

Persons depositing or withdrawing shares

or ADS holders must pay:

  

For:

$5.00 (or less)No more than $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)  

Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property

 

Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates

TheNo more than the greater of (a) $0.02 per ADS (or portion thereof) and (b) 6%10% of the dividend or cash distribution amount per ADS  Any dividend or cash distribution to ADS holders
A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs  Distribution of securities to holders of deposited securities by the depositary to ADS holders
$0.02 (or less) per ADS per calendar yearDepositary services. The fee for depositary services will not exceed $0.02 per ADS for any year
Registration or transfer fees  Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares
Expenses of the depositary  

Cable, telex and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)

Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars

Taxes and other governmental charges that the depositary or the custodian has to pay on any ADS or share underlying an ADS, for example, stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes  As necessary
Telex or facsimile charges provided for in the deposit agreement  Expenses for depositary services
Any unavoidable charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities  As necessary

The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable (or by selling a portion of securities or other property distributable) to ADS holders that are obligated to pay those fees. The depositary may generally refuse to providefee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.

From time to time, the depositary may make payments to us to reimburse us for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the ADS program, waive fees and expenses for services provided to us by the depositary or share revenue from the fees collected from ADS holders. In performing its duties under the Deposit Agreement, the depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.

The depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates and, in those cases, acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor,adviser, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the

exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under the deposit agreement and the rate that the depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained in any currency conversion under the deposit agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, subject to the depositary’s obligations under the deposit agreement. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions is available upon request.

Payment of Taxes

You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register any transfer of your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until such taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your ADSs to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to ADS holders any proceeds, or send to ADS holders any property remaining after it has paid the taxes.

Fees Payable by the Depositary

For the year ended 31 December 2016,2018, the depositary reimbursed us for expenses we incurred, or paid amounts on our behalf to third parties, in connection with the ADS program for a total sum of USD 11,507,002.91.17,843,310.53.

 

Expenses the depositary reimbursed us

  Amount (in USD) 

Maintenance expenses(1)

   11,362,513.1017,843,310.53 
  

 

 

 

Total

   11,362,513.1017,843,310.53 
  

 

 

 

Note:

(1)

This includes both direct payments to AB InBev as well as The Bank of New York Mellon invoices that have been offset with revenue sharing balance.

The depositary has also agreed to waive fees for standard costs associated with the administration of the program and has paid certain expenses directly to third parties on our behalf. The table below sets forth those expenses that the depositary paid directly to third parties for the year ended 31 December 2016.2018.

 

Expenses the depositary paid to third parties on our behalf

  Amount (in USD) 

Standardout-of-pocket maintenance costs

   144,489.81129,925.00 

Total

   144,489.81129,925.00 

Your Right to Receive the Shares Underlying Your ADRs

ADS holders will have the right to cancel their ADSs and withdraw the underlying shares at any time except:

 

when temporary delays arise because: (i) the depositary has closed its transfer books or we have closed our transfer books; (ii) the transfer of shares is blocked to permit voting at a shareholders’ meeting;meeting or (iii) we are paying a dividend on our shares;

 

when you owe money to pay fees, taxes and similar charges; or

 

when it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply with any laws or governmental regulations that apply to ADSs or to the withdrawal of shares or other deposited securities.

This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the Deposit Agreement.

Pre-release of ADSs

The Deposit Agreement permits the depositary to deliver ADSs before deposit of the underlying shares. This is called apre-release of the ADSs. The depositary may also deliver shares upon cancellation ofpre-released ADSs (even if the ADSs are cancelledcanceled before thepre-release transaction has been closed out). Apre-release will be closed out as soon as the underlying shares are delivered to the depositary. The depositary may receive ADSs instead of shares to close out apre-release. The depositary maypre-release ADSs only under the following conditions: (i) before or at the time of thepre-release, the person to whom thepre-release is being made

represents to the depositary in writing that it or its customer owns the shares or ADSs to be deposited; (ii) thepre-release is fully collateralized with cash or other collateral that the depositary considers appropriate; (iii) the depositary must be able to close out thepre-release on not more than five business days’ notice; and (iv) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulation as the depositary deems appropriate. In addition, the depositary will limit the number of ADSs that may be outstanding at any time as a result ofpre-release, although the depositary may disregard the limit from time to time, if it thinks it is appropriate to do so.

Direct Registration System

In the Deposit Agreement, all parties to the Deposit Agreement acknowledge that the DRS and Profile Modification System (“Profile”) will apply to uncertificated ADSs upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements sent by the depositary to the registered holders of uncertificated ADSs. Profile is a required feature of DRS which allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of a registered holder of ADSs, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register that transfer.

In connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS/Profile, the parties to the Deposit Agreement understand that the depositary will not verify, determine or otherwise ascertain that the DTC participant which is claiming to be acting on behalf of an ADS holder in requesting registration of transfer and delivery described in the paragraph above has the actual authority to act on behalf of the ADS holder (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). In the Deposit Agreement, the parties will agree that the depositary’s reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the depositary through the DRS/Profile and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the depositary.

Shareholder Communications; Inspection of Register of Holders of ADSs

The depositary will make available for your inspection at its office all communications that it receives from us as a holder of deposited securities that we make generally available to holders of deposited securities. The depositary will send you copies of those communications if we ask it to. You have a right to inspect the register of holders of ADSs, but not for the purpose of contacting those holders about a matter unrelated to our business or the ADSs.

PART II

 

ITEM 13.

DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None.

 

ITEM 14.

MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

 

ITEM 15.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We completed the Transaction on 10 October 2016. Our management has excluded the SABMiller Group from its assessment, as of 31 December 2016, of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, to the extent subsumed by internal control over financial reporting. The assessment of internal control over financial reporting for the SABMiller Group will be included in our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting as of 31 December 2017. The Transaction, which was included as from the fourth quarter of 2016 within our consolidated results for the year ended 31 December 2016, positively impacted our consolidated revenue by USD 3,753 million for the year ended 31 December 2016 compared to the year ended 31 December 2015.

For more information on the effects of the Transaction, see note 6 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2016 and 2015, and for the three years ended 31 December 2016.

Our majority-owned Brazilian subsidiary, Ambev, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. In Ambev’s management report on internal control over financial reporting contained in its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016, Ambev disclosed a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting. The material weakness relates to the design and documentation of Ambev’s management review controls and other controls over the accounting and presentation of complex, non-routine transactions. In the period covered by Ambev’s financial statements, the complex, non-routine transaction that exposed the material weakness was the transfer of SABMiller’s business in Panama from AB InBev to Ambev in exchange for the transfer of Ambev’s businesses in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador to AB InBev. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company.” Ambev disclosed that the material weakness did not result in a misstatement to Ambev’s consolidated financial statements. The transaction was an exchange of businesses between AB InBev and a consolidated subsidiary, Ambev, that did not and could not have had a material impact on the AB InBev financial statements. Therefore, it was not deemed to be a deficiency in AB InBev’s internal control over financial reporting.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial & TechnologySolutions Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule13a-15(b)

as of 31 December 2016.2018. While there are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. Based upon our evaluation, as of 31 December 2016,2018, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial & Technologyand Solutions Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures, in accordance with Exchange Act Rule13a-15(e), (i) are effective at that level of reasonable assurance in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and (ii) are effective at that level of reasonable assurance in ensuring that information to be disclosed in the reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the management of our company, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial & TechnologySolutions Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed, under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial & Technologyand Solutions Officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly, reflect transactions and dispositions of assets, provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded in the manner necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are only carried out in accordance with the authorization of our management and directors, and provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of any unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Moreover, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control to future periods are subject to a risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions and that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management has assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the Internal Control–Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 2013. Based on this assessment, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 20162018 was effective.

The effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 20162018 has been audited by Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren BV o.v.v.e. CVBA,Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL, our independent registered public accounting firm, as represented by Joël Brehmen. Their audit report includingand their opinion on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting, is included in our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Form20-F.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the period covered by this Form20-F, we have not made any changethere were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that hashave materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 16A.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Our board of directors has determined that M. Michele Burns and Olivier Goudet are “audit committee financial experts” as defined in Item 16A of Form20-F under the Exchange Act and are independent directors under Rule10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

ITEM 16B.

CODE OF ETHICS

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and a Code of Dealing, each of which applies to all of our employees, including our principal executive, principal financial and principal accounting officers. Our Code of Business Conduct and Code of Dealing are together intended to meet the definition of “code of ethics” under Item 16B of Form20-F under the Exchange Act. Our Code of Dealing and Code of Business Conduct are filed as Exhibits 11.1 and 11.2, respectively, to this Form20-F.

If the provisions of the code that apply to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer are amended, or if a waiver is granted, we will disclose such amendment or waiver.

 

ITEM 16C.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren BV o.v.v.e. CVBABedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL acted as our independent auditor for the fiscal yearyears ended 31 December 2016. PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren bcvba acted as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2015.2018 and 2017. The table below sets forth the total amount billed to us by Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren BV o.v.v.e. CVBA and PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren bcbvaBedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL for services performed in 20162018 and 2015,2017, respectively, and breaks down these amounts by category of service:2

 

  2016   2015   2018   2017 
  (USD thousand)   (USD thousand) 

Audit Fees

   7,450    6,939    8,685    8,905 

Audit-Related Fees

   1,802    2,164    296    412 

Tax Fees

   6,662    2,664    1,041    1,593 

All Other Fees

   —      204    —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   15,914    11,971    10,022    10,910 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

2

Final figures pending confirmation.

Audit Fees

Audit fees are fees billed for services that provide assurance on the fair presentation of financial statements and encompass the following specific elements:

 

An audit opinion on our consolidated financial statements;

 

An audit opinion on the statutory financial statements of individual companies within the AB InBev Group, where legally required;

 

A review opinion on interim financial statements; and

 

In general, any opinion assigned to the statutory auditor by local legislation or regulations.

Audit-Related Fees

Audit-related fees are fees for assurance services or other work traditionally provided to us by external audit firms in their role as statutory auditors. These services usually result in a certification or specific opinion on an investigation or specific procedures applied, and include opinions/audit reports on information provided by us at the request of a third party (for example, prospectuses, comfort letters).

Over the last two years, audit-related services were mainly incurred in relation to the acquisition of SABMiller and services in connection with interim dividends.rights and bonds issuances.

Tax Fees

Tax fees in 20162018 were primarily related to expat services and otheradvisory services. In 2015,2017, the majority of our tax fees related to expat services and otheradvisory services.

All Other Fees

AllThere were no other fees were primarily related to economic analyses in 20162018 and to the review of ane-commerce project in 2015.2017.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The advance approval of the Audit Committee or member thereof, to whom approval authority has been delegated, is required for all audit andnon-audit services provided by our auditors.

The Audit Committee decided as of 27 April 2012 to change thePre-Approval Procedure. The advance approval of the ChairmanChair of the Audit Committee is required for all audit andnon-audit services provided by our auditors and was obtained for all such services provided in 20152017 and 2016. The Vice-President of Corporate Audit can no longerpre-approve services provided by our auditors.2018.

Our auditors and management report, on a quarterly basis, to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of the services provided and the fees for the services performed to date.

 

ITEM 16D.

EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

None.

 

ITEM 16E.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER

The following table sets forth certain information related to purchases made by the AB InBev Group of our shares or ADSs:

 

   Total number of
shares purchased(1)
  Average price paid
per share
  Total number of
shares purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans or
programs
  Maximum number (or
approximate dollar
value) of shares that may
yet be purchased under
the plans or programs
 
   (number of shares)(USD)(number of shares)  (USD)(number of shares)(USD million) 

1 January 20162018 – 31 January 20162018

   —     —     —    —  

1 February 201620182928 February 20162018

   —     —     —    —  

1 March 20162018 – 31 March 20162018

   —     —     —    —  

Total number of
shares purchased(1)
Average price paid
per share
Total number of
shares purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans or
programs
Maximum number (or
approximate dollar
value) of shares that may
yet be purchased under
the plans or programs
(number of shares)(USD)(number of shares)(USD million)

1 April 20162018 – 30 April 20162018

   —     —     —    —  

1 May 20162018 – 31 May 20162018

   —     —     —    —  

1 June 20162018 – 30 June 20162018

   —     —     —    —  

1 July 20162018 – 31 July 20162018

   —     —     —    —  

1 August 20162018 – 31 August 20162018

   —     —     —    —  

1 September 20162018 – 30 September 20162018

   —     —     —    —  

1 October 20162018 – 31 October 2016(2)2018

   —     —     —    —  

1 November 20162018 – 30 November 20162018

   —     —     —    —  

1 December 20162018 – 31 December 20162018

   —     —     —    —  

Total

   —     —     —     —   

 

Notes:Note:

 

(1)

Under certain of our share-based compensation plans, shares are granted to employees at a discount. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation—Share-Based Payment Plans.” The discount is granted in the form of additional shares, and if such employees leave the AB InBev Group prior to the end of the applicable vesting period, we take back the shares representing the discount. Technically, all of the “discount” shares are repurchased from the employee by our subsidiary, Brandbev, for an aggregate price of EUR 1, or USD 1 if the individual is located in the United States.

(2)In connection with completion of the Transaction, we also engaged the following transactions related to our shares and ADSs:
(a)On 7 October 2016, former AB InBev made a voluntary cash takeover offer pursuant to the Belgian Law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids and the Belgian Royal Decree of 27 April 2007 on public takeover bids for all of our shares issued to the former shareholders of SABMiller as part of the Transaction (the “Belgian Offer”). Following completion of the Belgian Offer, such shares were reclassified and consolidated into 555,466,167 Ordinary Shares and 325,999,817 Restricted Shares.
(b)On 10 October 2016, former AB InBev merged into AB InBev through aBelgian-law merger by absorption under the Belgian Companies Code (the “Belgian Merger”), as a consequence of which we acquired all of the Ordinary Shares held by former AB InBev following the Belgian Offer and the reclassification and consolidation described above. Upon completion of the Transaction, all such Ordinary Shares were canceled, except for 85,000,000 such shares which we retained and held as treasury shares. Former AB InBev shareholders received one Ordinary Share for each former AB InBev share held at the record date for the Belgian Merger and, following the exchange of former AB InBev shares for Ordinary Shares, former AB InBev ADSs, each then representing one former AB InBev share, instead represented one Ordinary Share, thereby becoming AB InBev ADSs. Following completion of the Transaction, the share capital of AB InBev is 2,019,241,973 shares without nominal value. All shares are new Ordinary Shares, except for 325,999,817 Restricted Shares.

ITEM 16F.

CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

Not applicable.In accordance with Belgian Company Law, Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL was appointed to act as our independent registered accounting firm for a three-year period to audit our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ending 31 December 2018, 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016. In 2018, we invited auditing firms to submit engagement proposals for their services for the next three-year period, covering the years ending 31 December 2019, 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2021, following the expiration of Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL’s statutory audit mandate. On 27 February 2019, our Audit Committee approved the recommendation to our 2018 general shareholders meeting of the engagement of PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren bcvba to act as our independent registered public accounting firm for our financial periods beginning as of 1 January 2019. As a result, following completion of the audit of our financial statements as of and for the year ended 31 December 2018 and the audit of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2018, PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren bcvba will become our independent registered accounting firm, subject to approval by shareholders at our general shareholders meeting scheduled for 24 April 2019.

Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL’s reports on our consolidated financial statements for thetwo-year period ended 31 December 2018 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion or report, nor was any report qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During our two most recent fiscal years, there were no disagreements with Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL, whether or not resolved, on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreement, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL, would have caused Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL to make a reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with any reports it would have issued, and there were no “reportable events” as that term is defined in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form20-F.

We have provided Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL with a copy of the foregoing disclosure, and we have requested that it furnish us with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the above disclosures. A copy of this letter is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form20-F.

We did not consult PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren bcvba during our two most recent fiscal years or any subsequent interim period regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements; or (ii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement as that term is used in Item 16F(a)(1)(iv) of Form20-F or a “reportable event” as described in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form20-F.

 

ITEM 16G.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

We believe the following to be the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those applicable to U.S. companies under the NYSE listing standards.

In general, the 2009 Belgian Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”) that applies to us is a code of best practices applied to listed companies on anon-binding basis. The Code applies a “comply or explain” approach. That is, companies may depart from the Code’s provisions if they give a reasoned explanation of the reasons for doing so.

Under the NYSE listing standards, a majority of the directors of a listed U.S. company are required to be independent, while in Belgium, only three directors need to be independent. As of 31 December 2016,2018, our Board of Directors comprised three independent directors and twelve directors deemed not to be “independent” under the NYSE listing standards as a result of Belgian law independence determinations, none of which serve as part of our management. Of these twelve directors, eightnine are considerednon-independent solely because they serve as directors of our majoritycontrolling shareholder, the Stichting, and three are considerednon-independent because of their relationships with Altria and BEVCO, the two largest holders of Restricted Shares, and the remaining director, María Asuncion Aramburuzabala, member of the Advisory Board of Grupo Modelo and former member of the Board of Directors of Grupo Modelo, is considerednon-independent under the NYSE listing standards because she and former AB InBev director Valentín Diez Morodo purchased a deferred share entitlement to acquire the equivalent of approximately 23.1 million AB InBev shares, to be delivered within five years, for consideration of approximately USD 1.5 billion, on 5 June 2013.Shares.

The NYSE rules further require that the audit, nominating and compensation committees of a listed U.S. company be composed entirely of independent directors, including that there be a minimum of three members on the audit committee. The Belgian Corporate Governance Code recommends only that a majority of the directors on each of these committees meet the technical requirements for independence under Belgian corporate law. As of 1 January 2017,2019, all four voting members of our Audit Committee are independent for purposes of Rule10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. However, one of the four directors on our Audit Committee, four of the five directors on our Nomination Committee and one of the three directors on our Remuneration Committee would not meet the NYSE independence requirements. As the Audit Committee, Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee are composed exclusively ofnon-executive directors who are independent of management and free from any business relationship that could materially interfere with the exercise of their independent judgment, we consider that the composition of these committees achieves the Belgian Corporate Governance Code’s aim of avoiding potential conflicts of interest.

We consider that the terms of reference of our board committees are generally responsive to the relevant NYSE rules, but may not address all aspects of these rules.

 

ITEM 16H.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

PART III

 

ITEM 17.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.

 

ITEM 18.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The audited consolidated financial statements as required under Item 18 are attached hereto starting on pageF-1 of this FormForm 20-F. The audit report of Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren BV o.v.v.e. CVBA,Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL, independent registered public accounting firm, is included herein preceding the audited consolidated financial statements. The financial statements as of 31 December 2015 and for each of the two years in the period ended 31 December 2015 (prior to adjustments to retrospectively reflect the change in presentation of the our segment information) have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers Bedrijfsrevisoren bcvba. The audit report by PricewaterhouseCoopers Bedrijfsrevisoren bcvba, an independent registered public accounting firm, is included herein preceding the audited consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 19.

EXHIBITS

 

 1.1*  Consolidated Articles of Association of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, dated as of 10 October 201626  April 2017 (English-language translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.43.1 to Form6-KF-4 filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 10 October 2016)30 June 2017).
 2.1*  Indenture, dated as of 16  October 2009, among Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Brandbrew S.A., Cobrew NV/SA and Anheuser Busch Companies, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to FormF-4 (FileNo. 333-163464) filed by former AB InBev on 3 December 2009).
 2.2*  Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 27  November 2009, among Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to FormF-4 (FileNo. 333-163464) filed by former AB InBev on 3 December 2009).
 2.3*  Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 7  April 2010, among Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to Form20-F (FileNo. 001-34455) filed by former AB InBev on 13 April 2011).
 2.4*  Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 6  October 2011, among Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 toForm F-3/A (FileNo. 333-169514) filed by former AB InBev on 7 October 2011).
 2.5*  Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 20  December 2012, among Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto from time to time and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to FormF-3/A (FileNo. 333-169514) filed by former AB InBev on 21 December 2012).
 2.6*  Indenture, dated as of 17  January 2013, among Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Brandbrew S.A., Cobrew NV/SA, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and Anheuser Busch Companies, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 toForm 20-F filed by former AB InBev on 25 March 2013).
 2.7*  Indenture, dated as of 25  January 2016, among Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Brandbrew S.A., Cobrew NV/SA and Anheuser Busch Companies, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference asto Exhibit 2.7 to Form20-F filed by former AB InBev on 14 March 2016).
 2.82.8*  Indenture, dated as of 16  December 2016, among Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Brandbrew S.A., Cobrew NV/SA and Anheuser Busch Companies, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.8 to Form20-F filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 22 March 2017).
 2.9*Indenture, dated as of 15  May 2017, among Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Brandbrew S.A., Cobrew NV/SA and Anheuser Busch Companies, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form6-K filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 15 May 2017).
 2.10*Indenture, dated as of 4  April 2018, among Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Brandbrew S.A., Cobrew NV/SA and Anheuser Busch Companies, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form6-K filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 4 April 2018).

 2.11*Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, by and among Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Depositary and Owners and Holders of American Depositary Shares, dated as of 23 March 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to FormS-8 filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 14 September 2018).
 2.12*Indenture, dated as of 13  November 2018, among Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser Busch Companies, LLC, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Brandbrew S.A. and Cobrew NV/SA and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form6-K filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 14 November 2018).
 2.13*Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 23  January 2019, among Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto from time to time and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form6-K filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 23 January 2019).
 3.1*  Voting Agreement between Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev, Fonds Baillet Latour SPRL and Fonds Voorzitter Verhelst SPRL, effective 1  November 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.36 to Amendment No. 15 to Schedule 13D filed by former AB InBev on 9 March 2016).
 3.2*  Amended and Restated New Shareholders’ Agreement, dated 11  April 2016, among BRC S.à.R.L., Eugénie Patri Sébastian S.A., EPS Participations S.à.R.L., Rayvax Société d’Investissements S.A. and Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.37 to Schedule 13D filed by former AB InBev on 19 April 2016).

 3.3*  Voting and Support Agreement relating to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, dated 8  October 2016, among Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev, Altria Group, Inc., BEVCO Ltd. and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV’s Schedule 13D filed by Altria Group, Inc.BRC S.à.R.L. on 2  November 2016).
 4.1*  2010 Senior Facilities Agreement for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., dated 26  February 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form20-F filed by former AB InBev on 15 April 2010). †
 4.2*  Letter of Amendment dated 23 June 2011, amending the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement dated 26  February 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form20-F filed by former AB InBev on 13 April 2012).†
 4.3*  Letter of Amendment dated 20 August 2013, amending the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement dated 26  February 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Form20-F filed by former AB InBev on 24 March 2015).
 4.4*  Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated 28 August 2015, amending the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement dated 26  February 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Form20-F filed by former AB InBev on 14 March 2016).
 4.5*  2015Letter of Amendment dated 26 October 2017, amending the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, dated 28 October 201526  February 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.44.5 to Form6-K 20-F filed by former ABAnheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 12 November 2015)19 March 2018).
 4.6*  Share-Based Compensation Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-172069) filed by former AB InBev on 4 February 2011).
 4.7*  Share-Based Compensation Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-172069) filed by former AB InBev on 4 February 2011).
 4.8*  Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev (most recent version is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-208634) filed by former AB InBev on 18 December 2015).
 4.9*  Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev (most recent version is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-208634) filed by former AB InBev on 18 December 2015).
 4.10*  Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme (most recent version is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.44.5 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-208634) filed by former AB InBev on 18 December 2015).
 4.11*  Discretionary Restricted Stock Units Programme (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-169272)333-221808) filed by former AB InBev on 8 September 2010)11 November 2017).
 4.12*  Terms and Conditions of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Option Plan–Stock Options Grant of 18  December 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-165065) filed by former AB InBev on 25  February 2010 and post-effectively amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to FormS-8 filed by former AB InBev on 4 February 2011).
 4.13*  Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Long-Term Incentive Plan–Stock Options Grant of 18  December 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-165065) filed by former AB InBev on 25  February 2010 and post-effectively amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to FormS-8 filed by former AB InBev on 4 February 2011).
 4.14*  Forms of Stock Option Plan underlying the Dividend Waiver and Exchange Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-165065) filed by former AB InBev on 25 February 2010 and post-effectively amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to FormS-8 filed by former AB InBev on 4 February 2011).
 4.15*  Share-Based Compensation Plan March 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-165065) filed by former AB InBev on 25 February 2010 and post-effectively amended by Post-Effective Amendment No.  1 to FormS-8 filed by former AB InBev on 4 February 2011).

 4.16*  Share-Based Compensation Plan March 2010 for EBM, GHQ & NY (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to FormS-8 filed by former AB InBev on 25 February 2010 and post-effectively amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to FormS-8 filed by former AB InBev on 4  February 2011).
 4.17*  2020 Dream Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-208634) filed by former AB InBev on 18 December 2015).
 4.18*  Final Judgment of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, entered into on 21  October 2013, outlining the Grupo Modelo settlement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 to Form20-F filed by former AB InBev on 25 March 2014).

  4.19*Co-operation Agreement, dated as of 11 November 2015, between Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and SABMiller plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Form6-K filed by former AB InBev on 12 November 2015).
  4.20*Deed of Amendment, dated as of 1 July 2016, to theCo-operation Agreement, dated as of 11 November 2015, between Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and SABMiller plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Form6-K filed by former AB InBev on 29 July 2016).
  4.21*Deed of Amendment, dated as of 17 August 2016, to theCo-operation Agreement, dated as of 11 November 2015, between Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and SABMiller plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Form6-K filed by former AB InBev on 23 August 2016).
 4.22*  Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of 11  November 2015, between Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Altria Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to former AB InBev’s Current Report on Form6-K filed with the SEC on 12  November 2015).
 4.23*  Purchase Agreement, dated as of 11  November 2015, between Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Molson Coors Brewing Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.7 to Form6-K filed by former AB InBev on 12 November 2015).‡
 4.24*  Amendment No. 1 to Purchase Agreement, dated as of 25  March 2016, between Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Molson Coors Brewing Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to FormF-4 (FileNo.  333-213328) filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 26 August 2016).
 4.25*  Amendment No. 2 to Purchase Agreement, dated as of 3  October 2016, between Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Molson Coors Brewing Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Form6-K filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 12 October 2016).
 4.264.26*  Information Rights Agreement, dated as of 11  November 2015, between Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and Altria Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.26 to Form20-F filed by AB InBev on 22 March 2016).
 4.274.27*  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of 10  October 2016, among Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and the Holders as defined therein.therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.27 to Form20-F filed by AB InBev on 22 March 2016).
 4.28*4.28  Proposed FinalModified Judgment of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, dated as of 20 July 2016,22 October 2018, relating to the Transaction (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to FormF-4 (FileNo. 333-213328) filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on 26 August 2016).combination with SAB.
 4.29*  Deed of Indemnity, dated as of 19 August 2016, between Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV andGap Long-Term Incentive Plan for SABMiller plc (now SABMiller Limited)Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.24.4 to Form6-KS-8 (FileNo. 333-221808) filed on 11 November 2017).
 4.30*Five-Year Performance Restricted Stock Units Plan (incorporated by former AB InBevreference to Exhibit 4.3 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-227335) filed on 23 August 2016)14 September 2018).
 4.31*Ten-Year Performance Restricted Stock Units Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to FormS-8 (FileNo. 333-227335) filed on 14 September 2018).
 6.1  Description of earnings per share (included in note 23 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in thisForm 20-F).
  7.1Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 8.1  List of significant subsidiaries (included in note 37 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in thisForm 20-F).
11.1 11.1*  Anheuser-Busch InBev Code of Dealing, dated as of January 2017.2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11.1 to Form20-F filed by AB InBev on 22 March 2016).
11.2 11.2*  Anheuser-Busch InBev Code of Business Conduct, dated as of December 2016.2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11.2 to Form20-F filed by AB InBev on 22 March 2016).
12.1  Principal Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
12.2  Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
13.1  Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
15.1  Consent of Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren BV o.v.v.e. CVBA.Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL.
15.2 16.1  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers Bedrijfsrevisoren.Letter from Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL to the SEC, dated 22 March 2019 regarding the change in independent registered public accounting firm.
15.3 101.INS  Consent of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes.

XBRL Instance Document.

 101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.

 101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Calculation Linkbase.

 101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Definition Linkbase.

 101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Label Linkbase.

 101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Presentation Linkbase.

 

Notes:Note:

 

*

Previously filed.

Certain terms are omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

This filing excludes certain schedules and exhibits, which the Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally to the SEC upon request by the SEC.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

(Registrant)

Date: 22 March 20172019 By: 

/s/ Sabine ChalmersJohn Blood

 Name: Sabine ChalmersJohn Blood
 Title: Chief Legal OfficerGeneral Counsel and Company Secretary

AB INBEV GROUP AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ReportsReport of Independent Registered Public Accounting

   F-2 

Consolidated income statement for the years ended 31  December 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 20142016

   F-6F-4 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the years ended 31  December 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 20142016

   F-7F-5 

Consolidated statement of financial position as of 31  December 20162018 and 20152017

   F-8F-6 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the years ended 31  December 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 20142016

   F-9F-7 

Consolidated cash flow statement for the years ended 31  December 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 20142016

   F-11F-9 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

   F-12F-10 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMReport of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and boardthe Board of directorsDirectors of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statementstatements of financial position of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of 31 December 2016,2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibilityeach of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. The consolidated financial statements ofthree years in the Company for the yearsperiod ended 31 December 20152018, and 2014, before the effects ofrelated notes (collectively referred to as the adjustments to retrospectively reflect the change in presentation of the segment information, as described in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, were audited by other auditors whose report, dated 14 March 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)“financial statements”). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such 2016 consolidatedthe financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and subsidiariesthe Company as of 31 December 2016,2018 and 2017, and the results of theirits operations and theirits cash flows for each of the year thenthree years in the period ended 31 December 2018, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union.

We have also audited, the adjustments to the 2015 and 2014 consolidated financial statements to retrospectively reflect the change in presentation of the segment information, as described in note 5 to the consolidated financial statements. Our audit procedures that were applied to the revised disclosures for comparative 2015 and 2014 reportable segments included: (i) agreeing the adjusted amounts of each segment to the underlying records obtained from management, and (ii) determining the mathematical accuracy of the reconciliations of the underlying records to derive the segment amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. However, we were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2015 and 2014 consolidated financial statements of the Company other than with respect to the retrospective adjustments and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 2015 and 2014 consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2016,2018, based on the criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated 2213 March 20172019, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Zaventem, 22 March 2017Basis for Opinion

/s/ Joël Brehmen

DELOITTE Bedrijfsrevisoren / Reviseurs d’Entreprises

BV o.v.v.e. CVBA / SC s.f.d. SCRL

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA/NV

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA/NV (the “Company”) as of 31 December 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As described in management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at SABMiller Limited which was acquired on October 7, 2016, and whose financial statements constitute respectively 8 % of revenues of the group and 18 % of the total assets of the group (excluding goodwill which was integrated in the Company’s control environment) as of and for the year ended 31 December 2016. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at SABMiller Limited. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2016, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016 of the Company and our report dated 22 March 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Zaventem, 22 March 2017

/s/ Joël Brehmen

DELOITTE Bedrijfsrevisoren / Reviseurs d’Entreprises

BV o.v.v.e. CVBA / SC s.f.d. SCRL

LOGO

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Av. Dr. Chucri Zaidan, nº 1240
4º ao 12º andares - Golden Tower
04711-130 - São Paulo - SP
Brasil
Tel: + 55 (11) 5186-1000
Fax: + 55 (11) 5181-2911
www.deloitte.com.br

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Ambev S.A. and Subsidiaries

Sao Paulo, Brazil

We have audited the consolidated balance sheet of Ambev S.A. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements none of which are included herein, are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on thesethe Company’s financial statements based on our audit.audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our auditaudits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includesmisstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supportingregarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An auditOur audits also includes assessingincluded evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement presentation.statements. We believe that our audit providesaudits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ambev S.A. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards – IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board – IASB.Zaventem, Belgium, 13 March 2019

Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL

/s/ DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSUJoël Brehmen

Auditores IndependentesWe have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

March 22, 2017

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

In our opinion, based on our auditsTo the shareholders and the reportBoard of other auditors,Directors of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements ofinternal control over financial position and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively reflect the change in the composition of reportable segments described in Note 5 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial positionreporting of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and its subsidiaries at 31 December 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended 31 December 2015 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union. The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the consolidated financial statements of AmBev S.A. and its subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015. Those statements reflect total assets of USD 23,094 million(the “Company”) as of 31 December 2015, and total revenues2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of USD 14,333 million inSponsoring Organizations of the year then ended. The consolidated financial statements of AmBev S.A. and its subsidiaries were audited by other auditors whose reports thereon have been furnished to us, andTreadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2018, based on the consolidated financial statements expressed herein, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for AmBev S.A. and its subsidiaries is based solely on the reports of the other auditors. criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We conducted our audits, before the effects of the adjustments described above,have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended 31 December 2018, of the Company and our report dated 13 March 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the auditsaudit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether theeffective internal control over financial statements are freereporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of material misstatement. Our audits of theinternal control over financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,reporting, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audits also includeddesign and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits and the report of other auditors provideaudit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.opinion.

We were not engagedDefinition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to audit, review, or apply anyprovide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the adjustments to retrospectivelymaintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the changetransactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the compositioncompany are being made only in accordance with authorizations of reportable segments describedmanagement and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in Note 5 and accordingly, we do not express an opinionconditions, or any other formthat the degree of assurance about whether such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those adjustments were audited by other auditors.compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BCVBAZaventem, Belgium, 13 March 2019

Represented byDeloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises CVBA/SCRL

/s/ Koen HensJoël Brehmen

Koen Hens

Bedrijfsrevisor

Sint-Stevens-Woluwe, 14 March 2016

Consolidated financial statements

Consolidated income statement

 

For the year ended 31 December

Million US dollar, except earnings per shares in US dollar

  Notes   2016  2015 20141   Notes   2018 2017 2016 

Revenue

     45 517   43 604   47 063      54 619   56 444   45 517 

Cost of sales

     (17 803 (17 137 (18 756     (20 359 (21 386 (17 803
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Gross profit

     27 715   26 467   28 307      34 259   35 058   27 715 

Distribution expenses

     (4 543 (4 259 (4 558     (5 770 (5 876 (4 543

Sales and marketing expenses

     (7 745 (6 913 (7 036     (7 883 (8 382 (7 745

Administrative expenses

     (2 883 (2 560 (2 791     (3 465 (3 841 (2 883

Other operating income/(expenses)

   7    732  1 032  1 386    7    680  854  732 
    

 

  

 

  

 

 

Restructuring

   8    (323 (171 (158   8    (385 (468 (323

Acquisition costs business combinations

   8    (74 (155 (448

Business and asset disposal

   8    377  524  157    8    (26 (39 377 

Acquisition costs business combinations

   8    (448 (55 (77

Impairment of assets

   8    —    (82 (119

Judicial settlement

   8    —    (80  —   

Provision for EU investigation

   8    (230  —     —   
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit from operations

     12 882   13 904   15 111      17 106   17 152   12 882 

Finance cost

   11    (9 382 (3 142 (2 797   11    (9 168 (6 885 (9 382

Finance income

   11    818  1 689  1 478    11    440  378  818 
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net finance income/(cost)

     (8 564  (1 453  (1 319     (8 729  (6 507  (8 564

Share of result of associates and joint ventures

     16  10  9    16    153  430  16 
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit before tax

     4 334   12 461   13 801      8 530   11 076   4 334 

Income tax expense

   12    (1 613 (2 594 (2 499   12    (2 839 (1 920 (1 613
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit from continuing operations

     2 721   9 867   11 302      5 691   9 155   2 721 

Profit from discontinued operations

   22    48   —     —        —    28  48 
    

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit of the year

     2 769   9 867   11 302 

Profit of the period

     5 691   9 183   2 769 

Profit from continuing operations attributable to:

            

Equity holders of AB InBev

     1 193  8 273  9 216      4 368  7 968  1 193 

Non-controlling interest

     1 528  1 594  2 086      1 323  1 187  1 528 

Profit of the year attributable to:

      

Profit of the period attributable to:

      

Equity holders of AB InBev

     1 241  8 273  9 216      4 368  7 996  1 241 

Non-controlling interest

     1 528  1 594  2 086      1 323  1 187  1 528 

Basic earnings per share

   23    0.72  5.05  5.64    23    2.21  4.06  0.72 

Diluted earnings per share

   23    0.71  4.96  5.54    23    2.17  3.98  0.71 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

   23    0.69  5.05  5.64    23    2.21  4.04  0.69 

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

   23    0.68  4.96  5.54    23    2.17  3.96  0.68 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

For the year ended 31 December

Million US dollar

  2018  2017  2016 

Profit of the period

   5 691   9 183   2 769 

Other comprehensive income: items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

    

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   99   (37  (226
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   99   (37  (226

Other comprehensive income: items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

    

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

   (7 924  1 716   (2 918

Foreign exchange contracts recognized in equity in relation to the SAB combination

   —     —     (7 099

Foreign exchange contracts reclassified from equity in relation to the SAB combination

   —     —     8 837 

Effective portion of changes in fair value of net investment hedges

   114   (542  (161

Cash flow hedges recognized in equity

   512   (60  110 

Cash flow hedges reclassified from equity to profit or loss

   (565  (36  (3
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   (7 863  1 077   (1 234

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

   (7 764  1 040   (1 460

Total comprehensive income

   (2 073  10 223   1 309 

Attributable to:

    

Equity holders of AB InBev

   (3 005  8 838   (275

Non-controlling interest

   932   1 385   1 584 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated statement of financial position

As at

Million US dollar

  Notes   31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
 

ASSETS

      

Non-current assets

      

Property, plant and equipment

   13    25 910    27 184 

Goodwill

   14    133 311    140 940 

Intangible assets

   15    44 831    45 874 

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   16    6 136    5 263 

Investment securities

   17    108    100 

Deferred tax assets

   18    1 457    1 216 

Employee benefits

   25    16    22 

Income tax receivables

     992    708 

Derivatives

   29    291    25 

Trade and other receivables

   20    769    834 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

     213 822    222 166 

Current assets

      

Investment securities

   17    87    1 304 

Inventories

   19    4 234    4 119 

Income tax receivables

     457    908 

Derivatives

   29    16    458 

Trade and other receivables

   20    6 375    6 566 

Cash and cash equivalents

   21    7 074    10 472 

Assets classified as held for sale

   22    39    133 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     18 281    23 960 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     232 103    246 126 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

      

Equity

      

Issued capital

   23    1 736    1 736 

Share premium

     17 620    17 620 

Reserves

     19 056    24 835 

Retained earnings

     26 074    28 394 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     64 486    72 585 

Non-controlling interests

   33    7 418    7 635 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     71 904    80 220 

Non-current liabilities

      

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   24    105 584    108 949 

Employee benefits

   25    2 681    2 993 

Deferred tax liabilities

   18    13 165    13 107 

Income tax payables

     576    732 

Derivatives

   29    766    937 

Trade and other payables

   28    1 816    1 462 

Provisions

   27    1 152    1 515 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

     125 740    129 695 

Current liabilities

      

Bank overdrafts

   21    114    117 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   24    4 216    7 433 

Income tax payables

     1 220    1 558 

Derivatives

   29    5 574    1 457 

Trade and other payables

   28    22 568    24 762 

Provisions

   27    766    885 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     34 459    36 211 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

     232 103    246 126 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

   Attributable to equity holders of AB InBev       

Million US dollar

  Issued
Capital
  Share
premium
  Treasury
shares
  Reserves   Share-
based
payment
reserves
   Other
comprehensive
income
reserves1
  Deferred
share
instrument
  Retained
earnings
  Total  Non-controlling
interest
  Total
equity
 

As per 1 January 2016

   1 736   17 620   (1 626  —      1 264    (14 110  1 304   35 949   42 137   3 582   45 719 

Profit

   —     —     —     —      —      —     —     1 241   1 241   1 528   2 769 

Other comprehensive income

              

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   —     —     —     —      —      (3 265  —     —     (3 265  186   (3 079

Foreign exchange contracts recognized in equity in relation to the SAB combination

   —     —     —     —      —      (7 099  —     —     (7 099  —     (7 099

Foreign exchange contracts reclassified from equity in relation to the SAB combination

   —     —     —     —      —      8 837   —     —     8 837   —     8 837 

Cash flow hedges

   —     —     —     —      —      223   —     —     223   (116  107 

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —     —     —     —      —      (212  —     —     (212  (14  (226

Total comprehensive income

   —     —     —     —      —      (1 516  —     1 241   (275  1 584   1 309 

Issuance of restricted shares for SAB ordinary shares

   9 528   27 244   —     —      —      —     —     —     36 772   —     36 772 

Transfer to reserves1

   (9 528  (27 244  (8 953  45 726    —      —     —     —     —     —     —   

Acquisitions through business combinations2

   —     —     —     —      —      —     —     —     —     6 201   6 201 

Dividends

   —     —     —     —      —      —     (92  (7 041  (7 133  (1 347  (8 480

Treasury shares

   —     —     174   —      —      —     —     (124  50   —     50 

Share-based payments

   —     —     —     —      173    —     —     —     173   7   180 

Scope and other changes3

   —     —     1 425   —      —      —     —     (1 812  (386  59   (327
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

As per 31 December 2016

   1 736   17 620   (8 980  45 726    1 437    (15 626  1 212   28 214   71 339   10 086   81 425 
   Attributable to equity holders of AB InBev       

Million US dollar

  Issued
Capital
  Share
premium
  Treasury
shares
  Reserves   Share-
based
payment
reserves
   Other
comprehensive
income
reserves1
  Deferred
share
instrument
  Retained
earnings
  Total  Non-
controlling
interest
  Total
Equity
 

As per 1 January 2017

   1 736   17 620   (8 980  45 726    1 437    (15 626  1 212   28 214   71 339   10 086   81 425 

Profit of the period

   —     —     —     —      —      —     —     7 996   7 996   1 187   9 183 

Other comprehensive income

              

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   —     —     —     —      —      1 053   —     —     1 053   121   1 174 

Cash flow hedges

   —     —     —     —      —      (158  —     —     (158  61   (96

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —     —     —     —      —      (53  —     —     (53  16   (37

Total comprehensive income

   —     —     —     —      —      842   —     7 996   8 838   1 385   10 223 

Dividends

   —     —     —     —      —      —     (93  (7 821  (7 914  (1 316  (9 230

Treasury shares

   —     —     —     —      —      —     —     —     —     —     —   

Share-based payments

   —     —     —     —      316    —     —     —     316   18   333 

Purchase/(sale) of non-controlling interests

   —     —     —     —      —      —     —     —     —     (2 401  (2 401

Scope and other changes

   —     —     —     —      —      —     —     5   5   (137  (132
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

As per 31 December 2017

   1 736   17 620   (8 980  45 726    1 753    (14 784  1 119   28 394   72 585   7 635   80 220 

1

See Note 23 Changes in equity and earnings per share.

2

See Note 6 Acquisitions and disposals.

3

During 2016, the company reclassified the results of treasury shares of 1 452m US dollar to retained earnings.

   Attributable to equity holders of AB InBev       

Million US dollar

  Issued
Capital
   Share
premium
   Treasury
shares
  Reserves   Share-
based
payment
reserves
   Other
comprehensive
income
reserves1
  Deferred
share
instrument
  Retained
earnings
  Total  Non-controlling
interest
  Total
Equity
 

As per 1 January 2018

   1 736    17 620    (8 980  45 726    1 753    (14 784  1 119   28 394   72 585   7 635   80 220 

Impact of adopting IFRSs 9 and 151

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —     (4  (4  (42  (46

As per 1 January 2018, as adjusted

   1 736    17 620    (8 980  45 726    1 753    (14 784  1 119   28 390   72 581   7 593   80 174 

Profit of the period

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —     4 368   4 368   1 323   5 691 

Other comprehensive income

                

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   —      —      —     —      —      (7 379  —     —     (7 379  (431  (7 810

Cash flow hedges

   —      —      —     —      —      (92  —     —     (92  40   (52

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —      —      —     —      —      98   —     —     98   1   99 

Total comprehensive income

   —      —      —     —      —      (7 373  —     4 368   (3 005  932   (2 073

Dividends

   —      —      —     —      —      —     (56  (6 258  (6 314  (1 123  (7 437

Treasury shares1

   —      —      2 431   —      —      —     (1 063  (1 368  —     —     —   

Share-based payments

   —      —      —     —      284    —     —     —     284   6   290 

Purchase/(sale) of non-controlling interest

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —     429   429   (429  —   

Hyperinflation monetary adjustments

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —     560   560   345   905 

Scope and other changes

   —      —      —     —      —      —     —     (48  (48  94   46 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

As per 31 December 2018

   1 736    17 620    (6 549  45 726    2 037    (22 157  —     26 074   64 486   7 418   71 904 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

1 Reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.

See Note 3 (E)Summary of changes in accounting policies.

Consolidated statement of comprehensive incomecash flows

 

For the year ended 31 December

Million US dollar

  2016  2015  2014 

Profit

   2 769   9 867   11 302 

Other comprehensive income: Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

    

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   (226  45   (491
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   (226  45   (491

Other comprehensive income: Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

    

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

   (2 918  (6 898  (4 793

Foreign exchange contracts recognized in equity in relation to the SABMiller combination

   (7 099  (1 738  —   

Foreign exchange contracts reclassified from equity in relation to the SABMiller combination

   8 837   —     —   

Effective portion of changes in fair value of net investment hedges

   (161  (201  33 

Cash flow hedges recognized in equity

   110   281   314 

Cash flow hedges reclassified from equity to profit or loss

   (3  (240  (190
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   (1 234  (8 796  (4 636

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

   (1 460  (8 751  (5 127

Total comprehensive income

   1 309   1 116   6 175 

Attributable to:

    

Equity holders of AB InBev

   (275  389   4 465 

Non-controlling interest

   1 584   727   1 710 

For the year ended 31 December

Million US dollar

  Notes   2018  2017  2016 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Profit of the period

     5 691   9 183   2 769 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   10    4 260   4 276   3 477 

Impairment losses on receivables, inventories and other assets

     115   130   110 

Additions/(reversals) in provisions and employee benefits

     505   178   293 

Net finance cost/(income)

   11    8 729   6 507   8 564 

Loss/(gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

     (82  (117  (4

Loss/(gain) on sale of subsidiaries, associates and assets held for sale

     (20  (47  (410

Equity-settled share-based payment expense

   26    337   351   231 

Income tax expense

   12    2 839   1 920   1 613 

Other non-cash items included in profit

     (660  (284  (286

Share of result of associates and joint ventures

     (153  (430  (16
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

     21 561   21 667   16 341 

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

     (38  67   (714

Decrease/(increase) in inventories

     (603  (213  (364

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

     1 153   365   1 251 

Pension contributions and use of provisions

     (488  (616  (470
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash generated from operations

     21 585   21 270   16 044 

Interest paid

     (4 445  (4 652  (3 279

Interest received

     428   811   558 

Dividends received

     141   142   43 

Income tax paid

     (3 047  (2 141  (3 256
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     14 663   15 430   10 110 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   13/15    (5 086  (4 741  (4 979

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

     437   617   211 

Acquisition of SAB, net of cash acquired

     —     —     (65 166

Proceeds from SAB transaction-related divestitures

   22    (330  11 697   16 342 

Taxes on SAB transaction-related divestitures

     (100  (3 449  —   

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

   6    (112 ��(598  (1 445

Sale of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of

   6    257   42   653 

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of investment in short-term debt securities

   17    1 296   4 337   (5 583

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

     (172  (264  119 

Net repayments/(payments) of loans granted

     (156  213   (229
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (3 965  7 854   (60 077

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Purchase of non-controlling interest

   23    (923  (206  (10

Proceeds from borrowings

   24    17 782   13 352   86 292 

Payments on borrowings

   24    (22 489  (23 333  (23 617

Cash net finance (cost)/income other than interests

     (554  (1 542  (3 484

Dividends paid

     (7 761  (9 275  (8 450
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     (13 945  (21 004  50 731 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (3 247  2 280   764 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

     10 356   8 395   6 910 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

     (148  (319  721 
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of period

   21    6 960   10 356   8 395 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated statement of financial position

As at

Million US dollar

  Notes   31 December
2016
   31 December
2015
 

ASSETS

      

Non-current assets

      

Property, plant and equipment

   13    27 522    18 952 

Goodwill

   14    136 533    65 061 

Intangible assets

   15    44 568    29 677 

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   16    4 324    212 

Investment securities

   17    82    48 

Deferred tax assets

   18    1 261    1 181 

Employee benefits

   25    10    2 

Derivatives

   29H    146    295 

Trade and other receivables

   20    874    913 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     215 320    116 341 

Current assets

      

Investment securities

   17    5 659    55 

Inventories

   19    3 913    2 862 

Income tax receivables

     1 112    687 

Derivatives

   29H    971    3 268 

Trade and other receivables

   20    6 391    4 451 

Cash and cash equivalents

   21    8 579    6 923 

Assets classified as held for sale

   22    16 439    48 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     43 061    18 294 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     258 381    134 635 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

      

Equity

      

Issued capital

   23    1 736    1 736 

Share premium

     17 620    17 620 

Reserves

     23 769    (13 168

Retained earnings

     28 214    35 949 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

     71 339    42 137 

Non-controlling interests

   33    10 086    3 582 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     81 425    45 719 

Non-current liabilities

      

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   24    113 941    43 541 

Employee benefits

   25    3 014    2 725 

Deferred tax liabilities

   18    16 678    11 961 

Derivatives

   29H    471    315 

Trade and other payables

   28    1 328    1 241 

Provisions

   27    1 409    677 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     136 841    60 460 

Current liabilities

      

Bank overdrafts

   21    184    13 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   24    8 618    5 912 

Income tax payables

     3 922    669 

Derivatives

   29H    1 263    3 980 

Trade and other payables

   28    23 086    17 662 

Provisions

   27    869    220 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

   22    2 174    —   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     40 116    28 456 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

     258 381    134 635 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

   Attributable to equity holders of AB InBev       

Million US dollar

  Issued
capital
   Share
premium
   Treasury
shares
  Share-
based
payment
reserves
   Other
comprehensive
income
reserves1
  Deferred
share
instrument
  Retained
earnings
  Total  Non-
controlling
interest
  Total
equity
 

As per 1 January 2014

   1 735    17 608    (874  885    (1 475  1 482   31 004   50 365   4 943   55 308 

Profit

   —      —      —     —      —     —     9 216   9 216   2 086   11 302 

Other comprehensive income

              

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   —      —      —     —      (4 374  —     —     (4 374  (386  (4 760

Cash flow hedges

   —      —      —     —      102   —     —     102   22   124 

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —      —      —     —      (479  —     —     (479  (12  (491

Total comprehensive income

   —      —      —     —      (4 751  —     9 216   4 465   1 710   6 175 

Shares issued

   1    12    —     —      —     —     —     13   —     13 

Dividends

   —      —      —     —      —     (75  (5 244  (5 319  (2 296  (7 615

Treasury shares

   —      —      55   —      —     —     —     55   —     55 

Share-based payments

   —      —      —     195    —     —     —     195   18   213 

Scope and other changes

   —      —      —     —      —     —     198   198   (90  108 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

As per 31 December 2014

   1 736    17 620    (819  1 080    (6 226  1 407   35 174   49 972   4 285   54 257 
   Attributable to equity holders of AB InBev       

Million US dollar

  Issued
capital
   Share
premium
   Treasury
shares
  Share-
based
payment
reserves
   Other
comprehensive
income
reserves1
  Deferred
share
instrument
  Retained
earnings
  Total  Non-
controlling
interest
  Total
equity
 

As per 1 January 2015

   1 736    17 620    (819  1 080    (6 226  1 407   35 174   49 972   4 285   54 257 

Profit

   —      —      —     —      —     —     8 273   8 273   1 594   9 867 

Other comprehensive income

              

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   —      —      —     —      (6 157  —     —     (6 157  (942  (7 099

Foreign exchange contracts recognized in equity in relation to the SABMiller combination

   —      —      —     —      (1 738  —     —     (1 738  —     (1 738

Cash flow hedges

   —      —      —     —      (36  —     —     (36  77   41 

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —      —      —     —      47   —     —     47   (2  45 

Total comprehensive income

   —      —      —     —      (7 884  —     8 273   389   727   1 116 

Dividends

   —      —      —     —      —     (103  (7 191  (7 294  (1 305  (8 559

Treasury shares

   —      —      (807  —      —     —     —     (807  —     (807

Share-based payments

   —      —      —     184    —     —     —     184   20   204 

Scope and other changes

   —      —      —     —      —     —     (307  (307  (145  (452
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

As per 31 December 2015

   1 736    17 620    (1 626  1 264    (14 110  1 304   35 949   42 137   3 582   45 719 

1See Note 23Changes in equity and earnings per share.

   Attributable to equity holders of AB InBev       

Million US dollar

  Issued
capital
  Share
premium
  Treasury
shares
  Reserves   Share-
based
payment
reserves
   Other
comprehensive
income
reserves1
  Deferred
share
instrument
  Retained
earnings
  Total  Non-
controlling
interest
  Total
equity
 

As per 1 January 2016

   1 736   17 620   (1 626  —      1 264    (14 110  1 304   35 949   42 137   3 582   45 719 

Profit

   —     —     —     —      —      —     —     1 241   1 241   1 528   2 769 

Other comprehensive income

   —     —     —     —      —      —     —     —     —     —     —   

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   —     —     —     —      —      (3 265  —     —     (3 265  186   (3 079

Foreign exchange contracts recognized in equity in relation to the SABMiller combination

   —     —     —     —      —      (7 099  —     —     (7 099  —     (7 099

Foreign exchange contracts reclassified from equity in relation to the SABMiller combination

   —     —     —     —      —      8 837   —     —     8 837   —     8 837 

Cash flow hedges

   —     —     —     —      —      223   —     —     223   (116  107 

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —     —     —     —      —      (212  —     —     (212  (14  (226

Total comprehensive income

   —     —     —     —      —      (1 516  —     1 241   (275  1 584   1 309 

Issuance of restricted shares for SABMiller ordinary shares

   9 528   27 244   —     —      —      —     —     —     36 772   —     36 772 

Transfer to reserves1

   (9 528  (27 244  (8 953  45 726    —      —     —     —     —     —     —   

Acquisitions through business combinations2

   —     —     —     —      —      —     —     —     —     6 201   6 201 

Dividends

   —     —     —     —      —      —     (92  (7 041  (7 133  (1 347  (8 480

Treasury shares

   —     —     174   —      —      —     —     (124  50   —     50 

Share-based payments

   —     —     —     —      173    —     —     —     173   7   180 

Scope and other changes3

   —     —     1 425   —      —      —     —     (1 812  (386  59   (327
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

As per 31 December 2016

   1 736   17 620   (8 980  45 726    1 437    (15 626  1 212   28 214   71 339   10 086   81 425 

1See Note23 Changes in equity and earnings per share.
2See Note6 Acquisitions and disposals.
3During 2016, the company reclassified the results of treasury shares of 1 452m US dollar to retained earnings.

Consolidated cash flow statement

For the year ended 31 December

Million US dollar

  Notes   2016  2015  20141 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Profit

     2 769   9 867   11 302 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   10    3 477   3 153   3 353 

Impairment losses on receivables, inventories and other assets

     110   64   108 

Additions/(reversals) in provisions and employee benefits

     293   324   (85

Net finance cost/(income)

   11    8 564   1 453   1 319 

Loss/(gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

     (4  (189  4 

Loss/(gain) on sale of subsidiaries, associates and assets held for sale

     (410  (362  (219

Equity-settled share-based payment expense

   26    231   221   249 

Income tax expense

   12    1 613   2 594   2 499 

Othernon-cash items included in profit

     (286  (389  (190

Share of result of associates and joint ventures

     (16  (10  (9
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

     16 341   16 726   18 331 

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

     (714  (138  (371

Decrease/(increase) in inventories

     (364  (424  (354

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

     1 251   2 348   1 540 

Pension contributions and use of provisions

     (470  (449  (458
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash generated from operations

     16 044   18 063   18 688 

Interest paid

     (3 279  (1 943  (2 476

Interest received

     558   334   273 

Dividends received

     43   22   30 

Income tax paid

     (3 256  (2 355  (2 371
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     10 110   14 121   14 144 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

     211   412   273 

Sale of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of

   6    653   72   426 

Acquisition of SABMiller, net of cash acquired

   6    (65 166  —     —   

Proceeds from SABMiller transaction-related divestitures

   6    16 342   —     —   

Acquisition of other subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

   6    (1 445  (990  (7 126

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   13/15    (4 979  (4 749  (4 395

Net of tax proceeds from the sale of assets held for sale

     146   397   (65

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of investment in short-term debt securities

   17    (5 583  169   (187

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

     (27  (195  15 

Net repayments/(payments) of loans granted

     (229  (46  (1
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (60 077  (4 930  (11 060

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Purchase ofnon-controlling interest

   23    (10  (296  (92

Net proceeds from the issue of share capital

   23    —     5   83 

Proceeds from borrowings

     86 292   16 237   18 382 

Payments on borrowings

     (23 617  (15 780  (15 159

Cash net finance (cost)/income other than interests

     (3 484  (481  239 

Share buyback

     —     (1 000  —   

Dividends paid

     (8 450  (7 966  (7 400
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     50 731   (9 281  (3 947

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     764   (90  (863

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

     6 910   8 316   9 833 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

     721   (1 316  (654
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of period

   21    8 395   6 910   8 316 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1Reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

   Note 

Corporate information

   F-131 

Statement of compliance

   F-132 

Summary of significant accounting policies

   F-133 

Use of estimates and judgments

   F-234 

Segment reporting

   F-255 

Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries

   F-276 

Other operating income/(expenses)

   F-317 

Exceptional items

   F-318 

Payroll and related benefits

   F-329 

Additional information on operating expenses by nature

   F-3210 

Finance cost and income

   F-3311 

Income taxes

   F-3412 

Property, plant and equipment

   F-3513 

Goodwill

   F-3614 

Intangible assets

   F-3815 

InvestmentInvestments in associates

   F-3916 

Investment securities

   F-3917 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

   F-4018 

Inventories

   F-4119 

Trade and other receivables

   F-4120 

Cash and cash equivalents

   F-4221 

Assets classified as held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations

   F-4222 

Changes in equity and earnings per share

   F-4323 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   F-4724 

Employee benefits

   F-5025 

Share-based payments

   F-5326 

Provisions

   F-5727 

Trade and other payables

   F-5828 

Risks arising from financial instruments

   F-5829 

Operating leases

   F-6930 

Collateral and contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, loans to customers and other

   F-6931 

Contingencies

   F-7132 

Non-controlling interests

   F-7533 

Related parties

   F-7534 

Supplemental guarantor financial information

   F-7635 

Events after the balance sheet date

   F-8436 

AB InBev companies

   F-8537 

1.CORPORATE INFORMATION

Corporate information

On 10 October 2016, AB InBev announced the completion of the Belgian merger and the successful completion of the business combination with SABMiller.

As a result of the Belgian merger, the former AB InBev has merged into Newbelco, and Newbelco has become the holding company for the combined former AB InBev and SABMiller groups. All assets and liabilities of the former AB InBev have been transferred to Newbelco, and Newbelco has automatically been substituted for the former AB InBev in all its rights and obligations by operation of Belgian law. Newbelco has been renamed Anheuser-Busch InBev, and the former AB InBev has been dissolved by operation of Belgian law.

The shares in the former AB InBev were delisted from Euronext Brussels, the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The new ordinary shares were admitted to listing and trading on Euronext Brussels, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores at the opening of business in each market on 11 October 2016. In addition, ADSs trading on the New York Stock Exchange, each of which used to represent one ordinary share of the former AB InBev, now each represent one new ordinary share, effective as of the opening of business in New York on 11 October 2016.

The share capital of AB InBev now amounts to 1 238 608 344 euro. It is represented by 2 019 241 973 shares without nominal value, of which 85,540,392 are held in treasury by AB InBev and its subsidiaries. All shares are new ordinary shares, except for 325 999 817 restricted shares.

Following the combination, AB InBev is consolidating SABMiller and reporting the results of the retained SABMiller operations in its income statement as of the fourth quarter 2016.

Anheuser-Busch InBev is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with secondary listings on the Mexico (MEXBOL: ANB) and South Africa (JSE: ANH) stock exchanges and with American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). Our Dream is to bring people together for a better world. Beer, the original social network, has been bringing people together for thousands of years. We are committed to building great brands that stand the test of time and to brewing the best beers using the finest natural ingredients. Our diverse portfolio of well over 500 beer brands includes global brands Budweiser®, Corona® and Stella Artois®; multi-country brands Beck’s®, Castle®, Castle Lite®, Hoegaarden® and Leffe®; and local champions such as Aguila®, Antarctica®, Bud Light®, Brahma®, Cass®, Chernigivske®, Cristal®, Harbin®, Jupiler®, Klinskoye®, Michelob Ultra®, Modelo Especial®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Sedrin®, Sibirskaya Korona® and Skol®. Our brewing heritage dates back more than 600 years, spanning continents and generations. From our European roots at the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium. To the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery in St. Louis, US. To the creation of the Castle Brewery in South Africa during the Johannesburg gold rush. To Bohemia, the first brewery in Brazil. Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, we leverage the collective strengths of approximately 200175 000 employees based in more thannearly 50 countries worldwide. For 2016,2018, AB InBev’s reported revenue was 45.554.6 billion US dollar (excluding joint ventures and associates).

The consolidated financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 December 20162018 comprise the company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as “AB InBev” or the “company”) and the company’s interest in associates, joint ventures and operations.

The consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on 113 March 2017.2019.

 

2.STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Statement of compliance

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB”) and in conformity with IFRS as adopted by the European Union up to 31 December 20162018 (collectively “IFRS”). AB InBev did not early apply any new IFRS requirements that were not yet effective in 20162018 and did not apply any European carve-outs from IFRS.

 

3.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Summary of significant accounting policies

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements by the company and its subsidiaries.

 

(A)Basis of Preparation and Measurement

BASIS OF PREPARATION AND MEASUREMENT

Depending on the applicable IFRS requirements, the measurement basis used in preparing the financial statements is cost, net realizable value, fair value or recoverable amount. Whenever IFRS provides an option between cost and another measurement basis (e.g. systematicre-measurement), the cost approach is applied.

 

(B)Functional and Presentation Currency

FUNCTIONAL AND PRESENTATION CURRENCY

Unless otherwise specified, all financial information included in these financial statements havehas been stated in US dollar and has been rounded to the nearest million. As from 2009, following the combination with Anheuser-Bush, the company changed the presentation currency of the consolidated financial statements from the euro to the US dollar to provide greater alignment of the presentation currency with AB InBev’s most significant operating currency and underlying financial performance. The functional currency of the parent company is the euro.

(C)Use of Estimates and Judgments

USE OF ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

 

(D)Principles of Consolidation

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

Subsidiaries are those entities controlled by AB InBev. AB InBev controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. In assessing control, potential voting rights are taken into account. Control is presumed to exist where AB InBev owns, directly or indirectly, more than one half of the voting rights (which does not always equate to economic ownership), unless it can be demonstrated that such ownership does not constitute control. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. Total comprehensive income of subsidiaries is attributed to the owners of the company and to thenon-controlling interests even if this results in thenon-controlling interests having a deficit balance.

Associates are undertakings in which AB InBev has significant influence over the financial and operating policies, but which it does not control. This is generally evidenced by ownership of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. A joint venture is an arrangement in which AB InBev has joint control, whereby AB InBev has rights to the net assets of the arrangement, rather than rights to its assets and obligations for its liabilities. Associates and joint ventures are accounted for by the equity method of accounting, from the date that significant influence or joint control commences until the date that significant influence or joint control ceases. When AB InBev’s share of losses exceeds the carrying amount of the associate or joint venture, the carrying amount is reduced to nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that AB InBev has incurred legal or constructive obligations on behalf of the associate or joint venture.

Joint operations arise when AB InBev has rights to the assets and obligations to the liabilities of a joint arrangement. AB InBev accounts for its share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as from the moment joint operation commences until the date that joint operation ceases.

The financial statements of the company’s subsidiaries, joint ventures, joint operations and associates are prepared for the same reporting year as the parent company, using consistent accounting policies. In exceptional cases when the financial statements of a subsidiary, joint venture, joint operation or associate are prepared as of a different date from that of AB InBev, adjustments are made for the effects of significant transactions or events that occur between that date and the date of AB InBev’s financial statements. In such cases, the difference between the end of the reporting period of these subsidiaries, joint ventures, joint operations or associates from AB InBev’s reporting period is no more than three months. Results from the company’s associateassociates Anadolu Efes and Castel are reported on a three monththree-month lag. Therefore, estimates are made to reflect AB InBev’s share in the result of these associates for the last quarter. Such estimates are revisited when required.

Transactions withnon-controlling interests are treated as transactions with equity owners of the company. For purchases fromnon-controlling interests, the difference between any consideration paid and the relevant share acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is recorded in equity. Gains or losses on disposals tonon-controlling interests are also recorded in equity where there is no loss of control.

All intercompany transactions, balances and unrealized gains and losses on transactions between group companies have been eliminated. Unrealized gains arising from transactions with joint ventures, joint operations and associates are eliminated to the extent of AB InBev’s interest in the entity. Unrealized losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealized gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

A listing of the company’s most important subsidiaries, joint ventures, joint operations and associates is set out in Note 3736AB InBev companies.

 

(E)Summary of Changes in Accounting Policies

SUMMARY OF CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES

IFRS WITH EFFECTIVE APPLICATION FOR ANNUAL PERIODS BEGINNING ON 1ST JANUARY 2018:

IFRS 9Financial Instruments and IFRS 15Revenue from Contracts with Customers became effective on 1 January 2018 and were applied by the company for the first time as of that date.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

IFRS 9 replaces IAS 39 and contains three main topics: classification and measurement of financial instruments, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting. The new hedge accounting model represents a significant overhaul of hedge accounting that aligns the accounting treatment with risk management activities. IFRS 9 also removes the volatility in profit or loss that was caused by changes in the credit risk of liabilities elected to be measured at fair value.

The company has applied IFRS 9Financial Instrumentsas of the effective date, without restatement of the comparative information for the period beginning 1 January 2017. Consequently, the disclosures for the comparative periods follow the classification and measurement requirements under IAS 39. The company performed an impact assessment and concluded that IFRS 9Financial Instruments does not impact materially its financial position, financial performance or risk management activities.

Under IFRS 9 the carrying amount of a debt should be adjusted when a modification does not result in the derecognition of the financial instrument. Consequently, the company adjusted the carrying amount of its debt against Retained earnings. This resulted in a decrease of the carrying amount of the debt by 77m US dollar.

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

The core principle of the new standard is to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration (that is, payment) to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also results in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provides guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively (for example, service revenue and contract modifications) and improves guidance for multiple-element arrangements.

The company has applied IFRS 15Revenue from Contracts with Customers as of the effective date in accordance with the modified retrospective application. Under this approach, the cumulative effect of initially applying IFRS 15 must be recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity at the date of initial application and comparative periods are not restated. On the implementation date, the adjustment to the opening balance of equity resulted in a decrease of the retained earnings by 123m US dollar, to reflect the changes in accounting policies related to performance that, in accordance with IFRS 15, should be related to the transaction price underlying 2017 revenue.

A number of other new standards, amendment to standards and new interpretations became mandatory for the first time for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2016,2018 and have not been listed in these consolidated financial statements because ofas they either theirnon-applicability todo not apply or their immaterialityare immaterial to AB InBev’s consolidated financial statements.

 

(F)Foreign currencies

FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Foreign Currency TransactionsFOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

Foreign currency transactions are accounted for at exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the balance sheet date rate. Gains and losses resulting from the settlement of foreign currency transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the income statement.Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction.Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are translated to US dollar at foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was determined.

Translation of the Results and Financial Position of Foreign OperationsTRANSLATION OF THE RESULTS AND FINANCIAL POSITION OF FOREIGN OPERATIONS

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated to US dollar at foreign exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Income statements of foreign operations, excluding foreign entities in hyperinflationary economies, are translated to US dollar at exchange rates for the year approximating the foreign exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. The components of shareholders’ equity are translated at historical rates. Exchange differences arising from the translation of shareholders’ equity to US dollar atperiod-end exchange rates are taken to other comprehensive income (translation reserves).

FINANCIAL REPORTING IN HYPERINFLATIONARY ECONOMIES

In May 2018, the Argentinean peso underwent a severe devaluation resulting in the three-year cumulative inflation of Argentina to exceed 100%, thereby triggering the requirement to transition to hyperinflation accounting as prescribed by IAS 29Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies. IAS 29 requires to report the results of the company’s operations in Argentina as if these were highly inflationary as of 1 January 2018.

Under IAS 29, the non-monetary assets and liabilities stated at historical cost, the equity and the income statement of subsidiaries operating in hyperinflationary economiesre-measurement are restated for changes in the general purchasing power of the local currency denominatednon-monetary assets, liabilities, income statement accounts as well as equity accounts is made by applying a general price index. Thesere-measured accounts are used for conversion into US dollar at the period closing exchange rate. AB InBev did not have material operationsAs a result, the balance sheet and net results of subsidiaries operating in hyperinflationaryhyperinflation economies are stated in 2016 and 2015.terms of the measuring unit current at the end of the reporting period.

Exchange RatesEXCHANGE RATES

The most important exchange rates that have been used in preparing the financial statements are:

 

  Closing rate       Average rate       Closing rate   Average rate 

1 US dollar equals:

  2016   2015   2014   2016   2015   2014   31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   31 December
2016
   31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   31 December
2016
 

Argentinean peso

   15.850116    13.004955    8.552034    14.762591    9.101728    8.119265    37.807879    18.774210    15.850116    —      16.580667    14.762591 

Australian dollar

   1.384689    —      —      1.3440978    —      —      1.416593    1.279580    1.384689    1.334300    1.308997    1.3440978 

Brazilian real

   3.259106    3.904803    2.656197    3.474928    3.259601    2.348760    3.874806    3.308005    3.259106    3.634827    3.201667    3.474928 

Canadian dollar

   1.345983    1.388446    1.158305    1.318844    1.270237    1.099011    1.362882    1.253982    1.345983    1.293896    1.303248    1.318844 

Colombian peso

   3 002.14    3 145.64    —      2 986.89    2 792.222    —      3 246.70    2 988.60    3 002.14    2 967.36    2 965.94    2 986.89 

Chinese yuan

   6.944520    6.485535    6.206895    6.607635    6.256495    6.165793    6.877787    6.507500    6.944520    6.581607    6.785290    6.607635 

Euro

   0.948677    0.918527    0.823655    0.902821    0.899096    0.747695    0.873362    0.833819    0.948677    0.845697    0.886817    0.902821 

Mexican peso

   20.663842    17.206357    14.718112    18.464107    15.730837    13.224411    19.682728    19.735828    20.663842    19.195084    18.811612    18.464107 

Pound sterling

   0.812238    0.674152    0.641544    0.737400    0.653179    0.605515    0.781249    0.739790    0.812238    0.750773    0.773029    0.737400 

Peruvian nuevo sol

   3.352820    3.413342    2.973155    3.394121    3.135481    2.834909    3.369998    3.244558    3.352820    3.284477    3.267432    3.394121 

Russian ruble

   60.657097    72.881615    56.256744    66.905365    59.186097    36.741769 

South Korean won

   1 203.90    1 176.09    1 090.93    1 154.50    1 129.52    1 045.73    1 115.40    1 067.63    1 203.90    1 095.46    1 134.04    1 154.50 

South African rand

   13.714953    —      —      14.0166901    —      —      14.374909    12.345193    13.714953    13.105486    13.338803    14.0166901 

Turkish lira

   3.516940    —      —      3.50148    —      —      5.291532    3.790879    3.516940    4.560685    3.615028    3.50148 

Ukrainian hryvnia

   27.190513    24.000600    15.768560    25.408674    21.493019    11.426006 

 

(G)Intangible Assets

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Research and DevelopmentRESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Expenditure on research activities, undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding, is recognized in the income statement as an expense as incurred.

Expenditure on development activities, whereby research findings are applied to a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved products and processes, is capitalized if the product or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable and the company has sufficient resources to complete development. The expenditure capitalized includes the cost of materials, direct labor and an appropriate proportion of overheads. Other development expenditure is recognized in the income statement as an expense as incurred. Capitalized development expenditure is stated at cost less accumulated amortization (see below) and impairment losses (refer to accounting policy P)O).

Amortization related to research and development intangible assets is included within the cost of sales if production related and in sales and marketing if related to commercial activities.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets are capitalized as part of the cost of such assets.

Supply and Distribution Rights

SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS

A supply right is the right for AB InBev to supply a customer and the commitment by the customer to purchase from AB InBev. A distribution right is the right to sell specified products in a certain territory.

Acquired distribution rights are measured initially at cost or fair value when obtained through a business combination.

Amortization related to supply and distribution rights is included within sales and marketing expenses.

BrandsBRANDS

If part of the consideration paid in a business combination relates to trademarks, trade names, formulas, recipes or technological expertise these intangible assets are considered as a group of complementary assets that is referred to as a brand for which one fair value is determined. Expenditure on internally generated brands is expensed as incurred.

SoftwareSOFTWARE

Purchased software is measured at cost less accumulated amortization. Expenditure on internally developed software is capitalized when the expenditure qualifies as development activities; otherwise, it is recognized in the income statement when incurred.

Amortization related to software is included in cost of sales, distribution expenses, sales and marketing expenses or administrative expenses based on the activity the software supports.

Other Intangible AssetsOTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Other intangible assets, acquired by the company, are recognized at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses.

Other intangible assets also include multi-year sponsorship rights acquired by the company. These are initially recognized at the present value of the future payments and subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses.

Subsequent ExpenditureSUBSEQUENT EXPENDITURE

Subsequent expenditure on capitalized intangible assets is capitalized only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. All other expenditures are expensed as incurred.

AmortizationAMORTIZATION

Intangible assets with a finite life are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Licenses, brewing, supply and distribution rights are amortized over the period in which the rights exist. Brands are considered to have an indefinite life unless plans exist to discontinue the brand. Discontinuance of a brand can be either through sale or termination of marketing support. When AB InBev purchases distribution rights for its own products the life of these rights is considered indefinite, unless the company has a plan to discontinue the related brand or distribution. Software and capitalized development costs related to technology are amortized over 3 to 5 years.

Brands are deemed intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and, therefore, are not amortized but tested for impairment on an annual basis (refer to accounting policy P)O).

Gains and Losses on SaleGAINS AND LOSSES ON SALE

Net gains on sale of intangible assets are presented in the income statement as other operating income. Net losses on sale are included as other operating expenses. Net gains and losses are recognized in the income statement when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, recovery of the consideration is probable, the associated costs can be estimated reliably, and there is no continuing managerial involvement with the intangible assets.

 

(H)Business Combinations

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

The company applies the acquisition method of accounting to account for acquisitions of businesses. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of the assets given, liabilities incurred and equity instruments issued. Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of the acquisition over the company’s interest in the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

The allocation of fair values to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on various assumptions requiring management judgment.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition date carrying value of AB InBev’s previously held interest in the acquiree isre-measured to fair value at the acquisition date; any gains or losses arising from suchre-measurement are recognized in profit or loss.

 

(I)Goodwill

GOODWILL

Goodwill is determined as the excess of the consideration paid over AB InBev’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquired subsidiary, jointly controlled entity or associate recognized at the date of acquisition. All business combinations are accounted for by applying the purchase method.

In conformity with IFRS 3Business Combinations, goodwill is stated at cost and not amortized but tested for impairment on an annual basis and whenever there is an indicator that the cash generating unit to which goodwill has been allocated, may be impaired (refer to accounting policy P)O).

Goodwill is expressed in the currency of the subsidiary or jointly controlled entity to which it relates and is translated to US dollar using theyear-end exchange rate.

In respect of associates and joint ventures, the carrying amount of goodwill is included in the carrying amount of the investment in the associate.

If AB InBev’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities recognized exceeds the cost of the business combination such excess is recognized immediately in the income statement as required by IFRS 3Business Combinations.

Expenditure on internally generated goodwill is expensed as incurred.

 

(J)Property, Plant and Equipment

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment is measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (refer to accounting policy P)O). Cost includes the purchase price and any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management (e.g. nonrefundable tax and transport cost). The cost of aself-constructed asset is determined using the same principles as for an acquired asset. The depreciation methods, residual value, as well as the useful lives are reassessed and adjusted if appropriate, annually.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets are capitalized as part of the cost of such assets.

Subsequent ExpenditureSUBSEQUENT EXPENDITURE

The company recognizes in the carrying amount of an item of property, plant and equipment the cost of replacing part of such an item when that cost is incurred if it is probable that the future economic benefits embodied with the item will flow to the company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other costs are expensed as incurred.

DepreciationDEPRECIATION

The depreciable amount is the cost of an asset less its residual value. Residual values, if not insignificant, are reassessed annually. Depreciation is calculated from the date the asset is available for use, using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

The estimated useful lives are defined in terms of the asset’s expected utility to the company and can vary from one geographical area to another. On average the estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Industrial buildings – other real estate properties

   20 - 50 years 

Production plant and equipment:

  

Production equipment

   10 - 15 years

Storage, packaging and handling equipment

   5 - 7 years 

Returnable packaging:

  

Kegs

   2 - 10 years 

Crates

   2 - 10 years 

Bottles

   2 - 5 years 

Point of sale furniture and equipment

   5 years 

Vehicles

   5 years 

Information processing equipment

   3 - 5 years 

Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment.

Land is not depreciated as it is deemed to have an indefinite life.

Gains and Losses on SaleGAINS AND LOSSES ON SALE

Net gains on sale of items of property, plant and equipment are presented in the income statement as other operating income. Net losses on sale are presented as other operating expenses. Net gains and losses are recognized in the income statement when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, recovery of the consideration is probable, the associated costs can be estimated reliably, and there is no continuing managerial involvement with the property, plant and equipment.

 

(K)Accounting for Leases

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES

Leases of property, plant and equipment where the company assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Finance leases are recognized as assets and liabilities (interest-bearing loans and borrowings) at amounts equal to the lower of the fair value of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments at inception of the lease. Depreciation and impairment testing for depreciable leased assets is the same as for depreciable assets that are owned (refer to accounting policies J and P)O).

Lease payments are apportioned between the outstanding liability and finance charges so as to achieve a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Leases of assets under which all the risks and rewards of ownership are substantially retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

When an operating lease is terminated before the lease period has expired, any payment required to be made to the lessor by way of penalty is recognized as an expense in the period in which termination takes place.

 

(L)Investments

All investments are accounted for at trade date.

INVENTORIES

Investments in Equity Securities

Investments in equity securities are undertakings in which AB InBev does not have significant influence or control. This is generally evidenced by ownership of less than 20% of the voting rights. Such investments are designated asavailable-for-sale financial assets which are at initial recognition measured at fair value unless the fair value cannot be reliably determined in which case they are measured at cost. Subsequent changes in fair value, except those related to impairment losses which are recognized in the income statement, are recognized directly in other comprehensive income.

On disposal of an investment, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized directly in other comprehensive income is recognized in profit or loss.

Investments in Debt Securities

Investments in debt securities classified as trading or as beingavailable-for-sale are carried at fair value, with any resulting gain or loss respectively recognized in the income statement or directly in other comprehensive income. Fair value of these investments is determined as the quoted bid price at the balance sheet date. Impairment charges and foreign exchange gains and losses are recognized in the income statement.

Investments in debt securities classified as held to maturity are measured at amortized cost.

In general, investments in debt securities with maturities of more than three months when acquired and remaining maturities of less than one year are classified as short-term investments. Investments with maturities beyond one year may be classified as short-term based on their highly liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations.

Other Investments

Other investments held by the company are classified asavailable-for-sale and are carried at fair value, with any resulting gain or loss recognized directly in other comprehensive income. Impairment charges are recognized in the income statement.

(M)Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories and bringing them to their existing location and condition. The weighted average method is used in assigning the cost of inventories.

The cost of finished products and work in progress comprises raw materials, other production materials, direct labor, other direct cost and an allocation of fixed and variable overhead based on normal operating capacity. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated completion and selling costs.

Inventories are written down on acase-by-case basis if the anticipated net realizable value declines below the carrying amount of the inventories. The calculation of the net realizable value takes into consideration specific characteristics of each inventory category, such as expiration date, remaining shelf life, slow-moving indicators, amongst others.

 

(N)(M)Trade and Other Receivables

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business and generally due for settlement within 30 days. Trade receivables are recognized initially at the amount of the consideration that is unconditional unless they contain significant financing components, when they are recognized at fair value. The company holds trade and other receivables with the objective to collect the contractual cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

Trade and other receivables are carried at amortized cost less impairment losses. An estimate of impairment losses for doubtful receivables is made based on a review of all outstanding amounts atTo determine the balance sheet date.

An allowance for impairment of trade and other receivables is established if the collection of a receivable becomes doubtful. Such receivable becomes doubtful when there is objective evidence that the company will notappropriate amount to be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. Significantimpaired factors such as significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will default, enter into bankruptcy or financial reorganization, and default or delinquency in payments are considered indicators that the receivable is impaired. The amount of the allowance is the difference between the asset’s carrying amountconsidered.

Other receivables are initially recognized at fair value and the present value of the estimated future cash flows. Ansubsequently measured at amortized cost. Any impairment loss islosses and foreign exchange results are directly recognized in the income statement, as are subsequent recoveries of previous impairments.profit or loss.

 

(O)(N)Cash and Cash Equivalents

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and short-term highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition that are readily convertible into cash. They are stated at face value, which approximates their fair value. In the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents are presented net of bank overdrafts.

 

(P)(O)Impairment

IMPAIRMENT

The carrying amounts of financial assets, property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists,there is an indicator of impairment, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. In addition, goodwill, intangible assets that are not yet available for use and intangibles with an indefinite useful life are tested for impairment annually at the businesscash-generating unit level (that is a country or group of countries managed as a group below a reporting region). An impairment loss is recognized whenever the carrying amount of an asset or the related cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in the income statement.

Calculation of Recoverable AmountCALCULATION OF RECOVERABLE AMOUNT

The recoverable amount of the company’s investments in unquoted debt securities is calculated as the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the debt securities’ original effective interest rate. For equity investments classified as available for sale and quoted debt securities the recoverable amount is their fair value.

The recoverable amount of othernon-financial assets is determined as the higher of their fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The recoverable amount of the cash generating units to which the goodwill and the intangible assets with indefinite useful life belong is based on discounted future cash flows using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. These calculations are corroborated by valuation multiples, quoted share prices for publicly traded subsidiaries or other available fair value indicators.

Impairment losses recognized in respect of cash-generating units arefirstly reduce allocated first to reducegoodwill and then the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the units and then to reduce the carrying amountamounts of the other assets in the unit on a pro rata basis.

Reversal of Impairment LossesREVERSAL OF IMPAIRMENT LOSSES

Non-financial assets other than goodwill and equity investments classified as available for sale that suffered an impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized.

 

(Q)(P)Share Capital

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

RepurchaseA number of Share CapitalAB InBev’s accounting policies and notes require fair value measurement for both financial and non-financial items.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When measuring fair value, AB InBev uses observable market data as far as possible. Fair values are categorized into different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1: inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: inputs are observable either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

Level 3: fair value measurements incorporates significant inputs that are based on unobservable market data.

If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or liability fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, then the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement.

The company applies fair value measurement to the instruments listed below.

DERIVATIVES

The fair value of exchange traded derivatives (e.g. exchange traded foreign currency futures) is determined by reference to the official prices published by the respective exchanges (e.g. the New York Board of Trade). The fair value of over-the-counter derivatives is determined by commonly used valuation techniques.

DEBT SECURITIES

This category includes both debt securities designated at FVOCI and FVPL. The fair value is measured using observable inputs such as interest rates and foreign exchange rates. When it pertains to instruments that are publicly traded, the fair value is determined by reference to observable quotes. In circumstances where debt securities are not publicly traded, the main valuation technique is the discounted cash flow. The company may apply other valuation techniques or combination of valuation techniques if the fair value results are more relevant.

EQUITY SECURITIES DESIGNATED AS AT FVOCI

Investments in equity securities comprise quoted and unquoted securities. When liquid quoted prices are available, these are used to fair value investments in quoted securities. The unquoted securities are fair valued using primarily the discounted cash flow method.

NON-DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

The fair value of non-derivative financial liabilities is generally determined using unobservable inputs and therefore fall into level 3. In these circumstances, the valuation technique used is discounted cash flow, whereby the projected cash flows are discounted using a risk adjusted rate.

(Q)

SHARE CAPITAL

REPURCHASE OF SHARE CAPITAL

When AB InBev buys back its own shares, the amount of the consideration paid, including directly attributable costs, is recognized as a deduction from equity under treasury shares.

DividendsDIVIDENDS

Dividends paid are recognized in the consolidated financial statements on the date that the dividends are declared unless minimum statutory dividends are required by local legislation or the bylaws of the company’s subsidiaries. In such instances, statutory minimum dividends are recognized as a liability.

Share Issuance CostsSHARE ISSUANCE COSTS

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

 

(R)Provisions

PROVISIONS

Provisions are recognized when (i) the company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, (ii) it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and (iii) a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at apre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.

RestructuringRESTRUCTURING

A provision for restructuring is recognized when the company has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan, and the restructuring has either commenced or has been announced publicly. Costs relating to the ongoing activities of the company are not provided for. The provision includes the benefit commitments in connection with early retirement and redundancy schemes.

Onerous ContractsONEROUS CONTRACTS

A provision for onerous contracts is recognized when the expected benefits to be derived by the company from a contract are lower than the unavoidable cost of meeting its obligations under the contract. Such provision is measured at the present value of the lower of the expected cost of terminating the contract and the expected net cost of continuing with the contract.

Disputes and LitigationsDISPUTES AND LITIGATIONS

A provision for disputes and litigation is recognized when it is more likely than not that the company will be required to make future payments as a result of past events, such items may include but are not limited to, several claims, suits and actions relating to antitrust laws, violations of distribution and license agreements, environmental matters, employment related disputes, claims from tax authorities, and alcohol industry litigation matters.

(S)Employee Benefits

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Post-Employment BenefitsPOST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Post-employment benefits include pensions, post-employment life insurance and post-employment medical benefits. The company operates a number of defined benefit and defined contribution plans throughout the world, the assets of which are generally held in separate trustee-managed funds. The pension plans are generally funded by payments from employees and the company, and, for defined benefit plans taking account of the recommendations of independent actuaries. AB InBev maintains funded and unfunded pension plans.

 

a)

Defined contribution plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognized as an expense in the income statement when incurred. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which AB InBev pays fixed contributions into a fund. AB InBev has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

b)

Defined benefit plans

A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that is not a defined contribution plan. Typically, defined benefit plans define an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and compensation. For defined benefit plans, the pension expenses are assessed separately for each plan using the projected unit credit method. The projected unit credit method considers each period of service as giving rise to an additional unit of benefit entitlement. Under this method, the cost of providing pensions is charged to the income statement so as to spread the regular cost over the service lives of employees in accordance with the advice of qualified actuaries who carry out a full valuation of the plans at least every three years. The amounts charged to the income statement include current service cost, net interest cost (income), past service costs and the effect of any curtailments or settlements. Past service costs are recognized at the earlier of when the amendment / curtailment occurs or when the company recognizes related restructuring or termination costs. The pension obligations recognized in the balance sheet are measured at the present value of the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates based on high quality corporate bond yields, which have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related liability, less the fair value of any plan assets.Re-measurements, comprising of actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling (excluding net interest) and the return on plan assets (excluding net interest) are recognized in full in the period in which they occur in the statement of comprehensive income.Re-measurements are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods.

Where the calculated amount of a defined benefit liability is negative (an asset), AB InBev recognizes such pension asset to the extent that economic benefits are available to AB InBev either from refunds or reductions in future contributions.

Other Post-Employment ObligationsOTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT OBLIGATIONS

Some AB InBev companies provide post-employment medical benefits to their retirees. The entitlement to these benefits is usually based on the employee remaining in service up to retirement age. The expected costs of these benefits are accrued over the period of employment, using an accounting methodology similar to that for defined benefit pension plans.

Termination BenefitsTERMINATION BENEFITS

Termination benefits are recognized as an expense at the earlier when the company is demonstrably committed, without realistic possibility of withdrawal, to a formal detailed plan to terminate employment before the normal retirement date and when the company recognizes costs for a restructuring. Termination benefits for voluntary redundancies are recognized if the company has made an offer encouraging voluntary redundancy it is probable thatand when the company can no longer withdraw the offer will be accepted, andof termination, which is the numberearlier of acceptances can be estimated reliably.either when the employee accepts the offer or when a legal, regulatory or contractual requirement or restriction on the company’s ability to withdraw the offer takes effect.

BonusesBONUSES

Bonuses received by company employees and management are based onpre-defined company and individual target achievement. The estimated amount of the bonus is recognized as an expense in the period the bonus is earned. To the extent that bonuses are settled in shares of the company, they are accounted for as share-based payments.

 

(T)Share-Based Payments

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

Different share and share option programs allow company senior management and members of the board to acquire shares of the company and some of its affiliates. The fair value of the share options is estimated at grant date, using an option pricing model that is most appropriate for the respective option. Based on the expected number of options that will vest, the fair value of the options granted is expensed over the vesting period. When the options are exercised, equity is increased by the amount of the proceeds received.

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions with parties other than employees are measured at the fair value of the goods or services received, except where that fair value cannot be estimated reliably, in which case they are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments granted, measured at the date the company obtains the goods or the counterparty renders the service.

 

(U)Interest-bearing Loans and Borrowings

INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings are recognized initially at fair value, less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are stated at amortized cost with any difference between the initial amount and the maturity amount being recognized in the income statement (in accretion expense) over the expected life of the instrument on an effective interest rate basis.

 

(V)Trade and Other Payables

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade and other payables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

 

(W)Income Tax

INCOME TAX

Income tax on the profit for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognized in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity, in which case the tax effect is also recognized directly in equity.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted, or substantively enacted, at the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

In accordance with IAS 12Income TaxesIFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

The core principle of the new standard is to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration (that is, payment) to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also results in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provides guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively (for example, service revenue and contract modifications) and improves guidance for multiple-element arrangements.

The company has applied IFRS 15Revenue from Contracts with Customers deferred taxesas of the effective date in accordance with the modified retrospective application. Under this approach, the cumulative effect of initially applying IFRS 15 must be recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity at the date of initial application and comparative periods are provided usingnot restated. On theso-called implementation date, the adjustment to the opening balance sheet liability method. This meansof equity resulted in a decrease of the retained earnings by 123m US dollar, to reflect the changes in accounting policies related to performance that, in accordance with IFRS 15, should be related to the transaction price underlying 2017 revenue.

A number of other new standards, amendment to standards and new interpretations became mandatory for all taxablethe first time for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2018 and deductible differences betweenhave not been listed in these consolidated financial statements as they either do not apply or are immaterial to AB InBev’s consolidated financial statements.

(F)

FOREIGN CURRENCIES

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

Foreign currency transactions are accounted for at exchange rates prevailing at the tax basesdate of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities and their carrying amountsdenominated in foreign currencies are translated at the balance sheet a deferred tax liability or asset is recognized. Under this method a provision for deferred taxes is also made for differences betweendate rate. Gains and losses resulting from the fair valuessettlement of foreign currency transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities acquireddenominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the income statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are translated to US dollar at foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was determined.

TRANSLATION OF THE RESULTS AND FINANCIAL POSITION OF FOREIGN OPERATIONS

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated to US dollar at foreign exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Income statements of foreign operations, excluding foreign entities in hyperinflationary economies, are translated to US dollar at exchange rates for the year approximating the foreign exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. The components of shareholders’ equity are translated at historical rates. Exchange differences arising from the translation of shareholders’ equity to US dollar at period-end exchange rates are taken to other comprehensive income (translation reserves).

FINANCIAL REPORTING IN HYPERINFLATIONARY ECONOMIES

In May 2018, the Argentinean peso underwent a severe devaluation resulting in the three-year cumulative inflation of Argentina to exceed 100%, thereby triggering the requirement to transition to hyperinflation accounting as prescribed by IAS 29Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies. IAS 29 requires to report the results of the company’s operations in Argentina as if these were highly inflationary as of 1 January 2018.

Under IAS 29, the non-monetary assets and liabilities stated at historical cost, the equity and the income statement of subsidiaries operating in hyperinflationary economies are restated for changes in the general purchasing power of the local currency applying a general price index. These re-measured accounts are used for conversion into US dollar at the period closing exchange rate. As a result, the balance sheet and net results of subsidiaries operating in hyperinflation economies are stated in terms of the measuring unit current at the end of the reporting period.

EXCHANGE RATES

The most important exchange rates that have been used in preparing the financial statements are:

   Closing rate   Average rate 

1 US dollar equals:

  31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   31 December
2016
   31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   31 December
2016
 

Argentinean peso

   37.807879    18.774210    15.850116    —      16.580667    14.762591 

Australian dollar

   1.416593    1.279580    1.384689    1.334300    1.308997    1.3440978 

Brazilian real

   3.874806    3.308005    3.259106    3.634827    3.201667    3.474928 

Canadian dollar

   1.362882    1.253982    1.345983    1.293896    1.303248    1.318844 

Colombian peso

   3 246.70    2 988.60    3 002.14    2 967.36    2 965.94    2 986.89 

Chinese yuan

   6.877787    6.507500    6.944520    6.581607    6.785290    6.607635 

Euro

   0.873362    0.833819    0.948677    0.845697    0.886817    0.902821 

Mexican peso

   19.682728    19.735828    20.663842    19.195084    18.811612    18.464107 

Pound sterling

   0.781249    0.739790    0.812238    0.750773    0.773029    0.737400 

Peruvian nuevo sol

   3.369998    3.244558    3.352820    3.284477    3.267432    3.394121 

South Korean won

   1 115.40    1 067.63    1 203.90    1 095.46    1 134.04    1 154.50 

South African rand

   14.374909    12.345193    13.714953    13.105486    13.338803    14.0166901 

Turkish lira

   5.291532    3.790879    3.516940    4.560685    3.615028    3.50148 

(G)

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Expenditure on research activities, undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding, is recognized in the income statement as an expense as incurred.

Expenditure on development activities, whereby research findings are applied to a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved products and processes, is capitalized if the product or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable and the company has sufficient resources to complete development. The expenditure capitalized includes the cost of materials, direct labor and an appropriate proportion of overheads. Other development expenditure is recognized in the income statement as an expense as incurred. Capitalized development expenditure is stated at cost less accumulated amortization (see below) and impairment losses (refer to accounting policy O).

Amortization related to research and development intangible assets is included within the cost of sales if production related and in sales and marketing if related to commercial activities.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets are capitalized as part of the cost of such assets.

SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS

A supply right is the right for AB InBev to supply a customer and the commitment by the customer to purchase from AB InBev. A distribution right is the right to sell specified products in a certain territory. Acquired distribution rights are measured initially at cost or fair value when obtained through a business combination. Amortization related to supply and distribution rights is included within sales and marketing expenses.

BRANDS

If part of the consideration paid in a business combination and their tax base. IAS 12 prescribes that no deferred taxesrelates to trademarks, trade names, formulas, recipes or technological expertise these intangible assets are recognized i) on initial recognitionconsidered as a group of goodwill, ii) at the initial recognition ofcomplementary assets or liabilities in a transaction that is notreferred to as a business combination and affects neither accounting nor taxable profit and iii)brand for which one fair value is determined. Expenditure on differences relating to investments in subsidiaries tointernally generated brands is expensed as incurred.

SOFTWARE

Purchased software is measured at cost less accumulated amortization. Expenditure on internally developed software is capitalized when the extent that they will probably not reverseexpenditure qualifies as development activities; otherwise, it is recognized in the foreseeable futureincome statement when incurred. Amortization related to software is included in cost of sales, distribution expenses, sales and to the extent that the company is able to control the timing of the reversal. The amount of deferred tax provided ismarketing expenses or administrative expenses based on the expected manner of realization or settlementactivity the software supports.

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Other intangible assets, acquired by the company, are recognized at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses. Other intangible assets also include multi-year sponsorship rights acquired by the company. These are initially recognized at the present value of the carrying amount offuture payments and subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses.

SUBSEQUENT EXPENDITURE

Subsequent expenditure on capitalized intangible assets is capitalized only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. All other expenditures are expensed as incurred.

AMORTIZATION

Intangible assets with a finite life are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Licenses, brewing, supply and liabilities, using currently or substantively enacted tax rates.

Deferred tax assets and liabilitiesdistribution rights are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied byamortized over the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different taxable entities which intend either to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.

The company recognizes deferred tax assets, including assets arising from losses carried forward, to the extent that future probable taxable profit will be available againstperiod in which the deferred tax assetrights exist. Brands are considered to have an indefinite life unless plans exist to discontinue the brand. Discontinuance of a brand can be utilized. A deferred tax asseteither through sale or termination of marketing support. When AB InBev purchases distribution rights for its own products the life of these rights is reducedconsidered indefinite, unless the company has a plan to the extent that it is no longer probable thatdiscontinue the related tax benefit will be realized.brand or distribution. Software and capitalized development costs related to technology are amortized over 3 to 5 years.

Tax claimsBrands are recorded within provisionsdeemed intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and, therefore, are not amortized but tested for impairment on the balance sheetan annual basis (refer to accounting policy R)O).

GAINS AND LOSSES ON SALE

(X)Income Recognition

Income is recognized when it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the company andNet gains on sale of intangible assets are presented in the income can be measured reliably.

Goods Sold

In relation tostatement as other operating income. Net losses on sale are included as other operating expenses. Net gains and losses are recognized in the sale of beverages and packaging, revenue is recognizedincome statement when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, and no significant uncertainties remain regarding recovery of the consideration due,is probable, the associated costs or the possible return of goods,can be estimated reliably, and there is no continuing managementmanagerial involvement with the goods. Revenue fromintangible assets.

(H)

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

The company applies the saleacquisition method of goodsaccounting to account for acquisitions of businesses. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of the assets given, liabilities incurred and equity instruments issued. Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of the acquisition over the company’s interest in the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

The allocation of fair values to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on various assumptions requiring management judgment.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition date carrying value of AB InBev’s previously held interest in the acquiree is re-measured to fair value at the acquisition date; any gains or losses arising from such re-measurement are recognized in profit or loss.

(I)

GOODWILL

Goodwill is determined as the excess of the consideration receivedpaid over AB InBev’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquired subsidiary, jointly controlled entity or receivable,associate recognized at the date of acquisition. All business combinations are accounted for by applying the purchase method.

In conformity with IFRS 3Business Combinations, goodwill is stated at cost and not amortized but tested for impairment on an annual basis and whenever there is an indicator that the cash generating unit to which goodwill has been allocated, may be impaired (refer to accounting policy O). Goodwill is expressed in the currency of the subsidiary or jointly controlled entity to which it relates and is translated to US dollar using the year-end exchange rate. In respect of associates and joint ventures, the carrying amount of goodwill is included in the carrying amount of the investment in the associate.

If AB InBev’s interest in the net fair value of returnsthe identifiable assets, liabilities and allowances, trade discounts, volume rebates, discounts for cash payments and excise taxes.

Rental and Royalty Income

Rental incomecontingent liabilities recognized exceeds the cost of the business combination such excess is recognized underimmediately in the income statement as required by IFRS 3Business Combinations. Expenditure on internally generated goodwill is expensed as incurred.

(J)

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment is measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (refer to accounting policy O). Cost includes the purchase price and any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management (e.g. nonrefundable tax and transport cost). The cost of aself-constructed asset is determined using the same principles as for an acquired asset. The depreciation methods, residual value, as well as the useful lives are reassessed and adjusted if appropriate, annually.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets are capitalized as part of the cost of such assets.

SUBSEQUENT EXPENDITURE

The company recognizes in the carrying amount of an item of property, plant and equipment the cost of replacing part of such an item when that cost is incurred if it is probable that the future economic benefits embodied with the item will flow to the company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other costs are expensed as incurred.

DEPRECIATION

The depreciable amount is the cost of an asset less its residual value. Residual values, if not insignificant, are reassessed annually. Depreciation is calculated from the date the asset is available for use, using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

The estimated useful lives are defined in terms of the asset’s expected utility to the company and can vary from one geographical area to another. On average the estimated useful lives are as follows:

Industrial buildings – other real estate properties

20 - 50 years

Production plant and equipment:

Production equipment

10 - 15 years

Storage, packaging and handling equipment

5 - 7 years

Returnable packaging:

Kegs

2 - 10 years

Crates

2 - 10 years

Bottles

2 - 5 years

Point of sale furniture and equipment

5 years

Vehicles

5 years

Information processing equipment

3 - 5 years

Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment.

Land is not depreciated as it is deemed to have an indefinite life.

GAINS AND LOSSES ON SALE

Net gains on sale of items of property, plant and equipment are presented in the income statement as other operating income. Net losses on sale are presented as other operating expenses. Net gains and losses are recognized in the income statement when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, recovery of the consideration is probable, the associated costs can be estimated reliably, and there is no continuing managerial involvement with the property, plant and equipment.

(K)

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES

Leases of property, plant and equipment where the company assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Finance leases are recognized as assets and liabilities (interest-bearing loans and borrowings) at amounts equal to the lower of the fair value of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments at inception of the lease. Depreciation and impairment testing for depreciable leased assets is the same as for depreciable assets that are owned (refer to accounting policies J and O).

Lease payments are apportioned between the outstanding liability and finance charges so as to achieve a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Leases of assets under which all the risks and rewards of ownership are substantially retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Royalties arising from

When an operating lease is terminated before the uselease period has expired, any payment required to be made to the lessor by othersway of the company’s resources are recognized in other operating income on an accrual basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement.

Government Grants

A government grant is recognized in the balance sheet initially as deferred income when there is reasonable assurance that it will be received and that the company will comply with the conditions attached to it. Grants that compensate the company for expenses incurred are recognized as other operating income on a systematic basis in the same periods in which the expenses are incurred. Grants that compensate the company for the acquisition of an asset are presented by deducting them from the acquisition cost of the related asset in accordance with IAS 20Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance.

Finance Income

Finance income comprises interest received or receivable on funds invested, dividend income, foreign exchange gains, losses on currency hedging instruments offsetting currency gains, gains on hedging instruments that are not part of a hedge accounting relationship, gains on financial assets classified as trading as well as any gains from hedge ineffectiveness (refer to accounting policy Z).

Interest incomepenalty is recognized as it accrues (taking into account the effective yield on the asset) unless collectability is in doubt.

Dividend Income

Dividend income is recognizedan expense in the income statement on the date that the dividend is declared.period in which termination takes place.

 

(Y)(L)Expenses

INVENTORIES

Finance Costs

Finance costs comprise interest payable on borrowings, calculated usingInventories are valued at the effective interest rate method, foreign exchange losses, gains on currency hedging instruments offsetting currency losses, results on interest rate hedging instruments, losses on hedging instruments that are not partlower of a hedge accounting relationship, losses on financial assets classified as trading, impairment losses onavailable-for-sale financial assets as well as any losses from hedge ineffectiveness (refer to accounting policy Z).

All interest costscost and net realizable value. Cost includes expenditure incurred in connection with borrowings or financial transactionsacquiring the inventories and bringing them to their existing location and condition. The weighted average method is used in assigning the cost of inventories.

The cost of finished products and work in progress comprises raw materials, other production materials, direct labor, other direct cost and an allocation of fixed and variable overhead based on normal operating capacity. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated completion and selling costs.

Inventories are expensed as incurred as part of finance costs. Any difference betweenwritten down on a case-by-case basis if the initial amount andanticipated net realizable value declines below the maturitycarrying amount of interest bearing loans and borrowings,the inventories. The calculation of the net realizable value takes into consideration specific characteristics of each inventory category, such as transaction costsexpiration date, remaining shelf life, slow-moving indicators, amongst others.

(M)

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business and fair value adjustments,generally due for settlement within 30 days. Trade receivables are recognized ininitially at the income statement (in accretion expense) over the expected lifeamount of the instrument on an effective interest rate basis (referconsideration that is unconditional unless they contain significant financing components, when they are recognized at fair value. The company holds trade and other receivables with the objective to accounting policy U). The interest expense component of finance lease payments is also recognized incollect the income statementcontractual cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

ResearchTrade and Development, Advertisingother receivables are carried at amortized cost less impairment losses. To determine the appropriate amount to be impaired factors such as significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will default, enter into bankruptcy or financial reorganization, or delinquency in payments are considered.

Other receivables are initially recognized at fair value and Promotional Costssubsequently measured at amortized cost. Any impairment losses and Systems Development Costs

Research, advertising and promotional costsforeign exchange results are expenseddirectly recognized in the year in which these costs are incurred. Development costs and systems development costs are expensed in the year in which these costs are incurred if they do not meet the criteria for capitalization (refer to accounting policy G).

Purchasing, Receiving and Warehousing Costs

Purchasing and receiving costs are included in the cost of sales, as well as the costs of storing and moving raw materials and packaging materials. The costs of storing finished products at the brewery as well as costs incurred for subsequent storage in distribution centers are included within distribution expenses.profit or loss.

 

(Z)(N)Derivative Financial Instruments

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

AB InBev uses derivative financial instrumentsCash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and short-term highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition that are readily convertible into cash. They are stated at face value, which approximates their fair value. In the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents are presented net of bank overdrafts.

(O)

IMPAIRMENT

The carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date to mitigatedetermine whether there is any indication of impairment. If there is an indicator of impairment, the transactional impactasset’s recoverable amount is estimated. In addition, goodwill, intangible assets that are not yet available for use and intangibles with an indefinite useful life are tested for impairment annually at the cash-generating unit level (that is a country or group of foreign currencies, interest rates, equitycountries managed as a group below a reporting region). An impairment loss is recognized whenever the carrying amount of an asset or the related cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in the income statement.

CALCULATION OF RECOVERABLE AMOUNT

The recoverable amount of non-financial assets is determined as the higher of their fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The recoverable amount of the cash generating units to which the goodwill and the intangible assets with indefinite useful life belong is based on discounted future cash flows using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. These calculations are corroborated by valuation multiples, quoted share prices for publicly traded subsidiaries or other available fair value indicators.

Impairment losses recognized in respect of cash-generating units firstly reduce allocated goodwill and commodity pricesthen the carrying amounts of the other assets in the unit on a pro rata basis.

REVERSAL OF IMPAIRMENT LOSSES

Non-financial assets other than goodwill that suffered an impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the company’s performance.impairment at each reporting date. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized.

(P)

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

A number of AB InBev’s financial risk management policy prohibits the use of derivative financial instruments for trading purposesaccounting policies and the company does therefore not hold or issue any such instruments for such purposes. Derivative financial instruments that are economic hedges but that do not meet the strict IAS 39Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement hedge accounting rules, however, are accounted for as financial assets or liabilities atnotes require fair value through profit or loss.measurement for both financial and non-financial items.

Derivative financial instruments are recognized initially at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When measuring fair value, AB InBev uses observable market data as far as possible. Fair values are categorized into different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1: inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: inputs are observable either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

Level 3: fair value measurements incorporates significant inputs that are based on unobservable market data.

If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or liability fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, then the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement.

The company applies fair value measurement to the instruments listed below.

DERIVATIVES

The fair value of derivativeexchange traded derivatives (e.g. exchange traded foreign currency futures) is determined by reference to the official prices published by the respective exchanges (e.g. the New York Board of Trade). The fair value of over-the-counter derivatives is determined by commonly used valuation techniques.

DEBT SECURITIES

This category includes both debt securities designated at FVOCI and FVPL. The fair value is measured using observable inputs such as interest rates and foreign exchange rates. When it pertains to instruments that are publicly traded, the fair value is determined by reference to observable quotes. In circumstances where debt securities are not publicly traded, the main valuation technique is the discounted cash flow. The company may apply other valuation techniques or combination of valuation techniques if the fair value results are more relevant.

EQUITY SECURITIES DESIGNATED AS AT FVOCI

Investments in equity securities comprise quoted and unquoted securities. When liquid quoted prices are available, these are used to fair value investments in quoted securities. The unquoted securities are fair valued using primarily the discounted cash flow method.

NON-DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

The fair value of non-derivative financial instrumentsliabilities is eithergenerally determined using unobservable inputs and therefore fall into level 3. In these circumstances, the quoted market pricevaluation technique used is discounted cash flow, whereby the projected cash flows are discounted using a risk adjusted rate.

(Q)

SHARE CAPITAL

REPURCHASE OF SHARE CAPITAL

When AB InBev buys back its own shares, the amount of the consideration paid, including directly attributable costs, is recognized as a deduction from equity under treasury shares.

DIVIDENDS

Dividends paid are recognized in the consolidated financial statements on the date that the dividends are declared unless minimum statutory dividends are required by local legislation or the bylaws of the company’s subsidiaries. In such instances, statutory minimum dividends are recognized as a liability.

SHARE ISSUANCE COSTS

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

(R)

PROVISIONS

Provisions are recognized when (i) the company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, (ii) it is calculated using pricing models taking into accountprobable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and (iii) a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market rates. These pricing models also takeassessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.

RESTRUCTURING

A provision for restructuring is recognized when the company has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan, and the restructuring has either commenced or has been announced publicly. Costs relating to the ongoing activities of the company are not provided for. The provision includes the benefit commitments in connection with early retirement and redundancy schemes.

ONEROUS CONTRACTS

A provision for onerous contracts is recognized when the expected benefits to be derived by the company from a contract are lower than the unavoidable cost of meeting its obligations under the contract. Such provision is measured at the present value of the lower of the expected cost of terminating the contract and the expected net cost of continuing with the contract.

DISPUTES AND LITIGATIONS

A provision for disputes and litigation is recognized when it is more likely than not that the company will be required to make future payments as a result of past events, such items may include but are not limited to, several claims, suits and actions relating to antitrust laws, violations of distribution and license agreements, environmental matters, employment related disputes, claims from tax authorities, and alcohol industry litigation matters.

(S)

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Post-employment benefits include pensions, post-employment life insurance and post-employment medical benefits. The company operates a number of defined benefit and defined contribution plans throughout the world, the assets of which are generally held in separate trustee-managed funds. The pension plans are generally funded by payments from employees and the company, and, for defined benefit plans taking account of the recommendations of independent actuaries. AB InBev maintains funded and unfunded pension plans.

a)

Defined contribution plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognized as an expense in the income statement when incurred. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which AB InBev pays fixed contributions into accounta fund. AB InBev has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current creditworthinessand prior periods.

b)

Defined benefit plans

A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that is not a defined contribution plan. Typically, defined benefit plans define an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and compensation. For defined benefit plans, the pension expenses are assessed separately for each plan using the projected unit credit method. The projected unit credit method considers each period of service as giving rise to an additional unit of benefit entitlement. Under this method, the cost of providing pensions is charged to the income statement so as to spread the regular cost over the service lives of employees in accordance with the advice of qualified actuaries who carry out a full valuation of the counterparties.plans at least every three years. The amounts charged to the income statement include current service cost, net interest cost (income), past service costs and the effect of any curtailments or settlements. Past service costs are recognized at the earlier of when the amendment / curtailment occurs or when the company recognizes related restructuring or termination costs. The pension obligations recognized in the balance sheet are measured at the present value of the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates based on high quality corporate bond yields, which have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related liability, less the fair value of any plan assets. Re-measurements, comprising of actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling (excluding net interest) and the return on plan assets (excluding net interest) are recognized in full in the period in which they occur in the statement of comprehensive income. Re-measurements are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods.

Where the calculated amount of a defined benefit liability is negative (an asset), AB InBev recognizes such pension asset to the extent that economic benefits are available to AB InBev either from refunds or reductions in future contributions.

OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT OBLIGATIONS

Some AB InBev companies provide post-employment medical benefits to their retirees. The entitlement to these benefits is usually based on the employee remaining in service up to retirement age. The expected costs of these benefits are accrued over the period of employment, using an accounting methodology similar to that for defined benefit pension plans.

TERMINATION BENEFITS

Termination benefits are recognized as an expense at the earlier when the company is demonstrably committed, without realistic possibility of withdrawal, to a formal detailed plan to terminate employment before the normal retirement date and when the company recognizes costs for a restructuring. Termination benefits for voluntary redundancies are recognized if the company has made an offer encouraging voluntary redundancy and when the company can no longer withdraw the offer of termination, which is the earlier of either when the employee accepts the offer or when a legal, regulatory or contractual requirement or restriction on the company’s ability to withdraw the offer takes effect.

BONUSES

Bonuses received by company employees and management are based on pre-defined company and individual target achievement. The estimated amount of the bonus is recognized as an expense in the period the bonus is earned. To the extent that bonuses are settled in shares of the company, they are accounted for as share-based payments.

(T)

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

Different share and share option programs allow company senior management and members of the board to acquire shares of the company and some of its affiliates. The fair value of the share options is estimated at grant date, using an option pricing model that is most appropriate for the respective option. Based on the expected number of options that will vest, the fair value of the options granted is expensed over the vesting period. When the options are exercised, equity is increased by the amount of the proceeds received.

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions with parties other than employees are measured at the fair value of the goods or services received, except where that fair value cannot be estimated reliably, in which case they are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments granted, measured at the date the company obtains the goods or the counterparty renders the service.

(U)

INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings are recognized initially at fair value, less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivative financial instrumentsinterest-bearing loans and borrowings arere-measured to their fair value stated at balance sheet date. Depending on whether cash flow or net investment hedge accounting is applied or not,amortized cost with any gain or loss is eitherdifference between the initial amount and the maturity amount being recognized directly in other comprehensive income or in the income statement.statement (in accretion expense) over the expected life of the instrument on an effective interest rate basis.

Cash flow,

(V)

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade and other payables are recognized initially at fair value or net investment hedge accounting is applied to all hedges that qualify for hedge accounting when the required hedge documentation is in place and when the hedge relation is determined to be effective.

Cash Flow Hedge Accounting

When a derivative financial instrument hedges the variability in cash flows of a recognized asset or liability, the foreign currency risk of a firm commitment or a highly probable forecasted transaction,subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective part of any resulting gain or lossinterest method.

(W)

INCOME TAX

Income tax on the derivative financial instrument is recognized directly in other comprehensive income (hedging reserves). Whenprofit for the firm commitment in foreign currency or the forecasted transaction results in the recognition of anon-financial asset or anon-financial liability, the cumulative gain or loss is removed from other comprehensive incomeyear comprises current and included in the initial measurement of the asset or liability. When the

hedge relates to financial assets or liabilities, the cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument is reclassified from other comprehensive income into the income statement in the same period during which the hedged risk affects the income statement (e.g. when the variable interest expense is recognized). The ineffective part of any gain or loss is recognized immediately in the income statement.

When a hedging instrument or hedge relationship is terminated but the hedged transaction is still expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss (at that point) remains in equity and is reclassified in accordance with the above policy when the hedged transaction occurs. If the hedged transaction is no longer probable, the cumulative gain or loss recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified into the income statement immediately.

Fair Value Hedge Accounting

When a derivative financial instrument hedges the variability in fair value of a recognized asset or liability, any resulting gain or loss on the hedging instrumentdeferred tax. Income tax is recognized in the income statement. The hedged itemstatement except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity, in which case the tax effect is also statedrecognized directly in equity.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted, or substantively enacted, at fair valuethe balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of the risk being hedged, with any gain or loss being recognized in the income statement.previous years.

Net Investment Hedge Accounting

When a foreign currency liability hedges a net investment in a foreign operation, exchange differences arising on the translation of the liability to the functional currency are recognized directly in other comprehensive income (translation reserves).

When a derivative financial instrument hedges a net investment in a foreign operation, the portion of the gain or the loss on the hedging instrument that is determined to be an effective hedge is recognized directly in other comprehensive income (translation reserves), while the ineffective portion is reported in the income statement.

Investments in equity instruments or derivatives linked to and to be settled by delivery of an equity instrument are stated at cost when such equity instrument does not have a quoted market price in an active market and for which other methods of reasonably estimating fair value are clearly inappropriate or unworkable.

Offsetting Derivative Assets with Derivative Liabilities

A derivative asset and a derivative liability shall be offset and the net amount presented in the statement of financial position when, and only when, the company has a currently legally enforceable right to set off the recognized amounts; and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

(AA) Segment Reporting

Operating segments are components of the company’s business activities about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by senior management.

AB InBev’s operating segment reporting format is geographical because the company’s risks and rates of return are affected predominantly by the fact that AB InBev operates in different geographical areas. The company’s management structure and internal reporting system to the Board of Directors is set up accordingly. The company has nine operating segments.

Given the transformational nature of the combination with SABMiller, the company has updated its segment reporting in order to add the former SABMiller geographies into the previous AB InBev geographies. Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras and El Salvador will be reported together with Mexico as Latin America West, Panama will be reported within Latin America North, Africa will be reported together with Europe as EMEA, and Australia, India and Vietnam will be reported within APAC.

The company’s six geographic regions: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA and Asia Pacific, plus its Global Export and Holding Companies comprise the company’s seven reportable segments for financial reporting purposes.

The aggregation criteria applied are based on similarities in the economic indicators (e.g. margins) that have been assessed in determining that the aggregated operating segments share similar economic characteristics, as prescribed in IFRS 8. Furthermore management assessed additional factors such as management’s views on the optimal number of reporting segments, the continuation of the previous AB InBev geographies, peer comparison (e.g. APAC and EMEA being a commonly reported regions amongst the company’s peers), as well management’s view on the optimal balance between practical and more granular information.

The results of Global Export and Holding Companies, which includes the company’s global headquarters, the export businesses in countries in which AB InBev has no operations, and the interim supply agreement with Constellation Brands, Inc., are reported separately. The company six geographic regions plus the Global Export and Holding Companies will comprise the company’s seven reportable segments for all financial reporting purposes.

Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the period to acquire property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets other than goodwill.

(BB) Exceptional Items

Exceptional items are those that in management’s judgment need to be disclosed by virtue of their size or incidence. Such items are disclosed on the face of the consolidated income statement or separately disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. Transactions which may give rise to exceptional items are principally restructuring activities, impairments, gains or losses on disposal of investments and the effect of the accelerated repayment of certain debt facilities.

(CC) Discontinued Operations andnon-current Assets Held for Sale

A discontinued operation is a component of the company that either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations and is part of a single coordinated plan to dispose of or is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale.

AB InBev classifies anon-current asset (or disposal group) as held for sale if its carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use if all of the conditions of IFRS 5 are met. A disposal group is defined as a group of assets to be disposed of, by sale or otherwise, together as a group in a single transaction, and liabilities directly associated with those assets that will be transferred. Immediately before classification as held for sale, the company measures the carrying amount of the asset (or all the assets and liabilities in the disposal group) inIn accordance with applicable IFRS. Then, on initial classification as held for sale,non-current assets and disposal groups are recognized at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Impairment losses on initial classification as held for sale are included in profit or loss. The same applies to gains and losses on subsequentre-measurement.Non-current assets classified as held for sale are no longer depreciated or amortized.

(DD) Recently Issued IFRS

To the extent that new IFRS requirements are expected to be applicable in the future, they have been listed hereafter. For the year ended 31 December 2016 they have not been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

The following standards, amendments and interpretations have been issued recently, but are not yet effective:

IFRS 9Financial Instruments (effective from annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018) is the standard issued as part of a wider project to replace IAS 39. IFRS 9 introduces a logical approach for the classification of financial assets, which is driven by cash flow characteristics and the business model in which an asset is held; defines a new expected-loss impairment model that will require more timely recognition of expected credit losses; and introduces a substantially-reformed model for hedge accounting, with enhanced disclosures about risk management activity. The new hedge accounting model represents a significant overhaul of hedge accounting that aligns the accounting treatment with risk management activities. IFRS 9 also removes the volatility in profit or loss that was caused by changes in the credit risk of liabilities elected to be measured at fair value.

12IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (effective from annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018).

The core principle of the new standard is for companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration (that is, payment) to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard will also resultresults in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provideprovides guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively (for example, service revenue and contract modifications) and improveimproves guidance for multiple-element arrangements.

The company has applied IFRS 15Revenue from Contracts with Customers as of the effective date in accordance with the modified retrospective application. Under this approach, the cumulative effect of initially applying IFRS 15 must be recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity at the date of initial application and comparative periods are not restated. On the implementation date, the adjustment to the opening balance of equity resulted in a decrease of the retained earnings by 123m US dollar, to reflect the changes in accounting policies related to performance that, in accordance with IFRS 15, should be related to the transaction price underlying 2017 revenue.

A number of other new standards, amendment to standards and new interpretations became mandatory for the first time for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2018 and have not been listed in these consolidated financial statements as they either do not apply or are immaterial to AB InBev’s consolidated financial statements.

(F)

FOREIGN CURRENCIES

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

Foreign currency transactions are accounted for at exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the balance sheet date rate. Gains and losses resulting from the settlement of foreign currency transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the income statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are translated to US dollar at foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was determined.

TRANSLATION OF THE RESULTS AND FINANCIAL POSITION OF FOREIGN OPERATIONS

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated to US dollar at foreign exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Income statements of foreign operations, excluding foreign entities in hyperinflationary economies, are translated to US dollar at exchange rates for the year approximating the foreign exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. The components of shareholders’ equity are translated at historical rates. Exchange differences arising from the translation of shareholders’ equity to US dollar at period-end exchange rates are taken to other comprehensive income (translation reserves).

FINANCIAL REPORTING IN HYPERINFLATIONARY ECONOMIES

In May 2018, the Argentinean peso underwent a severe devaluation resulting in the three-year cumulative inflation of Argentina to exceed 100%, thereby triggering the requirement to transition to hyperinflation accounting as prescribed by IAS 29Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies. IAS 29 requires to report the results of the company’s operations in Argentina as if these were highly inflationary as of 1 January 2018.

Under IAS 29, the non-monetary assets and liabilities stated at historical cost, the equity and the income statement of subsidiaries operating in hyperinflationary economies are restated for changes in the general purchasing power of the local currency applying a general price index. These re-measured accounts are used for conversion into US dollar at the period closing exchange rate. As a result, the balance sheet and net results of subsidiaries operating in hyperinflation economies are stated in terms of the measuring unit current at the end of the reporting period.

EXCHANGE RATES

The most important exchange rates that have been used in preparing the financial statements are:

   Closing rate   Average rate 

1 US dollar equals:

  31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   31 December
2016
   31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   31 December
2016
 

Argentinean peso

   37.807879    18.774210    15.850116    —      16.580667    14.762591 

Australian dollar

   1.416593    1.279580    1.384689    1.334300    1.308997    1.3440978 

Brazilian real

   3.874806    3.308005    3.259106    3.634827    3.201667    3.474928 

Canadian dollar

   1.362882    1.253982    1.345983    1.293896    1.303248    1.318844 

Colombian peso

   3 246.70    2 988.60    3 002.14    2 967.36    2 965.94    2 986.89 

Chinese yuan

   6.877787    6.507500    6.944520    6.581607    6.785290    6.607635 

Euro

   0.873362    0.833819    0.948677    0.845697    0.886817    0.902821 

Mexican peso

   19.682728    19.735828    20.663842    19.195084    18.811612    18.464107 

Pound sterling

   0.781249    0.739790    0.812238    0.750773    0.773029    0.737400 

Peruvian nuevo sol

   3.369998    3.244558    3.352820    3.284477    3.267432    3.394121 

South Korean won

   1 115.40    1 067.63    1 203.90    1 095.46    1 134.04    1 154.50 

South African rand

   14.374909    12.345193    13.714953    13.105486    13.338803    14.0166901 

Turkish lira

   5.291532    3.790879    3.516940    4.560685    3.615028    3.50148 

(G)

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Expenditure on research activities, undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding, is recognized in the income statement as an expense as incurred.

Expenditure on development activities, whereby research findings are applied to a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved products and processes, is capitalized if the product or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable and the company has sufficient resources to complete development. The expenditure capitalized includes the cost of materials, direct labor and an appropriate proportion of overheads. Other development expenditure is recognized in the income statement as an expense as incurred. Capitalized development expenditure is stated at cost less accumulated amortization (see below) and impairment losses (refer to accounting policy O).

Amortization related to research and development intangible assets is included within the cost of sales if production related and in sales and marketing if related to commercial activities.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets are capitalized as part of the cost of such assets.

SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS

A supply right is the right for AB InBev to supply a customer and the commitment by the customer to purchase from AB InBev. A distribution right is the right to sell specified products in a certain territory. Acquired distribution rights are measured initially at cost or fair value when obtained through a business combination. Amortization related to supply and distribution rights is included within sales and marketing expenses.

BRANDS

If part of the consideration paid in a business combination relates to trademarks, trade names, formulas, recipes or technological expertise these intangible assets are considered as a group of complementary assets that is referred to as a brand for which one fair value is determined. Expenditure on internally generated brands is expensed as incurred.

SOFTWARE

Purchased software is measured at cost less accumulated amortization. Expenditure on internally developed software is capitalized when the expenditure qualifies as development activities; otherwise, it is recognized in the income statement when incurred. Amortization related to software is included in cost of sales, distribution expenses, sales and marketing expenses or administrative expenses based on the activity the software supports.

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Other intangible assets, acquired by the company, are recognized at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses. Other intangible assets also include multi-year sponsorship rights acquired by the company. These are initially recognized at the present value of the future payments and subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses.

SUBSEQUENT EXPENDITURE

Subsequent expenditure on capitalized intangible assets is capitalized only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. All other expenditures are expensed as incurred.

AMORTIZATION

Intangible assets with a finite life are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Licenses, brewing, supply and distribution rights are amortized over the period in which the rights exist. Brands are considered to have an indefinite life unless plans exist to discontinue the brand. Discontinuance of a brand can be either through sale or termination of marketing support. When AB InBev purchases distribution rights for its own products the life of these rights is considered indefinite, unless the company has a plan to discontinue the related brand or distribution. Software and capitalized development costs related to technology are amortized over 3 to 5 years.

Brands are deemed intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and, therefore, are not amortized but tested for impairment on an annual basis (refer to accounting policy O).

GAINS AND LOSSES ON SALE

Net gains on sale of intangible assets are presented in the income statement as other operating income. Net losses on sale are included as other operating expenses. Net gains and losses are recognized in the income statement when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, recovery of the consideration is probable, the associated costs can be estimated reliably, and there is no continuing managerial involvement with the intangible assets.

(H)

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

The company applies the acquisition method of accounting to account for acquisitions of businesses. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of the assets given, liabilities incurred and equity instruments issued. Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of the acquisition over the company’s interest in the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

The allocation of fair values to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on various assumptions requiring management judgment.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition date carrying value of AB InBev’s previously held interest in the acquiree is re-measured to fair value at the acquisition date; any gains or losses arising from such re-measurement are recognized in profit or loss.

(I)

GOODWILL

Goodwill is determined as the excess of the consideration paid over AB InBev’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquired subsidiary, jointly controlled entity or associate recognized at the date of acquisition. All business combinations are accounted for by applying the purchase method.

In conformity with IFRS 3Business Combinations, goodwill is stated at cost and not amortized but tested for impairment on an annual basis and whenever there is an indicator that the cash generating unit to which goodwill has been allocated, may be impaired (refer to accounting policy O). Goodwill is expressed in the currency of the subsidiary or jointly controlled entity to which it relates and is translated to US dollar using the year-end exchange rate. In respect of associates and joint ventures, the carrying amount of goodwill is included in the carrying amount of the investment in the associate.

If AB InBev’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities recognized exceeds the cost of the business combination such excess is recognized immediately in the income statement as required by IFRS 3Business Combinations. Expenditure on internally generated goodwill is expensed as incurred.

(J)

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment is measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (refer to accounting policy O). Cost includes the purchase price and any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management (e.g. nonrefundable tax and transport cost). The cost of aself-constructed asset is determined using the same principles as for an acquired asset. The depreciation methods, residual value, as well as the useful lives are reassessed and adjusted if appropriate, annually.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets are capitalized as part of the cost of such assets.

SUBSEQUENT EXPENDITURE

The company recognizes in the carrying amount of an item of property, plant and equipment the cost of replacing part of such an item when that cost is incurred if it is probable that the future economic benefits embodied with the item will flow to the company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other costs are expensed as incurred.

DEPRECIATION

The depreciable amount is the cost of an asset less its residual value. Residual values, if not insignificant, are reassessed annually. Depreciation is calculated from the date the asset is available for use, using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

The estimated useful lives are defined in terms of the asset’s expected utility to the company and can vary from one geographical area to another. On average the estimated useful lives are as follows:

Industrial buildings – other real estate properties

20 - 50 years

Production plant and equipment:

Production equipment

10 - 15 years

Storage, packaging and handling equipment

5 - 7 years

Returnable packaging:

Kegs

2 - 10 years

Crates

2 - 10 years

Bottles

2 - 5 years

Point of sale furniture and equipment

5 years

Vehicles

5 years

Information processing equipment

3 - 5 years

Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment.

Land is not depreciated as it is deemed to have an indefinite life.

GAINS AND LOSSES ON SALE

Net gains on sale of items of property, plant and equipment are presented in the income statement as other operating income. Net losses on sale are presented as other operating expenses. Net gains and losses are recognized in the income statement when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, recovery of the consideration is probable, the associated costs can be estimated reliably, and there is no continuing managerial involvement with the property, plant and equipment.

(K)

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES

Leases of property, plant and equipment where the company assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Finance leases are recognized as assets and liabilities (interest-bearing loans and borrowings) at amounts equal to the lower of the fair value of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments at inception of the lease. Depreciation and impairment testing for depreciable leased assets is the same as for depreciable assets that are owned (refer to accounting policies J and O).

Lease payments are apportioned between the outstanding liability and finance charges so as to achieve a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Leases of assets under which all the risks and rewards of ownership are substantially retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

When an operating lease is terminated before the lease period has expired, any payment required to be made to the lessor by way of penalty is recognized as an expense in the period in which termination takes place.

(L)

INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories and bringing them to their existing location and condition. The weighted average method is used in assigning the cost of inventories.

The cost of finished products and work in progress comprises raw materials, other production materials, direct labor, other direct cost and an allocation of fixed and variable overhead based on normal operating capacity. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated completion and selling costs.

Inventories are written down on a case-by-case basis if the anticipated net realizable value declines below the carrying amount of the inventories. The calculation of the net realizable value takes into consideration specific characteristics of each inventory category, such as expiration date, remaining shelf life, slow-moving indicators, amongst others.

(M)

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business and generally due for settlement within 30 days. Trade receivables are recognized initially at the amount of the consideration that is unconditional unless they contain significant financing components, when they are recognized at fair value. The company holds trade and other receivables with the objective to collect the contractual cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

Trade and other receivables are carried at amortized cost less impairment losses. To determine the appropriate amount to be impaired factors such as significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will default, enter into bankruptcy or financial reorganization, or delinquency in payments are considered.

Other receivables are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost. Any impairment losses and foreign exchange results are directly recognized in profit or loss.

(N)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and short-term highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition that are readily convertible into cash. They are stated at face value, which approximates their fair value. In the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents are presented net of bank overdrafts.

(O)

IMPAIRMENT

The carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If there is an indicator of impairment, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. In addition, goodwill, intangible assets that are not yet available for use and intangibles with an indefinite useful life are tested for impairment annually at the cash-generating unit level (that is a country or group of countries managed as a group below a reporting region). An impairment loss is recognized whenever the carrying amount of an asset or the related cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in the income statement.

CALCULATION OF RECOVERABLE AMOUNT

The recoverable amount of non-financial assets is determined as the higher of their fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The recoverable amount of the cash generating units to which the goodwill and the intangible assets with indefinite useful life belong is based on discounted future cash flows using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. These calculations are corroborated by valuation multiples, quoted share prices for publicly traded subsidiaries or other available fair value indicators.

Impairment losses recognized in respect of cash-generating units firstly reduce allocated goodwill and then the carrying amounts of the other assets in the unit on a pro rata basis.

REVERSAL OF IMPAIRMENT LOSSES

Non-financial assets other than goodwill that suffered an impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized.

(P)

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

A number of AB InBev’s accounting policies and notes require fair value measurement for both financial and non-financial items.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When measuring fair value, AB InBev uses observable market data as far as possible. Fair values are categorized into different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1: inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: inputs are observable either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

Level 3: fair value measurements incorporates significant inputs that are based on unobservable market data.

If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or liability fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, then the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement.

The company applies fair value measurement to the instruments listed below.

DERIVATIVES

The fair value of exchange traded derivatives (e.g. exchange traded foreign currency futures) is determined by reference to the official prices published by the respective exchanges (e.g. the New York Board of Trade). The fair value of over-the-counter derivatives is determined by commonly used valuation techniques.

DEBT SECURITIES

This category includes both debt securities designated at FVOCI and FVPL. The fair value is measured using observable inputs such as interest rates and foreign exchange rates. When it pertains to instruments that are publicly traded, the fair value is determined by reference to observable quotes. In circumstances where debt securities are not publicly traded, the main valuation technique is the discounted cash flow. The company may apply other valuation techniques or combination of valuation techniques if the fair value results are more relevant.

EQUITY SECURITIES DESIGNATED AS AT FVOCI

Investments in equity securities comprise quoted and unquoted securities. When liquid quoted prices are available, these are used to fair value investments in quoted securities. The unquoted securities are fair valued using primarily the discounted cash flow method.

NON-DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

The fair value of non-derivative financial liabilities is generally determined using unobservable inputs and therefore fall into level 3. In these circumstances, the valuation technique used is discounted cash flow, whereby the projected cash flows are discounted using a risk adjusted rate.

(Q)

SHARE CAPITAL

REPURCHASE OF SHARE CAPITAL

When AB InBev buys back its own shares, the amount of the consideration paid, including directly attributable costs, is recognized as a deduction from equity under treasury shares.

DIVIDENDS

Dividends paid are recognized in the consolidated financial statements on the date that the dividends are declared unless minimum statutory dividends are required by local legislation or the bylaws of the company’s subsidiaries. In such instances, statutory minimum dividends are recognized as a liability.

SHARE ISSUANCE COSTS

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

(R)

PROVISIONS

Provisions are recognized when (i) the company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, (ii) it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and (iii) a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.

RESTRUCTURING

A provision for restructuring is recognized when the company has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan, and the restructuring has either commenced or has been announced publicly. Costs relating to the ongoing activities of the company are not provided for. The provision includes the benefit commitments in connection with early retirement and redundancy schemes.

ONEROUS CONTRACTS

A provision for onerous contracts is recognized when the expected benefits to be derived by the company from a contract are lower than the unavoidable cost of meeting its obligations under the contract. Such provision is measured at the present value of the lower of the expected cost of terminating the contract and the expected net cost of continuing with the contract.

DISPUTES AND LITIGATIONS

A provision for disputes and litigation is recognized when it is more likely than not that the company will be required to make future payments as a result of past events, such items may include but are not limited to, several claims, suits and actions relating to antitrust laws, violations of distribution and license agreements, environmental matters, employment related disputes, claims from tax authorities, and alcohol industry litigation matters.

(S)

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Post-employment benefits include pensions, post-employment life insurance and post-employment medical benefits. The company operates a number of defined benefit and defined contribution plans throughout the world, the assets of which are generally held in separate trustee-managed funds. The pension plans are generally funded by payments from employees and the company, and, for defined benefit plans taking account of the recommendations of independent actuaries. AB InBev maintains funded and unfunded pension plans.

a)

Defined contribution plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognized as an expense in the income statement when incurred. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which AB InBev pays fixed contributions into a fund. AB InBev has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

b)

Defined benefit plans

A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that is not a defined contribution plan. Typically, defined benefit plans define an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and compensation. For defined benefit plans, the pension expenses are assessed separately for each plan using the projected unit credit method. The projected unit credit method considers each period of service as giving rise to an additional unit of benefit entitlement. Under this method, the cost of providing pensions is charged to the income statement so as to spread the regular cost over the service lives of employees in accordance with the advice of qualified actuaries who carry out a full valuation of the plans at least every three years. The amounts charged to the income statement include current service cost, net interest cost (income), past service costs and the effect of any curtailments or settlements. Past service costs are recognized at the earlier of when the amendment / curtailment occurs or when the company recognizes related restructuring or termination costs. The pension obligations recognized in the balance sheet are measured at the present value of the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates based on high quality corporate bond yields, which have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related liability, less the fair value of any plan assets. Re-measurements, comprising of actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling (excluding net interest) and the return on plan assets (excluding net interest) are recognized in full in the period in which they occur in the statement of comprehensive income. Re-measurements are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods.

Where the calculated amount of a defined benefit liability is negative (an asset), AB InBev recognizes such pension asset to the extent that economic benefits are available to AB InBev either from refunds or reductions in future contributions.

OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT OBLIGATIONS

Some AB InBev companies provide post-employment medical benefits to their retirees. The entitlement to these benefits is usually based on the employee remaining in service up to retirement age. The expected costs of these benefits are accrued over the period of employment, using an accounting methodology similar to that for defined benefit pension plans.

TERMINATION BENEFITS

Termination benefits are recognized as an expense at the earlier when the company is demonstrably committed, without realistic possibility of withdrawal, to a formal detailed plan to terminate employment before the normal retirement date and when the company recognizes costs for a restructuring. Termination benefits for voluntary redundancies are recognized if the company has made an offer encouraging voluntary redundancy and when the company can no longer withdraw the offer of termination, which is the earlier of either when the employee accepts the offer or when a legal, regulatory or contractual requirement or restriction on the company’s ability to withdraw the offer takes effect.

BONUSES

Bonuses received by company employees and management are based on pre-defined company and individual target achievement. The estimated amount of the bonus is recognized as an expense in the period the bonus is earned. To the extent that bonuses are settled in shares of the company, they are accounted for as share-based payments.

(T)

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

Different share and share option programs allow company senior management and members of the board to acquire shares of the company and some of its affiliates. The fair value of the share options is estimated at grant date, using an option pricing model that is most appropriate for the respective option. Based on the expected number of options that will vest, the fair value of the options granted is expensed over the vesting period. When the options are exercised, equity is increased by the amount of the proceeds received.

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions with parties other than employees are measured at the fair value of the goods or services received, except where that fair value cannot be estimated reliably, in which case they are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments granted, measured at the date the company obtains the goods or the counterparty renders the service.

(U)

INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings are recognized initially at fair value, less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are stated at amortized cost with any difference between the initial amount and the maturity amount being recognized in the income statement (in accretion expense) over the expected life of the instrument on an effective interest rate basis.

(V)

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade and other payables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

(W)

INCOME TAX

Income tax on the profit for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognized in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity, in which case the tax effect is also recognized directly in equity.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted, or substantively enacted, at the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

In accordance with IAS 12Income Taxes deferred taxes are provided using the so-called balance sheet liability method. This means that, for all taxable and deductible differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the balance sheet a deferred tax liability or asset is recognized. Under this method a provision for deferred taxes is also made for differences between the fair values of assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination and their tax base. IAS 12 prescribes that no deferred taxes are recognized (i) on initial recognition of goodwill, (ii) at the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and affects neither accounting nor taxable profit and (iii) on differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future and to the extent that the company is able to control the timing of the reversal. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realization or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using currently or substantively enacted tax rates.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different taxable entities which intend either to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.

The company recognizes deferred tax assets, including assets arising from losses carried forward, to the extent that future probable taxable profit will be available against which the deferred tax asset can be utilized. A deferred tax asset is reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.

Tax claims are recorded within provisions on the balance sheet (refer to accounting policy R).

(X)

INCOME RECOGNITION

GOODS SOLD

Revenue is measured based on the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in a contract with a customer and excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The company recognizes revenue when performance obligations are satisfied, meaning when the company transfers control of a product to a customer.

Specifically, revenue recognition follows the following five-step approach:

Identification of the contracts with a customer

Identification of the performance obligations in the contracts

Determination of the transaction price

Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contracts

Revenue recognition when performance obligations are satisfied

Revenue from the sale of goods is measured at the amount that reflects the best estimate of the consideration expected to receive in exchange for those goods. Contracts can include significant variable elements, such as discounts, rebates, refunds, credits, price concessions, incentives, performance bonuses and penalties. Such trade incentives are treated as variable consideration. If the consideration includes a variable amount, the company estimates the amount of consideration to which it will be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods or services to the customer. Variable consideration is only included in the transaction price if it is highly probable that the amount of revenue recognized would not be subject to significant future reversals when the uncertainty is resolved.

ROYALTY INCOME

The company recognizes the sales-based or usage-based royalties in other operating income when the later of the following events occurs: (a) the customer’s subsequent sales or usage; and (b) the performance obligation to which some or all of the sales-based or usage-based royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied).

RENTAL INCOME

Rental income is recognized in other operating income on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

GOVERNMENT GRANTS

A government grant is recognized in the balance sheet initially as deferred income when there is reasonable assurance that it will be received and that the company will comply with the conditions attached to it. Grants that compensate the company for expenses incurred are recognized as other operating income on a systematic basis in the same periods in which the expenses are incurred. Grants that compensate the company for the acquisition of an asset are presented by deducting them from the acquisition cost of the related asset.

FINANCE INCOME

Finance income comprises interest received or receivable on funds invested, dividend income, foreign exchange gains, losses on currency hedging instruments offsetting currency gains, gains on hedging instruments that are not part of a hedge accounting relationship, gains on financial assets measured at FVPL as well as any gains from hedge ineffectiveness (refer to accounting policy Z).

Interest income is recognized as it accrues (taking into account the effective yield on the asset) unless collectability is in doubt.

DIVIDEND INCOME

Dividend income is recognized in the income statement on the date that the dividend is declared.

(Y)

EXPENSES

FINANCE COSTS

Finance costs comprise interest payable on borrowings, calculated using the effective interest rate method, foreign exchange losses, gains on currency hedging instruments offsetting currency losses, results on interest rate hedging instruments, losses on hedging instruments that are not part of a hedge accounting relationship, losses on financial assets classified as trading, impairment losses on financial assets as well as any losses from hedge ineffectiveness (refer to accounting policy Z).

All interest costs incurred in connection with borrowings or financial transactions are expensed as incurred as part of finance costs. Any difference between the initial amount and the maturity amount of interest-bearing loans and borrowings, such as transaction costs and fair value adjustments, are recognized in the income statement (in accretion expense) over the expected life of the instrument on an effective interest rate basis (refer to accounting policy V). The interest expense component of finance lease payments is also recognized in the income statement using the effective interest rate method.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL COSTS AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT COSTS

Research, advertising and promotional costs are expensed in the year in which these costs are incurred. Development costs and systems development costs are expensed in the year in which these costs are incurred if they do not meet the criteria for capitalization (refer to accounting policy G).

PURCHASING, RECEIVING AND WAREHOUSING COSTS

Purchasing and receiving costs are included in the cost of sales, as well as the costs of storing and moving raw materials and packaging materials. The costs of storing finished products at the brewery as well as costs incurred for subsequent storage in distribution centers are included within distribution expenses.

(Z)

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGE ACCOUNTING

AB InBev uses derivative financial instruments to mitigate the transactional impact of foreign currencies, interest rates, equity prices and commodity prices on the company’s performance. AB InBev’s financial risk management policy prohibits the use of derivative financial instruments for trading purposes and the company does therefore not hold or issue any such instruments for such purposes.

CLASSIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT

Except for certain trade receivables, the company initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of the financial asset. Debt financial instruments are subsequently measured at amortized cost, FVOCI or FVPL. The classification is based on two criteria: the objective of the company’s business model for managing the assets; and whether the instruments’ contractual cash flows represent ‘solely payments of principal and interest’ on the principal amount outstanding (the ‘SPPI criterion’).

The classification and measurement of the company’s financial assets is as follows:

Debt instruments at amortized cost: comprise investments in debt securities where the contractual cash flows are solely payments of principal and interest and the company’s business model is to collect contractual cash flows. Interest income, foreign exchange gains and losses and any impairment charges for such instruments are recognized in profit or loss.

Debt instruments at FVOCI with gains or losses recycled to profit or loss on derecognition:comprise investments in debt securities where the contractual cash flows are solely payments of principal and interest and the company’s business model is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets. Interest income, foreign exchange gains and losses and any impairment charges on such instruments are recognized in profit or loss. All other fair value gains and losses are recognized in other comprehensive income. On disposal of these debt securities, any related balance within FVOCI reserve is reclassified to profit or loss.

Equity instruments designated at FVOCI, with no recycling of gains or losses to profit or loss on derecognition: these instruments are undertakings in which the company does not have significant influence or control and is generally evidenced by ownership of less than 20% of the voting rights. The company designates these investments on an instrument by instrument basis as equity securities at FVOCI because they represent investments held for long term strategic purposes. Investments in unquoted companies are subsequently measured at cost, when appropriate. These investments are non-monetary items and gains or losses presented in the other comprehensive income include any related foreign exchange component. Dividends received are recognized in the profit or loss. These investments are not subject to impairment testing and upon disposal, the cumulative gain or loss accumulated in other comprehensive income are not reclassified to profit or loss.

Financial assets and liabilities at FVPL:comprise derivative instruments and equity instruments which were not designated as FVOCI. This category also includes debt instruments which do not meet the cash flow or the business model tests.

HEDGE ACCOUNTING

The company designates certain derivatives as hedging instruments to hedge the variability in cash flows associated with highly probable forecast transactions arising from changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. To hedge changes in the fair value of recognized assets, liabilities and firm commitments, the company designates certain derivatives as part of fair value hedge. The company also designates certain derivatives and non-derivative financial liabilities as hedges of foreign exchange risk on a net investment in a foreign operation.

At the inception of the hedging relationships, the company documents the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. Hedge effectiveness is measured at the inception of the hedge relationship and through periodic prospective effectiveness assessments to ensure that an economic relationship exists between hedged item and hedging instrument.

For the different type of hedges in place, the company generally enters into hedge relationships where the critical terms of the hedging instrument match exactly the terms of the hedged item. Therefore, the hedge ratio is typically 1:1. The company performs a qualitative assessment of effectiveness. In circumstances where the terms of the hedged item no longer exactly match the critical terms of the hedging instrument, the company uses a hypothetical derivative method to assess effectiveness. Possible sources of ineffectiveness are changes in the timing of the forecasted transaction, changes in the quantity of the hedged item or changes in the credit risk of either parties to the derivative contract.

CASH FLOW HEDGE ACCOUNTING

Cash flow hedge accounting is applied when a derivative hedges the variability in cash flows of a highly probable forecasted transaction, foreign currency risk of a firm commitment or a recognized asset or liability (such as variable interest rate instrument).

When the hedged forecasted transaction or firm commitment subsequently results in the recognition of a non-financial item, the amount accumulated in the hedging reserves is included directly in the initial carrying amount of the non-financial item when it is recognized.

For all other hedged transactions, the amount accumulated in the hedging reserves is reclassified to profit or loss in the same period during which the hedged item affects profit or loss (e.g. when the variable interest expense is recognized).

When a hedging instrument or hedge relationship is terminated but the hedged transaction is still expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss (at that point) remains in equity and is reclassified to profit or loss when the hedged transaction occurs. If the hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss immediately.

Any ineffectiveness is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

FAIR VALUE HEDGE ACCOUNTING

When a derivative hedges the variability in fair value of a recognized asset or liability (such as a fixed rate instrument) or a firm commitment, any resulting gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognized in the profit or loss. The carrying amount of the hedged item is also adjusted for fair value changes in respect of the risk being hedged, with any gain or loss being recognized in profit or loss. The fair value adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item is amortized to profit or loss from the date of discontinuation.

NET INVESTMENT HEDGE ACCOUNTING

When a non-derivative foreign currency liability hedges a net investment in a foreign operation, exchange differences arising on the translation of the liability to the functional currency are recognized directly in other comprehensive income (translation reserves).

When a derivative financial instrument hedges a net investment in a foreign operation, the portion of the gain or the loss on the hedging instrument that is determined to be effective is recognized directly in other comprehensive income (translation reserves) and is reclassified to profit or loss upon disposal of the foreign operation, while the ineffective portion is reported in profit or loss.

OFFSETTING

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount presented in the statement of financial position when, and only when, the company has a currently legally enforceable right to set off the amounts and it intends either to settle them on a net basis or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

(AA)

SEGMENT REPORTING

Operating segments are components of the company’s business activities about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by senior management. The company has nine operating segments.

AB InBev’s operating segment reporting format is geographical because the company’s risks and rates of return are affected predominantly by the fact that AB InBev operates in different geographical areas. The company’s management structure and internal reporting system to the Board of Directors is set up accordingly. The company’s six geographic regions are North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA and Asia Pacific.

The aggregation criteria applied are based on similarities in the economic indicators (e.g. margins) that have been assessed in determining that the aggregated operating segments share similar economic characteristics, as prescribed in IFRS 8. Furthermore, management assessed additional factors such as management’s views on the optimal number of reporting segments, the historical AB InBev geographies, peer comparison (e.g. Asia Pacific and EMEA being a commonly reported regions amongst the company’s peers), as well as management’s view on the optimal balance between practical and more granular information.

The results of Global Export and Holding Companies, which includes the company’s global headquarters and the export businesses in countries in which AB InBev has no operations are reported separately. The company’s six geographic regions plus the Global Export and Holding Companies comprise the company’s seven reportable segments for financial reporting purposes.

Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the period to acquire property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets other than goodwill.

(BB)

EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

Exceptional items are those that in management’s judgment need to be disclosed separately by virtue of their size or incidence. Such items are disclosed on the face of the consolidated income statement or separately disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. Transactions which may give rise to exceptional items are principally restructuring activities, impairments, gains or losses on disposal of investments and the effect of the accelerated repayment of certain debt facilities.

(CC)

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND NON-CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

A discontinued operation is a component of the company that either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations and is part of a single coordinated plan to dispose of or is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale.

AB InBev classifies a non-current asset (or disposal group) as held for sale if its carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use if all of the conditions of IFRS 5 are met. A disposal group is defined as a group of assets to be disposed of, by sale or otherwise, together as a group in a single transaction, and liabilities directly associated with those assets that will be transferred. Immediately before classification as held for sale, the company measures the carrying amount of the asset (or all the assets and liabilities in the disposal group) in accordance with applicable IFRS. Then, on initial classification as held for sale, non-current assets and disposal groups are recognized at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Impairment losses on initial classification as held for sale are included in profit or loss. The same applies to gains and losses on subsequent re-measurement. Non-current assets classified as held for sale are no longer depreciated or amortized.

(DD)

RECENTLY ISSUED IFRS

To the extent that new IFRS requirements are expected to be applicable in the future, they have been listed hereafter. For the year ended 31 December 2018, they have not been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

The following standards, amendments and interpretations have been issued recently, but are not yet effective:

IFRS 16 Leases(effective (effective from annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019, not yet endorsed by the European Union)2019) replaces the existingcurrent lease accounting requirements and representsintroduces significant changes to lessee accounting as it removes the distinction between operating and finance leases under IAS 17Leases and related interpretations and requires a significant changelessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at lease commencement date. IFRS 16 also requires to recognize a depreciation charge related to the right-of-use assets and an interest expense on the lease liabilities, as compared to the recognition of operating lease expense or rental cost on a straight-line basis over the lease term under prior requirements. In addition, the company will amend the consolidated cash flow statement presentation, to segregate the payment of leases into a principal portion presented within financing activities and an interest component presented within operating activities.

For short-term leases and leases of low value assets, the company will continue to recognize a lease expense on a straight-line basis as permitted by IFRS 16. The company as a lessor will continue to classify leases as either finance leases or operating leases and account for those two types of leases differently.

The company has chosen the full retrospective application of IFRS 16 and, consequently, will restate the comparative information in the accounting2019 financial statements. In addition, the company will apply the practical expedient available on transition to IFRS 16 to not reassess whether a contract is or contains a lease. Accordingly, the definition of a lease under IAS 17 and reportingrelated interpretations will continue to apply to the leases entered or modified before 1 January 2019.

The company has assessed the impact that the initial application of IFRS 16 will have on its consolidated financial statements for leases that were previously classified as operating leases, with moreleases. On transition to IFRS 16, the company will recognize 1 692m US dollar of right-of-use assets and liabilities to be reported on the balance sheet and a different recognition1 782m US dollar of lease costs.liabilities, recognizing the difference in retained earnings. When measuring lease liabilities, the company discounted lease payments using incremental borrowing rates. The weighted average rate applied is 6%.

Upon transition to IFRS 16, lease liabilities are measured at the present value of future lease payments (equal to the operating lease commitments as presented in Note 30Operating leases) discounted using the incremental borrowing rates at the date of initial application. The company is in process of assessing the full impact of the above standards and, apart fromdid not make any material changes in the presentation of operating leases in the balance sheet, does not expect material impacts in the consolidated income statement.to these lease liabilities.

Other Standards, Interpretations and Amendments to Standards

A number of other amendments to standards are effective for annual periods beginning after 1 January 2016,2018, and have not been listed above because of either theirnon-applicability to or their immateriality to AB InBev’s consolidated financial statements.

4.USE OF ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

Use of estimates and judgments

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Although each of its significant accounting policies reflects judgments, assessments or estimates, AB InBev believes that the following accounting policies reflect the most critical judgments, estimates and assumptions that are important to its business operations and the understanding of its results: business combinations, intangible assets, goodwill, impairment, provisions, share-based payments, employee benefits and accounting for current and deferred tax.

The fair values of acquired identifiable intangibles are based on an assessment of future cash flows. Impairment analyses of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are performed annually and whenever a triggering event has occurred, in order to determine whether the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount. These calculations are based on estimates of future cash flows.

The company uses its judgment to select a variety of methods including the discounted cash flow method and option valuation models and makes assumptions about the fair value of financial instruments that are mainly based on market conditions existing at each balance sheet date.

Actuarial assumptions are established to anticipate future events and are used in calculating pension and other long-term employee benefit expense and liability. These factors include assumptions with respect to interest rates, rates of increase in health care costs, rates of future compensation increases, turnover rates, and life expectancy.

The company is subject to income tax in numerous jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the worldwide provision for income tax. There are some transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Some subsidiaries within the group are involved in tax audits and local enquiries usually in relation to prior years. Investigations and negotiations with local tax authorities are ongoing in various jurisdictions at the balance sheet date and, by their nature, these can

take considerable time to conclude. In assessing the amount of any income tax provisions to be recognized in the financial statements, estimation is made of the expected successful settlement of these matters. Estimates of interest and penalties on tax liabilities are also recorded. Where the final outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the period such determination is made.

Judgments made by management in the application of IFRS that have a significant effect on the financial statements and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustment in the next year are further discussed in the relevant notes hereafter.

In preparing these consolidated financial statements, the significant judgments made by management in applying the company’s accounting policies and the key sources of estimating uncertainty mainly related to the valuationreporting of the individual assets acquired50:50 merger of AB InBev’s and liabilities assumed as part of the allocation of the SABMiller purchase price. The company is in the process of finalizing the allocation of the purchase price to the individual assets acquiredAnadolu Efes’ existing Russia and liabilities assumed in compliance with IFRS 3. Following theUkraine businesses into AB InBev and SABMiller combination, AB InBev is fully consolidating SABMiller in the AB InBev consolidated financial statements as of the fourth quarter 2016. Detail is provided inEfes that closed on 30 March 2018 – see Note 6Acquisitions and disposals of Subsidiaries and Note 16Investments in associates, and to the adoption of hyperinflation accounting for the company’s Argentinean operations.

In May 2018, the Argentinean peso underwent a severe devaluation resulting in the three-year cumulative inflation of Argentina to exceed 100% in 2018, thereby triggering the requirement to transition to hyperinflation accounting as prescribed by IAS 29Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies as of 1 January 2018. The main principle in IAS 29 is that the financial statements of an entity that reports in the currency of a hyperinflationary economy must be stated in terms of the measuring unit current at the end of the reporting period. Therefore, the non-monetary assets and liabilities stated at historical cost, the equity and the income statement of subsidiaries operating in hyperinflationary economies are restated for changes in the general purchasing power of the local currency applying a general price index. Monetary items that are already stated at the measuring unit at the end of the reporting period are not restated. These re-measured accounts are used for conversion into US dollar at the period closing exchange rate.

Consequently, the company has applied hyperinflation accounting for its Argentinean subsidiaries for the first time in these consolidated financial statements.

statements applying the IAS 29 rules as follows:

Hyperinflation accounting was applied as of 1 January 2018;

Non-monetary assets and liabilities stated at historical cost (e.g. property plant and equipment, intangible assets, goodwill, etc.) and equity of Argentina were restated using an inflation index. The hyperinflation impacts resulting from changes in the general purchasing power until 31 December 2017 were reported in retained earnings and the impacts of changes in the general purchasing power from 1 January 2018 are reported through the income statement on a dedicated account for hyperinflation monetary adjustments in the finance line (see also Note 11Finance cost and income);

The income statement is adjusted at the end of each reporting period using the change in the general price index and is converted at the closing exchange rate of each period (rather than the year to date average rate for non-hyperinflationary economies), thereby restating the year to date income statement account both for inflation index and currency conversion;

The prior year income statement and balance sheet of the Argentinean subsidiaries were not restated.

In 2017, the Argentinean operations represented 3.6% of the company’s consolidated revenue. The Argentinean full year 2017 results were translated at an average rate of 16.580667 Argentinean pesos per US dollar. The 2018 results, restated for purchasing power, were translated at the December closing rate of 37.807879 Argentinean pesos per US dollar.

In accordance with IAS 21The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates, when amounts are translated into the currency of non-hyperinflationary economy, the comparative amounts are not adjusted for subsequent changes in the price level or exchange rates. Therefore, the comparative amounts of Argentinean operations in these consolidated financial statements were not restated.

During 2018, the company finalized the re-measurement of current and deferred taxes resulting from the US Tax reform enacted on 22 December 2017, based on published regulation and guidance. Such remeasurement did not result in material changes to the reported current and deferred taxes. See Note 12Income taxesfor more details.

5.SEGMENT REPORTING

Segment reporting

Segment information is presented by geographical segments, consistent with the information that is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker. AB InBev operates its business through seven business segments. Regional and operating company management is responsible for managing performance, underlying risks, and effectiveness of operations. Internally, AB InBev’s management uses performance indicators such as normalized profit from operations (normalized EBIT) and normalized EBITDA as measures of segment performance and to make decisions regarding allocation of resources. These measures are reconciled to segment profit in the tables presented (figures may not add up due to rounding).

The company’s six geographic regions: North America, Latin America West, Latin America North, Latin America South, EMEA and Asia Pacific, plus its Global Export and Holding Companies comprise the company’s seven reportable segments for financial reporting purposes.

Given the transformational nature of the transaction with SABMiller, that closed on 10 October 2016, and to facilitate the understanding of AB InBev’s underlying performance, AB InBev has updated its 2015 segment reporting for purposes of result announcement and internal review by management. This presentation (further referred to as the “2015 Reference base”) includes, for comparative purposes, the SABMiller results as from the fourth quarter 2015. The tables below provide the segment information per segment for the twelve-month period ended 31 December 2015 and 2016 in the format that is used by management to monitor performance. The former SABMiller geographies: Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras and El Salvador are reported together with Mexico as Latin America West, Panama is reported within Latin America North, Africa is reported together with Europe as EMEA, and Australia, India and Vietnam are reported within Asia Pacific. Exports to countries in which AB InBev has operations following the combination, were allocated to the respective regions in the 2015 Reference Base.

The 2015 Reference Base and 2016 segment reporting exclude the results of the SABMiller businesses sold since the combination was completed, including the joint venture stakes in MillerCoors and CR Snow, and the sale of the Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime brands and associated businesses in Italy, the Netherlands, the UK and internationally. The 2015 Reference Base and 2016 segment reporting also exclude the results of the Central and Eastern Europe business and the stake in Distell. The results of the former SAB Central and Eastern Europe business will beEuropean Business were reported as “Results from discontinued operations” until the sale is completed.completion of the disposal that took place on 31 March 2017. The results of Distell will bewere reported as share of results of associates until the completion of the sale that occurred on 12 April 2017, and accordingly, are excluded from normalized EBIT and EBITDA.

The differences between Furthermore, the 2015 Reference base andcompany stopped consolidating CCBA in its consolidated financial statements as from the 2015 audited income statement as Reported represent the effectcompletion of the combination with SABMiller.transition of CCBA on 4 October 2017 and, following the completion of the 50:50 merger of AB InBev’s and Anadolu Efes’ existing Russia and Ukraine businesses on 30 March 2018, AB InBev stopped consolidating its Russia and Ukraine businesses and accounts for its investment in AB InBev Efes as results of associates as of that date.

All figures in the tables below are stated in million US dollar, except volume (million hls) and Normalized EBITDA margin (in %).

Segment Reporting (Reference Base) - Unaudited

   North America  Latin America
West
  Latin America
North
  Latin America
South
  EMEA 
   2018  2017  2016  2018  2017  2016  2018  2017  2016  2018  2017  2016  2018  2017  2016 

Volume

   111   114   117   115   111   64   115   119   118   34   34   32   87   132   75 

Revenue

   15 504   15 588   15 698   9 999   9 238   5 188   8 990   9 775   8 461   2 863   3 363   2 850   8 374   10 344   6 010 

Normalized EBITDA

   6 150   6 329   6 250   5 196   4 512   2 376   3 926   4 180   3 751   1 381   1 595   1 431   3 000   3 349   1 774 

Normalized EBITDA margin %

   39.7  40.6  39.8  52.0  48.8  45.8  43.7  42.8  44.3  48.2  47.4  50.2  35.8  32.4  29.6

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   (790  (843  (809  (653  (616  (388  (761  (848  (750  (265  (207  (191  (770  (843  (473

Normalized profit from operations (EBIT)

   5 360   5 486   5 441   4 544   3 896   1 988   3 165   3 332   3 001   1 116   1 388   1 240   2 230   2 507   1 302 

Exceptional items (see Note 8)

   (10  4   (29  (125  (153  252   5   (18  (20  (31  (13  (12  (370  (144  (118

Profit from operations (EBIT)

   5 350   5 490   5 412   4 419   3 743   2 240   3 170   3 314   2 981   1 085   1 375   1 228   1 860   2 363   1 184 

Net finance income/(cost)

                

Share of results of associates and joint ventures

                

Income tax expense

                

Profit from continuing operations

                

Discontinued operations

                

Profit/(loss)

                

Segment assets (non-current)

   63 180   63 045   62 467   69 100   71 219   69 472   12 422   13 756   13 656   3 074   2 396   2 357   42 063   45 920   41 749 

Gross capex

   858   530   895   1 227   1 079   710   636   580   709   279   323   389   1 177   1 086   1 001 

FTE

   19 150   19 306   19 314   47 042   48 892   51 418   37 387   38 651   40 416   9 214   9 603   9 571   23 604   26 823   43 456 

  North America  Latin America
West
  Latin America
North
  Latin America
South
  EMEA  Asia Pacific  Global Export and
holding companies
  Effect of
acquisition
  Consolidated 
  2016  2015
Reference
base
  2016  2015
Reference
base
  2016  2015
Reference
base
  2016  2015
Reference
base
  2016  2015
Reference
base
  2016  2015
Reference
base
  2016  2015
Reference
base
  2016  2015
Bridge to
Reported
  2016  2015
Reported
 

Volumes

  117   118   64   61   118   124   32   34   75   69   92   93   2   3   —     (45  500   457 

Revenue

  15 698   15 603   5 188   5 396   8 461   9 156   2 850   3 331   6 010   5 638   6 074   6 220   1 237   1 582   —     (3 322  45 517   43 604 

Normalized EBITDA

  6 250   6 172   2 376   2 680   3 751   4 727   1 431   1 592   1 774   1 723   1 645   1 625   (474  (373  —     (1 307  16 753   16 839 

Normalized EBITDA margin %

  39.8  39.6  45.8  49.7  44.3  51.6  50.2  47.8  29.5  30.6  27.1  26.1      36.8  38.6

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

  (809  (754  (388  (423  (750  (695  (191  (181  (473  (419  (658  (631  (210  (159  —     191   (3 477  (3 071

Normalized profit from operations (EBIT)

  5 441   5 418   1 988   2 256   3 001   4 032   1 240   1 411   1 302   1 305   987   994   (683  (534  —     (1 115  13 276   13 768 
   Asia Pacific  Global Export and holding
companies
  Consolidated 
   2018  2017  2016  2018  2017  2016  2018  2017  2016 

Volume

   104   102   92   —     1   2   567   613   500 

Revenue

   8 470   7 804   6 074   419   332   1 237   54 619   56 444   45 517 

Normalized EBITDA

   3 082   2 695   1 639   (656  (577  (474  22 080   22 084   16 753 

Normalized EBITDA margin %

   36.4  34.5  27.1     40.4  39.1  36.8

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   (752  (660  (658  (267  (253  (210  (4 260  (4 270  (3 477

Normalized profit from operations (EBIT)

   2 330   2 035   987   (923  (830  (683  17 821   17 814   13 276 

Exceptional items (see Note 8)

   (65  (97  (84  (119  (241  (383  (715  (662  (394

Profit from operations (EBIT)

   2 265   1 939   903   (1 042  (1 071  (1 066  17 106   17 152   12 882 

Net finance income/(cost)

         (8 729  (6 507  (8 564

Share of results of associates and joint ventures

         153   430   16 

Income tax expense

         (2 839  (1 920  (1 613

Profit from continuing operations

         5 691   9 155   2 721 

Discontinued operations

         —     28   48 

Profit/(loss)

         5 691   9 183   2 769 

Segment assets (non-current)

   22 412   24 088   22 071   1 609   1 741   1 797   213 861   222 166   213 569 

Gross capex

   687   635   837   233   247   379   5 086   4 479   4 919 

FTE

   31 523   36 386   39 213   4 683   3 254   3 245   172 603   182 915   206 633 

For the period ended 31 December 2018, net revenue from the beer business amounted to 50 134m US dollar (31 December 2017: 50 301m US dollar; 31 December 2016: 41 421m US dollar) while the net revenue from the non-beer business (soft drinks and other business) accounted for 4 485m US dollar (31 December 2017: 6 143m US dollar; 31 December 2016: 4 096m US dollar).

Segment Reporting (2015On the same basis, net revenue from external customers attributable to AB InBev’s country of domicile (Belgium) represented 710m US dollar (2017: 704m US dollar; 2016: 687m US dollar) and 2014 Reported)non-current assets located in the country of domicile represented 1 746m US dollar (2017: 1 658m US dollar, 2016: 1 440m US dollar).

  North America  Latin America West  Latin America North  Latin America South  EMEA 
  2016  20151  20141  2016  20151  20141  2016  20151  20141  2016  20151  20141  2016  20151  20141 

Volume

  117   118   121   64   44   42   118   123   125   32   34   34   75   46   47 

Revenue

  15 698   15 603   16 093   5 188   4 079   4 756   8 461   9 096   11 269   2 850   3 331   2 825   6 010   4 128   4 973 

Normalized EBITDA

  6 250   6 172   6 820   2 376   2 002   2 149   3 751   4 709   5 742   1 431   1 593   1 389   1 774   1 142   1 395 

Normalized EBITDA margin %

  39.8  39.6  42.4  45.8  49.1  45.2  44.3  51.8  51.0  50.2  47.8  49.2  29.6  27.7  28.0

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

  (809  (754  (752  (388  (350  (411  (750  (689  (764  (191  (182  (161  (473  (342  (437

Normalized profit from operations (EBIT)

  5 441   5 418   6 068   1 988   1 652   1 738   3 001   4 020   4 979   1 240   1 411   1 228   1 302   800   958 

Non-recurring items (refer Note 8)

  (29  102   (5  252   29   (107  (20  (84  (21  (12  (11  (11  (118  70   (132

Profit from operations (EBIT)

  5 412   5 520   6 063   2 240   1 681   1 631   2 981   3 937   4 957   1 228   1 400   1 216   1 184   870   826 

Net finance income/(cost)

               

Share of results of associates

               

Income tax expense

               

Profit from continuing operations

               

Discountinued operations

               

Profit/(loss)

               

Segment assets(non-current)2

  62 467   61 870   61 693   71 041   21 749   25 239   13 614   11 357   14 553   2 357   2 301   2 534   41 975   4 316   4 875 

Gross capex

  895   1 112   542   710   515   461   709   1 056   1 464   389   488   363   1 001   466   445 

FTE3

  19 314   16 844   15 348   51 418   32 201   32 122   40 416   39 359   38 381   9 571   9 615   9 677   43 456   11 749   13 865 

   Asia Pacific  Global Export and
holding companies
  Consolidated 
   2016  20151  20141  2016  20151  20141  2016  20151  20141 

Volume

   92   90   84   2   3   6   500   457   459 

Revenue

   6 074   5 784   5 230   1 237   1 582   1 917   45 517   43 604   47 063 

Normalized EBITDA

   1 639   1 444   1 147   (474  (225  (99  16 753   16 839   18 542 

Normalized EBITDA margin %

   27.1  25.0  21.9  —     —     —     36.8  38.6  39.4

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   (658  (606  (551  (210  (148  (160  (3 477  (3 071  (3 234

Normalized profit from operations (EBIT)

   987   838   596   (683  (373  (259  13 276   13 768   15 308 

Non-recurring items (refer Note 8)

   (84  90   (84  (383  (61  165   (394  136   (197

Profit from operations (EBIT)

   903   928   512   (1 066  (434  (94  12 882   13 904   15 111 

Net finance income/(cost)

         (8 564  (1 453  (1 319

Share of results of associates

         16   10   9 

Income tax expense

         (1 613  (2 594  (2 499

Profit from continuing operations

         2 721   9 867   11 302 

Discountinued operations

         48   —     —   

Profit/(loss)

         2 769   9 867   11 302 

Segment assets(non-current)

   21 436   12 761   13 053   2 430   1 987   2 062   215 320   116 341   124 009 

Gross capex

   837   1 166   987   379   225   80   4 919   5 028   4 342 

FTE

   39 213   40 101   42 727   3 245   2 454   1 910   206 633   152 321   154 029 

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016, NET REVENUE FROM THE BEER BUSINESS AMOUNTED TO 41 421M US DOLLAR (2015: 40 595M US DOLLAR; 2014: 43 116M US DOLLAR) WHILE THE NET REVENUE FROM THENON-BEER BUSINESS (SOFT DRINKS AND OTHER BUSINESS) ACCOUNTED FOR 4 096M US DOLLAR (2015: 3 009M US DOLLAR; 2014: 3 947M US DOLLAR). ON THE SAME BASIS, NET REVENUE FROM EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS ATTRIBUTABLE TO AB INBEV’S COUNTRY OF DOMICILE (BELGIUM) REPRESENTED 687M US DOLLAR (2015: 690M US DOLLAR; 2014: 896M US DOLLAR) ANDNON-CURRENT ASSETS LOCATED IN THE COUNTRY OF DOMICILE REPRESENTED 1 440M US DOLLAR (2015: 1 169M US DOLLAR; 2014: 1 176M US DOLLAR).

12015 and 2014 as Reported, adjusted to reflect the effects of SABMiller Combination on the AB InBev’s historical segmental information.
2The increase in the non-current segment assets is mainly related to the intangible assets and goodwill recognized following the combination with SABMiller. See also Note 6 –Acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries.
3Includes FTE from SABMiller retained operations at year end 2016 per AB InBev’s definition in the glossary. This definition is different than the one formerly applied by SABMiller.

6.ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS OF SUBSIDIARIES

Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries

The table below summarizes the impact of acquisitions and disposals on the Statementstatement of financial position and cash flows of AB InBev for 31 December 20162018 and 2015:31 December 2017:

 

Million US dollar

  2016
Acquisitions
   2015
Acquisitions
   2016
Disposal
   2015
Disposal
 

Non-current assets

        

Property, plant and equipment

   9 346    121    (115   (51

Intangible assets

   20 719    270    —      (19

Investments in associates

   4 448    —      —      —   

Investment securities

   21       

Deferred tax assets

   183    —      —      —   

Employee benefits

   3    —      —      —   

Derivatives

   579    —      —      —   

Trade and other receivables

   59    —      —      —   

Current assets

        

Inventories

   1 018    20    (17   (1

Income tax receivable

   189    —      —      —   

Derivatives

   60    —      —      —   

Trade and other receivables

   1 285    40    (4   —   

Cash and cash equivalents

   1 455    14    (75   —   

Assets held for sale

   24 805    —      —      1 

Non-current liabilities

        

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   (9 130   (7   —      —   

Employee benefits

   (196   —      —      1 

Deferred tax liabilities

   (5 812   (7   6    —   

Derivatives

   (24   —      —      —   

Trade and other payables

   (140   (45   10    —   

Provisions

   (688   —      —      (3

Current liabilities

        

Bank overdraft

   (212   —      —      —   

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   (2 852   (3   —      —   

Income tax payable

   (4 310   —      —      —   

Derivatives

   (156   —      —      —   

Trade and other payables

   (3 598   (12   41    —   

Provisions

   (847   —      —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net identifiable assets and liabilities

   36 205    391    (156   (72

Non-controlling interest

   (6 214   —      —      —   

Goodwill on acquisitions and goodwill disposed of

   74 886    288    (187   —   

Loss/(gain) on disposal

   —      —      (406   (21

Prior year payments

   (143   —      —      —   

Consideration to be paid

   (365   (25   —      —   

Net cash paid on prior years acquisitions

   34    485    (5   —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consideration paid/(received)

   104 403    1 139    (754   (93

Cash (acquired)/ disposed of

   (1 243   (14   75    —   

Converted to restricted shares

   (36 772   —      —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash outflow / (inflow)

   66 388    1 125    (679   (93

2016 Acquisitions

The following transactions took place in 2016:

Combination with Sabmiller

Million US dollar

  2018
Acquisitions
   2017
Acquisitions
   2018
Disposals
   2017
Disposals
 

Non-current assets

        

Property, plant and equipment

   2    169    (310   —   

Intangible assets

   24    417    (17   —   

Deferred tax assets

   23    —      —      —   

Trade and other receivables

   —      1    (86   —   

Current assets

        

Inventories

   17    9    (84   —   

Income tax receivables

   —      —      (2   —   

Trade and other receivables

   2    20    (79   —   

Cash and cash equivalents

   8    5    (6   —   

Assets held for sale

   —      27    (27   —   

Non-current liabilities

        

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   (3   (1   —      —   

Deferred tax liabilities

   —      (74   4    —   

Current liabilities

        

Trade and other payables

   (19   (24   406    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net identifiable assets and liabilities

   54    549    (201   —   

Non-controlling interest

   —      (114   1    —   

Goodwill on acquisitions and goodwill disposed of

   107    398    (652   —   

Loss/(gain) on disposal

   —      —      (15   (42

Consideration to be (paid)/received

   (112   (375   47    —   

Net cash paid on prior years acquisitions

   68    136    —      —   

Recycling of cumulative translation adjustment in respect of net assets

   —      —      (584   —   

Contribution in kind

   —      —      1 150    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consideration paid/(received)

   117    594    (254   (42

Cash (acquired)/ disposed of

   (5   (5   (3   —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash outflow / (inflow)

   112    589    (257   (42

On 11 November 2015,30 March 2018, AB InBev completed the boards50:50 merger of AB InBev’s and Anadolu Efes’ existing Russia and Ukraine businesses. Following the closing of the transaction, the operations of AB InBev and SABMiller plc (“SABMiller”) announced that they had reached an agreement on the terms of the proposed business combination between SABMillerAnadolu Efes in Russia and Ukraine are combined under AB InBev (the “Combination”).

Efes. The Combination was implemented through a series of steps and completed on the 10th of October. During the final step of the proposed structure, Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV, the holding of the AB InBev group, merged into Newbelco SA/NV (Newbelco), which was formed for the purpose of effecting the Combination, so that following completion of the Combination, Newbelco became the new holding company for the combined AB InBev and SABMiller group. Newbelco has been renamed Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV.

Under the terms of the Combination, each SABMiller shareholder was entitled to elect to receive 45.00 pounds sterling in cash in respect of each SABMiller share (subject to the terms and conditions of the Combination). The Combination also included a partial share alternative (the “Partial Share Alternative”), under which SABMiller shareholders could elect to receive 4.6588 pounds sterling in cash and 0.483969 restricted shares in respect of each SABMiller share in lieu of the full cash consideration to which they would otherwise be entitled under the Combination (subject to scaling back in accordance with the terms of the Partial Share Alternative and the other terms and conditions of the Combination).

The Partial Share Alternative was limited to a maximum of 326,000,000 restricted shares and 3.1 billion pounds sterling in cash, Altria Inc. and Bevco Ltd. which held in aggregate approximately 40% of the ordinary share capital of SABMiller, had given irrevocable undertakings to AB InBev to elect for the Partial Share Alternative in respect of their entire beneficial holdings in SABMiller.

On 6 October 2016, Newbelco issued 163 276 737 100 ordinary shares (“Initial Newbelco Shares”) to SABMiller shareholders through a capital increase of 85 531m euro equivalent to 75.4 billion pound sterling, as consideration for 1 632 767 371 ordinary shares of SABMiller pursuant to a UK law court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement (the “UK Scheme”). Following completion of the tender offer, AB InBev acquired 102 890 758 014 Initial Newbelco Shares tendered into the Belgian offer. Based on the terms of the UK Scheme, all Initial Newbelco Shares not tendered to AB InBevbusiness is fully consolidated in the context of the Belgian offer (i.e. 60 385 979 086 Initial Newbelco Shares) were reclassified into 325 999 817 restricted shares, in accordance with the mechanism by which any Initial Newbelco Shares that were retained after closing of the Belgian offer were automatically reclassified and consolidated.

The restricted shares are unlisted, not admitted to trading on any stock exchange, and are subject to, among other things, restrictions on transfer until converted into new ordinary shares. Subject to limited exceptions, the restricted shares will only be convertible at the election of the holder into new ordinary shares on aone-for-one basis with effect from the fifth anniversary of completion of the Combination. From completion of the Combination, such restricted shares rank equally with the new ordinary shares with respect to dividends and voting rights. Following completion of the combination, AB InBev acquired 105 246 SABMiller shares from option holders that had not exercised their option rights prior to the completion of the combination for a total consideration of 5m euro. Following this transaction AB InBev owns 100 % of the SABMiller shares.

The SABMiller purchase consideration is calculated as follows:

Newbelco number
of shares
Newbelco
valuation in
million pound
sterling
Newbelco
valuation in
million euro

Tender offer (cash consideration)

102 890 758 01446 30152 522

Converted to restricted shares

60 385 979 08629 09933 009(i)

163 276 737 10075 40085 531

Total equity value at offer in million euro

85 531

Purchase from option holders

5

Total equity value in million euro

85 536

Total equity value in million US dollar

95 288

Foreign exchange hedges and other

7 848(ii)

Purchase consideration

103 136

Add: fair market value of total debt assumed

11 870

Less: total cash acquired

(1 198

Gross purchase consideration

113 808

(i)The restricted share valuation is based on the valuation of the Newbelco shares that were not tendered into the Belgian offer and has regard to the AB InBev share price of the day of the closing of the SABMiller transaction, adjusted for the specificities of the restricted shares in line with fair value measurement rules under IFRS.
(ii)During 2015 and 2016, AB InBev entered into derivative foreign exchange forward contracts, as well as othernon-derivative items also documented in a hedge accounting relationship, in order to economically hedge against exposure to changes in the US dollar exchange rate for the cash component of the purchase consideration in pound sterling and South African rand. Although these derivatives andnon-derivative items were considered to be economic hedges, only a portion of such derivatives could qualify for hedge accounting under IFRS rules. Since inception of the derivative contracts in 2015 and upon the completion of the combination with SABMiller, 12.3 billion US dollar negativemark-to-market adjustment related to such hedging were recognized cumulatively over 2015 and 2016, of which 7.4 billion US dollar qualified for hedge accounting and was, accordingly, allocated as part of the consideration paid. The settlement of the portion of the derivatives that did not qualify as hedge accounting was classified as cash flow from financing activities in the consolidated cash flow statement.

On 10 October 2016, AB InBev announced completion of the Belgian merger and the successful completion of the business combination with SABMiller.

Anadolu Efes financial accounts. As a result of the Belgian merger, the former Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (the “former AB InBev”) has merged into Newbelco SA/NV (“Newbelco”), and Newbelco has become the holding company for the combined formertransaction, AB InBev stopped consolidating its Russia and SABMiller groups. AllUkraine businesses and accounts for its investment in AB InBev Efes under the equity method as of that date. See also Note 16Investments in associates.

The transaction described above involved the contribution by AB InBev of its existing Russia and Ukraine businesses to AB InBev Efes in exchange for a 50% ownership in AB InBev Efes. In line with IFRS, the contribution by AB InBev of its existing Russia and Ukraine businesses to AB InBev Efes, with AB InBev losing control, is accounted for as a deemed disposal and the 50% non-controlling interest AB InBev received in AB InBev Efes in exchange for such contribution is accounted for as a deemed acquisition of an investment in associate, with both acquisition and disposal measured at their fair value estimated at 1.15 billion US dollar representing the estimated value of the 50 % investment AB InBev will hold in AB InBev Efes after adjustment for net debt.

When a parent loses control of a subsidiary, IFRS 10 requires all assets and liabilities of the former AB InBev have been transferredsubsidiary to Newbelco,be derecognized and Newbelco has automatically been substituted forany gain or loss associated with the former AB InBevdeemed disposal interest to be recognized in all its rights and obligations by operationthe consolidated income statement. IFRS also requires that any amounts previously recognized in the consolidated statement of Belgian law. Newbelco has been renamed Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, andother comprehensive income, including historical translation adjustments, be recycled to the former consolidated income statement, at the date when control is lost.

AB InBev has been dissolved by operationderecognized 573m US dollar net assets related to its former Russia and Ukraine businesses and has recycled 584m US dollar from other comprehensive income to the consolidated income statement, resulting in a net exceptional, non-cash loss of Belgian law.7m US dollar (see also Note 8Exceptional items).

The shares inIn the former AB InBev were delisted from Euronext Brussels, the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The new ordinary shares were admitted to listing and trading on Euronext Brussels, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores at the openingfirst quarter of business in each market on 11 October 2016. In addition, ADSs trading on the New York Stock Exchange, each of which used to represent one ordinary share of the former AB InBev, now each represent one new ordinary share, effective as of the opening of business in New York on 11 October 2016.

The share capital of AB InBev now amounts to 1 238 608 344 euro. It is represented by 2 019 241 973 shares without nominal value, of which 85 540 392 are held in treasury by2017, AB InBev and its subsidiaries. All shares are new ordinary shares, exceptKeurig Green Mountain, Inc. established a joint venture for 325 999 817 restricted shares.

conducting research and development of an in-home alcohol drink system, focusing on the US and Canadian markets. The transaction included the contribution of intellectual property and manufacturing assets from Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. Pursuant to the terms of the joint venture agreement, AB InBev financed the cash considerationowns 70% of the voting and economic interest in the joint venture. Under IFRS, this transaction with 18.0 billion US dollar drawn down under the 75.0 billion US dollar Committed Senior Acquisition Facilities agreement dated 28 October 2015, together with excess liquidity resulting from the issuance of bonds in 2016. See Note 24Interest bearing loans and borrowings.

The transaction costs incurred in connection with the transaction, which include transaction taxes, advisory, legal, audit, valuation and other fees and costs, amounted to approximately USD 1.0 billion. In additionwas accounted for as a business combination as AB InBev incurred approximately USD 0.7 billion of costs in connection with the transaction-related financing arrangements.

In accordance with IFRS, the merger between the former AB InBev into Newbelco is considered for accounting purposes as a reverse acquisition, operation by which Newbelco legally absorbed assets and liabilities of former AB InBev. As a consequence, the legal acquirer (Newbelco) is consideredwas deemed as the accounting acquiree and the legal acquiree (former AB InBev) is considered the accounting acquirer. Therefore, the consolidated financial statements represent the continuation of the financial statements of former AB InBev. The assets and liabilities of former AB InBev remained recognized at theirpre-combination carrying amounts. The identified assets, liabilities andnon-controlling interests of SABMiller are recognized in accordance withacquirer as per IFRS 3 Business Combinations and have only been provisionally determined at the end of the reporting period.rules.

The provisional allocation of the purchase price included in the balance sheet and detailed in the table below is based on the current best estimates of AB InBev’s management with input from independent third parties. The completion of the purchase price allocation may result in further adjustment to the carrying value of SABMiller’s recorded assets, liabilities andnon-controlling interests and the determination of any residual amount that will be allocated to goodwill.

The following table presents the provisional allocation of purchase price to the SABMiller business:

Million US dollar

Provisional fair
values

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

9 060

Intangible assets

20 040

Investment in associates

4 386

Investment securities

21

Deferred tax assets

179

Derivatives

579

Trade and other receivables

59

Current assets

Inventories

977

Income tax receivable

189

Derivatives

60

Trade and other receivables

1 257

Cash and cash equivalents

1 410

Assets held for sale

24 805

Non-current liabilities

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

(9 021

Employee benefits

(195

Deferred tax liabilities

(5 801

Derivatives

(24

Trade and other payables

(146

Provisions

(688

Current liabilities

Bank overdraft

(212

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

(2 849

Income tax payable

(4 310

Derivatives

(156

Trade and other payables

(3 520

Provisions

(847

Net identified assets and liabilities

35 253

Non-controlling interests

(6 200

Goodwill on acquisition

74 083

Purchase consideration

103 136

The transaction resulted in 74.1 billion US dollar of goodwill provisionally allocated primarily to the businesses in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Australia, South Africa and other African, Asia Pacific and Latin American countries. The factors that contributed to the recognition of goodwill include the acquisition of an assembled workforce and the premiums paid for cost synergies expected to be achieved in SABMiller. Management’s assessment of the future economic benefits supporting recognition of this goodwill is in part based on expected savings through the implementation of AB InBev best practices such as, among others, a zero based budgeting program and initiatives that are expected to bring greater efficiency and standardization, generate cost savings and maximize purchasing power. Goodwill also arises due to the recognition of deferred tax liabilities in relation to the preliminary fair value adjustments on acquired intangible assets for which the amortization does not qualify as a tax deductible expense. None of the goodwill recognized is deductible for tax purposes.

The valuation of the property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, investment in associates, interest bearing loans and borrowings, employee benefits, other assets and liabilities andnon-controlling interests are based on the current best estimates of AB InBev’s management, with input from independent third parties.

The majority of the intangible asset valuation relates to brands with indefinite life, valued for a total amount of 19.9 billion US dollar. The valuation of the brands with indefinite life is based on a series of factors, including the brand history, the operating plan and the countries in which the brands are sold. The fair value of brands was estimated by applying a combination of known valuation methodologies, such as the royalty relief and excess earnings valuation approaches.

The intangibles with an indefinite life mainly include the Castle and Carling brand families in Africa, the Aguila and Poker brand families in Colombia, the Cristal and Pilsner brand families in Ecuador, and the Carlton brand family in Australia.

A deferred tax liability has been accrued on the fair value adjustments considering tax rates expected to apply to the period when the assets are realized or liabilities are settled, based on enacted tax rates in the relevant tax jurisdictions.

Assets held for sale were recognized in relation to the divestiture of SABMiller’s interests in the MillerCoors LLC joint venture and certain of SABMiller’s portfolio of Miller brands outside of the U.S. to Molson Coors Brewing company; the divestiture of SABMiller’s European premium brands to Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd and the divestiture of SABMiller’s interest in China Resources Snow Breweries Ltd. to China Resources Beer (Holdings) Co. Ltd. These divestments were completed on 11 October 2016.

Assets held for sale were also recognized in relation to the agreement to sell SABMiller’s assets in Central and Eastern Europe (Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland) to Asahi and the agreement to divest SABMiller’s interests in Distell Group Limited in South Africa to the Public Investment Corporation (SOC) Limited. By 31 December 2016, these disposals had not closed. In addition, the company has announced its agreement to transfer SABMiller’s Panamanian business to its Brazilian-listed subsidiary Ambev S.A. (“Ambev”) in exchange for Ambev’s businesses in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, to allow Ambev to initiate operations in Panama through the established SABMiller business and further expand its businesses in Central America; however, no effect has been given to such asset exchange within the provisional allocation of the purchase price as all businesses will remain within the Combined Group.

Non-controlling interests recognized at acquisition date were measured by the reference to their fair values and amounted to 6.2 billion US dollar. The fair value ofnon-controlling interests were estimated by applying primarily a market-based multiple valuation and assumed adjustments because of lack of control or lack of marketability that market participants would consider when estimating the fair value ofnon-controlling interests in SABMiller’s owned businesses. The Market Approach analyzes market conditions and transactions comparable to the subject asset being valued, and estimates the fair value where reliable and available data on guideline transactions can be found.

Following the completion date of the transaction, SABMiller contributed 3.8 billion US dollar to the revenue and 0.7 billion US dollar to the profit of AB InBev. If the acquisition date had been 1 January 2016 it is estimated that AB InBev’s combined revenue and profit from operations would have been higher by 8.4 billion US dollar, and 2.2 billion US dollar respectively. The combined data includes certain purchase accounting adjustments such as the estimated changes in depreciations and amortization expenses on acquired tangible and intangible assets. However, the combined results do not include any anticipated cost savings or other effects of the planned integration of SABMiller. Accordingly, such amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results if the combination had occurred on 1 January 2016 or that may result in the future.

Other Acquisitions and Disposals

2016 Acquisitions

During 2016, AB InBev completed the acquisition of the Canadian rights to a range of primarily spirit-based beers and ciders from Mark Anthony Group. In a separate transaction, Mark Anthony Group agreed to sell certainnon-U.S. andnon-Canadian trademark rights and other intellectual property to one of the company’s subsidiaries. The aggregate purchase price of such acquisitions was approximately 413m US dollar. Mark Anthony Group retains full ownership of its U.S. business, as well as the Canadian wine, spirits and beer import and distribution business.

2015 Acquisitions

During 2015, AB InBev performed a mandatory tender offer and purchased all outstanding Grupo Modelo’s shares held by third parties for a total consideration of 483m US dollar. Following the tender offer, Modelo became a wholly owned subsidiary of AB InBev and Modelo was delisted.

The company undertook a series of additional acquisitions and disposals during 20152017 and 2016,2018, with no significant impact in the company’s consolidated financial statements.

7.OTHER OPERATING INCOME/(EXPENSES)

Other operating income/(expenses)

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Government grants

   432    668    697    317    404    432 

License income

   65    73    123    45    65    65 

Net (additions to)/reversals of provisions

   (50   (31   (10   (11   (4   (50

Net gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and assets held for sale

   37    20    5    80    154    37 

Net rental and other operating income

   248    302    573    249    235    248 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   732    1 032    1 387 

Research expenses as incurred

   244    207    217 

Other operating income/(expenses)

   680    854    732 

The government grants relate primarily to fiscal incentives given by certain Brazilian states and Chinese provinces, based on the company’s operations and developments in those regions.

In 2016,2018, the company expensed 244m285m US dollar in research, compared to 207m276m US dollar in 20152017 and 217m244m US dollar in 2014. Part of this was expensed in the area of2016. The spend focused on product innovations, market research, but the majority is related to innovation in the areas ofas well as process optimization especially as it pertains to capacity, newand product developments and packaging initiatives.development.

 

8.EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

Exceptional items

IAS 1Presentation of financial statements requires material items of income and expense to be disclosed separately. Exceptional items are items, which in management’s judgment need to be disclosed by virtue of their size or incidence in order for the user to obtain a proper understanding of the financial information. The company considers these items to be of significance in nature, and accordingly, management has excluded these from their segment measure of performance as noted in Note 5Segment Reporting.

The exceptional items included in the income statement are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   20141   2018   2017   2016 

Restructuring

   (323   (171   (158   (385   (468   (323

Acquisition costs business combinations

   (448   (55   (77   (74   (155   (448

Business and asset disposal

   377    524    157 

Impairment of assets

   —      (82   (119

Judicial settlement

   —      (80   —   

Business and asset disposal (including impairment losses)

   (26   (39   377 

Provision for EU investigation

   (230   —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Impact on profit from operations

   (394   136    (197   (715   (662   (394

The exceptional restructuring charges for 20162018 total (385)m US dollar (2017: (468)m US dollar; 2016: (323)m US dollar.dollar). These charges primarily relate to the integration of SABMiller and to organizational alignments in EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America West.SAB integration. These changes aim to eliminate overlap or duplicated processes, taking into account the right match of employee profiles with the new organizational requirements. Theseone-time expenses, as a result of the series of decisions, provide the company with a lower cost base in addition to a stronger focus on AB InBev’s core activities, quicker decision makingdecision-making and improvements to efficiency, service and quality.

Acquisition costs of business combinations amount to (74)m US dollar in 2018, primarily related to cost incurred to facilitate the combination with SAB and cost incurred to recover the Budweiser distribution rights in Argentina from Compañia Cervecerías Unidas S.A. (“CCU”) – see Note 15Intangible assets. Acquisition costs of business combinations amounted to (155)m US dollar in 2017 and (448)m US dollar by the end of Decemberin 2016, primarily related to costscost incurred in relation to facilitate the combination with SABMiller.SAB.

Business and asset disposals amount to (26)m US dollar in 2018 and mainly result from the IFRS treatment of the 50:50 merger of AB InBev’s and Anadolu Efes’ Russia and Ukraine businesses and related transaction cost (see also Note 6Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries). Business and asset disposals amounted to (39)m US dollar in 2017, mainly related to the costs incurred related to the divestitures completed during 2017, partly offset by proceeds from prior years’ sale. Business and asset disposals resulted in a net gain of 377m US dollar as per 31 Decemberin 2016, mainly attributable to the proceeds from the sale of the company’s brewery plant located in Obregón, Sonora, México to Constellation Brands, Inc.

The exceptional restructuring charges for 2015 total (171)m US dollar. These charges primarily relateIn 2016, the European Commission announced an investigation into alleged abuse of a dominant position by AB InBev in Belgium through certain practices aimed at restricting trade from other European Union member states to the integrationBelgium. In connection with these ongoing proceedings, AB InBev recognized a provision of Grupo Modelo and to organizational alignments in North America and EMEA.

Business and asset disposals resulted in a net gain of 524m230m US dollar as per 31 December 2015, which consists primarily of gains on property sales, and compensation for the termination agreements with Crown imports for the distribution of Grupo Modelo products thought the company’s wholly owned distributors in the US, and with Monster for the distribution of its brands through the Anheuser-Busch distribution system.

2018.

The company incurred exceptional restructuring charges for 2014 total (158)m US dollar. These charges primarily relate to the integrationnet finance cost of Grupo Modelo and to organizational alignments in Asia Pacific and Europe.

Acquisition costs of business combinations amount to (77)(1 982)m US dollar by the end of December 2014 primarily relating to cost incurred for the acquisition of OB that closed on 1 April 2014.

The business and asset disposals resulted in a net gain of 157m2018 (2017: (693)m US dollar as per 31 December 2014 mainly attributable to the additional proceeds from the sale of the Central European operations to CVC Capital Partnerscost; 2016: (3 356)m US dollar cost) – see Note 11Finance cost and the disposal of Extra and the glass production plant located in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.income.

Impairment of assets for the period ended 31 December 2014 mainly relate to the closure of the Angarsk and Perm breweries in Russia.

1Reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.

All the above amounts are before income taxes. The exceptional items as of 31 December 20162018 decreased income taxes by 240m US dollar, decreased income taxes by 830m US dollar in 2017 and decreased income taxes by 77m US dollar (31 December 2015: (201)m US dollar increase of income taxes; 31 December 2014: 25m US dollarin 2016. The 2017 decrease of income taxes)taxes, mainly related to a 1.8 billion US dollar adjustment following the US tax reform enacted on 22 December 2017 partially offset by provisions accrued for tax contingencies covered by the Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program entered into by Ambev – see Note 12Income taxes and Note 18Deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Non-controlling interest on the exceptional items amounts to 13m32m US dollar for period ended 31 December 2016 (31 December 2015: 39min 2018 (2017: 526m US dollar; 31 December 2014: 14m2016: 13m US dollar).

9.PAYROLL AND RELATED BENEFITS

Payroll and related benefits

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Wages and salaries

   (4 404   (3 706   (3 844   (4 726   (4 884   (4 404

Social security contributions

   (647   (633   (663   (698   (699   (647

Other personnel cost

   (580   (648   (682   (708   (762   (580

Pension expense for defined benefit plans

   (194   (212   206    (193   (196   (194

Share-based payment expense

   (228   (225   (251   (353   (359   (228

Contributions to defined contribution plans

   (77   (90   (145   (116   (118   (77
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (6 130   (5 514   (5 379

Number of full time equivalents (FTE) atyear-end

   206 633    152 321    154 029 

Payroll and related benefits

   (6 794   (7 018   (6 130

The number of full time equivalents can be split as follows:

 

  2016   2015   2014 
  2018   2017   2016 

AB InBev NV (parent company)

   225    191    185    180    215    225 

Other subsidiaries

   206 408    152 130    153 844    172 423    182 700    206 408 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   206 633    152 321    154 029 

Total number of FTE

   172 603    182 915    206 633 

The 20162018 reduction in FTE mainly results from the combination of the AB InBev Russia and Ukraine businesses under AB InBev Efes. As a result of the transaction, AB InBev stopped consolidating its Russia and Ukraine businesses and accounts for its investment in AB InBev Efes under the equity method as of that date. See also Note 6Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries.

The 2017 increase in payroll and related benefits and FTEs is mainly due to the businessfull year reporting of the retained operations following the combination with SABMiller. See also Note 6 –Acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries.SAB, whereas the reduction in FTEs mainly results from the disposals completed during the year.

 

10.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON OPERATING EXPENSES BY NATURE

Additional information on operating expenses by nature

Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges are included in the following line items of the 20162018 consolidated income statement:

 

Million US dollar

  Depreciation and
impairment of property,
plant and equipment
   Amortization and
impairment of intangible
assets
   Impairment of goodwill   Depreciation and
impairment of property,
plant and equipment
   Amortization and
impairment of intangible
assets
   Impairment of goodwill 

Cost of sales

   2 292    21    —      2 841    67    —   

Distribution expenses

   143    1    —      186    3    —   

Sales and marketing expenses

   363    208    —      420    165    —   

Administrative expenses

   222    218    —      309    260    —   

Other operating expenses

   2    1    —      8    —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   3 025    452    —   

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   3 764    496    —   

Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges wereare included in the following line items of the 20152017 consolidated income statement:

 

Million US dollar

  Depreciation and
impairment of property,
plant and equipment
   Amortization and
impairment of intangible
assets
   Impairment of goodwill   Depreciation and
impairment of property,
plant and equipment
   Amortization and
impairment of intangible
assets
   Impairment of goodwill 

Cost of sales

   2 122    17    —      2 817    40    —   

Distribution expenses

   122    1    —      199    4    —   

Sales and marketing expenses

   285    173    —      425    196    —   

Administrative expenses

   170    177    —      337    248    —   

Other operating expenses

   4    —      —      4    —      6 

Exceptional items

   12    32    38 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   2 715    400    38 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   3 782    488    6 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges wereare included in the following line items of the 20142016 consolidated income statement:

 

Million US dollar

  Depreciation and
impairment of property,
plant and equipment
   Amortization and
impairment of intangible
assets
   Impairment of goodwill   Depreciation and
impairment of property,
plant and equipment
   Amortization and
impairment of intangible
assets
   Impairment of goodwill 

Cost of sales

   2 258    12    —      2 292    21    —   

Distribution expenses

   127    1    —      143    1    —   

Sales and marketing expenses

   292    189    —      363    208    —   

Administrative expenses

   170    180    —      222    218    —   

Other operating expenses

   —      5    —      2    1    —   

Exceptional items

   119    —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   2 967    388    —   

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   3 025    452   —   

The depreciation, amortization and impairment of property, plant and equipment included a full-cost reallocation of 9m2m US dollar in 20162018 from the aggregate depreciation, amortization and impairment expense to cost of goods sold (2015: 3m(2017: 1m US dollar and 2014: 4mdollar; 2016: 9m US dollar).

The 20162017 increase in depreciation, amortization and impairment charges is mainly due to the business combination with SABMiller. See also Note 6Acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries.SAB.

 

11.FINANCE COST AND INCOME

Finance cost and income

RecognizedThe finance costs included in Profit or Loss

Finance Coststhe income statement are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Interest expense

   (4 092   (1 833   (2 008   (4 141   (4 314   (4 092

Capitalization of borrowing costs

   12    28    39    23    22    12 

Net interest on net defined benefit liabilities

   (113   (118   (124   (94   (101   (113

Accretion expense

   (648   (326   (364   (400   (614   (648

Net foreign exchange losses (net of the effect of foreign exchange derivative instruments)

   (21   —      —      —      (304   (21

Net losses on hedging instruments that are not part of a hedge accounting relationship

   (797   —      —      (2 222   (674   (797

Tax on financial transactions

   (70   (61   (36   (110   (68   (70

Other financial costs, including bank fees

   (131   (107   (304   (242   (139   (131
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (5 860   (2 417   (2 797   (7 186   (6 192   (5 860

Exceptional finance cost

   (3 522   (725   —      (1 982   (693   (3 522
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (9 382   (3 142   (2 797

Finance costs

   (9 168   (6 885   (9 382

Finance costs, excluding exceptional items, increased by 3 443m994m US dollar compared to 2015 driven by higher interest expense,2017 mainly as a result of the issuance of bonds in January and March 2016 in connection with the funding of the combination with SABMiller, as well as higher accretion expenses and netMark-to-market losses on hedging instruments that are not part of a hedge accounting relationship. 2015 finance costs, excluding exceptional items, decreased by 380m US dollar compared to 2014 mainly driven by lower interest expenses and other financial costs.

Mark-to-market result on certain derivatives related to the hedging of share-based payment programs reached net losses of 384mamounting to 1 774m US dollar in 2016 (31 December 2015: 844m2018 (2017: 291m US dollar income; 31 December 2014: 711mloss; 2016: 384 US dollar income)loss).

Borrowing costs capitalized relate to the capitalization of interest expenses directly attributable to the acquisition and construction of qualifying assets mainly in BrazilChina and China.Nigeria. Interest is capitalized at a borrowing rate ranging from 4% to 8%.

In the light of the combination with SABMiller, AB InBev recognized exceptional expenses of 3 522m US dollar, of which:Exceptional net finance cost for 2018 includes:

 

2 693m US dollar negativemark-to-market adjustments as a result of derivative foreign exchange forward contracts entered into in order to economically hedge against exposure to changes in the US dollar exchange rate for the cash component of the purchase consideration of SABMiller in pound sterling and South African rand, for which a portion of the hedges could not qualify for hedge accounting – see also Note 29Risks arising from financial instruments;

 306m US dollar related to accelerated accretion expenses associated to the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement, as well as commitment fees and other fees. The accelerated accretion follows the cancellation of 42.5, 12.5 and 2.0 billion US dollar commitments available under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement in January, April and October 2016, respectively. See also Note 24Interest-bearing loans and borrowings;

304m

873m US dollar resulting frommark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments entered into to hedge the deferred share instrument issued in a transaction related to the combination with Grupo Modelo (31 December 2015: 511m US dollar income). By 31 December 2016, 100% of the deferred share instrument had been hedged at an average price of approximately 68 euro per share. See also Note 23Changes in equity and earnings per share;

127m US dollar exceptional finance cost resulting frommark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments entered into to hedge the shares issued in relation to the combination with SABMiller – seeGrupo Modelo (31 December 2017: 146m US dollar; 31 December 2016: 304m US dollar). See also Note 2923Risks arising from financial instrument;Changes in equity and earnings per share;

849m US dollar resulting from mark-to-market adjustments on derivatives entered into to hedge the restricted shares issued in connection with the combination with SAB (31 December 2017: 142m US dollar; 31 December 2016: 127m US dollar);

211m US dollar resulting from premium paid on the early termination of certain bonds;

49m US dollar foreign exchange translation losses on intragroup loans that were historically reported in equity and were recycled to profit and loss account, upon the reimbursement of these loans (31 December 2017: 261m US dollar).

Exceptional net finance cost for 2017 also includes:

 

 92m

44m US dollar mainly related to the Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program entered into by Ambev – see Note 12Income taxes;

100m US dollar related to accelerated accretion expenses associated to the repayment of the 2015 senior facilities agreement and the early redemption of SABMiller bonds – seecertain notes (31 December 2016: 306m US dollar). See also Note 24Interest-bearingInterest-bearing loans and borrowings.borrowings.

Exceptional net finance cost for 2016 also includes:

2 693m US dollar negative mark-to-market adjustments related to the portion of the foreign exchange hedging of the purchase price of the combination with SAB that did not qualify for hedge accounting as per IFRS rules.

Interest expense is presented net of the effect of interest rate derivative instruments hedging AB InBev’s interest rate risk – see also Note 29Risks arising from financial instruments.

Finance Income

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014 

Interest income

   561    339    335 

Net foreign exchange gains (net of the effect of foreign exchange derivative instruments)

   —      378    319 

Net gains on hedging instruments that are not part of a hedge accounting relationship

   —      399    275 

Other financial income

   91    62    40 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   652    1 178    969 

Exceptional finance income

   166    511    509 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   818    1 689    1 478 

Finance income excluding exceptional items, decreased by 526m US dollar mainly as a result of net foreign exchange gainsincluded in 2015. Interest income for the period ended 31 December 2016 is positively impacted by the income on the excess liquidity following the issuance of bonds in the first quarter of 2016 that were mainly invested in US Treasury Bills pending the closing of the SABMiller acquisition.statement is as follows:

Exceptional net finance income for the period ended 31 December 2016 includes 166m US dollar positivemark-to-market adjustments as a results of derivatives entered into in order to convert the 13.25 billion euro bond issuance on 29 March 2016, into US dollar – see also Note 24Interest-bearing loans and borrowings.

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016 

Interest income

   333    287    561 

Hyperinflation monetary adjustments

   46    —      —   

Other financial income

   61    91    91 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance income, excluding exceptional items

   440    378    652 

Exceptional finance income

   —      —      166 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance income

   440    378    818 

No interest income was recognized on impaired financial assets.

The interest income stems from the following financial assets:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Cash and cash equivalents

   479    254    227    256    207    479 

Investment debt securities held for trading

   16    37    33    22    16    16 

Other loans and receivables

   66    48    75    55    64    66 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   561    339    335 

Total

   333    287    561 

The interest income on other loans and receivables includes the interest accrued on cash deposits given as guarantees for certain legal proceedings pending resolution.

For further information on instruments hedging AB InBev’s foreign exchange risk see Note 29Risks arising from financial instruments.instruments.

12. Income taxes

12.INCOME TAXES

Income taxes recognized in the income statement can be detailed as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Current tax expense

      

Current year

   (1 544   (2 300   (2 332   (2 819   (3 833   (1 544

(Underprovided)/overprovided in prior years

   47    (95   18    101    1    47 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (1 497   (2 395   (2 314

Deferred tax (expense)/income

      

Current tax expense

   (2 718   (3 832   (1 497

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

   (459   (242   (293   (287   1 872    (459

(Utilization)/recognition of deferred tax assets on tax losses

   116    3    96    120    23    116 

Recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses

   227    40    12    46    16    227 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Deferred tax (expense)/income

   (121   1 912    (116
   (116   (199   (185  

 

   

 

   

 

 
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total income tax expense in the income statement

   (1 613   (2 594   (2 499

Total income tax expense

   (2 839   (1 920   (1 613

The reconciliation of the effective tax rate with the aggregated weighted nominal tax rate can be summarized as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016  2015 2014   2018 2017 2016 

Profit before tax

   4 334  12 461  13 801    8 530  11 076  4 334 

Deduct share of result of associates and joint ventures

   16  10  9    153  430  16 
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit before tax and before share of result of associates and
joint ventures

   4 318   12 451   13 792    8 377   10 646   4 318 

Adjustments on taxable basis

        

Foreign source income

   (809 (969 (523   —     —    (809

Government incentives

   (769 (948 (701   (742 (982 (769

Non-deductible marked to market on derivatives

   3 496  579  3 508 

Taxable intercompany dividends

   619  173  331    —     —    619 

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

   4 351  1 559  1 186 

Other expenses not deductible for tax purposes

   1 796  1 795  843 

Othernon-taxable income

   (415 (165 (530   (158 (178 (415
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 
   7 296   12 101   13 555    12 769   11 860   7 296 

Aggregated weighted nominal tax rate

   32.7  30.5  31.6   26.8  28.5  32.7

Tax at aggregated weighted nominal tax rate

   (2 387 (3 687 (4 288   (3 426 (3 378 (2 387

Adjustments on tax expense

        

Utilization of tax losses not previously recognized

   76  32  93    120  23  76 

Recognition of deferred taxes assets on previous years’ tax losses

   229  40  12    46  16  229 

Write-down of deferred tax assets on tax losses and current year losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognized

   (975 (195 (151   (125 (143 (975

(Underprovided)/overprovided in prior years

   63  (95 18    65  1  63 

Deductions from interest on equity

   644  643  971    471  553  644 

Deductions from goodwill

   63  66  113    17  57  63 

Other tax deductions

   869  1 033  1 006    436  723  869 

Change in tax rate

   (1 12  46 

US Tax reform (change in tax rate and other)

   116  1 760   —   

Change in tax rate (other)

   144  (59 (1

Withholding taxes

   (286 (450 (436   (403 (386 (286

Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program

   —    (870  —   

Other tax adjustments

   93  7  117    (300 (217 93 
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 
   (1 613  (2 594  (2 499   (2 839  (1 920  (1 613

Effective tax rate

   37.4  20.8  18.1   33.9  18.0  37.4

The total income tax expense for 2018 amounts to 1 613m2 839m US dollar in 2016 compared to 2 594m1 920m US dollar in 2015.for 2017. The effective tax rate increaseincreased from 20.8%18.0% for 2017 to 37.4%33.9% for 2018.

The 2018 effective tax rate was negatively impacted by losses from 2015certain derivatives related to 2016 (2014: 18.1%),hedging of share-based payment programs and the hedging of the shares issued in a transaction related to the combination with Grupo Modelo and SAB as well as changes in tax legislation in some countries resulting in additional non-deductible expenses in 2018.

The 2017 effective tax rate was positively impacted by a 1.8 billion US dollar adjustment following the US tax reform enacted on 22 December 2017. This 1.8 billion US dollar adjustment resulted mainly from the re-measurement of the deferred tax liabilities set up in 2008 in line with IFRS as part of the purchase price accounting of the combination with Anheuser Busch and certain deferred tax assets following the change in federal tax rate from 35% to 21%. The adjustment represented the company’s best estimate of the deferred tax liability re-measurement resulting from thenon-deductible negativemark-to-market

US Tax reform at the time, and was recognized as a exceptional gain per 31 December 2017. This impact was partially offset by Ambev and certain of its subsidiaries joining the Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program – PERT in September 2017 whereby Ambev committed to pay some tax contingencies that were under dispute, totaling 3.5 billion Brazilian real (1.1 billion US dollar), with 1.0 billion Brazilian real (0.3 billion US dollar) paid in 2017 and the remaining amount payable in 145 monthly installments starting January 2018, plus interest. Within these contingencies, a dispute related to presumed taxation at Ambev’s subsidiary CRBs was not provided for until September 2017 as the loss was previously assessed as possible. The total amount recognized in 2017 as exceptional amounted to 2.9 billion Brazilian real (0.9 billion US dollar) of which 2.8 billion Brazilian real (0.9 billion US dollar) were reported in the income tax line and 141 million Brazilian real (44m US dollar) in the finance line.

During 2018, the company finalized the re-measurement of current and deferred taxes resulting from the US Tax reform enacted on 22 December 2017, based on published regulation and guidance. Such remeasurement resulted in an adjustment of 116m US dollar in 2018 to the reported current and deferred taxes.

The 2016 effective tax rate was negatively impacted by the non-deductible negative mark-to-market adjustment related to the hedging of the purchase price of the combination with SABMillerSAB that could not qualify for hedge accounting. Please refer to Note 29Risks arising from financial instrumentsand Note 8 Exceptional itemsfor details on the aforementioned derivatives.

The Companycompany benefits from tax exempted income and tax credits which are expected to continue in the future, except for the tax deductibility of existing goodwill in Brazil, which will significantly reduce as from 2017.future. The Companycompany does not have significant benefits coming from low tax rates in any particular jurisdiction.

Income taxes were directly recognized in other comprehensive income as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Income tax (losses)/gains

      

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   54    (37   308    22    (39   54 

Cash flow and net investment hedges

   (258   930    24    108    (95   (258
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (204   893    332 

Income tax (losses)/gains

   130    (134   (204

 

13.PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment

 

  2016  2015   31 December 2018 31 December
2017
 

Million US dollar

  Land and
buildings
 Plant and
equipment,
fixtures and
fittings
 Under
construction
 Total  Total   Land and
buildings
 Plant and
equipment,
fixtures and
fittings
 Under
construction
 Total Total 

Acquisition cost

            

Balance at end of previous year1

   9 239   24 157   1 933   35 329   37 485 

Balance at end of previous year

   12 742   33 717   2 265   48 724   44 352 

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   (40 (33 (83 (156 (5 047   (722 (2 225 (150 (3 097 1 431 

Acquisitions

   212  1 592  2 591  4 395  4 276    119  1 320  2 926  4 365  4 221 

Acquisitions through business combinations

   3 261  5 373  713  9 346  121    —    2   —    2  169 

Disposals

   (159 (1 523 (1 (1 683 (1 206   (143 (1 333 (3 (1 479 (1 566

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   (39 (48 (2 (88 (184   (265 (834 (29 (1 128 (60

Transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements2

   10  1 093  (2 590 (1 487 (116

Transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements1

   724  3 028  (2 735 1 017  177 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of the period

   12 483   30 611   2 561   45 655   35 329    12 455   33 675   2 274   48 404   48 724 

Depreciation and impairment losses

            

Balance at end of previous year1

   (2 745  (13 632  —     (16 377  (17 222

Balance at end of previous year

   (3 514  (18 026  —     (21 540  (18 133

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   (53 (137  —    (190 2 386    177  1 219   —    1 396  (697

Depreciation

   (399 (2 587  —    (2 986 (2 670   (513 (3 069  —    (3 582 (3 567

Disposals

   117  1 314   —    1 431  1 011    59  1 204   —    1 263  1 161 

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   9  (36  —    (27 133    177  641   —    818  48 

Impairment losses

   —    (38 (1 (39 (48   (10 (85  —    (95 (85

Transfer to/(from) other asset categories and other movements2

   7  49  1  56  33 

Transfer to/(from) other asset categories and other movements1

   64  (818  —    (754 (267
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of the period

   (3 065  (15 068  —     (18 132  (16 377   (3 560  (18 934  —     (22 494  (21 540

Carrying amount

            

at 31 December 2015

   6 494   10 525   1 933   18 952   18 952 

at 31 December 2016

   9 418   15 543   2 561   27 522   —   

at 31 December 2017

   9 228   15 691   2 265   27 184   27 184 

at 31 December 2018

   8 895   14 741   2 274   25 910   —   

The carrying amount of property, plant and equipment subject to restrictions on title amounts to 19m US dollar (2015: 21m US dollar).

Contractual commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment amounted to 816m US dollar as at 31 December 2016 compared to 750m US dollar as at 31 December 2015.

AB InBev’s net capital expenditures in the statement of cash flow amounted to 4 768m US dollar in 2016 and 4 337m US dollar in 2015. Out of the total 2016 capital expenditures approximately 50% was used to improve the company’s production facilities while 34% was used for logistics and commercial investments and 16% was used for improving administrative capabilities and purchase of hardware and software.

Leased Assets

The company leases land and buildings as well as equipment under a number of finance lease agreements. The carrying amount as at 31 December 2016 of leased land and buildings was 302m US dollar (31 December 2015: 141m US dollar).

 

1 Reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation.
2

The transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements mainly relates to transfers from assets under construction to their respective asset categories, to contributions of assets to pension plans, and to the separate presentation in the balance sheet of property, plant and equipment held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations.operationsSee also Note 22Assets classified as held for sale and discountinued operations.to the restatement of non-monetary assets under hyperinflation accounting in line with IAS 29Financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies.

As at 31 December 2018, the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment subject to restrictions on title amounts to 8m US dollar (31 December 2017: 14m US dollar).

Contractual commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment amounted to 416m US dollar as at 31 December 2018 compared to 550m US dollar as at 31 December 2017.

AB InBev’s net capital expenditures in the statement of cash flow amounted to 4 649m US dollar in 2018 and 4 124m US dollar in 2017. Out of the total 2018 capital expenditures approximately 48% was used to improve the company’s production facilities while 42% was used for logistics and commercial investments and 10% was used for improving administrative capabilities and purchase of hardware and software.

LEASED ASSETS

The company leases land and buildings as well as equipment under a number of finance lease agreements. The carrying amount as at 31 December 2018 of assets leased under finance leases was 272m US dollar (31 December 2017: 300m US dollar).

14.GOODWILL

Goodwill

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Acquisition cost

        

Balance at end of previous year

   65 099    70 765    140 980    135 897 

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   (2 222   (5 956   (7 541   4 684 

Purchases ofnon-controlling interest

   —      2 

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   (187   —      (652   —   

Acquisitions through business combinations

   74 886    288    107    398 

Reclassified as held for sale1

   (1 008   —   

Hyperinflation monetary adjustments

   435    —   

Reclassified as held for sale

   (13   —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at end of the period

   136 566    65 099    133 316    140 980 

Impairment losses

        

Balance at end of previous year

   (38   (7   (40   (34

Impairment losses

   —      (38   —      (6

Effect of movements in foreign exchange and other movements

   4    7 

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   35    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at end of the period

   (34   (38   (5   (40

Carrying amount

        

at 31 December 2015

   65 061    65 061 

at 31 December 2016

   136 533    —   

at 31 December 2017

   140 940    140 940 

at 31 December 2018

   133 311    —   

Current year acquisitions through business combinations primarily reflectOn 30 March 2018, AB InBev completed the business combination with SABMiller. This transaction resulted in50:50 merger of AB InBev’s and Anadolu Efes’ existing Russia and Ukraine businesses. Following this merger, the recognition ofcompany derecognized its Russian and Ukrainian net assets including goodwill of 74 083m US dollar. The other business combinations that took place in 2016 resulted in goodwill recognition of 803m US dollar – see(see also Note 6Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries).

The carrying amount of goodwill was allocated to the different business unit levelscash-generating units as follows:

 

Million US dollar

Business unit

  2016   2015 

SABMiller

   73 736    —   

USA

   33 056    32 831 

Mexico

   12 035    14 630 

Brazil

   5 531    4 613 

South Korea

   3 652    3 739 

China

   2 710    2 901 

Canada

   1 892    1 583 

Dominican Republic

   1 029    1 024 

Other countries

   3 899    3 470 

Reclassified as held for sale1

   (1 008   —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   136 533    65 061 

The allocation of the purchase price related to the SABMiller combination has been only provisionally determined at the end of the reporting period. The completion of the purchase price allocation may result in further adjustment to the carrying value of SABMiller’s recorded assets, liabilities andnon-controlling interests and the determination of any residual amount that will be allocated to goodwill. The preliminary allocation of goodwill to different business units is demonstrated below:

Million US dollar

Business unit

2016

Colombia

19 143

Ecuador

5 998

Peru

12 153

Australia

5 692

South Africa

17 896

Other African countries

6 422

Other Latin American countries

5 423

Reclassified as held for sale

1 008

73 736

The company expects to complete the initial allocation of goodwill to the business units during 2017, as permitted by IFRS 3Business combinations and IAS 36Impairment of assets.

Million US dollar

Cash-generating unit

  2018   2017 

United States

   33 288    33 277 

Colombia

   18 802    20 425 

South Africa

   15 896    18 551 

Peru

   14 513    15 074 

Mexico

   12 614    12 580 

Rest of Africa

   7 716    8 326 

Australia

   6 348    6 922 

Brazil

   4 715    5 523 

South Korea

   3 949    4 119 

Ecuador

   3 925    3 925 

China

   2 758    2 914 

Honduras & El Salvador

   2 284    2 335 

Canada

   1 891    2 056 

Other countries

   4 613    4 913 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total carrying amount of goodwill

   133 311    140 940 

AB InBev completed its annual impairment test for goodwill for the business units that are not linked to the SABMiller combination and concluded that, based on the assumptions described below, no impairment charge was warranted.

The company cannot predict whether an event that triggers impairment will occur, when it will occur or how it will affect the value of the asset values reported. AB InBev believes that all of its estimates are reasonable: they are consistent with the company’s internal reporting and reflect management’s best estimates. However, inherent uncertainties exist that management may not be able to control. During its valuation, the company ran sensitivity analysis for key assumptions including the weighted average cost of capital and the terminal growth rate, in particular for the valuations of the US, BrazilColombia, South Africa, Peru and Mexico, countries that show the highest goodwill, as well as for Russia due to macroeconomic conditions.goodwill. While a change in the estimates used could have a material impact on the calculation of the fair values and trigger an impairment charge, the company, based on the sensitivity analysis performed is not aware of any reasonably possible change in a key assumption used that would cause a businesscash-generating unit’s carrying amount to materially exceed its recoverable amount.

Goodwill impairment testing relies on a number of critical judgments, estimates and assumptions. Goodwill, which accounted for approximately 53%57% of AB InBev’s total assets as at 31 December 2016,2018, is tested for impairment at the businesscash-generating unit level (that is one level below the reportingoperating segments). The businesscash-generating unit level is the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. Except in cases where the initial allocation of goodwill has not been concluded by the end of the initial reporting period following the business combination, goodwill is allocated as from the acquisition date to each of AB InBev’s businesscash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination whenever a business combination occurs.

1See also Note 22Assets classified as held for sale and discountinued operations.

AB InBev’s impairment testing methodology is in accordance with IAS 36, in whichfair-value-less-cost-to-sell and value in use approaches are taken into consideration. This consists in applying a discounted free cash flow approach based on acquisition valuation models for its major businesscash-generating units and the businesscash-generating units showing a high invested capital to EBITDA multiple, and valuation multiples for its other businesscash-generating units.

The key judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the discounted free cash flow calculations are generally as follows:

 

The first year of the model is based on management’s best estimate of the free cash flow outlook for the current year;

In the second to fourth yearfirst three years of the model, free cash flows are based on AB InBev’s strategic plan as approved by key management. AB InBev’s strategic plan is prepared per businesscash-generating unit and is based on external sources in respect of macro-economic assumptions, industry, inflation and foreign exchange rates, past experience and identified initiatives in terms of market share, revenue, variable and fixed cost, capital expenditure and working capital assumptions;

 

For the subsequent sixseven years of the model, data from the strategic plan is extrapolated generally using simplified assumptions such as constant volumesmacro-economic and industry assumptions, variable cost per hectoliter and fixed cost linked to inflation, as obtained from external sources;

 

Cash flows after the firstten-year period are extrapolated generally using expected annual long-term consumer price indices (CPI),GDP growth rates, based on external sources, in order to calculate the terminal value, considering sensitivities on this metric. For the three main cash generating units, the terminal growth rate applied ranged between 0.0% and 2.3% for the US; 0.0% and 3.3% for Brazil and 0.0% and 2.6% for Mexico;metric;

 

Projections are made in the functional currency of the business unit and discounted at the unit’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC), considering sensitivities on this metric. The WACC ranged primarily between 7% and 14% in US dollar nominal terms for goodwill impairment testing conducted for 2016. For the three main cash generating units, the WACC applied in US dollar nominal terms ranged between 6% and 8% for the US, 9% and 11% for Brazil, and 8% and 10% for Mexico.metric;

 

Cost to sell is assumed to reach 2% of the entity value based on historical precedents.

For the main cash generating units, the terminal growth rate applied generally ranged between 1% and 4%.

The WACC applied in US dollar nominal terms were as follows:

Cash-generating unit

  2018  2017 

United States

   7  6

Colombia

   7  7

South Africa

   8  8

Peru

   7  7

Mexico

   8  9

Rest of Africa

   11  10

Australia

   7  6

South Korea

   7  6

Ecuador

   11  11

In the sensitivity analysis performed by management, an adverse change of 1% in WACC would not cause a cash-generating unit’s carrying amount to exceed its recoverable amount.

The above calculations are corroborated by valuation multiples, quoted share prices for publicly-traded subsidiaries or other available fair value indicators (i.e. recent market transactions from peers).

The initial allocation of goodwill to the business units acquired through the SABMiller combination was not concluded by 31 December 2016. Management assessed whether there would be any triggering event or indicator that could lead to an impairment of the goodwill acquired through the SABMiller combination and concluded that there were no indicators of impairment of goodwill.

Although AB InBev believes that its judgments, assumptions and estimates are appropriate, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or market or macro-economic conditions.

15.INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets

 

  2016  2015   31 December 2018 31 December
2017
 

Million US dollar

  Brands Commercial
intangibles
 Software Other Total  Total   Brands Commercial
intangibles
 Software Other Total Total 

Acquisition cost

              

Balance at end of previous year

   27 426   2 227   1 399   667   31 719   31 880    43 402   2 904   2 177   388   48 871   47 191 

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   (791 54  (38 (31 (805 (1 267   (1 482 (105 (137 (41 (1 765 1 286 

Acquisitions through business combinations

   15 422  5 076  161  64  20 723  270    —    22   —    2  24  417 

Acquisitions and expenditures

   23  265  140  135  563  1 018    2  367  73  226  668  312 

Disposals through the sales of subsidiaries

   —     —     —     —     —    (20

Disposals

   (4 (114 (22 (21 (161 (108   (25 (55  —    (16 (96 (191

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   (14  —    (29 (4 (47  —   

Transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements1

   —    (4 794 232  (508 (5 070 (54   250  (184 608  136  810  (144
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of period

   42 077   2 715   1 872   306   46 969   31 719    42 133   2 949   2 692   691   48 465   48 871 

Amortization and impairment losses

              

Balance at end of previous year

   (32  (954  (987  (69  (2 042  (1 957   (32  (1 379  (1 472  (114  (2 997  (2 401

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   —    (1 33  3  34  238    —    73  84  7  164  (139

Amortization

   —    (186 (220 (39 (446 (368   —    (163 (251 (31 (445 (498

Impairment losses

   —    (2  —    (1 (3 (32

Disposals through the sales of subsidiaries

   —     —     —     —     —    2 

Disposals

   —    111  19  12  142  77    —    45  (39 8  14  89 

Disposals through the sale of subsidiaries

   —     —    28  2  30   —   

Transfer to/(from) other asset categories and other movements1

   —    (91 4  1  (86 (2   —    (55 (352 7  (400 (48
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of period

   (32  (1 124  (1 151  (94  (2 401  (2 042   (32  (1 479  (2 002  (121  (3 634  (2 997

Carrying value

              

at 31 December 2015

   27 394   1 273   412   598   29 677   29 677 

at 31 December 2016

   42 045   1 591   720   212   44 568   —   

at 31 December 2017

   43 370   1 525   705   274   45 874   45 874 

at 31 December 2018

   42 101   1 470   690   570   44 831   —   

Current year acquisitions through business combinations primarily reflectOn 2 May 2018, AB InBev recovered the combinationBudweiser distribution rights in Argentina from CCU. The transaction involved the transfer of the Isenbeck, Iguana, Diosa, Norte and Baltica brands, along with SABMiller which resulted in the recognitiona cash payment of brands306m US dollar and commercial intangibles withother commitments, to CCU Argentina. The Budweiser distribution rights have been assigned an indefinite life of 19 879m US dollar, mainly including the Castle and Carling brand families in Africa, the Aguila and Poker brand families in Colombia, the Cristal and Pilsner brand families in Ecuador, and the Carlton brand family in Australia. Additionally, 161m US dollar was recognized as intangible assets with a finite life, primarily consisting of software and distribution agreements. See also Note 6Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries.useful life.

AB InBev is the owner of some of the world’s most valuable brands in the beer industry. As a result, brands and certain distribution rights are expected to generate positive cash flows for as long as the company owns the brands and distribution rights. Given AB InBev’s more than600-year history, brands and certain distribution rights have been assigned indefinite lives.

Acquisitions and expenditures of commercial intangibles mainly represent supply and distribution rights, exclusive multi-year sponsorship rights and other commercial intangibles.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are comprised primarily of brands and certain distribution rights that AB InBev purchases for its own products, and are tested for impairment during the fourth quarter of the year or whenever a triggering event has occurred.

As of 31 December 2016,2018, the carrying amount of the intangible assets amounted to 44 568m831m US dollar (31 December 2015: 29 677m2017: 45 874m US dollar) of which 42 272m435m US dollar was assigned an indefinite useful life (31 December 2015: 27 722m2017: 43 595m US dollar) and 2 296m396m US dollar a finite life (31 December 2015: 1 955m2017: 2 279m US dollar).

The carrying amount of intangible assets with indefinite useful lives was allocated to the different countries as follows:

 

Million US dollar

Country

  2016   20152   2018   2017 

USA

   21 570    21 484 

United States

   22 037    21 960 

Colombia

   3 803    —      3 516    3 820 

South Africa

   3 518    —      3 325    3 899 

Mexico

   2 920    3 503    3 068    3 058 

Peru

   2 731    —      2 720    2 825 

Australia

   2 373    —      2 422    2 773 

South Korea

   938    960    1 013    1 058 

Ecuador

   604    —      595    595 

China

   373    399    381    403 

Dominican Republic

   366    598    339    353 

Other African countries

   1 364    —   

Rest of Africa

   1 274    1 353 

Other countries

   1 712    778    1 745    1 498 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   42 272    27 722 

Total carrying amount of intangible assets with indefinite useful lives

   42 435    43 595 

1

The transfer (to)/from other asset categories and other movements mainly relates to transfers from assets under construction to their respective asset categories, to contributions of assets to pension plans, to the separate presentation in the balance sheet of property, plant and equipment held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operationsand to the restatement of non-monetary assets under hyperinflation accounting in line with IAS 29Financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives have been tested for impairment using the same methodology and assumptions as disclosed in Note 14Goodwill. Based on the assumptions described in that note, AB InBev concluded that no impairment charge is warranted. While a change in the estimates used could have a material impact on the calculation of the fair values and trigger an impairment charge, the company is not aware of any reasonablereasonably possible change in a key assumption used that would cause a businesscash-generating unit’s carrying amount to materially exceed its recoverable amount.

 

1See also Note 22Assets classified as held for sale and discountinued operations.
2Reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation

16.INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

Investments in associates

Following the combination with SABMiller, AB InBev recognized interests in associates with a fair value at acquisition date of 4.4 billion US dollar. Main associates contributing to such fair value adjustments are Castel and Anadolu Efes.

A reconciliation of the summarized financial information to the carrying amount of the company’s interests in material associates is as follows:

 

  2016   2018 2017 

Million US dollar

  Castel1   Efes   AB InBev Efes   Castel Efes Castel Efes 

Balance at 1 January

   —      3 480  694  2 793  750 

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   —      (213 (194 356  (54

Acquisitions

   1 157    —     —     —     —   

Dividends received

   —      (98 (11 (23  —   

Share of results of associates

   2    110  (10 354  (2
  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at 1 January

   —      —   

Combination with SABMiller

   2 932    895 

Share of results of associates

   18    (27

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   (158   (119
  

 

   

 

 

Balance at 31 December

   2 793    750 

Balance at end of period

   1 159    3 279   479   3 480   694 

On 30 March 2018, AB InBev completed the 50:50 merger of AB InBev’s and Anadolu Efes’ existing Russia and Ukraine businesses. Following the closing of the transaction, the operations of AB InBev and Anadolu Efes in Russia and Ukraine are now combined under AB InBev Efes. The combined business is fully consolidated in the Anadolu Efes financial accounts. As a result of the transaction, AB InBev stopped consolidating its Russia and Ukraine businesses and accounts for its investment in AB InBev Efes under the equity method as of that date. See also Note 6Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries.

The 2017 share of results of associates reported for Castel includes the revision of 2016 finalized result of associates. In 2018, the share of results of associates reported for Castel was negatively impacted by a currency devaluation in Angola.

Summarized financial information of the company’s material associates is as follows:

 

  2016   2018 2017 

Million US dollar

  Castel1   Efes   AB InBev Efes   Castel Efes Castel Efes 

Current assets

   3 970    1 058    275    4 193  2 888  4 894  2 415 

Non-current assets

   2 900    4 668    664    4 291  6 463  3 912  5 243 

Current liabilities

   1 391    561    556    1 643  2 233  1 724  1 106 

Non-current liabilities

   547    1 570    —      635  2 207  857  2 494 

Non-controlling interests

   762    1 464    —      939  2 297  879  1 520 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net assets

   4 170    2 131    383    5 267   2 614   5 346   2 538 

Revenue

   1 236    659    1 081    5 786  3 816  5 447  3 415 

Profit (loss) from continuing operations

   42    (111

Profit (loss)

   4    921  (43 746  (7

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   (108   75    —      (254 1 536  (94 553 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

   (66   (35   4    667  1 493  652  546 

Reconciliation of the above summarized financial information to the carrying amount of the interest in Castel and Efes recognized in the consolidated financial statements is as follows:

   2016 

Million US dollar

  Castel1   Efes 

Net assets of the associate

   4 170    2 131 

Interest in associates (%)

   20-40    24 

Interest in associate

   939    511 

Goodwill

   1 854    239 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Carrying amount of investment in associates

   2 793    750 

During 2016,In 2018, associates that are not individually material contributed to 47m51m US dollar to the results of investment in associates.

In 2015, there were no significant investments in associates.associates (2017: 78m US dollar).

Additional information related to the significant associates is presented in Note 3736AB InBev Companies.

 

17.INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Investment securities

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2018   2017 

Investment in unquoted companies

   84    76 

Investment on debt securities

   24    24 
  

 

   

 

 

Non-current investments

       108    100 

Investments in unquoted companies – available for sale

   58    31 

Debt securities held to maturity

   24    17 
  

 

   

 

 
   82    48 

Investment on debt securities

   87    1 304 
  

 

   

 

 

Current investments

       87    1 304 

Debt securities held for trading

   5 659    55 
  

 

   

 

 
   5 659    55 

As of 31 December 2016,2018, current debt securities of 5 659m87m US dollar mainly represented investments inT-Bills. government bonds. The company’s investments in such short-term debt securities are primarily to facilitate liquidity and for capital preservation.

1Brasseries Internationales Holding Ltd, Société des Brasseries et Glacières Internationales SA, Algerienne de Bavaroise Spa, BIH Brasseries Internationales Holding (Angola) Ltd, Marocaine d’Investissements et de Services SA, Skikda Bottling Company SARL, Société de Boissons de I’Ouest Algerien SARL, and Société des Nouvelles Brasseries together make up Castel’s African beverage operations. Details of individual ownership percentages are included in Note 37AB InBev companies.

The securities available for sale consist of investments in unquoted companies and are measured at cost as their fair value cannot be reliably determined.

18.DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

The amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities by type of temporary difference can be detailed as follows:

 

  2016   2018 

Million US dollar

  Assets   Liabilities   Net   Assets �� Liabilities   Net 

Property, plant and equipment

   533    (4 017   (3 484   381    (2 665   (2 284

Intangible assets

   200    (14 863   (14 663   115    (10 665   (10 550

Inventories

   145    (95   50    101    (67   34 

Trade and other receivables

   74    (59   15    142    (62   80 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   322    (456   (134   475    (618   (143

Employee benefits

   704    (22   682    673    (5   668 

Provisions

   578    (234   344    483    (27   456 

Derivatives

   42    (30   12    33    (58   (25

Other items

   147    (1 119   (972   215    (736   (521

Loss carry forwards

   1 278    —      1 278    577    —      577 

Reclassified as held for sale

   (4   1 459    1 455 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

   4 019    (19 436   (15 417   3 195    (14 903   (11 708

Netting by taxable entity

   (2 758   2 758    —      (1 738   1 738    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

   1 261    (16 678   (15 417   1 457    (13 165   (11 708

 

  2015   2017 

Million US dollar

  Assets   Liabilities   Net   Assets   Liabilities   Net 

Property, plant and equipment

   514    (2 482   (1 968   324    (2 586   (2 262

Intangible assets

   221    (9 709   (9 488   113    (11 387   (11 274

Inventories

   103    (97   6    114    (63   51 

Trade and other receivables

   91    (59   32    148    (62   86 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   569    (403   166    431    (646   (215

Employee benefits

   751    (28   723    663    (10   653 

Provisions

   337    (36   301    562    (17   545 

Derivatives

   92    (47   45    40    (49   (9

Other items

   151    (997   (846   200    (796   (596

Loss carry forwards

   249    —      249    1 130    —      1 130 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

   3 078    (13 858   (10 780   3 725    (15 616   (11 891

Netting by taxable entity

   (1 897   1 897    —      (2 509   2 509    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

   1 181 ��  (11 961   (10 780   1 216    (13 107   (11 891

The change in net deferred taxes recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position can be detailed as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   20141   2018   2017   2016 

Balance at 1 January

   (10 780   (11 643   (11 661   (11 891   (13 442   (10 780

Recognized in profit or loss

   (116   (199   (185   121    1 912    (116

Recognized in other comprehensive income

   (204   893    332    (130   (134   (204

Acquisitions through business combinations

   (5 623   (7   (250   (23   (74   (5 623

Reclassified as held for sale

   1 455    —      —      —      —      1 455 

Other movements and effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

   (149   176    121    215    (153   (149
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at 31 December

   (15 417   (10 780   (11 643   (11 708   (11 891   (13 442

Net deferredFollowing the US Tax reform enacted on 22 December 2017 whereby the US Federal tax assets and liabilities increased comparedrate was reduced from 35% to 2015 mainly due to21%, the company adjusted the deferred tax liabilities associatedset up in 2008 in line with IFRS, as part of the purchase price accounting of the combination with SABMiller.Anheuser Busch and certain deferred tax assets. This adjustment resulted in 1.8 billion US dollar recognized as an exceptional tax gain in 2017 – see also Note 12 – Income Taxes.

Most of the temporary differences are related to the fair value adjustment on intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and property, plant and equipment acquired through business combinations. The realization of such temporary differences is unlikely to revert within 12 months.

On 31 December 2016, a deferred tax liability of 121m US dollar (2015: 235m US dollar) relating to investment in subsidiaries has not been recognized because management believes that this liability will not be incurred in the foreseeable future.

Tax losses carried forward and deductible temporary differences on which no deferred tax asset is recognized amount to 5 280m US dollar (2017: 4 449m US dollar; 2016: 4 499m US dollar (2015: 2 766m US dollar). 858m1 954m US dollar of these tax losses and deductible temporary differences do not have an expiration date, 51m136m US dollar, 95m153m US dollar and 165m725m US dollar expire within respectively 1, 2 and 3 years, while 3 330m2 311m US dollar have an expiration date of more than 3 years. Deferred tax assets have not been recognized on these items

1

Reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.

because it is not probable that future taxable profits will be available against which these tax losses and deductible temporary differences can be utilized and the company has no tax planning strategy currently in place to utilize these tax losses and deductible temporary differences.

19.INVENTORIES

Inventories

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2018   2017 

Prepayments

   90    103    123    101 

Raw materials and consumables

   2 143    1 539    2 387    2 304 

Work in progress

   391    294    363    387 

Finished goods

   1 166    819    1 215    1 216 

Goods purchased for resale

   124    107    146    111 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   3 913    2 862 

Inventories

   4 234    4 119 

Inventories other than work in progress

        

Inventories stated at net realizable value

   42    46    59    57 

Carrying amount of inventories subject to collateral

   —      —   

The cost of inventories recognized as an expense in 20162018 amounts to 17 803m20 359m US dollar, included in cost of sales (2015: 17 137m(2017: 21 386m US dollar; 2014: 18 756m2016: 17 803m US dollar).

Impairment losses on inventories recognized in 20162018 amount to 70m72m US dollar (2015: 21m(2017: 72m US dollar; 2014:2016: 70m US dollar).

 

20.TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade and other receivables

Non-Current Trade and Other ReceivablesNON-CURRENT TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2018   2017 

Cash deposits for guarantees

   200    187    197    209 

Loans to customers

   15    37    45    13 

Deferred collection on disposals

   11    25    53    11 

Tax receivable, other than income tax

   105    86    139    68 

Trade and other receivables

   543    578    335    533 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   874    913    769    834 

For the nature of cash deposits for guarantees see Note 31Collateral and contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, loans to customers and other.

Current Trade and Other ReceivablesCURRENT TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2018   2017 

Trade receivables and accrued income

   4 562    3 241    4 412    4 752 

Interest receivable

   10    21    19    6 

Tax receivable, other than income tax

   572    353    378    368 

Loans to customers

   85    57    143    166 

Prepaid expenses

   316    465    329    428 

Other receivables

   846    314    1 094    846 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   6 391    4 451    6 375    6 566 

The fair valuecarrying amount of trade and other receivables equalsis a good approximation of their carrying amountsfair value as the impact of discounting is not significant.

The ageing of the current trade receivables and accrued income, interest receivable, other receivables and current andnon-current loans to customers can be detailed as follows for 20162018 and 20152017 respectively:

 

  Net carrying
amount as of
December 31,
2016
   Of which:
neither
impaired nor
past due on
the reporting
date
   Of which not impaired as of the reporting date and past
due
 
  Less than
30 days
   Between 30
and 59 days
   Between 60
and 89 days
   More than
90 days
   Net carrying
amount as of
31 December
2018
   Of which:
neither
impaired nor
past due on
the reporting
date
   Of which not impaired as of the reporting date and past due 
  Less than 30
days
   Between 30
and 59 days
   Between 60
and 89 days
   More than 90
days
 

Trade receivables and accrued income

   4 562    4 201    189    64    37    70    4 412    4 092    239    52    20    9 

Loans to customers

   100    96    —      2    2    —      188    176    4    5    3    —   

Interest receivable

   10    10    —      —      —      —      19    19    —      —      —      —   

Other receivables

   846    721    42    21    6    56    1 094    1 051    13    26    4    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   5 518    5 028    231    87    45    126    5 713    5 338    256    83    27    9 

   Net carrying
amount as of
December 31,
2015
   Of which:
neither
impaired nor
past due on
the reporting
date
   Of which not impaired as of the reporting date and past
due
 
       Less than
30 days
   Between 30
and 59 days
   Between 60
and 89 days
   More than
90 days
 

Trade receivables and accrued income

   3 241    3 105    110    13    13    —   

Loans to customers

   94    88    3    2    1    —   

Interest receivable

   21    21    —      —      —      —   

Other receivables

   314    314    —      —      —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   3 670    3 528    113    15    14    —   

   Net carrying
amount as of
31 December 2017
   Of which:
neither
impaired nor
past due on the
reporting date
   Of which not impaired as of the reporting date and past due 
   Less than
30 days
   Between 30
and 59 days
   Between 60
and 89 days
   More than
90 days
 

Trade receivables and accrued income

   4 752    4 369    265    47    40    31 

Loans to customers

   179    179    —      —      —      —   

Interest receivable

   6    6    —      —      —      —   

Other receivables

   846    803    19    6    14    4 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   5 783    5 357    284    53    54    35 

In accordance with IFRS 7Financial Instruments: Disclosures, theThe above analysis of the age of financial assets that are past due as at the reporting date but not impaired also includesnon-current loans to customers. Past due amounts were not impaired when collection is still considered likely, for instance because the amounts can be recovered from the tax authorities or AB InBev has sufficient collateral. Impairment losses on trade and other receivables recognized in 20162018 amount to 40m43m US dollar (2015: 44m(2017: 59m US dollar; 2016: 40m US dollar).

AB InBev’s exposure to credit, currency and interest rate risks is disclosed in Note 29Risks arising from financial instruments.

 

21.CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Short-term bank deposits

   3 231    4 462    2 233    3 896 

Treasury Bills

   250    —   

Cash and bank accounts

   5 098    2 461    4 841    6 576 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   8 579    6 923    7 074    10 472 

Bank overdrafts

   (184   (13   (114   (117
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   8 395    6 910    6 960    10 355 

The cash outstanding per 31 December 20162018 includes restricted cash for an amount of 2m US dollar (2015: 5m(31 December 2017: 2m US dollar). This restricted cash refers to outstanding consideration payable to former Anheuser-Busch shareholders who did not yet claim the proceeds from the 2008 combination.

 

22.ASSETS CLASSIFIED AS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Assets classified as held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations

Million US dollar

  2016   2015 

Balance at the end of previous year

   48    101 

Combination with SABMiller

   24 805    —   

Proceeds from SABMiller transaction-related divestitures

   (16 342   —   

Reclassified to assets held for sale in the period

   7 959    148 

Disposals through sales of subsidiaries

   (28   (189

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   (51   (12

Other movements

   48    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at the end of year

   16 439    48 

Assets classified as held for sale through the Combination

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Balance at the end of previous year

   133    16 458 

Disposals from SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —      (15 514

Reclassified to assets held for sale in the period

   35    91 

Disposals

   (128   (26

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

   (1   132 

Other movements

   —      (1 008
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at the end of year

   39    133 

Liabilities associated with SABMiller were recognized in relation to the divestiture of SABMiller’s interests in the MillerCoors LLC joint venture and certain of SABMiller’s portfolio of Miller brands outside of the U.S. to Molson Coors Brewing company; the divestiture of SABMiller’s European premium brands to Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd and the divestiture of SABMiller’s interest in China Resources Snow Breweries Ltd. to China Resources Beer (Holdings) Co. Ltd. These divestments were completed on 11 October 2016. See also Note 6 –Acquisitions and disposals of Subsidiaries.

Assets held for sale through the Combination with SABMiller were also recognized in relation to the agreement to sell SABMiller’s assets in Central and Eastern Europe (Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland) to Asahi; and the agreement to divest SABMiller’s interests in Distell Group Limited in South Africa to the Public Investment Corporation (SOC) Limited. By 31 December 2016, these disposals had not closed. See also Note 6 –Acquisitions and disposals of Subsidiaries

Amounts reclassified to assets held for sale in

Million US dollar

31 December 201831 December 2017

Balance at the end of previous year

—  2 174

Disposals from SAB transaction-related divestitures

—  (1 166

Other movements

—  (1 008

Balance at the end of year

—  �� —  

Completion of CCBA disposal

On 4 October 2017, AB InBev announced the period mainly related to the agreement reached in December 2016, between The Coca-Cola Company and the company regardingcompletion of the transition of the company’sits 54.5% equity stake in CCBACoca-Cola Beverages Africa (“CCBA”) for 3.15 billion US dollar, after customary adjustments. AB InBev stopped consolidating CCBA includesin its consolidated financial statements as of that date.

CCBA, the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa, was formed in 2016 through the combination of the African non-alcohol ready-to-drink bottling interests of SAB, The Coca-Cola Company and Gutsche Family Investments. It includes operations in the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ghana, Mayotte, and Comoros.

As discussedFurthermore, AB InBev completed in Note 6 –Acquisition2018 the sale of its carbonated soft drink businesses in Zambia and disposalBotswana to The Coca-Cola Company. AB InBev also entered into agreements to sell to The Coca-Cola Company all of subsidiaries,its carbonated soft drink business in eSwatini (Swaziland) and certain non-alcoholic beverage brands in El Salvador and Honduras. The closing of these transactions is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. In El Salvador and Honduras, the company is inhas executed long-term bottling agreements, which will become effective upon the process of finalizing the allocationclosing of the purchase price to individual assets acquiredEl Salvador and liabilities assumed in compliance with IFRS 3. Accordingly, on a provisional basis, the major classes of assets and liabilities of CCBA at the end of the reporting period, gross ofnon-controlling interests, are as follows:Honduras brand divestitures.

Million US dollar

CCBA

Intangible assets and goodwill

6 032

Property, plant and equipment

1 301

Other assets

584

Assets classified as held for sale

7 917

Trade payables

558

Deferred tax liabilities

1 459

Other liabilities

157

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

2 174

Net assets classified as held for sale

5 743

In addition, the companies have reached an agreement in principlecontinue to work towards finalizing the terms and conditions for The Coca-Cola Company to acquire the companies’sAB InBev’s interest in the bottling operations in Zambia, Zimbabwe Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, El Salvador and Honduras for an undisclosed amount. TheLesotho. These transactions are subject to the relevant regulatory and minorityshareholder approvals in the different jurisdictions. By 31 December 2018, the assets and are expected to close by the end of 2017.

The resultsliabilities of the Centralabove operations were not reported as assets classified as held for sale and Easter European businesses acquired through the SABMiller combination exclusivelyliabilities associated with a view to resale, qualify as discontinued operations and have been presented as such in these consolidated financial statements.assets held for sale.

The condensed income statement and cash flows of the Central and Easter European business are as follows:

Million US dollar

2016

Revenue

388

Profit from operations

58

Profit from discountinued operations

48

Operating cash inflows/(outflows)

48

 

23.CHANGES IN EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

Changes in equity and earnings per share

Combination with Sabmiller

The Combination was implemented through a series of steps and completed on the 10th of October. During the final step of the proposed structure, the former Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (the “former AB InBev”) has merged into Newbelco SA/NV (“Newbelco”), and Newbelco has become the holding company for the combined former AB InBev and SABMiller groups. All assets and liabilities of the former AB InBev have been transferred to Newbelco, and Newbelco has automatically been substituted for the former AB InBev in all its rights and obligations by operation of Belgian law. Newbelco has been renamed Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, and the former AB InBev has been dissolved by operation of Belgian law.

The combination resulted in a series of equity reorganizations:

On 6 October 2016, Newbelco issued 163 276 737 100 ordinary shares (“Initial Newbelco Shares”) to SABMiller shareholders through a capital increase of 85 531m euro represented by 8 553m euro capital (9 528 m US dollar) and 76 978m euro share premium (85 754m US dollar), as consideration for 1 632 767 371 ordinary shares of SABMiller pursuant to a UK law court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement (the “UK Scheme”).

Following completion of the tender offer, AB InBev acquired 102 890 758 014 Initial Newbelco Shares tendered into the Belgian offer equivalent to 555 466 167 new ordinary shares considering the consolidation factor of 185.233168056448 defined in the UK Scheme.

Based on the terms of the UK Scheme, all Initial Newbelco Shares not tendered to AB InBev in the context of the Belgian offer (i.e. 60 385 979 086 Initial Newbelco Shares) were reclassified into 325 999 817 restricted shares, in accordance with the mechanism by which any Initial Newbelco Shares that were retained after closing of the Belgian offer were automatically reclassified and consolidated.

After the Belgian offer and, upon completion of the Belgian merger, all shares acquired by AB InBev in the Belgian offer were cancelled except for the equivalent of 85 000 000 of new ordinary shares, which were retained by Newbelco and held as treasury after completion of the Belgian Merger, as decided by the general meeting of Newbelco in the notarial deed approving the merger of former AB InBev into Newbelco and in accordance with the Belgian Companies Code. As a result of the merger the share premium was reduced by 52 522m euro (58 510m US dollar) against undistributable reserves, 44 485m euro (49 556m US dollar) of such reserves were cancelled upon cancellation of the shares acquired by AB InBev in the Belgian offer, and 8 037m euro (8 953m US dollar) undistributable reserves remained outstanding against the 85 000 000 treasury shares in accordance with Belgian Companies Code.

Upon the merger, the capital and share premium of Newbelco were further reorganized. Newbelco’s share capital was reduced by 8 553m euro (9 528m US dollar) and its issue premium account was reduced by 24 456m euro (27 244m USD) to create distributable reserves of 33 009m euro (36 772m US dollar) as decided by the general meeting of Newbelco in the notarial deed approving the merger of former AB InBev into Newbelco and in accordance with the Belgian Companies Code. Each such step became effective simultaneously with the merger of former AB InBev into Newbelco upon completion of the SABMiller transaction.

As discussed in Note 6 –Acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries, in accordance with IFRS, the merger between the former AB InBev into Newbelco is considered for accounting purposes as a reverse acquisition, operation by which Newbelco legally absorbed assets and liabilities of former AB InBev. As a consequence, the legal acquirer (Newbelco) is the accounting acquiree and the legal acquiree (former AB InBev) is the accounting acquirer.

IFRS 3 requires that the comparative equity structure of the accounting acquirer (former AB InBev) be restated using the exchange ratio established in the acquisition agreement to reflect the number of shares of the legal parent issued in the reverse acquisition. As the exchange ratio resulting from the Belgian Merger represented one new ordinary share issued to the AB InBev shareholders in exchange for one former AB InBev Share, without any cash compensation, no restatement of comparative figures was deemed needed.

Statement of CapitalSTATEMENT OF CAPITAL

The tables below summarize the changes in issued capital and treasury shares during the year:

2016:2018:

 

FORMER AB INBEV –PRE MERGERISSUED CAPITAL

  Issued capital 
  Million shares   Million US dollar 

At the end of the previous year andpre-merger

   1 6081 736

1 6081 736

ISSUED CAPITAL – IMPACT MERGER

Issued capital
Million sharesMillion US dollar

6 October capital increase

8819 528

Cancellation of acquired shares

(470—  

Share for share exchange former AB InBev

1 6082 019    1 736 

Transfer to reservesChanges during the period

   —      (9 528—  ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   2 019    1 736 

Of which:

    

Ordinary shares

   1 693   

Restricted shares

   326   

 

TREASURY SHARES

  Treasury shares   Result on the use of
treasury shares1
 
  Million shares   Million US dollar   Million US dollar 

At the end of the previous year

   1.9    (202   (1 424

Treasury shares as a result of the Belgian Merger

   85.0    (8 953   —   

Other changes during the period

   (1.4   175    (28
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   85.5    (8 980   (1 452

2015:

ISSUED CAPITAL

Issued capital
Million sharesMillion US dollar

At the end of the previous year

1 6081 736

Changes during the year

—  —  

1 6081 736

TREASURY SHARES

  Treasury shares   Result on the use of
treasury shares
   Treasury shares   Result on the use of
treasury shares
Million US dollar
 
Million shares   Million US dollar   Million US dollar  Million shares   Million US dollar 

At the end of the previous year

   0.9    (63   (756   85.5    (8 980   (1 452

Changes during the year

   1.0    (139   (668

Changes during the period

   (23.0   2 431    (931
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   1.9    (202   (1 424   62.5    (6 549   (2 383

As at 31 December 2016,2018, the share capital of AB InBev amounts to 1,238,608,344.121 238 608 344.12 euro (1 736 billionmillion US dollar). It is represented by 2,019,241,9732 019 241 973 shares without nominal value, of which 85,540,39262 502 473 are held in treasury by AB InBev and its subsidiaries. All shares are new ordinary shares, following the completion of the Belgian Merger, except for 325,999,817 Restricted Shares.325 999 817 restricted shares. As at 31 December 2016, there is no2018, the total of authorized,un-issued capital. capital amounts to 37m euro.

The treasury shares held by the company are reported in equity in Treasury shares.

The holders of ordinary and restricted shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the company. In respect of the company’s shares that are held by AB InBev, rights are suspended.

The restricted shares are unlisted, not admitted to trading on any stock exchange, and are subject to, among other things, restrictions on transfer until converted into new ordinary shares. The restricted shares will be convertible at the election of the holder into new ordinary shares on aone-for-one basis with effect from the fifth anniversary of completion of the Combination.SAB combination. From completion of the Combination,SAB combination, such restricted shares will rank equally with the new ordinary shares with respect to dividends and voting rights.

1During 2016, the company reclassified the results of treasury shares to retained earnings

The shareholders’ structure based on the notifications made to the company pursuant to the Belgian Law of 02 May 2007 on the disclosure of significant shareholdings in listed companies is included in theCorporate Governance section of AB InBev’s annual report.

Changes in Ownership InterestsCHANGES IN OWNERSHIP INTERESTS

In compliance with IFRS 10, the acquisition of additional shares in a subsidiary is accounted for as an equity transaction with owners.

During 2016, AB InBev purchasednon-controlling interests2018, Ambev increased its investment in subsidiaries for Cervecería total consideration of 10m US dollar.Nacional Dominicana S.A. (“CND”) from 55% to 85%. As the related subsidiaries weresubsidiary was already fully consolidated, the purchasespurchase did not impact AB InBev’s profit, but reduced thenon-controlling interests by 429m US dollar and thus impactedincreased the profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev.

Report According to ArticleREPORT ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 624 of the Belgian Companies Code - Purchase of Own SharesOF THE BELGIAN COMPANIES CODE – PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES

During the year ended 31 December 2015, AB InBev bought back 8 200 090 shares for a total amount of 1 billion US dollar, corresponding to 0.41% of the total shares outstanding. The shares acquired were mainly used to fulfill the company’s various share delivery commitments under the stock ownership plan.

During 2016,2018, the company proceeded with the following sale transactions:

 

194 132

1 251 602 shares were granted to executives of the group according to the company’s executive remuneration policy;

 

1 139 599497 344 shares were sold, as a result of the exercise of options granted to employees of the group.group;

23 076 922 shares were delivered under deferred share instruments with former Grupo Modelo shareholders.

At the end of the period, the group owned 85 540 39262 527 163 own shares of which 85 000 00061 923 078 were held directly by AB InBev.

The par value of the shares is 0.61 euro. As a consequence, the shares that were sold during the year 20162018 represent 862 37418 038 093 US dollar (818 114(15 753 779 euro) of the subscribed capital and the shares that the company still owned at the end of 20162018 represent 54 959 95643 672 135 US dollar (52 139 224(38 141 569 euro) of the subscribed capital.

DividendsDIVIDENDS

On 2724 October 2018, an interim dividend of 0.80 euro per share or approximately 1 565m euro was approved by the Board of Directors. This interim dividend was paid out on 29 November 2018. On 28 February, in addition to the interim dividend paid on 29 November 2018, a dividend of 1.00 euro per share or 1 957m euro was proposed by the Board of Directors, reflecting a total dividend payment for the 2018 fiscal year of 1.80 euro per share or 3 522m euro.

On 25 October 2017, an interim dividend of 1.60 euro per share or 3 089m euro was approved by the Board of Directors. This interim dividend was paid out on 16 November 2017. On 25 April 2018, in addition to the interim dividend paid on 16 November 2017, a dividend of 2.00 euro per share or 3 867m euro was approved at the shareholders meeting, reflecting a total dividend payment for 2017 fiscal year of 3.60 euro per share or 6 956m euro. The dividend was paid out on 3 May 2018.

On 25 October 2016, an interim dividend of 1.60 euro per share or 3 091m091 euro was approved by the Board of Directors. This interim dividend was paid out on 17 November 2016. On 1 March26 April 2017, in addition to the interim dividend paid on 17 November 2016, a dividend of 2.00 euro per share or 3 856m euro was proposed byapproved at the Board of Directors,shareholders meeting, reflecting a total dividend payment for 2016 fiscal year of 3.60 euro per share or 6 947m euro.

On 29 October 2015, an interim dividend of 1.60 euro per share or 2 570m euro was approved by the Board of Directors. This interim dividend was paid out on 16 November 2015. On 27 April 2016, in addition to the interim dividend paid on 16 November 2015, a dividend of 2.00 euro per share or approximately 3 206m euro was approved at the shareholders meeting, reflecting a total dividend payment for 2015 fiscal year of 3.60 euro per share or 5 776m euro. The dividend was paid out on 34 May 2016.2017.

Translation ReservesTRANSLATION RESERVES

The translation reserves comprise all foreign currency exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations. The translation reserves also comprise the portion of the gain or loss on the foreign currency liabilities and on the derivative financial instruments determined to be effective net investment hedges in conformity with IAS 39Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurementhedge accounting rules.investment.

Hedging ReservesHEDGING RESERVES

The hedging reserves comprise the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedges to the extent the hedged risk has not yet impacted profit or loss – see also Note 29Risks arising from financial instruments.loss.

Transfers from SubsidiariesTRANSFERS FROM SUBSIDIARIES

The amount of dividends payable to AB InBev by its operating subsidiaries is subject to, among other restrictions, general limitations imposed by the corporate laws, capital transfer restrictions and exchange control restrictions of the respective jurisdictions where those subsidiaries are organized and operate. Capital transfer restrictions are also common in certain emerging market countries, and may affect AB InBev’s flexibility in implementing a capital structure it believes to be efficient. As at 31 December 2016,2018, the restrictions above mentioned were not deemed significant on the company’s ability to access or use the assets or settle the liabilities of the its operating subsidiaries.

Dividends paid to AB InBev by certain of its subsidiaries are also subject to withholding taxes. Withholding tax, if applicable, generally does not exceed 15%.

Deferred Share InstrumentDEFERRED SHARE INSTRUMENT

In a transaction related to the combination with Grupo Modelo, selected Grupo Modelo shareholders committed, upon tender of their Grupo Modelo shares, to acquire 23 076 923922 AB InBev shares to be delivered within 5 years for a consideration of approximately 1.5 billion US dollar. The consideration was paid on 5 June 2013. Pending

On 21 May 2018, AB InBev delivered the shares that were due under the deferred share instruments through the use of AB InBev treasury shares.

Until the delivery of the AB InBev shares, AB InBev will paypaid a coupon on each undelivered AB InBev share, so that the Deferred Share Instrument holders arewere compensated on an after tax basis, for dividends they would have received had the AB InBev shares been delivered to them prior to the record date for such dividend.

The deferred share instrument iswas classified as an equity instrument, in line with IAS 32, as the number of shares and consideration received are fixed. The coupon to compensate for the dividend equivalent is reported through equity. On 3 May 2016,2018, the company paid a coupon of 2.00 euro per share or approximately 51m56m US dollar. On 17 November 2016, the company paid a coupon of 1.60dollar (2017: 3.60 euro per share or approximately 41m93m US dollar.dollar).

Stock LendingSTOCK LENDING

In order to fulfil AB InBev’s commitments under various outstanding stock option plans, AB InBev entered into stock lending arrangements for up to 1520 million of its own ordinary shares. As of 31 December 2016,2018, the outstanding balance of loaned securities amounted to 1520 million, of which 1320 million were used to fulfil stock option plan commitments. AB InBev shall pay any dividend equivalent, after tax in respect of the loaned securities. This payment will be reported through equity as dividend.

Other Comprehensive Income Reserves

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME RESERVES

The changes in the other comprehensive income reserves are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  Translation
reserves
   Hedging
reserves
   Post-employment
benefits
   Total OCI
reserves
   Translation
Reserves
   Hedging
reserves
   Post-employment
benefits
   Total OCI
Reserves
 

As per 1 January 2016

   (11 493   (1 217   (1 400   (14 110

Other comprehensive income

        

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   (3 265   —      —      (3 265

Foreign exchange contracts recognized in equity in relation to the SABMiller combination

   —      (7099   —      (7 099

Foreign exchange contracts reclassified from equity in relation to the SABMiller combination

   —      8 837    —      8 837 

Cash flow hedges

   —      223    —      223 

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —        (212   (212

Total comprehensive income

   (3 265   1 961    (212   (1 516
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

As per 31 December 2016

   (14 758   744    (1 612   (15 626

Million US dollar

  Translation
reserves
   Hedging
reserves
   Post-employment
benefits
   Total OCI
reserves
 

As per 1 January 2015

   (5 336   557    (1 447   (6 226

Other comprehensive income

        

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   (6 157   —      —      (6 157

Foreign exchange contracts recognized in equity in relation to the SABMiller combination

   —      (1738   —      (1 738

Cash flow hedges

   —      (36   —      (36

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —      —      47    47 

Total comprehensive income

   (6 157   (1 774   47    (7 884
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

As per 31 December 2015

   (11 493   (1 217   (1 400   (14 110

Million US dollar

  Translation
reserves
   Hedging
reserves
   Post-employment
benefits
   Total OCI
reserves
 

As per 1 January 2014

   (962   455    (968   (1 475

As per 1 January 2018

   (13 705   586    (1 665   (14 784

Other comprehensive income

                

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   (4 374   —      —      (4 374   (7 379   —      —      (7 379

Cash flow hedges

   —      102    —      102    —      (92   —      (92

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —      —      (479   (479   —      —      98    98 

Total comprehensive income

   (4 374   102    (479   (4 751   (7 379   (92   98    (7 373
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

As per 31 December 2014

   (5 336   557    (1 447   (6 226

As per 31 December 2018

   (21 084   494    (1 567   (22 157
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Million US dollar

  Translation
Reserves
   Hedging
reserves
   Post-employment
benefits
   Total OCI
Reserves
 

As per 1 January 2017

   (14 758   744    (1 612   (15 626

Other comprehensive income

        

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   1 053    —      —      1 053 

Cash flow hedges

   —      (158   —      (158

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —      —      (53   (53

Total comprehensive income

   1 053    (158   (53   842 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

As per 31 December 2017

   (13 705   586    (1 665   (14 784

Million US dollar

  Translation
Reserves
   Hedging
reserves
   Post-employment
benefits
   Total OCI
Reserves
 

As per 1 January 2016

   (11 493   (1 217   (1 400   (14 110

Other comprehensive income

        

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (gains/(losses))

   (3 265   —      —      (3 265

Foreign exchange contracts recognized in equity in relation to the SAB combination

   —      (7 099   —      (7 099

Foreign exchange contracts reclassified from equity in relation to the SAB combination

   —      8 837    —      8 837 

Cash flow hedges

   —      223    —      223 

Re-measurements of post-employment benefits

   —      —      (212   (212

Total comprehensive income

   (3 265   1 961    (212   (1 516
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

As per 31 December 2016

   (14 758   744    (1 612   (15 626

Earnings Per ShareEARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of basic earnings per share for the year ended 31 December 2018 is based on the profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev of 1 241m4 368m US dollar (31 December 2015: 8 273m2017: 7 996m US dollar; 31 December 2014: 9 216m2016: 1 241m US dollar) and a weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares outstanding (including deferred share instruments and stock lending) per end of the period, calculated as follows:

 

Million shares

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Issued ordinary shares at 1 January, net of treasury shares

   1 606    1 607    1 607 

Effect of restricted share issuance – SABMiller combination

   94    —      —   

Issued ordinary and restricted shares at 1 January, net of treasury shares

   1 934    1 934    1 606 

Effect of restricted shares issued upon the SAB combination

   —      —      94 

Effect of shares issued and share buyback programs

   (20   (2   —      —      —      (20

Effect of stock lending

   12    10    4    18    14    12 

Effect of undelivered shares under the deferred share instrument

   23    23    23    9    23    23 

Effect of delivery of treasury shares

   14    —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares at 31 December

   1 717    1 638    1 634    1 975    1 971    1 717 

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended 31 December 2018 is based on the profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev of 1 241m4 368m US dollar (31 December 2015: 8 273m2017: 7 996m US dollar; 31 December 2014: 9 216m2016: 1 241m US dollar) and a weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted) outstanding (including deferred share instruments and stock lending) per end of the period, calculated as follows:

 

Million shares

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares at 31 December

   1 717    1 638    1634    1 975    1 971    1 717 

Effect of share options, warrants and restricted stock units

   38    30    31    36    39    38 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted) at 31 December

   1 755    1 668    1 665    2 011    2 010    1 755 

The calculation of earnings per share before exceptional items and discontinued operations is based on the profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of AB InBev. A reconciliation of profit before exceptional items and discontinued operations, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev to profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev is calculated as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Profit before exceptional items and discontinued operations, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   4 853    8 513    8 865    6 793    7 967    4 853 

Exceptional items, after taxes, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev (refer to Note 8)

   (304   (26   (158

Exceptional finance income/(cost), after taxes, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev (refer to Note 8)

   
(3
356
 
   (214   509 

Profit from discontinued operations (refer to Note 22)

   48    —      —   

Exceptional items, before taxes (refer to Note 8)

   (715   (662   (394

Exceptional finance income/(cost), before taxes (refer to Note 8)

   (1 982   (693   (3 356

Exceptional taxes (refer to Note 8)

   240    830    77 

Exceptional non-controlling interest (refer to Note 8)

   32    526    13 

Profit from discontinued operations

   —      28    48 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   1 241    8 273    9 216    4 368    7 996    1 241 

The calculation of the Underlying EPS1 is based on the profit before exceptional items, discontinued operations, mark-to-market losses and hyperinflation impacts attributable to equity holders of AB InBev. A reconciliation of profit before exceptional items, discontinued operations, mark-to-market losses and hyperinflation impacts, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev to profit before exceptional items and discontinued operations, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev, is calculated as follows:

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016 

Profit before exceptional items, discontinued operations, mark-to-market losses and hyperinflation impacts, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   8 644    8 258    5 237 

Mark-to-market losses on certain derivatives related to the hedging of share-based payment programs (refer to Note 11)

   (1 774   (291   (384

Hyperinflation impacts

   (77   —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before exceptional items and discontinued operations, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   6 793    7 967    4 853 

The table below sets out the EPS calculation:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   1 241    8 273    9 216    4 368    7 996    1 241 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares

   1 717    1 638    1 634    1 975    1 971    1 717 

Basic EPS from continuing and discontinued operations

   0.72    5.05    5.64    2.21    4.06    0.72 

Profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   1 193    8 273    9 216    4 368    7 968    1 193 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares

   1 717    1 638    1 634    1 975    1 971    1 717 

Basic EPS from continuing operations

   0.69    5.05    5.64    2.21    4.04    0.69 

Profit from continuing operations before exceptional items, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   4 853    8 513    8 865    6 793    7 967    4 853 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares

   1 717    1 638    1 634    1 975    1 971    1 717 

EPS from continuing operations before exceptional items

   2.83    5.20    5.43 

Basic EPS from continuing operations before exceptional items

   3.44    4.04    2.83 

Profit before exceptional items, discontinued operations, mark-to-market losses and hyperinflation impacts, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   8 644    8 258    5 237 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares

   1 975    1 970    1 717 

Underlying EPS2

   4.38    4.19    3.05 

Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   1 241    8 273    9 216    4 368    7 996    1 241 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted)

   1 755    1 668    1 665    2 011    2 010    1 755 

Diluted EPS from continuing and discontinued operations

   0.71    4.96    5.54    2.17    3.98    0.71 

Profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   1 193    8 273    9 216    4 368    7 968    1 193 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted)

   1 755    1 668    1 665    2 011    2 010    1 755 

Diluted EPS from continuing operations

   0.68    4.96    5.54    2.17    3.96    0.68 

Profit from continuing operations before exceptional items, attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   4 853    8 513    8 865    6 793    7 967    4 853 

Weighted average number of ordinary and restricted shares (diluted)

   1 755    1 668    1 665    2 011    2 010    1 755 

Diluted EPS from continuing operations before exceptional items

   2.77    5.10    5.32    3.38    3.96    2.77 

The average market value of the company’s shares for purposes of calculating the dilutive effect of share options and restricted stock units was based on quoted market prices for the period that the options and restricted stock units were outstanding. 5m63m share options were anti-dilutive and not included in the calculation of the dilutive effect as at 31 December 2016.2018 (31 December 2016 and 2017: 5m share options).

 

1

See glossary.

2

See glossary.

24.INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

This note provides information about the company’s interest-bearing loans and borrowings. For more information about the company’s exposure to interest rate and foreign exposure currency risk - refer to Note 29Risks arising from financial instruments.

 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Secured bank loans

   210    175    109    230 

Unsecured bank loans

   8 266    89    86    153 

Unsecured bond issues

   105 146    43 112    105 170    108 327 

Unsecured other loans

   111   43    57    53 

Finance lease liabilities

   208    122    162    186 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   113 941    43 541 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Million US dollar

  2016   2015 

Secured bank loans

   652    102 

Commercial papers

   2 053    2 087 

Unsecured bank loans

   1 396    1 380 

Unsecured bond issues

   4 481    2 330 

Unsecured other loans

   10    9 

Finance lease liabilities

   26    4 
  

 

   

 

 
   8 618    5 912 

Non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   105 584    108 949 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Secured bank loans

   370    272 

Commercial papers

   1 142    1 870 

Unsecured bank loans

   22    739 

Unsecured bond issues

   2 626    4 510 

Unsecured other loans

   14    15 

Finance lease liabilities

   42    27 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   4 216    7 433 

The current andnon-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings amount to 122.6109.8 billion US dollar as of 31 December 2016,2018, compared to 49.5116.4 billion US dollar as of 31 December 2015. Out of the 122.62017.

Commercial papers amount to 1.1 billion US dollar as of 31 December 2016, 12.2 billion US dollar represents the fair market value of the total SABMiller debt assumed.

Commercial papers amount to 2.1 billion US dollar as of 31 December 20162018 and include programs in US dollar and euro with a total authorized issuance up to 3.0 billion US dollar and 1.0 billion euro, respectively.

During 2016,2018, AB InBev completed the issuance of the following series of bonds:

Issue date

 Aggregate
principal amount
(in millions)
  Currency  Interest rate Maturity date
23 January 2018  1 500   Euro  3M EURIBOR + 30 bps 15 April 2024
23 January 2018  2 000   Euro  1.150% 22 January 2027
23 January 2018  750   Euro  2.000% 23 January 2035
4 April 2018  1 500   USD  3.500% 12 January 2024
4 April 2018  2 500   USD  4.000% 13 April 2028
4 April 2018  1 500   USD  4.375% 15 April 2038
4 April 2018  2 500   USD  4.600% 15 April 2048
4 April 2018  1 500   USD  4.750% 15 April 2058
4 April 2018  500   USD  3M LIBOR + 74 bps 12 January 2024

On 19 March, the company redeemed the entire outstanding principal amount of the Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide notes with a principal amount of 2.5 billion US dollar due in 2019 bearing interest at 7.75%.

On 23 April, the company redeemed the entire outstanding principal amount of certain notes due in 2019 and 2020. The total principal amount of the notes that were retired is approximately 7.8 billion US dollar.

On 6 June, the company redeemed the entire outstanding principal amount of the Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide notes due 2020. The total principal amount of notes that were retired is 1.0 billion US dollar.

On 13 December, the company redeemed the entire outstanding principal amount of the Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance notes due 2021. The total principal amount of notes that were retired is 2.5 billion US dollar.

The redemption of these notes was financed with cash.

On 26 November, the company announced the final results of a U.S. private exchange offer for a series of six notes issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance for notes co-issued by Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC (“ABC”) and Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. The total principal amount of notes exchanged listed below is 23.5 billion US dollar.

 

Issue date

Issuer

  AggregateTitle of series of notes
principal amount
(in millions)issued exchanged
   CurrencyInterest rateMaturity date
25 January 2016Original
principal
amount
outstanding
(in million
US dollar)
   4Principal amount
outstanding
exchanged
(in million US dollar)
Principal
amount not
exchanged
(in million
US dollar)

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance

4.9% Notes due 204611 000   US dollar1.900%1 February 2019
25 January 20169 543   7 5001 457

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance

   US dollar4.7% Notes due 2036 2.650%1 February 2021
25 January 2016   6 000   US dollar5 385 3.300% 1 February 2023615
25 January 2016

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance

3.65% Notes due 2026   11 000   US dollar8 555 3.650%1 February 2026
25 January 20166 000US dollar4.700%1 February 2036
25 January 201611 000US dollar4.900%1 February 2046
25 January 2016500US dollar3M LIBOR + 126 bps1 February 2021
29 January 20161 470US dollar4.915%29 January 2046
29 March 20161 750Euro0.625%17 March 2020
29 March 2016   000445Euro0.875%17 March 2022
29 March 20162 500Euro1.500%17 March 2025
29 March 20163 000Euro2.000%17 March 2028
29 March 20162 750Euro2.750%17 March 2036
29 March 20161 250Euro3M EURIBOR + 75 bps17 March 2020

Substantially all of the net proceeds of the offering was used to fund a portion of the purchase price for the combination with SABMiller and related transactions. The remainder of the net proceeds was used for general corporate purposes. The excess liquidity resulting from these bonds was mainly invested in US Treasury Bills pending the closing of the combination.

In connection with the combination with SABMiller, AB InBev entered into a 75.0 billion US dollar Committed Senior Acquisition Facilities agreement dated 28 October 2015 to fund the cash consideration of the transaction. The new financing consisted of a 10.0 billion US dollar Disposal Bridge Facility, a 15.0 billion US dollar Cash/DCM Bridge Facility A, a 15.0 billion US dollar Cash/DCM Bridge Facility B, a 25.0 billion US dollar Term Facility A, and a 10.0 billion US dollar Term Facility B, (“2015 Senior Facilities Agreement”).

On 27 January 2016, AB InBev announced that it had cancelled 42.5 billion US dollar of the 75.0 billion US dollar Committed Senior Acquisition Facilities. Upon receipt of the net proceeds of the January 46 billion US dollar offering, the company was required to cancel the Bridge to Cash / DCM Facilities A & B totaling 30 billion US dollar. Additionally, the company chose to make a voluntary cancellation of 12.5 billion US dollar of the Term Facility A as permitted under the terms of the 2015 Senior Facilities. On 4 April 2016, AB InBev announced that it had chosen to make an additional voluntary cancellation of the remaining 12.5 billion US dollar of the Term Facility A.

On 6 October 2016, the company drew down 8.0 billion US dollar under the Term Facility B and 10.0 billion US dollar under the Disposal Bridge Facility to finance the acquisition of SABMiller and announced that it had chosen to make an additional voluntary cancellation of 2.0 billion US dollar of the Term Facility B. On 20 October 2016, the company fully repaid the Disposal Bridge Facility, following completion of the disposals of SABMiller’s interests in MillerCoors and the global Miller brand, SABMiller’s interest in China Resources Snow Breweries and part of SABMiller’s European business – see also Note 6 –Acquisitions and disposals of Subsidiaries.

A summation of the Facilities, related cancellations and drawdowns as of 31 December 2016 is presented below:

Facility

  Term   Applicable
Margin (bps)
   Original
Amount
(billion
US dollar)
   2016
Cancellation
(billion
US dollar)
  2016
Drawdown
(billion
US dollar)
  Repayment
(billion
US dollar)
   Outstanding
Balance
(billion
US dollar)
 

Term Facility A

   3 Years    LIBOR + 110    25.0    (25.0  —     —      —   

Term Facility B

   5 Years    LIBOR + 125    10.0    (2.0  (8.0  —      (8.0

Disposal Bridge Facility

   1 Year    LIBOR + 100    10.0    —     (10.0  10.0    —   

Bridge to Cash / DCM Facility A

   1 Year    LIBOR + 100    15.0    (15.0  —     —      —   

Bridge to Cash / DCM Facility B

   2 Years    LIBOR + 100    15.0    (15.0  —     —      —   
      

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
       75.0    (57.0  (18.0  10.0    (8.0

The facilities bear interest rate calculated at LIBOR for a period equal to the length of the interest period plus an applicable margin. The margins on each facility are determined based on ratings assigned by rating agencies to AB InBev long-term debt. For Term Facility B, the margin ranges between 1.00% per annum and 1.45% per annum.

Customary commitment fees were payable on any undrawn but available funds under the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreement. These fees are recorded as exceptional finance cost – see also Note 8Exceptional items.

As at 31 December 2016, there are no amounts drawn down under the 9.0 billion US dollar 2010 Senior Facilities.

Furthermore, in 2016, AB InBev completed the following early redemptions, exchange offers and credit facilities cancellation:

On 9 December 2016, the company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. and Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation (formerly SABMiller Holdings Inc.), exercised their respective options to redeem in full the entire outstanding principal amount of certain series of notes, consisting of 1.2 billion US

dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2017 bearing interest at an annual rate of 1.125%; 2.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2017 bearing interest at an annual rate of 2.45% and; 0.6 billion euro aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2017 bearing interest at an annual rate of 8.625%.

In November 2016, the company cancelled 3.5 billion US dollar committed syndicated revolving credit facilities assumed as part of the SABMiller combination, that were available for general corporate purposes.

In December 2016, AB InBev closed the following exchange offers:

Former Issuer

New Issuer

Title of series of notes issued
exchanged

Aggregate principal
amount
% of total
outstanding principal
of such series of
notes tendered

SABMiller Limited

Anheuser Bush InBev Wordwide Inc.6.500% Notes due 2018700m US dollar89.52

Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation

Anheuser Bush InBev Wordwide Inc.2.200% Fixed Rate Notes due 2018750m US dollar85.45

Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation

Anheuser Bush InBev Wordwide Inc.Floating Rate Notes due 2018350m US dollar88.33

Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation

Anheuser Bush InBev Wordwide Inc.

3.750% Notes due 2022

2 500m US dollar

94.02

SABMiller Limited

Anheuser Bush InBev Wordwide Inc.6.625% Guaranteed Notes due August 2033300m US dollar99.43

FBG Finance Pty Ltd (formerly FBG Finance Limited)

Anheuser Bush InBev Wordwide Inc.5.875% Notes due 2035300m US dollar100

S Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation

Anheuser Bush InBev Wordwide Inc.

4.950% Notes due 2042

1 500m US dollar

99.36

SABMiller Limited

PBG Finance Pty Ltd.3.75% Notes due 2020700m Australian
dollar
94.36

Anheuser-Busch North American Holding Corporation

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV1.875% Notes due 20201 000m euro81.05% 

AB InBev is in compliance with all its debt covenants as of 31 December 2016.2018. The 2010 Senior Facilities and the 2015 Senior Facilities Agreementsenior facilities do not include restrictive financial covenants.

TERMS AND DEBT REPAYMENT

SCHEDULE AT 31 DECEMBER 2016

Million US dollar

  Total   1 year or
less
   1-2 years   2-3 years   3-5 years   More than 5
years
 

Secured bank loans

   862    652    107    26    21    56 

Commercial papers

   2 053    2 053    —      —      —      —   

Unsecured bank loans

   9 662    1 396    195    91    7 980    —   

Unsecured bond issues

   109 627    4 481    6 234    10 032    18 697    70 183 

Unsecured other loans

   121    10    20    15    22    54 

Finance lease liabilities

   234    26    26    31    46    105 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   122 559    8 618    6 582    10 195    26 766    70 398 

TERMS AND DEBT REPAYMENT

SCHEDULE AT 31 DECEMBER 2015

Million US dollar

  Total   1 year or
less
   1-2 years   2-3 years   3-5 years   More than 5
years
 

Secured bank loans

   277    102    72    20    28    55 

Commercial papers

   2 087    2 087    —      —      —      —   

Unsecured bank loans

   1 469    1 380    84    —      5    —   

Unsecured bond issues

   45 442    2 330    6 415    4 613    10 163    21 921 

Unsecured other loans

   52    9    10    8    9    16 

Finance lease liabilities

   126    4    4    5    15    98 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   49 453    5 912    6 585    4 646    10 220    22 090 

FINANCE LEASE LIABILITIES

Million US dollar

  2016
Payments
   2016
Interests
   2016
Principal
   2015
Payments
   2015
Interests
   2015
Principal
 

Less than one year

   45    19    26    14    10    4 

Between one and two years

   43    16    27    14    10    4 

Between two and three years

   44    13    31    14    9    5 

Between three and five years

   70    24    46    32    17    15 

More than 5 years

   144    40    104    145    47    98 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   346    112    234    219    93    126 

TERMS AND DEBT REPAYMENT

SCHEDULE AT 31 DECEMBER 2018

Million US dollar

  Total   1 year or
less
   1-2 years   2-3 years   3-5 years   More than 5
years
 

Secured bank loans

   479    370    38    14    26    31 

Commercial papers

   1 142    1 142    —      —      —      —   

Unsecured bank loans

   108    22    —      86    —      —   

Unsecured bond issues

   107 796    2 626    5 259    8 039    17 180    74 692 

Unsecured other loans

   71    14    18    7    9    23 

Finance lease liabilities

   204    42    19    17    12    114 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   109 800    4 216    5 334    8 163    17 227    74 860 

TERMS AND DEBT REPAYMENT

SCHEDULE AT 31 DECEMBER 2017

Million US dollar

  Total   1 year or
less
   1-2 years   2-3 years   3-5 years   More than 5
years
 

Secured bank loans

   502    272    128    18    33    51 

Commercial papers

   1 870    1 870    —      —      —      —   

Unsecured bank loans

   892    739    122    31    —      —   

Unsecured bond issues

   112 837    4 510    9 956    9 389    18 441    70 541 

Unsecured other loans

   68    15    18    7    3    25 

Finance lease liabilities

   213    27    29    20    23    114 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   116 382    7 433    10 253    9 465    18 500    70 731 

FINANCE LEASE LIABILITIES

Million US dollar

  2018
Payments
   2018
Interests
   2018
Principal
   2017
Payments
   2017
Interests
   2017
Principal
 

Less than one year

   62    20    42    42    15    27 

Between one and two years

   37    18    19    42    13    29 

Between two and three years

   33    16    17    31    11    20 

Between three and five years

   33    21    12    40    17    23 

More than 5 years

   151    37    114    146    32    114 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   317    112    205    301    88    213 

Net debt is defined asnon-current and current interest-bearing loans and borrowings and bank overdrafts minus debt securities and cash and cash equivalents. Net debt is a financial performance indicator that is used by AB InBev’s management to highlight changes in the company’s overall liquidity position. The company believes that net debt is meaningful for investors as it is one of the primary measures AB InBev’s management uses when evaluating its progress towards deleveraging.

AB InBev’s net debt increaseddecreased to 108.0102.5 billion US dollar as of 31 December 2016,2018, from 42.2104.4 billion US dollar as of 31 December 2015.2017. Apart from operating results net of capital expenditures, the net debt is mainly impacted by the payment associated withacquisition by Ambev of additional shares in Cervecería Nacional Dominicana S.A. (“CND”) following the combination with SABMiller netpartial exercise by E. León Jimenes S.A. (“ELJ”) of the cash acquired and the proceeds from the announced divestitures completed at 31 December 2016 (48.8its put option (0.9 billion US dollar), the SABMiller debt assumed as partpayment to Molson Coors Brewing Company related to a purchase price adjustment on the disposal completed on 11 October 2016 of SAB’s interest in MillerCoors LLC and all trademarks, contracts and other assets primarily related to the combination (11.9 billion US dollar), the settlement of the portion of the derivatives hedging the SABMiller purchase consideration that did not qualify as hedge accounting (4.5“Miller International Business” (0.3 billion US dollar), dividend payments to shareholders of AB InBev and Ambev (8.5(7.8 billion US dollar), the payment of interests and taxes (6.0(7.1 billion US dollar) and the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates (0.3(2.1 billion US dollar decrease of net debt).

The following table provides a reconciliation of AB InBev’s net debt as at 31 December:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   113 941    43 541    105 584    108 949 

Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   8 618    5 912    4 216    7 433 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   122 559    49 453 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   109 800    116 382 

Bank overdrafts

   184    13    114    117 

Cash and cash equivalents

   (8 579   (6 923   (7 074   (10 472

Interest bearing loans granted and other deposits (included within Trade and other receivables)

   (528   (286   (267   (309

Debt securities (included within Investment securities)

   (5 683   (72   (111   (1 328
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net debt

   107 953    42 185    102 462    104 391 

RECONCILIATION OF LIABILITIES ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

The table below details changes in the company’s liabilities arising from financing activities, including both cash and non-cash changes. Liabilities arising from financing activities are those for which cash flows were, or future cash flows will be classified in the company’s consolidated statement of cash flows from financing activities.

 

25.EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Million US dollar

  Long-term debt, net
of current portion
   Short-term debt and
current portion of
long-term debt
 

Balance at 1 January 2018

   108 949    7 433 

Proceeds from borrowings

   15 111    2 672 

Payments on borrowings

   (13 925   (8 564

Amortized cost

   47    255 

Unrealized foreign exchange effects

   (1 837   (298

Current portion of long-term debt

   (2 732   2 732 

Other movements

   (29   (14
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2018

   105 584    4 216 

25. Employee benefits

AB InBev sponsors various post-employment benefit plans worldwide. These include pension plans, both defined contribution plans, and defined benefit plans, and other post-employment benefits. In accordance with IAS 19Employee Benefits post-employment benefit plans are classified as either defined contribution plans or defined benefit plans.

Defined Contribution PlansDEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

For defined contribution plans, AB InBev pays contributions to publicly or privately administered pension funds or insurance contracts. Once the contributions have been paid, the group has no further payment obligation. The regular contributions constitute an expense for the year in which they are due. For 2016,2018, contributions paid into defined contribution plans for the company amounted to 77m116m US dollar compared to 90m118m US dollar for 20152017 and 145m77m US dollar for 2014.2016.

Defined Benefit PlansDEFINED BENEFIT PLANS

During 2016,2018, the company contributed to 10184 defined benefit plans, of which 6962 are retirement or leaving service plans, 2518 are medical cost plans and 74 other long-term employee benefit plans. Most plans provide retirement and leaving service benefits related to pay and years of service. The Australian, Barbadian, Belgian, Brazilian, Canadian, Dominican Republic, Dutch, Mexican, Panamean, South Korean, South African, UK and USIn many of the countries the plans are partially funded. When plans are funded, the assets are held in legally separate funds set up in accordance with applicable legal requirements and common practice in each country. The medical cost plans in Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, South Africa and US provide medical benefits to employees and their families after retirement. Many of the defined benefit plans are closed to new entrants.

The present value of funded obligations includes a 210m175m US dollar liability related to two medical plans in Brazil, for which the benefits are provided through the Fundação Antonio Helena Zerrenner (“FAHZ”). The FAHZ is a legally distinct entity which provides medical, dental, educational and social assistance to current and retired employees of Ambev. On 31 December 2016,2018, the actuarial liabilities related to the benefits provided by the FAHZ are fully offset by an equivalent amount of assets existing in the fund. The net liability recognized in the balance sheet is nil.

The employee benefit net liability amounts to 3 004m2 665m US dollar as of 31 December 20162018 compared to 2 723m971m US dollar as of 31 December 2015.2017. In 2016,2018, the fair value of the plan assets increaseddecreased by 102m564m US dollar and the defined benefit obligations increaseddecreased by 358m842m US dollar. The increasedecrease in the employee benefit net liability is mainly driven by decreasesincreases in discount rates partially offset by positive asset returns. The combination with SABMiller is also impacting the employee benefit net liability (see Note 6Acquisitions and disposals).favorable foreign exchange movements.

The company’s net liability for post-employment and long-term employee benefit plans comprises the following at 31 December:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2018   2017 

Present value of funded obligations

   (7 044   (6 905   (6 762   (7 506

Fair value of plan assets

   5 177    5 075    5 059    5 623 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Present value of net obligations for funded plans

   (1 867   (1 830   (1 703   (1 883

Present value of unfunded obligations

   (908   (689   (806   (904
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Present value of net obligations

   (2 775   (2 519   (2 509   (2 787

Unrecognized asset

   (168   (137   (77   (111
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net liability

   (2 943   (2 656   (2 586   (2 898

Other long term employee benefits

   (73   (67   (79   (73

Reclassified as held for sale

   12    —      —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total employee benefits

   (3 004   (2 723   (2 665   (2 971

Employee benefits amounts in the balance sheet:

        

Liabilities

   (3 014   (2 725   (2 681   (2 993

Assets

   10    2    16    22 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net liability

   (3 004   (2 723   (2 665   (2 971

The changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligations are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Defined benefit obligation at 1 January

   (7 594   (8 585   (9 073   (8 410   (7 952   (7 594

Current service costs

   (73   (81   (74   (72   (74   (73

Interest cost

   (347   (354   (438   (322   (340   (347

Past service gain/(cost)

   8    8    334    (3   17    8 

Settlements

   174    3    176    45    6    174 

Benefits paid

   482    517    896    493    502    482 

Contribution by plan participants

   (4   (4   (4   (3   (4   (4

Acquisition and disposal through business combination

   (260   —      (78   —      —      (260

Actuarial gains/(losses) – demographic assumptions

   (1   4    (210   27    24    (1

Actuarial gains/(losses) – financial assumptions

   (607   283    (962   350    (264   (607

Experience adjustments

   37    14    (40   14    (21   37 

Exchange differences

   256    606    445    313    (343   256 

Transfers and other movements

   (23   (5   443    —      39    (23
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Defined benefit obligation at 31 December

   (7 952   (7 594   (8 585   (7 568   (8 410   (7 952

As at the last valuation date, the present value of the defined benefit obligation was comprised of approximately 1.91.6 billion US dollar relating to active employees, 1.5 billion US dollar relating to deferred members and 4.64.5 billion US dollar relating to members in retirement.

The changes in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Fair value of plan assets at 1 January

   5 075    5 773    6 376    5 623    5 177    5 075 

Interest income

   249    253    328    225    239    249 

Administration costs

   (24   (20   (24   (14   (22   (24

Return on plan assets exceeding interest income

   297    (211   418    (333   233    297 

Contributions by AB InBev

   302    275    326    307    315    302 

Contributions by plan participants

   4    4    4    3    4    4 

Benefits paid net of administration costs

   (478   (517   (896   (493   (502   (478

Acquisition through business combination

   68    —      51    —      —      68 

Assets distributed on settlements

   (164   —      (82   (45   (7   (164

Exchange differences

   (155   (482   (338   (214   214    (155

Transfers and other movements

   3    —      (392   —      (28   3 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at 31 December

   5 177    5 075    5 773    5 059    5 623    5 177 

Actual return on plans assets amounted to a gainloss of 546m108m US dollar in 20162018 compared to a gain of 42m472m US dollar in 2015. The increase is mainly driven by higher than expected market returns particularly in Brazil, the UK and the United States. Actual return on plans assets amounted to a gain of 42m US dollar in 2015 compared to a gain of 746m US dollar in 2014. The decrease is mainly driven by lower market returns particularly in the United States, the UK and Brazil.2017.

Acquisitions through business combinations mainly refer to defined benefit plans in Colombia and South Africa following the combination with SABMiller. See also Note 6 –Acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries.

The changes in the unrecognized asset are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Irrecoverable surplus impact at 1 January

   (137   (171   (136   (111   (168   (137

Interest expense

   (17   (15   (12   (10   (17   (17

Changes excluding amounts included in interest expense

   (14   49    (22   44    74    14 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Irrecoverable surplus impact at 31 December

   (168   (137   (171   (77   (111   (168

The expense recognized in the income statement with regard to defined benefit plans can be detailed as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Current service costs

   (73   (81   (74   (72   (74   (73

Administration costs

   (24   (20   (24   (14   (22   (24

Past service cost

   8    8    334 

(Losses)/gains on settlements or curtailments

   10    (2   94 

Past service cost due to plan amendments and curtailments

   (3   17    8 

(Losses)/gains on settlements

   —      —      10 

(Losses)/gains on due to experience and demographic assumption changes

   3    3    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Profit from operations

   (79   (95   330    (86   (76   (79

Net finance cost

   (115   (116   (124   (107   (120   (115
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total employee benefit expense

   (194   (211   206    (193   (196   (194

The employee benefit expense is included in the following line items of the income statement:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   20141   2018   2017   2016 

Cost of sales

   (59   (64   (1   (26   (24   (59

Distribution expenses

   (9   (8   (9   (11   (10   (9

Sales and marketing expenses

   (13   (14   (14   (16   (15   (13

Administrative expenses

   (15   (17   (15   (28   (29   (15

Other operating (expense)/income

   10    6    284    (6   (4   10 

Exceptional items

   7    2    85    1    6    7 

Net finance cost

   (115   (116   (124   (107   (120   (115
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (194   (211   206    (193   (196   (194

Weighted average assumptions used in computing the benefit obligations of the company’s significant plans at the balance sheet date are as follows:

 

  2016 
  United
States
 Canada Mexico Brazil United
Kingdom
 AB InBev   2018 
  United
States
 Canada Mexico Brazil United
Kingdom
 AB InBev 

Discount rate

   4.2 3.9 7.8 10.5 2.7  4.4   4.3 3.9 9.0 8.9 2.8 4.3

Price inflation

   2.5 2.0 3.5 4.5 3.4  2.8   2.5 2.0 3.5 4.0 3.4 2.7

Future salary increases

   —    1.0 4.8 5.8  —     3.5   —    1.0 4.3 7.6%-5.6  —    3.8

Future pension increases

   —    2.0 3.5 4.5 3.1  2.8   —    2.0 3.5 4.0 3.0 2.8

Medical cost trend rate

   7.0%-5.0 4.5  —    8.2  —     7.2%-6.5   6.5%-4.5 4.5  —    7.6  —    6.8%-6.0

Life expectation for a 65 year old male

   85  86  82  85  87   86    85  87  82  85  87  85 

Life expectation for a 65 year old female

   88  89  85  88  89   88    87  89  85  88  89  87 
  2015 
  United
States
 Canada Mexico Brazil United
Kingdom
 AB InBev 

Discount rate

   4.4 4.1 7.0 12.1 4.0  4.6

Price inflation

   2.5 2.0 3.5 4.5 3.2 2.7

Future salary increases

   2.0 1.0 4.8 5.8  —    3.6

Future pension increases

   —    2.0 3.5 4.5 2.9 2.7

Medical cost trend rate

   6.2%-5.0 4.5  —    8.2  —     6.6%-5.9

Life expectation for a 65 year old male

   85  86  82  85  87  85 

Life expectation for a 65 year old female

   88  89  85  88  89  88 

   2017 
   United
States
  Canada  Mexico  Brazil  United
Kingdom
  AB InBev 

Discount rate

   3.7  3.6  8.0  10.0  2.6  4.0

Price inflation

   2.5  2.0  3.5  4.3  3.3  2.7

Future salary increases

   —     1.0  4.3  5.6  —     3.5

Future pension increases

   —     2.0  3.5  4.3  3.0  2.8

Medical cost trend rate

   6.2%-5.0  4.5  —     7.9  —     6.8%-6.4

Life expectation for a 65 year old male

   85   87   82   85   87   85 

Life expectation for a 65 year old female

   88   89   85   88   89   88 

Through its defined benefit pension plans and post-employment medical plans, the company is exposed to a number of risks, the most significant are detailed below:

Asset Volatility

The plan liabilities are calculated using a discount rate set with reference to high quality corporate yields; if plan assets underperform this yield, the company’s net defined benefit obligation may increase. Most of the company’s funded plans hold a significant proportion of equities, which are expected to outperform corporate bonds in the long-term while providing volatility and risk in the short-term. As the plans mature, the company usually reduces the level of investment risk by investing more in assets that better match the liabilities.

1Reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.

Changes in Bond Yields

A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase plan liabilities, although this will be partially offset by an increase in the value of the plans’ bond holdings.

Inflation Risk

Some of the company’s pension obligations, mainly in the UK, are linked to inflation, and higher inflation will lead to higher liabilities. The majority of the plan’s assets are either unaffected by or loosely correlated with inflation, meaning that an increase in inflation could potentially increase the company’s net benefit obligation.

Life Expectancy

The majority of the plans’ obligations are to provide benefits for the life of the member, so increases in life expectancy will result in an increase in the plans’ liabilities.

Investment StrategyINVESTMENT STRATEGY

In case of funded plans, the company ensures that the investment positions are managed within an asset-liability matching (ALM) framework that has been developed to achieve long-term investments that are in line with the obligations under the pension schemes. Within this framework, the company’s ALM objective is to match assets to the pension obligations by investing in long-term fixed interest securities with maturities that match the benefit payments as they fall due and in the appropriate currency. The company actively monitors how the duration and the expected yield of the investments are matching the expected cash outflows arising from the pension obligation.

ASSET VOLATILITY

In general, the company’s funded plans are invested in a combination of equities and bonds, generating high but volatile returns from equities and at the same time stable and liability-matching returns from bonds. As the plans mature, the company usually reduces the level of investment risk by investing more in assets that better match the liabilities. Since 2015, the company has started the implementation of a new pensionde-risking strategy to reduce the risk profile of certain plans by reducing gradually the current exposure to equities and shifting those assets to fixed income securities.

CHANGES IN BOND YIELDS

A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase plan liabilities, although this will be partially offset by an increase in the value of the plans’ bond holdings.

INFLATION RISK

Some of the company’s pension obligations, mainly in the UK, are linked to inflation, and higher inflation will lead to higher liabilities. The majority of the plan’s assets are either unaffected by or loosely correlated with inflation, meaning that an increase in inflation could potentially increase the company’s net benefit obligation.

LIFE EXPECTANCY

The majority of the plans’ obligations are to provide benefits for the life of the member, so increases in life expectancy will result in an increase in the plans’ liabilities.

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is 14.013.3 years (2015: 14.4(2017: 13.8 years; 2016: 14.0 years).

The sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to changes in the weighted principal assumptions is:

 

Million US dollar

  2016 
   Change in
assumption
  Increase in
assumption
   Decrease in
assumption
 

Discount rate

   0.5  (505   549 

Future salary increase

   0.5  24    (22

Medical cost trend rate

   1  44    (38

Longevity

   One year   230    (227

Sensitivities are what is reasonably possible changes in assumptions and they are calculated using the same approach as was used to determine the defined benefit obligation. Therefore, the above information is not necessarily a reasonable representation of future results.

Million US dollar

  2018 
   Change in assumption  Increase in assumption   Decrease in assumption 

Discount rate

   0.5  (468   501 

Price inflation

   0.5  152    (163

Future salary increase

   0.5  28    (26

Medical cost trend rate

   1.0  45    (39

Longevity

   One year   220    (229

The above are purely hypothetical changes in individual assumptions holding all other assumptions constant: economic conditions and changes therein will often affect multiple assumptions at the same time and the effects of changes in key assumptions are not linear.

Sensitivities are reasonably possible changes in assumptions and they are calculated using the same approach as was used to determine the defined benefit obligation. Therefore, the above information is not necessarily a reasonable representation of future results.

The fair value of plan assets at 31 December consists of the following:

 

  2016  2015   2018 2017 
  Quoted Unquoted Total  Quoted Unquoted Total   Quoted Unquoted Total Quoted Unquoted Total 

Government bonds

   30  —    30 26  —    26   32  —    32 27  —    27

Corporate bonds

   38  —    38 31  —    31   36  —    36 37  —    37

Equity instruments

   22  —    22 29  —    29   22  —    22 26  —    26

Property

   —    3 3  —    3 3   —    4 4  —    4 4

Insurance contracts and others

   6 1 7 10 1 11   4 2 6 5 1 6
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   96  4  100  96  4  100   94  6  100  95  5  100

AB InBev expects to contribute approximately 251m246m US dollar for its funded defined benefit plans and 80m73m US dollar in benefit payments to its unfunded defined benefit plans and post-retirement medical plans in 2017.2019.

26. Share-based payments1

26.SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS1

Different share and share option programs allow company senior management and members of the board of directors to receive or acquire shares of AB InBev or Ambev. AB InBev has three primary share-based compensation plans, the share-based compensation plan (“Share-Based Compensation Plan”), established in 2006 and amended as from 2010, the long-term incentive warrant plan (“LTI Warrant Plan”), established in 1999 and replaced by a long-term incentive stock option plan for directors (“LTI Stock Option Plan Directors”) in 2014,, and the long-term incentive stock-option plan for executives (“LTI Stock Option Plan Executives”), established in 2009.. For all option plans, the fair value of share-based payment compensation is estimated at grant date, using a binomial Hull model, modified to reflect the IFRS 2Share-based Share-based Payment requirement that assumptions about forfeiture before the end of the vesting period cannot impact the fair value of the option. All the company share-based payment plans are equity-settled.

Share-based payment transactions resulted in a total expense of 228m353m US dollar for the year 2016 (including the variable compensation expense settled in shares),2018, as compared to 225m359m US dollar for the year 20152017 and 251m US dollar228m for the year 2014.2016.

1Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the average rate of the period, unless otherwise indicated.

AB InBev Share-Based Payment ProgramsINBEV SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

Share-Based Compensation Plan

As from 1 January 2010, the structure of the Share-Based Compensation Plan for certain executives including the executive board of management and other senior management in the general headquarters, has been modified. From 1 January 2011, the new plan structure applies to all other senior management. Under this plan, the executive boardExecutive Board of managementManagement (replaced as from 1 January 2019 by the Executive Committee) and other senior employees will receive their bonus in cash but have the choice to invest some or all of the value of their bonus in AB InBev shares with a five-year vesting period, referred to as bonus shares. Such voluntary investment leads to a 10% discount to the market price of the shares. The company will also matchmatches such voluntary investment by granting three matching shares for each bonus share voluntarily invested in, up to a limited total percentage of each participant’s bonus. The percentage of the variable compensation that is entitled to get matching shares varies depending on the position of the executive. The matching is based on the gross amount of the variable compensation invested. The discount shares and matching shares are granted in the form of restricted stock units which have a five-year vesting period. Additionally, the holders of the restricted stock units may be entitled to receive from AB InBev additional restricted stock units equal to the dividends declared since the restricted stock units were granted.

During 2016,2018, AB InBev issued 0.7m1.5m of matching restricted stock units in relation to bonus granted to company employees and management. These matching restricted stock units are valued at the share price at the day of grant representing a fair value of approximately 85m158m US dollar and cliff vest after five years. During 2015,2017, AB InBev issued 0.4m0.3m of matching restricted stock units in relation to the 2014 bonus and 0.1m matching restricted stock units in relation to a 2015 bonus granted to company employees and management, withmanagement. These matching restricted stock units are valued at the share price at the day of grant representing a fair value of approximately 54m31m US dollar.dollar and cliff vest after five years.

1

Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the average rate of the period, unless otherwise indicated.

LTI Stock Option Plan for Directors

Before 2014, the company issued regularly warrants, or rights to subscribe for newly issued shares under the LTI Warrant Plan for the benefit of directors and, until 2006, for the benefit of members of the executive boardExecutive Board of managementManagement and other senior employees. LTI warrants were subject to a vesting period ranging from one to three years. Forfeiture of a warrant occurs in certain circumstances when the holder leaves the company’s employment.

Since 2007, members of the executive boardExecutive Board of managementManagement (replaced as from 1 January 2019 by the Executive Committee) and other employees are no longer eligible to receive warrants under the LTI Warrant Plan, but instead receive a portion of their compensation in the form of shares and options granted under the Share-Based Compensation Plan and the LTI Stock Option Plan Executives.

Since 2014, directors are no longer eligible to receive warrants under the LTI Warrant Plan. Instead, on 30 April 2014, the annual shareholders meeting decided to replace the LTI Warrant Plan by a LTI Stock Option plan for directors. As a result, grants for directors now consist of LTI stock options instead of LTI warrants (i.e. the right to purchase existing shares instead of the right to subscribe to newly issued shares). Grants are made annually at the company’s shareholders meeting on a discretionary basis upon recommendation of the Remuneration Committee. The LTI stock options have an exercise price that is set equal to the market price at the time of the granting, a maximum lifetime of 10 years and an exercise period that starts after 5 years. The LTI stock options cliff vest after 5 years. Unvested options are subject to specific forfeiture provisions in the event that the directorship is not renewed upon the expiry of its term or is terminated in the course of its term, both due to a breach of duty by the director.

AB InBev granted 0.2m stock options to members of the board of directors during 2016 representing a fair value of approximately 5m US dollar (2015: 0.2m stock options with a fair value of approximately 5m US dollar).

Furthermore, at the annual shareholders meeting of 30 April 2014, all outstanding LTI warrants granted under the company’s LTI Warrant Plan were converted into LTI stock options, i.e. the right to purchase existing ordinary shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV instead of the right to subscribe to newly issued shares. All other terms and conditions of the existing grants under the LTI Warrant Plan remain unchanged.

During 2018, AB InBev granted 0.2m stock options to members of the board of directors, representing a fair value of approximately 4m US dollar (2017: 0.2m stock options with a fair value of approximately 4m US dollar).

LTI Stock Option Plan for Executives

As from 1 July 2009, senior employees are eligible for an annual long-term incentive to be paid out in LTI stock options (or, in future, similar share-based instruments), depending on management’s assessment of the employee’s performance and future potential.

In December 2016During 2018 AB InBev issued 4.6m7.2m LTI stock options with an estimated fair value of 83m102m US dollar, whereby 1.3m options relate to American Depositary Shares (ADSs) and 3.3m options to AB InBev shares. In December 2015dollar. During 2017 AB InBev issued 4.7m7.8m LTI stock options with an estimated fair value of 117m149m US dollar, whereby 1.1m1.4m options relate to American Depositary Shares (ADSs) and 3.6m6.4m options to AB InBev shares.

Exceptional incentive stock options

On 15 December 2016, approximately 13.2 million options were granted to a selected group of approximately 300 members of the senior management of the company considering the significant contribution that these employees can make to the success of the company and the achievement of integration benefits. Each option gives the grantee the right to purchase one existing AB InBev share. The exercise price of the options is 97.99 Euro which corresponds to the closing share price on the day preceding the grant date. The options granted have an estimated fair value of 228m US dollar.

The options have a duration of 10 years from grant and vest on 01 January 2022. The options only become exercisable provided a performance test is met.

No stock options were granted to members of the Executive Board of Management.

On 15 December 2016, approximately 1.3 million options were granted to employees of SABMiller. The grant results from the commitment that AB InBev has made under the terms of the combination with SABMiller, that it would, for at least one year, preserve the terms and conditions for employment of all employees that remain with the SABMiller Group. Each option gives the grantee the right to purchase one existing AB InBev share. The exercise price of the options is 97.99 Euro which corresponds to the closing share price on the day preceding the grant date. The options granted have an estimated fair value of 29m US dollar.

The options have a duration of 10 years as from granting and vest after 3 years. Specific forfeiture rules apply if the employee leaves the company before the vesting date.

Performance related incentive plan for Disruptive Growth Function

In 2016 the company implemented a new performance related incentive plan which will substitutesubstitutes the long-term incentive stock option plan for executives of the Disruptive Growth Function. This function was created in 2015 to accelerate new business development opportunities, focusing on initiatives ine-commerce, mobile, craft and branded experiences such as brew pubs.

During 2016,2018, approximately 2.4 million2.7m performance units were granted to senior management of the Disruptive Growth Function. Out of these,Function (2017: approximately 0.5 million2.0m performance units were granted to a member of the Executive Board of Management.units). The value of the performance units will depend on the return of the Disruptive Growth business area. Out of these, 0.1m performance units were granted to a member of the Executive Board of Management.

The units vest after 5 years provided a performance test is met. Specific forfeiture rules apply in case the executive leaves the company.

Other Grants

AB InBev has in place three specific long-term restricted stock unitincentive programs.

One program allows for the offer of restricted stock units to certain employees in certain specific circumstances, whereby grants are made at the discretion of the CEO, e.g. as a special retention incentive or to compensate for assignments of expatriates in countries with difficult living conditions. The restricted stock units vest after five years and in case of termination of service before the vesting date, special forfeiture rules apply. In 2016, 0.4m2018, 2.3m restricted stock units with an estimated fair value of 40m184m US dollar were granted under this program to a selected number of employees (2015:(2017: 0.1m restricted stock units with an estimated fair value of 15m9m US dollar).

A second program allows for the exceptional offer of restricted stock units to certain employees at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee of AB InBev as a long-term retention incentive for key employees of the company. Employees eligible to receive a grant under this program receive two series of restricted stock units, the first half of the restricted stock units vesting after five years, the second half after ten years. As a variant under this program, the restricted stock units may be granted with a shorter vesting period of 2.5 to 3 years for the first half and 5 years for the second half of the restricted stock units. In case of termination of service before the vesting date, special forfeiture rules apply. In 2016, 0.2mAs of 2017, instead of restricted stock units, stock options may be granted under the program with similar vesting and forfeiture rules. Each option gives the grantee the right to purchase one existing AB InBev share. During 2018, approximately 0.4m restricted stock units were granted with an estimated fair value of 18m35m US dollar were granted under this program to a selected number of employees (2015: 0.2m restricted(2017: 0.8m stock unitsoptions with an estimated fair value of 26m15m US dollar).

A third program allows certain employees to purchase company shares at a discount aimed as a long-term retention incentive for (i) high-potential employees of the company, who are at amid-manager level (“People bet share purchase program”) or (ii) for newly hired employees. The voluntary investment in company shares leads to the grant of an amount of matching restricted stock units or stock options which vest after 5 years. In case of termination before the vesting date, special forfeiture rules apply. In 2016,2018, employees purchased 0.1m shares under this program for the equivalent of 0.5m1m US dollar (2015:(2017: equivalent of 0.8m5m US dollar).

In 2018 a new program was implemented allowing for the offer of performance based restricted stock units (“Performance RSUs”) to certain members of the company’s senior management. Upon vesting, each RSU gives the executive the right to receive one existing AB InBev share. The Performance RSUs can have a vesting period of 5 years or of 10 years. The shares resulting from the RSU vesting will only be delivered provided a performance test is met by the company. This performance test is based on an organic EBITDA compounded annual growth rate target which must be achieved by 31 December 2024 at the latest. Specific forfeiture rules apply if the employee leaves the company before the performance test achievement or vesting date.

During 2018, AB InBev granted 0.5m Performance RSUs to a selected group of members of the senior management of the company, including a number of members of the Executive Board of Management, under the Performance Restricted Stock Units Plan, with an estimated fair value of 46m US dollar.

In order to maintain consistency of benefits granted to executives and to encourage international mobility of executives, an options exchange program can be executed whereby unvested options are exchanged against restricted shares that remainlocked-up until 5 years after the end of the initial vesting period. In 2015 and 2016, no unvested options were exchanged against restricted shares. As a variant to this program, the Remuneration Committee has approved the early release of the vesting conditions of 0.2m unvested options. The shares that result from the exercise of the options must in principle remainlocked-up until 31 December 2023. In 2018, no options were exchanged against ordinary blocked shares (2017: 0.3m options were exchanged against ordinary blocked shares). Furthermore, certain options granted have been modified whereby the dividend protected feature of these options have been cancelled and compensated by the issuance of new additional options. In 2016, 0.2m new options where issued, representing the economic value of the dividend protection feature. In 20152018 and 2017, no new options were issued.

The Remuneration CommitteeBoard has also approved the early release of vesting conditions of 0.1m unvested stock options and 0.1m unvestedor restricted stock units.units which are vesting within 6 months of the executives’ relocation. The shares that result from the early exercise of the options or the acceleratedearly vesting of the restricted stock units must remainlocked-up blocked until the end of the initial vesting period.

As In 2018, the vesting period for theseof 0.3m stock options and restricted stock units was changed, an accelerated expense of 0.7m US dollar was recorded as a resultunder this program for other members of the modification.senior management. Out of these, the vesting of 0.3m stock options and restricted stock units was accelerated for members of the Executive Board of Management.

The weighted average fair value of the options and assumptions used in applying the AB InBev option pricing model for the 20162018 grants of awards described above are as follows:

Amounts in US dollar unless otherwise indicated1

  2016  2015 2014   2018 2017 2016 

Fair value of options and warrants granted

   17.40  21.78  20.70 

Fair value of options granted

   16.92  19.94  17.40 

Share price

   103.77  125.29  113.29    98.66  117.77  103.77 

Exercise price

   103.77  125.29  113.29    98.66  117.77  103.77 

Expected volatility

   24 24 24   23 23 24

Expected dividends

   3.00 3.00 3.00   3.00 3.00 3.00

Risk-free interest rate

   0.54 0.82 1.23   0.39 0.72 0.54

Expected volatility is based on historical volatility calculated using 30323 295 days of historical data. In the determination of the expected volatility, AB InBev is excluding the volatility measured during the period 15 July 2008 until 30 April 2009, in view of the extreme market conditions experienced during that period. The binomial Hull model assumes that all employees would immediately exercise their options if the AB InBev share price is 2.5 times above the exercise price. As a result, no single expected option life applies.

The total number of outstanding AB InBev options developed as follows:

Million options

  2018   2017   2016 

Options outstanding at 1 January

   93.0    64.9    47.6 

Options issued during the year

   5.2    35.0    20.4 

Options exercised during the year

   (1.7   (3.0   (2.2

Options forfeited during the year

   (4.0   (3.9   (0.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options outstanding at the end of December

   92.6    93.0    64.9 

The range of exercise prices of the outstanding options is between 10.32 euro (11.82 US dollar)1 and 121.95 euro (139.63 US dollar) while the weighted average remaining contractual life is 8.39 years.

Of the 92.6m outstanding options 16.2m are vested at 31 December 2018.

The weighted average exercise price of the AB InBev options is as follows:

Amounts in US dollar1

  2018   2017   2016 

Options outstanding at 1 January

   98.32    76.25    64.50 

Granted during the year

   104.77    117.24    104.71 

Exercised during the year

   44.96    38.94    32.45 

Forfeited during the year

   113.19    108.26    88.68 

Outstanding at the end of December

   94.74    98.32    76.25 

Exercisable at the end of December

   21.40    59.66    40.62 

 

1 

Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the closing rate of the respective period.

The total number of outstanding AB InBev options and warrants developed as follows:

Million options and warrants

  2016   2015   2014 

Options and warrants outstanding at 1 January

   47.6    45.6    52.5 

Options and warrants issued during the year

   20.4    9.7    4.5 

Options and warrants exercised during the year

   (2.2   (6.6   (10.0

Options and warrants forfeited during the year

   (0.9   (1.1   (1.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options and warrants outstanding at the end of December

   64.9    47.6    45.6 

The range of exercise prices of the outstanding options and warrants is between 10.32 euro (10.88 US dollar)1 and 121.95 euro (128.55 US dollar) while the weighted average remaining contractual life is 7.46 years.

Of the 64.9m outstanding options and warrants 9.9m are vested at 31 December 2016.

The weighted average exercise price of the AB InBev options and warrants is as follows:

Amounts in US dollar1

  2016   2015   2014 

Options and warrants outstanding at 1 January

   64.50    51.35    45.38 

Granted during the year

   104.71    126.67    113.29 

Exercised during the year

   32.45    32.47    24.40 

Forfeited during the year

   88.68    54.88    45.75 

Outstanding at the end of December

   76.25    64.50    51.35 

Exercisable at the end of December

   40.62    37.15    36.21 

For share options and warrants exercised during 2016,2018, the weighted average share price at the date of exercise was 109.3279.22 euro (115.23(90.71 US dollar).

The total number of outstanding AB InBev restricted stock units developed as follows:

 

Million restricted stock units

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Restricted stock units outstanding at 1 January

   5.6    5.8    4.7    5.4    5.8    5.6 

Restricted stock units issued during the year

   1.4    1.0    1.3    2.3    0.7    1.4 

Restricted stock units exercised during the year

   (1.1   (1.0   —      (0.5   (0.7   (1.1

Restricted stock units forfeited during the year

   (0.1   (0.2   (0.2   (1.2   (0.4   (0.1
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Restricted stock units outstanding at the end of December

   5.8    5.6    5.8    6.0    5.4    5.8 

Ambev Share-Based Payment ProgramsAMBEV SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

Since 2005, Ambev has had a plan which is substantially similar to the Share-based compensation plan under which bonuses granted to company employees and management are partially settled in shares. Under the Share-based compensation plan, Ambev issued 7.3m restricted0.4m deferred stock units in 20162018 with an estimated fair value of 38.5m2m US dollar (2015: 2.7mdollar.

Since 2018, Ambev has a plan which is substantially similar to the Share-based compensation plan under which bonuses granted to company employees and management are partially settled in shares. Under the Share-based compensation plan, Ambev issued 13.1m restricted stock units in 2018 with an estimated fair value of 15m66m US dollar).dollar.

As from 2010, senior employees are eligible for an annual long-term incentive to be paid out in Ambev LTI stock options (or, in future, similar share-based instruments), depending on management’s assessment of the employee’s performance and future potential. In 2016,2018, Ambev granted 24.8m19.5m LTI stock options with an estimated fair value of 44.3m30m US dollar (2015: 16.5mdollar. (2017: 20.4m LTI stock options with an estimated fair value of 40m42m US dollar).Dollar)

The weighted fair value of the options and assumptions used in applying a binomial option pricing model for the 20162018 Ambev grants are as follows:

 

Amounts in US dollar unless otherwise indicated1

  2016 2015 2014  2018 2017 2016 

Fair value of options granted

  1.90 2.01 1.96   1.47  1.97  1.90 

Share price

  5.27 4.72 6.00   4.66  5.99  5.27 

Exercise price

  5.27 4.72 6.00   4.66  5.99  5.27 

Expected volatility

  27% 27% 32%   26 27 27

Expected dividends

  0.00% - 5.00% 0.00% - 5.00% 0.00% - 5.00%   0.00% - 5.00 0.00% - 5.00 0.00% - 5.00

Risk-free interest rate

  12.40% 15.90% 2.20% - 12.40%   9.6 10.10 12.40

The total number of outstanding Ambev options developed as follows:

 

Million options

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Options outstanding at 1 January

   121.8    126.1    147.7    135.2    131.3    121.7 

Options issued during the year

   24.8    16.6    17.0    19.9    20.4    24.8 

Options exercised during the year

   (11.6   (20.0   (34.8   (10.0   (13.5   (11.6

Options forfeited during the year

   (3.7   (1.0   (3.8   (3.8   (2.9   (3.7
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Options outstanding at the end of December

   131.3    121.7    126.1    141.3    135.2    131.3 

The range of exercise prices of the outstanding options is between 0.020.01 Brazilian real (0.00 US dollar) and 28.3227.43 Brazilian real (8.69(7.08 US dollar) while the weighted average remaining contractual life is 5.966.27 years.

Of the 141.3m outstanding options 55.5m options are vested at 31 December 2018.

The weighted average exercise price of the Ambev options is as follows:

Amounts in US dollar1

  2018   2017   2016 

Options outstanding at 1 January

   3.94    4.19    3.17 

Granted during the year

   4.66    5.99    5.27 

Exercised during the year

   1.93    1.76    0.77 

Forfeited during the year

   4.79    5.41    3.94 

Outstanding at the end of December

   4.17    4.92    4.26 

Exercisable at the end of December

   0.58    1.14    1.12 

For share options exercised during 2018, the weighted average share price at the date of exercise was 21.03 Brazilian real (5.63 US dollar).

 

1 

Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the closing rate of the respective period.

Of the 131.2m outstanding options 52.8m options are vested at 31 December 2016.

The weighted average exercise price of the Ambev options is as follows:

Amounts in US dollar1

  2016   2015   2014 

Options outstanding at 1 January

   3.17    3.79    2.69 

Granted during the year

   5.27    4.72    6.03 

Exercised during the year

   0.77    1.29    1.45 

Forfeited during the year

   3.94    5.21    4.25 

Outstanding at the end of December

   4.26    3.17    3.79 

Exercisable at the end of December

   1.12    0.84    1.11 

For share options exercised during 2016, the weighted average share price at the date of exercise was 18.41 Brazilian real (5.65 US dollar).

The total number of outstanding Ambev deferred and restricted stock units developed as follows:

 

Million restricted stock units

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Restricted stock units outstanding at 1 January

   19.1    17.5    15.6    16.3    19.3    19.1 

Restricted stock units issued during the year

   7.3    2.7    5.2    13.5    0.8    7.3 

Restricted stock units exercised during the year

   (6.1   (0.8   (2.3   (3.7   (2.9   (6.1

Restricted stock units forfeited during the year

   (1.0   (0.3   (1.0   (1.1   (0.9   (1.0
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Restricted stock units outstanding at the end of December

   19.3    19.1    17.5    25.0    16.3    19.3 

Additionally, as a means of creating a long term incentive (wealth incentive) for certain senior employees and members of management considered as having “high potential,”potential”, share appreciation rights in the form of phantom stocks have been granted to those employees, pursuant to which the beneficiary shall receive two separate lots – Lot A and Lot B – subject to lockup periods of five and ten years, respectively.

During 2016,2018, a limited number of Ambev shareholders who are part of the senior management of AB InBev were given the opportunity to exchange Ambev shares against a total of 0.3m0.1m AB InBev shares (0.3m(0.1m AB InBev shares in 2015)2017) at a discount of 16.7% provided that they stay in service for another five years. The fair value of this transaction amounts to approximately 5m1m US dollar (6m(2m US dollar in 2015)2017) and is expensed over the five years’ service period. The fair values of the Ambev and AB InBev shares were determined based on the market price.

27. Provisions

27.PROVISIONS

 

Million US dollar

  Restructuring   Disputes   Other   Total   Restructuring   Disputes   Other   Total 

Balance at 1 January 2018

   153    1 383    864    2 400 

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

   (7   (65   (43   (115

Provisions made

   69    195    271    535 

Provisions used

   (75   (377   (354   (806

Provisions reversed

   (2   (54   —      (56

Other movements

   (8   (5   (27   (40
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2016

   157    733    7    897 

Balance at 31 December 2018

   130    1 077    711    1 918 

Million US dollar

  Restructuring   Disputes   Other   Total 

Balance at 1 January 2017

   232    1 466    848    2 546 

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

   (9   9    (3   (3   15    20    38    73 

Acquisitions through business combinations

   216    703    616    1 535    —      —      —      —   

Provisions made

   100    483    17    600    88    185    35    308 

Provisions used

   (228   (274   (6   (508   (186   (135   (99   (419

Provisions reversed

   (3   (63   (27   (93   (2   (160   2    (160

Other movements

   (1   1    (150   (150   6    7    39    52 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2016

   232    1 592    454    2 278 

Million US dollar

  Restructuring   Disputes   Other   Total 

Balance at 1 January 2015

   166    623    10    799 

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

   (11   (84   (1   (96

Provisions made

   77    380    —      457 

Provisions used

   (66   (222   (1   (289

Provisions reversed

   (8   (109   (1   (118

Other movements

   (1   143    —      142 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2015

   157    733    7    897 

Balance at 31 December 2017

   153    1 383    864    2 400 

The restructuring provisions are primarily explained by the organizational alignments - see also Note 8Exceptional items. Provisions for disputes mainly relate to various disputed direct and indirect taxes and to claims from former employees.

The provisions are expected to be settled within the following time windows:

 

Million US dollar

  Total   < 1 year   1-2 years   2-5 years   > 5 years 

Restructuring

   232    149    9    70    4 

Disputes

          

Income and indirect taxes

   1 178    514    499    32    133 

Labor

   161    67    14    53    26 

Commercial

   50    27    15    5    3 

Other disputes

   204    7    91    102    4 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1 592    615    619    192    166 

Other provisions

   454    76    27    24    327 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provisions

   2 278    841    655    286    497 

Million US dollar

  Total   < 1 year   1-2 years   2-5 years   > 5 years 

Restructuring

   130    63    18    47    2 

Income and indirect taxes

   627    365    141    83    38 

Labor

   136    44    12    73    7 

Commercial

   34    14    6    13    1 

Excise duties

   18    —      3    15    —   

Other disputes

   262    7    102    153    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Disputes

   1 077    430    264    337    46 

Other provisions

   711    273    213    225    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provisions

   1 918    766    495    609    48 

AB InBev is subject to the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme in force in the European Union and a similar scheme in South Korea. Acquired emission allowances are recognized at cost as intangible assets. To the extent that it is expected that the number of allowances needed to settle the CO2 emissions exceeds the number of emission allowances owned, a provision is recognized. Such provision is measured at the estimated amount of the expenditure required to settle the obligation. At 31 December 2016,2018, the emission allowances owned fully covered the expected CO2 emissions. As such no provision needed to be recognized.

28.

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Non-Current Trade and Other Payablesother payables

NON-CURRENT TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

Million US dollar

  2016   20151   31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Indirect taxes payable

   159    186    194    157 

Trade payables

   465    484    238    380 

Deferred consideration on acquisitions

   379    329    1 247    699 

Other payables

   325    242    138    226 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   1 328    1 241 

Non-current trade and other payables

   1 816    1 462 

Current Trade and Other Payables

CURRENT TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

Million US dollar

  2016   20151   31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Trade payables and accrued expenses

   14 071    11 616    15 512    15 240 

Payroll and social security payables

   1 027    924    900    1 284 

Indirect taxes payable

   2 750    1 610    2 633    2 862 

Interest payable

   1 797    817    1 616    1 790 

Consigned packaging

   974    680    1 093    1 111 

Dividends payable

   447    239    331    479 

Deferred income

   52    49    32    30 

Deferred consideration on acquisitions

   1 640    1 474    163    1 723 

Other payables

   327    253    289    243 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   23 086    17 662 

Current trade and other payables

   22 568    24 762 

DeferredAs at 31 December 2018, deferred consideration on acquisitions is mainly comprised of 1.50.6 billion US dollar for the put option included in the 2012 shareholders’ agreement between Ambev and E. León Jimenes S.A. (“ELJ”),ELJ which may result in Ambev acquiring additional Class B shares ofin Cervecería Nacional Dominicana S.A. (“CND”). The putIn January 2018, ELJ partially exercised its option granted to ELJ is exercisable since 2013. The valuation of this option is based on the EBITDAsell approximately 30% of the consolidated operationsshares of CND for an amount of 0.9 billion US dollar, resulting in Dominican Republic.Ambev’s participation in CND increasing from 55% to 85%.

29. Risks arising from financial instruments

FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Set out below is an overview of financial assets1 held by the company at year-end:

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Debt instruments at amortized cost

    

Trade and other receivables

   6 298    6 537 

Debt instruments at fair value through OCI

    

Unquoted debt

   24    24 

Debt instruments at fair value through profit or loss

    

Quoted debt

   87    1 304 

Equity instruments at fair value through OCI

    

Unquoted companies

   84    76 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

    

Derivatives not designated in hedge accounting relationships:

    

Equity swaps

   —      21 

Interest rate swaps

   9    —   

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   32    9 

Other derivatives

   20    1 

Derivatives designated in hedge accounting relationships:

    

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   191    151 

Interest rate swaps

   —      14 

Commodities

   54    246 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   6 799    8 383 

Of which:

    

Non-current

   1 068    959 

Current

   5 731    7 444 

 

29.1RISKS ARISING FROM FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

Cash and short term deposits are not included in this overview.

Set out below is an overview of financial liabilities held by the company at year-end:

Million US dollar

  31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

    

Derivatives not designated in hedge accounting relationships:

    

Equity swaps

   4 877    1 057 

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   387    906 

Other derivatives

   456    2 

Derivatives designated in hedge accounting relationships:

    

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   132    211 

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   103    —   

Interest rate swaps

   56    37 

Commodities

   273    67 

Other derivatives

   56    73 

Financial liabilities at amortized cost

    

Trade and other payables

   20 658    21 921 

Non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings:

    

Secured bank loans

   109    230 

Unsecured bank loans

   86    153 

Unsecured bond issues

   105 170    108 327 

Unsecured other loans

   57    53 

Finance lease liabilities

   162    186 

Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings:

    

Secured bank loans

   370    272 

Unsecured bank loans

   22    739 

Unsecured bond issues

   2 626    4 510 

Unsecured other loans

   14    15 

Commercial paper

   1 142    1 870 

Bank overdrafts

   114    117 

Finance lease liabilities

   42    27 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   136 912    140 773 

Of which:

    

Non-current

   108 012    111 191 

Current

   28 899    29 582 

DERIVATIVES

AB InBev’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, fair value interest rate risk, cash flow interest risk, commodity risk and equity risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The company analyses each of these risks individually as well as on an interconnecteda combined basis and defines strategies to manage the economic impact on the company’s performance in line with its financial risk management policy.

Some of the company’s risk management strategies include the usage of derivatives. The main derivative instruments used are foreign currency rate agreements, exchange traded foreign currency futures and options, interest rate swaps and forwards, cross currency interest rate swaps (“CCIRS”), exchange traded interest rate futures, commodity swaps, exchange traded commodity futures and equity swaps. AB InBev’s policy prohibits the use of derivatives in the context of speculative trading.

The following table below provides an overview of the derivative financial instrumentsnotional amounts of derivatives outstanding atyear-end by maturity bucket. The amounts included in this table are the notional amounts.

 

   2016   2015 

Million US dollar

  < 1
year
   1-2
years
   2-3
years
   3-5
years
   > 5
years
   < 1
year
   1-2
years
   2-3
years
   3-5
years
   > 5
years
 

Foreign currency

                    

Forward exchange contracts SABMiller combination

   —      —      —      —      —      68 860    —      —      —      —   

Other forward exchange contracts

   22 396   96    —      —      —      10 481    —      508    803    —   

Foreign currency futures

   610    —      —      —      —      1 568    100    —      —      —   

Interest rate

                    

Interest rate swaps

   1 292    1 075    2 250    784    3 630    —      77    —      3 000    74 

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   1 553    785    1 796    460    1 134    —      1 604    777    1 803    1 560 

Interest rate futures

   —      —      46    77    —      —      13    —      109    —   

Other interest rate derivatives

   —      —      —      —      565    —      —      —      —      565 

Commodities

                    

Aluminum swaps

   1 211    31    —      —      —      1 509    172    —      —      —   

Other commodity derivatives

   1 124    189    —      —      —      1 227    82    —      —      —   

Equity

                    

Equity derivatives

   10 087    235    —      —      —      5 985    —      —      —      —   

1Reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation.
   31 December 2018   31 December 2017 

Million US dollar

  < 1 year   1-2 years   2-3 years   3-5 years   > 5 years   < 1 year   1-2 years   2-3 years   3-5 years   > 5 years 

Foreign currency

                    

Forward exchange contracts

   11 423    190    —      —      —      11 637    233    —      —      —   

Foreign currency futures

   648    —      —      —      —      655    —      —      —      —   

Interest rate

                    

Interest rate swaps

   2 250    750    28    1 873    36    1 075    2 250    750    1 883    88 

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   1 807    51    16    6 464    681    711    1 797    —      5 900    1 176 

Other interest rate derivatives

   4    —      —      —      565    —      —      5    —      565 

Commodities

                    

Aluminum swaps

   1 597    73    —      —      —      1 412    21    —      —      —   

Other commodity derivatives

   1 241    32    —      —      —      1 214    144    —      —      —   

Equity

                    

Equity derivatives

   11 347    —      —      —      —      11 799    —      —      —      —   

A.Foreign Currency Risk

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

AB InBev incursis subject to foreign currency risk onwhen contracts are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. This includes borrowings, investments, (forecasted) sales, (forecasted) purchases, royalties, dividends, licenses, management fees and interest expense/income whenever they are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the subsidiary. The main derivative financial instruments used toincome. To manage foreign currency risk arethe company uses mainly foreign currency rate agreements, exchange traded foreign currency futures and cross currency interest rate swaps.

Foreign Exchange Risk on the Combination with Sabmiller

During 2015 and 2016, AB InBev entered into derivative foreign exchange forward contracts, as well as othernon-derivative items also documented in a hedge accounting relationship, in order to economically hedge against exposure to changes in the US dollar exchange rate for the cash component of the purchase consideration in pound sterling and South African rand. Although these derivatives andnon-derivative items were considered to be economic hedges, only a portion of such derivatives could qualify for hedge accounting under IFRS rules. Since inception of the derivative contracts in 2015 and upon the completion of the combination with SABMiller, 12.3 billion US dollar negativemark-to-market adjustment related to such hedging were recognized cumulatively over 2015 and 2016, of which 7.4 billion US dollar qualified for hedge accounting and was, accordingly, allocated as part of the consideration paid.

The portion that did not qualify for hedge accounting was reported as an exceptional finance cost in the profit and loss account in 2016 - see Note 11Finance cost and income. Furthermore, the settlement of the derivatives that did not qualify for hedge accounting is classified as cash flow from financing activities in the consolidated cash flow statement.

Foreign Exchange Risk on Operating Activities

As far as foreign currency risk on firm commitments and forecasted transactions is concerned, operating activities

AB InBev’s policy is to hedge operationaloperating transactions which are reasonably expected to occur (e.g. cost of goods sold and selling, general & administrative expenses) within the forecast period determined in the financial risk management policy. OperationalOperating transactions that are considered certain to occur are hedged without any limitation in time.Non-operationaltime limits. Non-operating transactions (such as acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries) are hedged as soon as they are certain.highly probable.

The table below provides an indication ofshows the company’s main net foreign currency positions as regardsfor firm commitments and forecasted transactions for the most important currency pairs. The open positions are the result of the application of AB InBev’s risk management policy. Positive amounts indicate that the company is long (net future cash inflows) in the first currency of the currency pair while negative amounts indicate that the company is short (net future cash outflows) in the first currency of the currency pair. The second currency of the currency pairs listed is the functional currency of the related subsidiary.

 

   31 December 2016  31 December 20151 

Million US dollar

  Total
exposure
  Total
hedges
   Open
position
  Total
exposure
  Total
hedges
   Open
position
 

Euro/Canadian dollar

   (52  52    —     (56  56    —   

Euro/Mexican peso

   (159  197    38   —     —      —   

Euro/South African rand

   (64  64    —     —     —      —   

Euro/South Korean won

   (63  55    (8  (57  27    (30

Euro/Pound sterling

   (33  146    113   (52  184    132 

Euro/Russian ruble

   (64  93    29   (74  109    35 

Euro/Ukrainian hryvnia

   (60  —      (60  (68  —      (68

Euro/US dollar

   (924  483    (441  (420  152    (268

Pound sterling/US dollar

   (492  162    (330  —     —      —   

US dollar/Argentinean peso

   (219  219    —     (459  459    —   

US dollar/Australian dollar

   (171  73    (98  —     —      —   

US dollar/Bolivian boliviano

   (59  59    —     (62  62    —   

US dollar/Brazilian real

   (1 102  1 102    —     (1 419  1 419    —   

US dollar/Canadian dollar

   (347  347    —     (321  321    —   

US dollar/Chilean peso

   (255  255    —     (152  152    —   

US dollar/Chinese yuan

   (248  228    (20  (135  121    (14

US dollar/Colombian peso

   (202  187    (15  (10  10    —   

US dollar/Euro

   (115  68    (47  (197  301    104 

US dollar/Honduran lempira

   (172  —      (172  —     —      —   

US dollar/Mexican peso

   (952  1 065    113   (1 234  1 933    699 

US dollar/Nigerian naira

   (87  —      (87  —     —      —   

US dollar/Paraguayan guarani

   (136  136    —     (96  96    —   

US dollar/Peruvian nuevo sol

   (196  123    (73  (5  5    —   

US dollar/Russian ruble

   (71  91    20   (78  115    37 

US dollar/South African rand

   (95  95    —     —     —      —   

US dollar/South Korean won

   (48  112    64   (35  84    49 

US dollar/Tanzanian shilling

   (85  14    (71  —     —      —   

US dollar/Ukrainian hryvnia

   (22  —      (22  (46  —      (46

US dollar/Uruguayan peso

   (44  44    —     (52  52    —   

US dollar/Zambian kwacha

   (89  —      (89  —     —      —   

Others

   (459  142    (317  (173  160    (13

1Reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.

The US dollar/Mexican peso open long position in 2015 is mainly related to US dollar cash held in Mexico.

   31 December 2018  31 December 2017 
   Total  Total   Open  Total  Total   Open 

Million US dollar

  exposure  hedges   position  exposure  hedges   position 

Euro/Canadian dollar

   (39  39    —     (32  32    —   

Euro/Mexican peso

   (187  182    (5  (275  246    (29

Euro/Pound sterling

   (239  213    (26  (82  110    28 

Euro/Russian ruble

   —     —      —     (58  68    10 

Euro/South African rand

   (90  52    (38  (84  84    —   

Euro/South Korean won

   (51  59    8   (53  44    (9

Euro/Ukrainian hryvnia

   —     —      —     (58  —      (58

Euro/US dollar

   (415  404    (11  (271  425    154 

Mexican peso/Chinese yuan

   (216  199    (17  —     —      —   

Mexican peso/Euro

   (300  301    1   —     —      —   

Pound sterling/Euro

   (34  34    —     (87  128    41 

Pound sterling/US dollar

   —     —      —     (40  40    —   

US dollar/Argentinian peso

   (573  484    (89  (678  678    —   

US dollar/Australian dollar

   (209  209    —     (469  192    (277

US dollar/Bolivian boliviano

   (76  76    —     (20  20    —   

US dollar/Brazilian real

   (1 303  1 223    (80  (1 184  1 184    —   

US dollar/Canadian dollar

   (362  286    (76  (306  306    —   

US dollar/Chilean peso

   (156  155    1   (324  324    —   

US dollar/Chinese yuan

   (201  249    48   (303  134    (169

US dollar/Colombian peso

   (287  219    (68  (319  195    (124

US dollar/Euro

   (80  78    (2  (157  145    (12

US dollar/Mexican peso

   (1 151  1 082    (69  (1 143  873    (270

US dollar/Nigerian naira

   —     —      —     (172  —      (172

US dollar/Paraguayan guarani

   (177  166    (11  (108  108    —   

US dollar/Peruvian nuevo sol

   (157  149    (8  (255  154    (101

US dollar/Russian ruble

   —     —      —     (45  30    (15

US dollar/South African rand

   (80  83    3   (72  66    (6

US dollar/South Korean won

   (114  128    14   (20  60    40 

US dollar/Ukrainian hryvnia

   —     —      —     (18  —      (18

US dollar/Uruguayan peso

   (40  41    1   (57  57    —   

Others

   (321  264    (57  (124  104    (20

Further analysis on the impact of open currency exposures is performed in theCurrency SensitivityAnalysis currency sensitivity analysis below.

In conformity with IAS 39 hedge accounting rules, these hedgesHedges of firm commitments and highly probable forecasted transactions denominated in foreign currency are designated as cash flow hedges.

Foreign Exchange Riskexchange risk on Net Investments in Foreign Operations

AB InBev enters into hedging activities to mitigate exposures related to its investments in foreign operations. These strategies are designated as net investment hedges and include both derivative andnon-derivative financial instruments.

As of 31 December 2016, designated derivative andnon-derivative financial instruments in a net investment hedge relationship amount to 15 583m US dollar equivalent (11 193m US dollar in 2015) in Holding companies and approximately 1 497m US dollar equivalent (1 460m US dollar in 2015) at Ambev level. Those derivatives andnon-derivatives are used to hedge foreign operations with functional currencies mainlycurrency denominated in Canadian dollar, Dominican peso, euro, Mexican peso, pound sterling, South Korean won and US dollar.

Foreign Exchange Risk on Foreign Currency Denominated Debtdebt

It is AB InBev’s policy for subsidiaries to have theissue debt in the subsidiaries as much as possible linkedits functional currency to the functional currency of the subsidiary. To the extent possible. Where this is not the case, hedging is put in place unless the cost to hedge outweighs the benefits. Interest rate decisions and currency mix of debt and cash are decided onOn a global basis, the interest rate and take into considerationdebt profile as well as the preferred currency mix are determined based on a holistic risk management approach.

A description of the foreign currency risk hedging related to theof debt instruments issued in a currency other than the functional currency of the subsidiary is further detailed in theInterest Rate Risk section below.

Currency Sensitivity Analysissensitivity analysis

Currency transactional risk

Most of AB InBev’snon-derivative monetary financial instruments are either denominated in the functional currency of the subsidiary or are converted into the functional currency through the use of derivatives. However,Where illiquidity in the local

market prevents hedging at a reasonable cost, the company can have open positions in certain countries for which hedging can be limited as the illiquidity of the local foreign exchange market prevents the company from hedging at a reasonable cost.positions. The transactional foreign currency risk mainly arises from open positions in Australian dollar, Chinese yuan, Colombian peso, Honduran lempira, Nigerian naira, Mexican peso, Peruvian nuevo sol, pound sterling, Russian ruble,South African rand and South Korean won Tanzanian shilling, Ukrainian hryvnia and Zambian kwacha against the US dollar and the euro. AB InBev estimated the reasonably possible change of exchange rate, on the basis of the average volatility on the open currency pairs, as follows:

 

  2018 
  Closing rate
31 December 2018
   Possible
closing rate1
   Volatility
of rates in %
 

Euro/Mexican peso

   22.54    19.21 - 25.86    14.75

Euro/Pound sterling

   0.89    0.84 - 0.95    6.03

Euro/South Korean won

   1277.14    1181.98 - 1372.3    7.45

Euro/US dollar

   1.15    1.06 - 1.23    7.32

Pound sterling/US dollar

   1.28    1.17 - 1.39    8.45

US dollar/Australian dollar

   1.42    1.30 - 1.54    8.50

US dollar/Chinese yuan

   6.88    6.57 - 7.18    4.45

US dollar/Colombian peso

   3246.70    2868.9 - 3624.5    11.64

US dollar/Euro

   0.87    0.81 - 0.94    7.32

US dollar/Mexican peso

   19.68    17.12 - 22.24    13.00

US dollar/Nigerian naira

   362.54    354.9 - 370.18    2.11

US dollar/Peruvian nuevo sol

   3.37    3.24 - 3.50    3.90

US dollar/South African rand

   14.37    11.96 - 16.79    16.82

US dollar/South Korean won

   1115.40    1029.1 - 1201.71    7.74

US dollar/Tanzanian shilling

   2298.32    2211.95 - 2384.69    3.76

US dollar/Zambian kwacha

   11.88    10.28 - 13.47    13.41
  2016 
  Closing rate
31 December 2016
   Possible
closing rate1
  Volatility
of rates in %
   2017 
  Closing rate
31 December 2017
   Possible
closing rate2
   Volatility
of rates in %
 

Euro/Mexican peso

   21.78   18.12 - 25.45   16.83   23.67    20.81 - 26.53    12.07

Euro/Pound sterling

   0.86   0.76 - 0.96   11.63   0.89    0.82 - 0.96    7.94

Euro/Russian ruble

   63.94   51.45 - 76.43   19.53   69.12    60.86 - 77.38    11.95

Euro/South Korean won

   1 280.41    1 181.37 – 1 379.44    7.73

Euro/Ukrainian hryvnia

   28.66   24.85 - 32.47   13.30   33.66    30.39 - 36.93    9.72

Euro/US dollar

   1.05   0.97 - 1.14   8.09   1.20    1.11 - 1.28    7.12

Pound sterling/US dollar

   1.23   1.06 - 1.40   13.99   1.35    1.16 - 1.54    13.99

US dollar/Australian dollar

   1.38   1.23 - 1.54   11.22   1.28    1.18 - 1.38    7.50

US dollar/Chinese yuan

   6.94   6.57 - 7.32   5.45   6.51    6.15 - 6.86    5.45

US dollar/Colombian peso

   3 002.14   2 449.43 - 3 554.86   18.41   2 988.60    2 732.94 – 3 244.26    8.55

US dollar/Euro

   0.95   0.87 - 1.03   8.09   0.83    0.77 - 0.89    7.12

US dollar/Honduran lempira

   23.49   23.36 - 23.63   0.57

US dollar/Mexican peso

   20.66   17.20 - 24.13   16.76   19.74    17.45 - 22.02    11.59

US dollar/Nigerian naira

   315.28   192.49 - 438.07   38.95   360.03    284.18 - 435.87    21.07

US dollar/Peruvian nuevo sol

   3.35   3.11 - 3.60   7.29   3.24    3.11 - 3.38    4.19

US dollar/Russian ruble

   60.66   48.77 - 72.55   19.60   57.63    51.43 - 63.83    10.76

US dollar/South African rand

   12.35    10.44 - 14.25    15.39

US dollar/South Korean won

   1 203.90   1 039.01 - 1 368.80   13.70   1 067.63    921.4 –1 213.86    13.70

US dollar/Tanzanian shilling

   2 180.87   2 151.10 - 2 210.64   1.37   2 235.44    2 176.76 – 2 294.12    2.63

US dollar/Ukrainian hryvnia

   27.19   24.27 - 30.11   10.74   28.07    26.86 - 29.27    4.30

US dollar/Zambian kwacha

   9.94   8.06 - 11.82   18.91   9.98    8.91 - 11.05    10.72
  2015 
  Closing rate
31 December 2015
   Possible
closing rate2
  Volatility
of rates in %
 

Pound sterling/Euro

   1.36   1.23-1.50   9.73

Euro/Czech koruna

   27.02   26.21-27.83   2.99

Euro/Russian ruble

   79.35   58.04-100.66   26.86

Euro/Ukrainian hryvnia

   26.13   10.51-41.75   59.79

US dollar/Euro

   0.92   0.81-1.03   12.13

US dollar/Mexican peso

   17.21   15.38-19.04   10.63

US dollar/Pound sterling

   0.67   0.62-0.73   8.34

US dollar/Russian ruble

   72.88   54.75-91.01   24.88

US dollar/Ukrainian hryvnia

   24.00   8.88-39.12   63.01

Had the Australian dollar, Chinese yuan, Colombian peso, Mexican peso, Peruvian nuevo sol, pound sterling, South African rand and South Korean won weakened/strengthened during 2018 by the above estimated changes against the euro or the US dollar, with all other variables held constant, the 2018 impact on consolidated profit before taxes would have been approximately 76m US dollar (142m US dollar in 2017; 112m US dollar in 2016) higher/lower.

Additionally, the AB InBev sensitivity analysis1 to the foreign exchange rates on its total derivatives positions as of 31 December 2018, shows a positive/negative pre-tax impact on equity reserves of 587m US dollar (639m US dollar in 2017; 774m US dollar in 2016).

Foreign exchange risk on net investments in foreign operations

AB InBev mitigates exposures of its investments in foreign operations using both derivative and non-derivative financial instruments as hedging instruments.

As of 31 December 2018, designated derivative and non-derivative financial instruments in net investment hedges amount to 9 773m US dollar equivalent (7 424m US dollar in 2017) in Holding companies and approximately 632m US dollar equivalent (1 669m US dollar in 2017) at Ambev level. These instruments hedge foreign operations with Brazilian real, Canadian dollar, Dominican peso, euro, Mexican peso, pound sterling, South Korean won and US dollar functional currencies.

 

1 

Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2016.2018.

2 

Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2015.2017.

Had the Australian dollar, Chinese yuan, Colombian peso, Honduran lempira, Nigerian naira, Mexican peso, Peruvian nuevo sol, pound sterling, Russian ruble, South Korean won, Tanzanian shilling, Ukrainian hryvnia and Zambian kwacha weakened/strengthened during 2016 by the above estimated changes against the euro or the US dollar, with all other variables held constant, the 2016 impact on consolidated profit before taxes would have been approximately 112m US dollar (71m US dollar in 2015) higher/lower.

Additionally, the AB InBev sensitivityanalysis1 to theNet foreign exchange rates on its total derivatives positions as of 31 December 2016, shows a positive/negativepre-tax impact on equity reserves of 774m US dollar (895m US dollar in 2015).

Net Foreign Exchange Resultsresults

Foreign exchange results recognized on unhedged and hedged exposures and from the related hedging derivative instruments can be summarized per type of hedging relationshipare as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014 

Cash flow hedges - hedged items

   98    61    (60

Cash flow hedges - hedging instruments (reclassified from equity)

   (151   (11   53 

Economic hedges - hedged items not part of a hedge accounting relationship

   9    (347   —   

Economic hedges - hedging instruments not part of a hedge accounting relationship

   (45   352    11 

Other results - not hedged

   68    323    315 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (21   378    319 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016 

Cash flow hedges

   —      (13   (53

Economic hedges

   (210   (49   (36

Other results - not hedged

   216    (242   68 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   6    (304   (21

INTEREST RATE RISK

B.Interest Rate Risk

The company applies a dynamic interest rate hedging approach whereby the target mix between fixed and floating rate debt is reviewed periodically. The purpose of AB InBev’s policy is to achieve an optimal balance between cost of funding and volatility of financial results, while taking into account market conditions as well as AB InBev’s overall business strategy.

Fair Value Hedgevalue hedges

Pound sterling bond hedges (foreign currency risk + interest rate risk on borrowings in pound sterling)

In June 2009, the company issued a pound sterling bond for an equivalent of 750m pound sterling. This bond bears interest at 6.50% with maturity in June 2017.

The company entered into several pound sterling fixed/euro floating cross currency interest rate swaps to manage and reduce the impact of changes in the pound sterling exchange rate and interest rate on this bond.

These derivative instruments have been designated in a fair value hedge accounting relationship.

US dollar fixed rate bond hedges (interest rate risk on borrowings in US dollar)

The company entered into several US dollar fixed/floating interest rate swaps to managemanages and reducereduces the impact of changes in the US dollar interest rates on the fair value of certain fixed rate bonds with an aggregate principal amount of 5.51.0 billion US dollar.

These derivative instruments have been designated in a fair value hedge accounting relationship.

Ambev bond hedges (interest rate risk on borrowings in Brazilian real)

In July 2007 Ambev issued a Brazilian real bond (“Bond 17”), which bears interest at 9.5% and is repayable semi-annually with final maturity date in July 2017.

Ambev entered into adollar through fixed/floating interest rate swap to hedge the interest rate risk on such bond.swaps. These derivative instruments have been designated in a fair value hedge accounting relationship.

Cash Flow Hedgeflow hedges

Canadian dollar bond hedges (foreign currency risk + interest rate risk on borrowings in Canadian dollar)

In January 2013, the company issued a series of notes in an aggregated principal amount of 1.2 billion Canadian dollar. These bonds bear interest at 2.375% with maturity in January 2018 and 3.375% with maturity in January 2023.

The company entered into several Canadian dollar fixed/US dollar fixed cross currency interest rate swaps to manage and reduce the impact of changes in the Canadian dollar exchange rate and interest rate on these bonds.

These derivative instruments have been designated in a cash flow hedge accounting relationship.

Pound sterling bond hedges (foreign currency risk + interest rate risk on borrowings in pound sterling)

In September 2013, the company issued a pound sterling bond for an equivalent of 500m pound sterling. This bond bears intereststerling at a rate of 4.00% per year with maturityand maturing in September 2025.

The company entered into several pound sterling fixed/euro fixed cross currency interest rate swaps to manage and reduce the impact of changes in the pound sterling exchange rate and interest rate on this bond.

1Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2016.

bond is managed and reduced through pound sterling fixed/euro fixed cross currency interest rate swaps. These derivative instruments have been designated in a cash flow hedge accounting relationship.accounting.

Economic HedgeHedges

Marketable debt security hedges (interest rate risk on Brazilian real)

During 20162018 and 2015,2017, Ambev invested in highly liquid Brazilian real denominated government debt securities.

The company also entered into interest rate future contactscontracts in order to offset the Brazilian real interest rate exposure of suchthese government bonds. Since bothBoth instruments are measured at fair value with changes recorded into profit or loss and no hedge accounting designation was done.is required.

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysisrate sensitivity analysis

In respectThe table below reflects the effective interest rates of interest-bearing financial liabilities the table below indicates their effective interest rates at balance sheet date as well as the split per currency in which the debt is denominated.

 

31 December 2016  Before hedging   After hedging 

Interest-bearing financial liabilities

Million US dollar

  Effective
interest rate
 Amount   Effective
interest rate
 Amount 
  Before hedging   After hedging 

31 December 2018

Interest-bearing financial liabilities

Million US dollar

  Effective
interest rate
 Amount   Effective
interest rate
 Amount 

Floating rate

            

Australian dollar

   2.95 214    2.95 214 

Brazilian real

   9.76 205    12.62 729    9.13 61    6.86 133 

Canadian dollar

   1.55 386    1.55 386    3.66 190    3.38 206 

Euro

   0.20 3 037    0.12 4 046    0.24 3 138    0.24 3 138 

South African rand

   8.30 446    8.30 446 

US dollar

   1.82 10 187    2.33 18 002    1.94 1 399    2.21 2 638 

Other

   18.75 352    18.75 352    7.19 709    7.19 709 
   

 

    

 

 
    14 613     23 961    

 

    

 

 
    5 711     7 038 

Fixed rate

            

Australian dollar

   3.85 520    3.85 520    3.28 1 871    3.28 1 871 

Brazilian real

   6.67 375    6.20 258    6.74 138    5.79 66 

Canadian dollar

   2.93 886    2.89 554    3.23 1 904    3.23 1 904 

Euro

   0.26 23 991    1.86 26 396    1.76 27 465    1.61 35 292 

Peruvian nuevo sol

   5.88 119    5.88 119 

Pound sterling

   6.80 2 212    9.75 594    3.83 4 173    3.80 3 541 

South Korean won

   —     —      2.50 1 000    —     —      2.45 1 000 

US dollar

   4.06 79 615    4.15 68 928    4.28 68 570    4.66 59 120 

Other

   11.41 412    11.41 412    8.55 82    8.55 82 
   

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

 
    108 130     98 782     104 203     102 876 
31 December 2015  Before hedging   After hedging 

Interest-bearing financial liabilities

Million US dollar

  Effective
interest rate
 Amount   Effective
interest rate
 Amount 

Floating rate

      

Brazilian real

   9.41 270    11.19 355 

Euro

   0.09 2 934    1.41 3 975 

US dollar

   1.12 584    1.20 1 787 

Other

   6.10 6    6.10 6 
   

 

    

 

 
    3 795     6 124 

Fixed rate

      

Brazilian real

   7.13 282    8.22 237 

Canadian dollar

   3.14 1 290    3.22 968 

Dominican peso

   9.52 101    9.52 101 

Euro

   2.47 11 363    2.31 13 893 

Pound sterling

   6.54 2 686    8.67 912 

South Korean won

   —     —      2.44 1 000 

US dollar

   4.21 29 935    4.37 26 216 

Other

   3.60 14    3.60 14 
   

 

    

 

 
    45 671     43 342 

31 December 2017  Before hedging   After hedging 

Interest-bearing financial liabilities

Million US dollar

  Effective
interest rate
  Amount   Effective
interest rate
  Amount 

Floating rate

      

Australian dollar

   2.68  234    2.68  234 

Brazilian real

   9.22  122    7.61  199 

Canadian dollar

   2.09  207    2.45  224 

Euro

   0.35  3 398    0.35  3 415 

South Africa rand

   8.00  666    8.00  666 

US dollar

   1.48  1 285    1.43  2 521 

Other

   16.68  450    16.68  450 
   

 

 

    

 

 

 
    6 362     7 709 

Fixed rate

      

Australian dollar

   3.70  1 838    3.70  1 838 

Brazilian real

   6.43  206    5.86  112 

Canadian dollar

   3.08  2 543    3.19  2 176 

Euro

   1.88  26 386    1.70  34 251 

Peruvian nuevo sol

   6.87  33    6.87  33 

Pound sterling

   3.83  4 403    3.80  3 734 

South Korean won

   —     —      2.50  1 000 

US dollar

   4.18  74 476    4.51  65 394 

Other

   3.36  252    2.36  252 
   

 

 

    

 

 

 
    110 137     108 790 

At 31 December 2016,2018, the total carrying amount of the floating and fixed rate interest-bearing financial liabilities before hedging as listed above includes bank overdrafts of 184m114m US dollar.

As disclosed in the above table, 23 961m7 038m US dollar or 19.52%6.40% of the company’s interest bearinginterest-bearing financial liabilities bearbears interest at a variable interest rate. The company estimated that the reasonably possible change of the market interest rates applicable to its floating rate debt after hedging is as follows:

 

  2016 
  Interest rate
31 December 20161
 Possible
interest rate2
  Volatility
of rates in %
   2018 
  Interest rate
31 December 20181
 Possible
interest rate2
 Volatility
of rates in %
 

Brazilian real

   13.20 12.88% - 13.53%   2.46   6.44 6.12% - 6.76 5.00

Canadian dollar

   0.95 0.87% - 1.02%   7.83   2.29 2.15% - 2.42% 5.91

Euro

   —       11.84   —     —    2.45

South African rand

   7.36 6.95% - 7.77%   5.55

US dollar

   1.00 0.89% - 1.11%   11.08   2.78 2.61% - 2.94 5.97
  2015 
  Interest rate
31 December 20151
 Possible
interest rate2
  Volatility
of rates in %
 

Brazilian real

   13.64 12.48% - 14.8%   8.52

Euro

   —    0.15% - 0%   211.93

US dollar

   0.61 0.5% - 0.73%   18.83

   2017 
   Interest rate
31 December 20171
  Possible
interest rate2
  Volatility
of rates in %
 

Brazilian real

   6.90  5.29% - 8.50  23.27

Canadian dollar

   1.54  1.38% - 1.71  10.72

Euro

   —     —     3.50

South African rand

   7.16  6.88% - 7.43  3.84

US dollar

   1.69  1.59% - 1.80  6.00

When AB InBev applies the reasonably possible increase/decrease in the market interest rates mentioned above on its floating rate debt at 31 December 2018, with all other variables held constant, 2018 interest expense would have been 8m US dollar higher/lower (2017: 12m US dollar; 2016: 23m US dollar). This effect would be more than offset by (60m) US dollar higher/lower interest income on AB InBev’sinterest-bearing financial assets (2017: (81)m US dollar; (53)m US dollar).

Interest expense

Interest expense recognized on unhedged and hedged financial liabilities are as follows:

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016 

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost – not hedged

   (4 053   (4 375   (4 119

Fair value hedges

   (76   (11   (31

Cash flow hedges

   22    1    (8

Net investment hedges - hedging instruments (interest component)

   35    77    34 

Economic hedges

   100    (6   32 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (3 972   (4 314   (4 092

COMMODITY PRICE RISK

The commodity markets have experienced and are expected to continue to experience price fluctuations. AB InBev therefore uses both fixed price purchasing contracts and commodity derivatives to minimize exposure to commodity price volatility. The company has significant exposures to the following commodities: aluminum, barley, coal, corn grits, corn syrup, corrugated board, diesel, fuel oil, glass, hops, labels, malt, natural gas, orange juice, plastics, rice, steel and wheat. As of 31 December 2018, the company has the following commodity derivatives outstanding (in notional amounts):

 

1 

Applicable3-month InterBank Offered Rates as of 31 December 20162018 and as of 31 December 2015.2017.

2 

Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 20162018 and at December 2015.2017. For the Brazilian real floating rate debt, the estimated market interest rate is composed of the InterBank Deposit Certificate (‘CDI’) and the Long-Term Interest Rate (‘TJLP’). With regard to other market interest rates, the company’s analysis is based on the3-month InterBank Offered Rates applicable for the currencies concerned (e.g. EURIBOR 3M, LIBOR 3M).

When AB InBev applies the reasonably possible increase/decrease in the market interest rates mentioned above on its floating rate debt at 31 December 2016, with all other variables held constant, 2016 interest expense would have been 23m US dollar higher/lower (2015: 5m US dollar). This effect would be more than offset by 53m US dollar higher/lower interest income on AB InBev’sinterest-bearing financial assets (2015: 50m US dollar).

Interest Expense

Interest expense recognized on unhedged and hedged financial liabilities and the net interest expense from the related hedging derivative instruments can be summarized per type of hedging relationship as follows:

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014 

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost – not hedged

   (4 119   (2 005   (2 236

Fair value hedges – hedged items

   (73   (87   (97

Fair value hedges – hedging instruments

   42    50    42 

Cash flow hedges – hedged items

   (24   (31   (35

Cash flow hedges – hedging instruments (reclassified from equity)

   16    24    10 

Net investment hedges – hedging instruments (interest component)

   34    152    192 

Economic hedges – hedged items not part of a hedge accounting relationship

   8    8    (9

Economic hedges – hedging instruments not part of a hedge accounting relationship

   24    56    125 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (4 092   (1 833   (2 008

C.Commodity Price Risk

The commodity markets have experienced and are expected to continue to experience price fluctuations. AB InBev therefore uses both fixed price purchasing contracts and commodity derivatives to minimize exposure to commodity price volatility. The company has important exposures to the following commodities: aluminum, barley, coal, corn grits, corn syrup, corrugated board, diesel, fuel oil, glass, hops, labels, malt, natural gas, orange juice, plastics, rice, steel and wheat. As of 31 December 2016, the company has the following commodity derivatives outstanding (in notional amounts): aluminum swaps for 1 242m US dollar (2015: 1 681m US dollar), natural gas and energy derivatives for 189m US dollar (2015: 216m US dollar), exchange traded sugar futures for 93m US dollar (2015: 92m US dollar), corn swaps for 179m US dollar (2015: 272m US dollar), exchange traded wheat futures for 557m US dollar (2015: 484m US dollar), rice swaps for 190m US dollar (2015: 138m US dollar) and plastic derivatives for 105m US dollar (2015: 107m US dollar). These hedges are designated in a cash flow hedge accounting relationship.

Million US dollar

  2018   2017 

Aluminum swaps

   1 670    1 412 

Exchange traded sugar futures

   62    87 

Natural gas and energy derivatives

   313    211 

Corn swaps

   196    223 

Exchange traded wheat futures

   424    509 

Rice swaps

   194    221 

Plastic derivatives

   84    91 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   2 943    2 754 

Commodity Price Sensitivity Analysisprice sensitivity analysis

The impact of changes in the commodity prices for AB InBev’s derivative exposures would have caused an immaterial impact on 2016AB InBev’s profit in 2018 profits as most of the company’s commodity derivatives are designated in a hedge accounting relationship.accounting.

The table below shows the estimated impact that changes in the price of the commodities, for which AB InBev held material derivative exposures at 31 December 2016,2018, would have on the equity reserves.

 

  2016   2018 
  Volatility of
prices in %1
  Pre-tax impact on equity     Pre-tax impact on equity 

Million US dollar

   Prices increase �� Prices decrease   Volatility of
prices in %1
 Prices
increase
   Prices
decrease
 

Aluminum

   15.80 196    (196   22.16 370    (370

Sugar

   32.63 30    (30   29.60 18    (18

Wheat

   26.43 147    (147   29.31 124    (124

Energy

   28.60 54    (54   23.83 74    (74

Rice

   26.38 50    (50   22.08 43    (43

Corn

   24.30 44    (44   23.85 47    (47

Plastic

   18.62 20    (20   20.54 17    (17

 

1Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2016.
   2017 
      Pre-tax impact on equity 

Million US dollar

  Volatility of
prices in %2
  Prices
increase
   Prices
decrease
 

Aluminum

   14.83  212    (212

Sugar

   29.38  26    (26

Wheat

   30.99  158    (158

Energy

   20.37  43    (43

Rice

   20.20  45    (45

Corn

   24.81  45    (45

Plastic

   17.50  15    (15

EQUITY PRICE RISK

   2015 
   Volatility of
prices in %1
  Pre-tax impact on equity 

Million US dollar

   Prices increase   Prices decrease 

Aluminum

   18.06  203    (203

Sugar

   31.20  30    (30

Wheat

   34.65  (7   7 

Energy

   30.28  59    (59

Rice

   23.52  22    (22

Corn

   13.45  53    (53

Plastic

   18.43  23    (23

D.Equity Price Risk

AB InBev enteredenters into a series of derivative contractsderivatives to hedge the price risk arising from the different share-based payment programs. The purpose of these derivatives is mainly to effectively hedge the risk that a price increase in the AB InBevon its shares willwhen this could negatively impact future cash flows related to the share-based payments. Furthermore,payments programs. AB InBev entered into a series of derivative contracts to hedgealso hedges its exposure arising from shares issued in connection with the deferred share instrument related to the Modelo and SAB combination (see also Note 11Finance cost and income andNote 2323 Changes in equity and earnings per share) and some share-based payments in connection with the combination with SABMiller. Most of these derivative instruments could. These derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting therefore they have not been designatedand the changes in any hedging relationships.fair value are recorded in the profit or loss.

As of 31 December 2016,2018, an exposure for an equivalent of 91.6m92.4m of AB InBev shares was hedged, resulting in a total loss of 851m3.5 billion US dollar recognized in the profit or loss account for the period, of which 384m1.8 billion US dollar related to the company’s share-based payment programs, 340m873m US dollar and 127m849m US dollar related to the Modelo and SABMillerSAB transactions, respectively.

Between 2012 and 2016,2018, AB InBev reset with counterparties certain derivative contractsequity derivatives to market price.price with counterparties. This resulted in a net cash inflow of 1.32.9 billion US dollar between 2012 and 2015 and 1.9 billion US dollar in 20162018 and, accordingly, a decrease of counterparty risk.

Equity Price Sensitivity Analysisprice sensitivity analysis

The sensitivity analysis on the share-based payments hedging program, calculated based on a 22.03% (2017: 15.68%; 2016: 22.84% (2015: 25.12%) reasonablereasonably possible volatility21 of the AB InBev share price, and with all the other variables held constant, would show 2 236m1 345m US dollar positive/negative impact on the 20162018 profit before tax (2015:(2017: 1 422m US dollar; 2016: 2 017m236m US dollar).

CREDIT RISK

E.Credit Risk

Credit risk encompasses all forms of counterparty exposure, i.e. where counterparties may default on their obligations to AB InBev in relation to lending, hedging, settlement and other financial activities. The company has a credit policy in place and the exposure to counterparty credit risk is monitored.

1

Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2018.

2

Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2017.

AB InBev mitigates its exposure tothrough a variety of mechanisms. It has established minimum counterparty credit ratings and enters into transactions only with financial institutions of investment grade rating. The company monitors counterparty credit exposures closely and reviews any external downgrade in credit rating immediately. To mitigate pre-settlement risk, counterparty minimum credit standards become more stringent with increases in the duration of the derivatives. To minimize the concentration of counterparty credit risk, through minimum counterparty credit guidelines, diversification of counterparties, working within agreed counterparty limits and through setting limits on the maturity ofcompany enters into derivative transactions with different financial assets. institutions.

The company also has furthermore master netting agreements with all of the financial institutions that are counterparties to the over the counter (OTC) derivative financial instruments.derivatives. These agreements allow for the net settlement of assets and liabilities arising from different transactions with the same counterparty. Based on these factors, AB InBev considers the impact of the risk of counterparty default peras at 31 December 20162018 to be limited.

AB InBev has established minimum counterparty credit ratings and enters into transactions only with financial institutions of investment grade. The company monitors counterparty credit exposures closely and reviews any downgrade in credit rating immediately. To mitigatepre-settlement risk, minimum counterparty credit standards become more stringent as the duration of the derivative financial instruments increases. To minimize the concentration of counterparty credit risk, the company enters into derivative transactions with different financial institutions.

1Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2015.
2Sensitivity analysis is assessed based on the yearly volatility using daily observable market data during 250 days at 31 December 2016.

Exposure to Credit Riskcredit risk

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure of the company. The carrying amount is presented net of the impairment losses recognized. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date was:

 

  2016   2015   2018   2017 

Million US dollar

  Gross   Impairment Net carrying
amount
   Gross1   Impairment Net carrying
amount2
   Gross   Impairment Net carrying
amount
   Gross   Impairment Net carrying
amount
 

Debt securities held for trading

   5 659    —    5 659    55    —    55 

Available for sale

   65    (7 58    40    (9 31 

Held to maturity

   24    —    24    17    —    17 

Investment in unquoted companies

   91    (7 84    83    (7 76 

Investment in debt securities

   111    —    111    1 328    —    1 328 

Trade receivables

   4 399    (202 4 197    3 244    (230 3 014    4 400    (160 4 240    4 917    (194 4 723 

Cash deposits for guarantees

   200    —    200    187    —    187    197    —    197    209    —    209 

Loans to customers

   100    —    100    94    —    94    188    —    188    179    —    179 

Other receivables

   2 818    (109 2 709    1 975    (99 1 876    2 359    (106 2 253    2 326    (117 2 209 

Derivatives

   1 117    —    1 117    3 563    —    3 563    307    —    307    483    —    483 

Cash and cash equivalents

   8 579    —    8 579    6 923    —    6 923    7 074    —    7 074    10 472    —    10 472 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 
   22 961    (318  22 643    16 098    (338  15 760    14 727    (273  14 454    19 997    (318  19 679 

There was no significant concentration of credit risks with any single counterparty per 31 December 20162018 and no single customer represented more than 10% of the total revenue of the group in 2016.2018.

Impairment Losseslosses

The allowance for impairment recognized during the period per classes of financial assets was as follows:

 

  2016   2018 

Million US dollar

  Available for
sale
 Trade
receivables
 Loans to
customers
 Other
receivables
 Total   Trade receivables Loans to
customers
   FVOCI Other
receivables
 Total 

Balance at 1 January

   (9 (230  —    (99 (338   (194  —      (7 (117 (318

Impairment losses

   —    (43  —     —    (43   (40  —      —    (3 (43

Derecognition

   —    69   —    2  71    29   —      —    6  35 

Currency translation and other

   2  2   —    (12 (8   44   —      —    9  53 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at 31 December

   (7  (202  —     (109  (318   (160  —      (7  (106  (273
  2015 

Million US dollar

  Available for
sale
 Trade
receivables
 Loans to
customers
 Other
receivables
 Total 

Balance at 1 January

   (11 (260 (30 (128 (429

Impairment losses

   —    (41  —    (16 (57

Derecognition

   —    20  30  22  72 

Currency translation and other

   2  51   —    23  76 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at 31 December

   (9  (230  —     (99  (338
  2014 

Million US dollar

  Available for
sale
 Trade
receivables
 Loans to
customers
 Other
receivables
 Total 

Balance at 1 January

   (13 (249 (84 (162 (508

Impairment losses

   (1 (37 (1  —    (39

Derecognition

   2  28  38  15  83 

Currency translation

   1  (2 17  19  35 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at 31 December

   (11  (260  (30  (128  (429

 

F.Liquidity Risk
   2017 

Million US dollar

  Trade receivables  Loans to
customers
   FVOCI  Other
receivables
  Total 

Balance at 1 January

   (202  —      (7  (109  (318

Impairment losses

   (55  —      —     (4  (59

Derecognition

   53   —      —     1   54 

Currency translation and other

   10   —      —     (5  5 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December

   (194  —      (7  (117  (318

   2016 

Million US dollar

  Trade receivables  Loans to
customers
   FVOCI  Other
receivables
  Total 

Balance at 1 January

   (230  —      (9  (99  (338

Impairment losses

   (43  —      —     —     (43

Derecognition

   69   —      —     2   71 

Currency translation and other

   2   —      2   (12  (8
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December

   (202  —      (7  (109  (318

LIQUIDITY RISK

Historically, AB InBev’s primary sources of cash flow have historically been cash flows from operating activities, the issuance of debt, bank borrowings and the issuance of equity securities. AB InBev’s material cash requirements have included the following:

 

Debt service;servicing;

 

Capital expenditures;

Investments in companies;

 

Investments in companies;

Increases in ownership of AB InBev’s subsidiaries or companies in which it holds equity investments;

 

Share buyback programs; and

 

Payments of dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity.

1Reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation.

The company believes that cash flows from operating activities, available cash and cash equivalent andequivalents as well as short term investments, along with the derivative instrumentsrelated derivatives and access to borrowing facilities, will be sufficient to fund capital expenditures, financial instrument liabilities and dividend payments going forward. It is the intention of the company to continue to reduce its financial indebtedness through a combination of strong operating cash flow generation and continued refinancing.

The following are the nominal contractual maturities ofnon-derivative financial liabilities including interest payments and derivative financial assets and liabilities:

 

  2016   31 December 2018 

Million US dollar

  Carrying
amount1
 Contractual
cash flows
 Less than
1 year
 1-2 years 2-3 years 3-5 years More than
5 years
   Carrying
amount1
 Contractual
cash flows
 Less than
1 year
 1-2 years 2-3 years 3-5 years More than
5 years
 

Non-derivative financial liabilities

                

Secured bank loans

   (862 (937 (676 (116 (33 (32 (80   (479 (496 (383 (39 (15 (27 (31

Commercial papers

   (2 053 (2 054 (2 054  —     —     —     —      (1 142 (1 142 (1 142  —     —     —     —   

Unsecured bank loans

   (9 662 (11 057 (1 618 (535 (365 (8 535 (4   (108 (135 (33 (6 (96  —     —   

Unsecured bond issues

   (109 627 (162 300 (7 284 (10 262 (13 713 (25 383 (105 658   (107 796 (165 979 (6 410 (9 146 (11 636 (23 672 (115 115

Unsecured other loans

   (122 (279 (27 (41 (33 (41 (137   (71 (110 (19 (22 (12 (12 (44

Finance lease liabilities

   (234 (346 (44 (42 (44 (70 (146   (204 (316 (62 (37 (33 (33 (151

Bank overdraft

   (184 (184 (184  —     —     —     —      (114 (114 (114  —     —     —     —   

Trade and other payables

   (24 879 (25 398 (23 717 (449 (209 (331 (692   (24 345 (24 722 (22 557 (260 (1 060 (333 (513
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   (147 623  (202 555  (35 604  (11 445  (14 397  (34 392  (106 717   (134 258  (193 014  (30 720  (9 510  (12 852  (24 077  (115 855

Derivative financial assets/(liabilities)

                

Interest rate derivatives

   (267 (269 5  3  (13 (35 (229   (84 (86 (39 (19 (8 11  (31

Foreign exchange derivatives

   47  42  44  (2  —     —     —      (391 (401 (419 18   —     —     —   

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   (32 (58 22  (97  —    55  (38   (456 (457 (13 113  129  (595 (90

Commodity derivatives

   125  117  107  10   —     —     —      (225 (225 (222 (3  —     —     —   

Equity derivatives

   (490 (499 (499  —     —     —     —      (4 877 (4 877 (4 877  —     —     —     —   
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   (617  (667  (321  (86  (13  20   (267   (6 033  (6 046  (5 570  109   121   (584  (121

Of which: directly related to cash flow hedges

   28  6  176  (112 (2  —    (56
  2015 

Million US dollar

  Carrying
amount
 Contractual
cash flows
 Less than
1 year
 1-2 years 2-3 years 3-5 years More than
5 years
 

Non-derivative financial liabilities

        

Secured bank loans

   (277 (340 (115 (81 (27 (39 (78

Commercial papers

   (2 087 (2 089 (2 089  —     —     —     —   

Unsecured bank loans

   (1 469 (1 740 (1 446 (216 (56 (22  —   

Unsecured bond issues

   (45 442 (63 694 (3 434 (8 036 (6 209 (12 546 (33 469

Unsecured other loans

   (52 (114 (15 (16 (14 (15 (54

Finance lease liabilities

   (126 (218 (13 (14 (14 (32 (145

Bank overdraft

   (13 (13 (13  —     —     —     —   

Trade and other payables

   (18 816 (19 082 (17 616 (454 (184 (392 (436
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   (68 282  (87 290  (24 741  (8 817  (6 504  (13 046  (34 182

Derivative financial assets/(liabilities)

        

Interest rate derivatives

   (99 (100 18  (8 (15 (13 (82

Foreign exchange derivatives

   (3 022 (3 088 (3 072 2  (12 (6  —   

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   167  175  57  182  (73 (81 90 

Commodity derivatives

   (246 (247 (250 3   —     —     —   

Equity derivatives

   2 468  2 469  2 469   —     —     —     —   
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   (732  (791  (778  179   (100  (100  8 

Of which: directly related to cash flow hedges

   (1 187 (1 269 (1 238 45  (105 13  16 

Of which: related to cash flow hedges

   (293 (303 (233 17  2  2  (90

 

G.Capital Management
   31 December 2017 

Million US dollar

  Carrying
amount
  Contractual
cash flows
  Less than
1 year
  1-2 years  2-3 years  3-5 years  More than
5 years
 

Non-derivative financial liabilities

        

Secured bank loans

   (502  (590  (318  (137  (23  (42  (70

Commercial papers

   (1 870  (1 871  (1 871  —     —     —     —   

Unsecured bank loans

   (892  (927  (761  (129  (37  —     —   

Unsecured bond issues

   (112 837  (167 056  (8 951  (13 951  (12 908  (24 655  (106 591

Unsecured other loans

   (68  (114  (17  (23  (13  (7  (54

Finance lease liabilities

   (213  (301  (42  (42  (32  (40  (145

Bank overdraft

   (117  (117  (117  —     —     —     —   

Trade and other payables

   (26 167  (26 628  (24 756  (476  (207  (289  (900
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   (142 666  (197 604  (36 833  (14 758  (13 220  (25 033  (107 760

Derivative financial assets/(liabilities)

        

Interest rate derivatives

   (96  (101  (9  (21  (14  16   (73

Foreign exchange derivatives

   (61  (52  (59  7   —     —     —   

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   (897  (1 043  65   (128  114   (904  (190

Commodity derivatives

   179   143   139   4   —     —     —   

Equity derivatives

   (1 036  (1 134  (1 134  —     —     —     —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   (1 911  (2 187  (998  (138  100   (888  (263

Of which: related to cash flow hedges

   (20  (29  64   5   2   4   (104

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

AB InBev is continuously optimizingoptimizes its capital structure targeting to maximize shareholder value while keeping the desired financial flexibility to execute the strategic projects. AB InBev’s capital structure policy and framework aims to optimize shareholder value through cash flow distribution to the company from its subsidiaries, while maintaining an investment-grade rating and minimizing investments with returns below AB InBev’s weighted average cost of capital. Besides the statutory minimum equity funding requirements that apply to the company’s subsidiaries in the different countries, AB InBev is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements. When analyzing AB InBev’s capital structure the companyThe management uses the same debt/equity classifications as applied in the company’s IFRS reporting.reporting to analyze the capital structure.

 

1 

“Carrying amount” refers to net book value as recognized in the balance sheet at each reporting date.

H.Fair Value

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In conformity with IAS 39 all derivatives are recognized at fair value in the balance sheet.

The fair value of derivative financial instruments is either the quoted market price or is calculated using pricing models taking into account current market rates.

The fair value of these instruments generally reflects the estimated amount that AB InBev would receive on the settlement of favorable contracts or be required to pay to terminate unfavorable contracts at the balance sheet date, and thereby takes into account any unrealized gains or losses on open contracts.FAIR VALUE

The following table summarizes for each type of derivative the fair values recognized as assets or liabilities in the balance sheet:

 

                                                                        
  Assets   Liabilities   Net   Assets   Liabilities Net 

Million US dollar

  2016     2015   2016   2015   2016   2015   31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
   31 December
2018
 31 December
2017
 31 December
2018
 31 December
2017
 

Foreign currency

                       

Forward exchange contracts

   492      574    (441   (3 625   51    (3 051   191    151    (586 (211 (395 (60

Foreign currency futures

   3      94    (7   (65   (4   29    7    1    (3 (2 4  (1

Interest rate

                       

Interest rate swaps

   26      —      (216   (19   (190   (19   9   ��14    (27 (37 (18 (23

Cross currency interest rate swaps

   182      307    (214   (140   (32   167    32    9    (489 (906 (457 (897

Other interest rate derivatives

   —        —      (77   (80   (77   (80   20    —      (86 (73 (66 (73

Commodities

                       

Aluminum swaps

   69      28    (8   (211   61    (183   23    178    (172 (5 (149 173 

Sugar futures

   22      7    (5   (11   17    (4   —      24    (8 (20 (8 4 

Wheat futures

   52      62    (30   (24   22    38    13    34    (11 (22 2  12 

Energy

   4    —      (54  —    (50  —   

Other commodity derivatives

   46      5    (21   (102   25    (97   8    10    (28 (20 (20 (10

Equity

                       

Equity derivatives

   225      2 486    (715   (18   (490   2 468    —      21    (4 877 (1 057 (4 877 (1 036
  

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   1 117      3 563    (1 734   (4 295   (617   (732  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   307    442    (6 340  (2 353  (6 033  (1 911

Of which:

                       

Non-current

   146      295    (471   (315   (325   (20   10    25    (805 (937 (795 (912

Current

   971      3 268    (1 263   (3 980   (292   (712   297    417    (5 535 (1 416 (5 238 (999

The following table summarizes the carrying amountsamount and the fair value of the fixed rate interest-bearing financial liabilities and their fair value. The fair value was assessed using common discounted cash-flow method based on market conditions existingas recognized at the balance sheet date. Therefore, the fair value of the fixed interest-bearing liabilities is within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as set forth by IFRS 13 –Fair value measurement.sheet. Floating rate interest-bearing financial liabilities, and all trade and other receivables and trade and other payables, including derivatives financial instruments, have been excluded from the analysis as their carrying amounts areamount is a reasonable approximation of their fair values:value:

 

Interest-bearing financial liabilities

Million US dollar

  2016
Carrying amount1
   2016
Fair value
   2015
Carrying amount1
   2015
Fair value
   2018
Carrying amount1
   2018
Fair value
   2017
Carrying amount1
   2017
Fair value
 

Fixed rate

                

Australian dollar

   (520   (518   —      —      (1 871   (1 927   (1 838   (1 896

Brazilian real

   (375   (375   (282   (281   (138   (138   (206   (206

Canadian dollar

   (886   (954   (1 290   (1 416   (1 904   (1 817   (2 543   (2 574

Euro

   (23 991   (26 684   (11 363   (12 669   (27 465   (26 799   (26 386   (26 942

Peruvian nuevo sol

   (119   (118   —      —      (24   (24   (33   (33

Pound sterling

   (2 212   (2 847   (2 686   (3 242   (4 173   (4 320   (4 403   (4 902

US dollar

   (79 615   (85 397   (29 935   (32 959   (68 570   (65 873   (74 476   (83 482

Other

   (412   (411   (115   (116   (58   (58   (252   (252
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (108 130   (117 305   (45 671   (50 683   (104 203   (100 956   (110 137   (120 287

As required by IFRS 13Fair value measurement, the followingThe table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition atsets out the fair value grouped into Levels 1 to 3hierarchy based on the degree to which the fair value is observable.significant market inputs are observable:

 

Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Fair value hierarchy 31 December 2018

Million US dollar

  Quoted (unadjusted)
prices - level 1
   Observable market
inputs - level 2
   Unobservable market
inputs - level 3
 

Financial Assets

      

Held for trading (non-derivatives)

   3    9    —   

Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

   —      67    —   

Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

   7    225    —   

Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

   —      33    —   

Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

   —      14    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   10    348    —   

Financial Liabilities

      

Deferred consideration on acquisitions at fair value

   —      —      1 409 

Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

   —      5 699    —   

Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

   18    507    —   

Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

   —      125    —   

Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

   —      31    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   18    6 362    1 409 

 

Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques for which the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.

 

1 

“Carrying amount” refers to net book value as recognized in the balance sheet at each reporting date.

Fair value hierarchy 2016

Million US dollar

  Quoted (unadjusted)
prices - level 1
   Observable market
inputs - level 2
   Unobservable market
inputs - level 3
 

Financial Assets

      

Held for trading(non-derivatives)

   5 659    —      —   

Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

   1    338    —   

Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

   30    549    —   

Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

   —      54    —   

Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

   —      145    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   5 690    1 086    —   

Financial Liabilities

      

Non-derivatives recognized at fair value

   —      1 485    —   

Deferred consideration on acquisitions at fair value

   —      —      1 826 

Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

   3    818    —   

Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

   27    524    —   

Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

   —      354    —   

Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

   —      8    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   30    3 189    1 826 

Fair value hierarchy 2015

Million US dollar

  Quoted (unadjusted)
prices - level 1
   Observable market
inputs - level 2
   Unobservable market
inputs - level 3
 

Financial Assets

      

Held for trading(non-derivatives)

   55    —      —   

Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

   41    2 712    —   

Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

   47    404    —   

Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

   —      180    —   

Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

   16    163    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   159    3 459    —   

Financial Liabilities

      

Deferred consideration on acquisitions at fair value

   —      —      1 449 

Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

   36    1 819    —   

Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

   35    1 603    —   

Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

   —      117    —   

Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

   19    666    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   90    4 205    1 449 

Fair value hierarchy 31 December 2017

Million US dollar

  Quoted (unadjusted)
prices - level 1
   Observable market
inputs - level 2
   Unobservable market
inputs - level 3
 

Financial Assets

      

Held for trading (non-derivatives)

   1 304    5    —   

Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

   —      89    —   

Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

   9    340    —   

Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

   —      36    —   

Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

   —      9    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1 313    479    —   

Financial Liabilities

      

Deferred consideration on acquisitions at fair value

   —      —      2 210 

Derivatives at fair value through profit and loss

   1    1 210    —   

Derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship

   28    341    —   

Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship

   —      129    —   

Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship

   —      685    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   29    2 365    2 210 

Derivative Instruments

The fair value of exchange traded derivatives (e.g. exchange traded foreign currency futures) is determined by reference to the official prices published by the respective exchanges (e.g. the New York Board of Trade). The fair value ofover-the-counter derivatives is determined by commonly used valuation techniques. These are based on market inputs from reliable financial information providers.

Non-Derivative Financial LiabilitiesNON-DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

As part of the 2012 shareholders agreement between Ambev and E. León Jimenes S.A.,ELJ, following the acquisition of Cervecería Nacional Dominicana S.A. (“CND”), a forward-purchase contract (i.e. combination of a written put option and purchased call optionoption) is in place which may result in Ambev acquiring additional shares in CND. In January 2018, ELJ partially exercised its option to sell approximately 30% of the shares of CND for an amount of 0.9 billion US dollar, resulting in Ambev’s participation in CND increasing from 55% to 85%. As of 31 December 2016,2018, the put option for the remaining shares held by ELJ was valued 1 497m632 million US dollar (2015: 1 424m(2017: 1.7 billion US dollar)dollar before the exercise of the put option by ELJ in January 2018) and recognized as a deferred consideration on acquisitions at fair value in “level 3” category above. The variance is mainly explained by the partial exercise by ELJ of the put option, accretion expenses and foreign exchange expenses as well as fair value gains. No value was allocated to the call option.currency translation. The fair value of such deferred consideration is calculated based on commonly-used valuation techniques (i.e. netusing present value of future principal and interesttechniques, namely by discounting futures cash flows discounted at market rate). These are based on market inputs from reliable financial information providers. As the put option may be exercisedappropriate rate.

HEDGING RESERVES

The company’s hedging reserves disclosed in note 23 relate to the short-term, a portion of the liability is presented as a current liability.

Fair values determined by reference to prices provided by reliable financial information providers are periodically checked for consistency against other pricing sources.

following instruments:

 

I.Offsetting Financial Assets & Financial Liabilities

Million US dollar

  Foreign currency  Interest rate   Commodities  Others   Total hedging
reserves
 

As per 1 January 2018

   559   —      (20  47    586 

Change in fair value of hedging instrument recognized in OCI

   262   —      97   —      358 

Reclassified to profit or loss / cost of inventory

   (341  —      (137  26    (452

Deferred tax

   —     —      —     2    2 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As per 31 December 2018

   480   —      (60  76    494 

Million US dollar

  Foreign currency  Interest rate   Commodities  Others   Total hedging
reserves
 

As per 1 January 2017

   540   —      204   —      744 

Change in fair value of hedging instrument recognized in OCI

   (61  —      (22  —      (83

Reclassified to profit or loss / cost of inventory

   80   —      (202  47    (75

Deferred tax

   —     —      —     —      —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As per 31 December 2017

   559   —      (20  47    586 

OFFSETTING FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The following financial assets and liabilities are subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting agreements and similar agreements:

 

2016

Million US dollar
   31 December 2018 

Million US dollar

  Gross
amount
   Net amount
recognized in the
statement of
financial position1
   Other offsetting
agreements2
   Total net amount 

Derivative assets

   307    307    (293   13 

Derivative liabilities

   (6 340   (6 340   293    (6 046

Gross
amount
Net amount
recognized in the
statement of
financial position1
Other offsetting
agreements2
Total net amount

Derivative assets

1 1171 117(1 05463

Derivative liabilities

(1 734(1 7341 261(473
2015

Million US dollar

Gross
amount
Net amount
recognized in the
statement of
financial position1
Other offsetting
agreements2
Total net amount

Derivative assets

3 5633 563(4 633(1 070

Derivative liabilities

(4 295(4 2953 475(820

 

1 

Net amount recognized in the statement of financial position after taking into account offsetting agreements that meet the offsetting criteria as per IFRS rules.rules

2 

Other offsetting agreements include collateral and other guarantee instruments, as well as offsetting agreements that do not meet the offsetting criteria as per IFRS rules.rules

30.OPERATING LEASES

   31 December 2017 

Million US dollar

  Gross
amount
   Net amount
recognized in the
statement of
financial position1
   Other offsetting
agreements2
   Total net amount 

Derivative assets

   483    483    (466   17 

Derivative liabilities

   (2 394   (2 394   466    (1 928

30. Operating leases

Non-cancelable operating leases are payable and receivable as follows:

 

                                                                                                            
  2016 
  Pub leases   Other operational leases   Net lease
obligations
   2018 

Million US dollar

  Lessee Sublease   Lessee Sublease   Lessor     Lessee   Sublease   Lessor   Net lease obligations 

Within one year

   (95 69    (153 30    2    (147   (475   149    3    (323

Between one and five years

   (350 246    (339 66    5    (372   (1 237   451    9    (777

After five years

   (538 156    (183 15    2    (548   (771   211    6    (554
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (983  471    (675  111    9    (1 067

Total

   (2 483   811    18    (1 654
  20151 
  Pub leases   Other operational leases   Net lease
obligations
   2017 

Million US dollar

  Lessee Sublease   Lessee Sublease   Lessor     Lessee   Sublease   Lessor   Net lease obligations 

Within one year

   (108 73    (95 31    2    (97   (210   127    2    (181

Between one and five years

   (398 259    (236 68    6    (301   (1 009   425    7    (577

After five years

   (593 163    (157 15    2    (570   (781   211    4    (566
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (1 099  495    (488  114    10    (968

Total

   (2 100   763    13    (1 324

Following the sale of Dutch and Belgian pub real estate to Cofinimmo in October 2007, AB InBev entered into lease agreements of 27 years. These operating leases maturingmature in November 2034 represent an undiscounted obligation of 983m US dollar. The pubs leased from Cofinimmoand are subleased for an average outstanding period of 6 to 8 years and represent an undiscounted right to receive 471m US dollar.years. These leases arecan be subject to renewal after their expiration date. The impact of such renewal is not reported in the table above.

Furthermore, the company leases a number of warehouses, trucks, factory facilities and other commercial buildings under operating leases. The leases typically run for an initiala period of five to ten years, with an option to renew the lease after that date. This represents an undiscounted obligation of 675m US dollar.years. Lease payments are increased annually to reflect market rentals.rentals, if applicable. None of the leases include contingent rentals.

The operating leases listed above represent an undiscounted obligation of 2 483m US dollar. Also, in this category AB InBevthe company has sublet some of the leased pubs and properties, representing an undiscounted right of 111m811m US dollar.

At 31 December 2016, 272mIn 2018, 512m US dollar was recognized as an expense in the income statement in respect of operating leases aswhere the company is the lessee (2015: 233m(2017: 471m US dollar; 2014: 276m2016: 272m US dollar), while 117m133m US dollar was recognized as income in the income statement in respect of subleases (2015: 121m(2017: 128m US dollar; 2014: 148m2016: 117m US dollar).

The company also leases out part of its own property under operating leases. At 31 December 2016, 10mIn 2018, 3m US dollar was recognized as income in the income statement in respect of operating leases as lessor (2015: 20m(2017: 4m US dollar; 2014: 23m2016: 10m US dollar).

 

31.COLLATERAL AND CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, LOANS TO CUSTOMERS AND OTHER

Collateral and contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, loans to customers and other

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2018   2017 

Collateral given for own liabilities

   490    562    404    426 

Collateral and financial guarantees received for own receivables and loans to customers

   228    194    335    326 

Contractual commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment

   817    750    416    550 

Contractual commitments to acquire loans to customers

   11    14    171    16 

Other commitments

   1 768    1 713    
1
973
 
 
   
1
834
 
 

The collateral given for own liabilities of 490m404m US dollar at 31 December 20162018 contains 173m197m US dollar cash guarantees. Such cash deposits are a customary feature associated with litigations in Brazil: in accordance with Brazilian laws and regulations a company may or must (depending on the circumstances) place a deposit with a bank designated by the court or provide other security such as collateral on property, plant and equipment. With regard to judicial cases, AB InBev has made the appropriate provisions in accordance with IAS 37Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets – see also Note 27Provisions. In the company’s balance sheet the cash guarantees are presented as part of other receivables – see Note 20Trade and other receivables. The remaining part of collateral given for own liabilities (317m(204m US dollar) contains collateral on AB InBev’s property

1Reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation.

in favor of the excise tax authorities, the amount of which is determined by the level of the monthly excise taxes due, inventory levels and transportation risk, and collateral on its property, plant and equipment with regard to outstanding loans. To the extent that AB InBev would not respect its obligations under the related outstanding contracts or would lose the pending judicial cases, the collateralized assets would be used to settle AB InBev’s obligations.

To keep AB InBev’s credit risk with regard to receivables and loans to customers as low as possible collateral and other credit enhancements were obtained for a total amount of 228m335m US dollar at 31 December 2016.2018. Collateral is held on both real estate and debt securities while financial guarantees are obtained from banks and other third parties.

AB InBev has entered into commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment for an amount of 816m416m US dollar at 31 December 2016.2018.

In a limited number of countries AB InBev has committed itself to acquire loans to customers from banks at their notional amount if the customers do not respect their reimbursement commitments towards the banks. The total outstanding amount of such loans is 11m171m US dollar at 31 December 2016.2018.

As at 31 December 2016, the following commitments existed with respect to the combination with Grupo Modelo and the SABMiller combination:

In a transaction related to the combination of AB InBev and Grupo Modelo select Grupo Modelo shareholders committed, upon tender of their Grupo Modelo shares, to acquire 23 076 923 AB InBev shares to be delivered within 5 years for consideration of approximately 1.5 billion US dollar. The consideration was paid on 5 June 2013. Pending the delivery of the AB InBev shares, AB InBev will pay a coupon on each undelivered AB InBev share, so that the Deferred Share Instrument holders are compensated on an after tax basis, for dividends they would have received had the AB InBev shares been delivered to them prior to the record date for such dividend.

On 7 June 2013, in a transaction related to the combination of AB InBev and Grupo Modelo, AB InBev and Constellation have entered into a three-year transition services agreement by virtue of which Grupo Modelo or its affiliates agreed to provide certain transition services to Constellation to ensure a smooth operational transition of the Piedras Negras brewery. AB InBev and Constellation have also entered into a temporary supply agreement for an initial three-year term, whereby Constellation can purchase inventory from Grupo Modelo or its affiliates under a specified pricing until the Piedras Negras brewery business acquires the necessary capacity to fulfill 100 percent of the US demand.

On 13 December 2016, AB InBev announced that it has entered into a binding agreement with Asahi to sell the businesses formerly owned by SABMiller in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania (the “CEE Business”) for an agreed enterprise value of 7.3 billion euro, subject to customary adjustments. In connection with its business combination with SABMiller Limited AB InBev made commitments to the European Commission (“EC”) to sell the CEE Business. The sale is conditional upon EC regulatory approval. The disposal process is being carried out under the supervision of Mazars LLP in their role as EC monitoring trustee. Closing is expected to take place in the first half of 2017.

On 15 December 2016, AB InBev entered into a binding agreement to sell its entire indirect shareholding in Distell Group Limited (“Distell”) to the Public Investment Corporation (SOC) Limited, acting on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund (“Distell Sale”). The stake comprises 58,674,000 ordinary shares or approximately 26.4% of Distell’s issued share capital (“the Distell Shareholding”). As part of its ruling to approve the business combination with SABMiller, the South African Competition Tribunal required AB InBev to dispose of the Distell Shareholding. Remgro Limited and Capevin Holdings Limited, who holdpre-emptive rights in relation to the Distell Shareholding, had confirmed that they will not exercise theirpre-emptive rights triggered by the Sale. The Distell Sale remains subject to the approval of the South African competition authorities.

As at 31 December 2016,2018, the following M&A related commitments existed:

As part of the 2012 shareholders agreement between Ambev and E. León Jimenes S.A.(“ELJ”), following the acquisition of Cervecería Nacional Dominicana S.A. (“CND”), a put and call option is in place which may result in Ambev acquiring additional shares in CND. In January 2018 Ambev increased its participation in CND from 55% to 85%. As of 31 December 2016,2018, the put option for the remaining shares held by ELJ was valued 1 497m632 million US dollar (2015: 1 424m(2017: 1.7 billion US dollar)dollar before the exercise of the put option by ELJ in January 2018). The corresponding liability is presented as a current liability and recognized as a deferred consideration on acquisitions at fair value in “level 3” category above. See also note 29Risks arising from financial instruments.instruments.

On 23 July 2015 AB InBev entered into a subscription agreement for private placement of shares of Guangzhou Zhujiang Brewery Co., Ltd (“Zhujiang Brewery”), investing no less than 1.6 billion RMB (approximately 258m US dollar) to increase its holdings in Zhujiang Brewery to 29.99%, subject to various regulatory approvals. This additional investment allows the company to further deepen the strategic partnership with Zhujiang Brewery which started in the early 1980s.

On 11 October 2016, AB InBev was notified by The Coca-Cola Company of its intention to acquiretransition AB InBev’s stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (“CCBA”). On 21 December 2016, The Coca-Cola Company and the company have reached an agreement regarding the transition of AB InBev’s 54.5% equity stake in CCBA for 3.15 billion US dollar, after customary adjustments. CCBA includes the Coca-Cola bottling operations in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ghana, Mayotte and Comoros. This transaction was completed on 4 October 2017. Furthermore, AB InBev completed in 2018 the sale of its carbonated soft drink businesses in Zambia and Botswana to The Coca-Cola Company. The company also entered into agreements to sell to The Coca-Cola Company all of its carbonated soft drink business in eSwatini (Swaziland) and certain non-alcoholic beverage brands in El Salvador and Honduras. The closing of these transactions is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. In El Salvador and Honduras, the company has executed long-term bottling agreements, which will become effective upon the closing of the El Salvador and Honduras brand divestitures. In addition, the companies have reached an agreement in principlecontinue to work towards finalizing the terms and conditions for The Coca-Cola Company to acquire the companies’sAB InBev’s interest in the bottling operations in Zambia, Zimbabwe Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, El Salvador and Honduras for an undisclosed amount. TheLesotho. These transactions are subject to the relevant regulatory and minorityshareholder approvals and are expected to close by the end of 2017.

In December 2016, the company entered into an agreement with Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. to establish a joint venture for conducting research and development of anin-home alcohol drink system, focusing on the US and Canadian markets. The transaction includes the contribution of intellectual property and manufacturing assets from Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. Pursuant to the terms of the joint venture agreement, the company will own 70% of the voting and economic interest in the joint venture and Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. will own 30% and has certain minority protection rights. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2017.different jurisdictions.

Other commitments amount to 1 768m973m US dollar at 31 December 20162018 and mainly cover guarantees given to pension funds, rental and other guarantees.

In order to fulfil AB InBev’s commitments under various outstanding stock option plans, AB InBev entered into stock lending arrangements for up to 1520 million of its own ordinary shares. AB InBev shall pay any dividend equivalent, after tax in respect of the loaned securities. This payment will be reported through equity as dividend. As of 31 December 2016, 132018, 20 million loaned securities were used to fulfil stock option plan commitments.

32. Contingencies1

32.CONTINGENCIES1

The company has contingencies for which, in the opinion of management and its legal counsel, the risk of loss is possible but not probable and therefore no provisions have been recorded. Due to their nature, such legal proceedings and tax matters involve inherent uncertainties including, but not limited to, court rulings, negotiations between affected parties and governmental actions, and as a consequence AB InBev management cannot at this stage estimate the likely timing of resolution of these matters. The most significant contingencies are discussed below.

Ambev Tax MattersAMBEV TAX MATTERS

As of 31 December 2016,2018, AB InBev’s material tax proceedings related to Ambev and its subsidiaries. Estimates of amounts of possible loss are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  31 December 2016   31 December 2015 

Income tax and social contribution

   8 878    4 189 

Value-added and excise taxes

   4 924    2 658 

Other taxes

   605    220 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   14 407    7 067 

Million US dollar

31 December 201831 December 2017

Income tax and social contribution

9 7739 600

Value-added and excise taxes

6 1665 987

Other taxes

1 4341 390

17 37316 977

The most significant tax proceedings of Ambev are discussed below.

Income Tax and Social ContributionINCOME TAX AND SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION

During 2005, certain subsidiaries of Ambev received a number of assessments from the Brazilian federal tax authoritiesFederal Tax Authorities relating to profits of its foreign subsidiaries. In December 2008, the Administrative Court decided on one of the tax assessments relating to earnings of Ambev’s foreign subsidiaries. This decision wasrendered a partially favorable decision to Ambev, and in connection with the remaining part, Ambev filed an appeal to the Administrative Upper House, of the Administrative Court and is awaiting its decision. With respect to anotherwhich was denied in full in March 2017. In September 2017, Ambev filed a judicial proceeding for this tax assessment relatingand requested a motion of injunction, which was granted to foreign profits, the Administrative Court rendered a decision favorable to Ambev in September 2011.Ambev. In December 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2016,2018 Ambev received other tax

1

Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the closing rate of the respective period.

assessments related to profits of its foreign subsidiaries. In July and September 2018, with respect to two tax assessments, the Administrative Upper House rendered unfavorable decisions to Ambev. In one such case, Ambev filled a judicial proceeding and requested a motion of injunction, which was granted to Ambev. In the other case, Ambev is analyzing possible appeals. In October 2018, the Lower Administrative Court rendered a partially favorable decision to Ambev in another of the ongoing tax assessments. Ambev is waiting to be formally notified of such decision to analyze possible appeals. As of 31 December 2016,2018, Ambev management estimates the exposure of approximately 4.97.7 billion Brazilian real (1.5(2.0 billion US dollar) as a possible risk, and accordingly has not recorded a provision for such amount, and approximately 42 million46m Brazilian real (13m(12m US dollar) as a probable loss.

In December 2011, Ambev received a tax assessment related to the goodwill amortization resulting from the InBev Holding Brasil S.A. merger with Ambev. In November 2014The final decision rendered by the Lower Administrative Court concludedwas partially favorable to Ambev. Subsequently, Ambev filed a judicial proceeding to discuss the judgment. The decision was partly favorable, Ambev was notified in August 2015unfavorable part and presentedrequested a motion of injunction, which was granted to clarify the decisionAmbev. The favorable portion to Ambev, will be reexamined by the Administrative Court. This motion was admitted in September 2016 and Ambev waits for the clarified decision.Upper House. In June 2016, Ambev received a new tax assessment charging the remaining value of the goodwill amortization and filed a defense. In March 2017, Ambev has not recorded any provisions for this matter,was notified of a partially favorable first level administrative decision and filed an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court. In May 2018, Ambev received a partially favorable decision at the Lower Administrative Court and is currently waiting to be notified of the decision to analyze possible appeals. Ambev management estimates possible losses in relation to this assessmentthese assessments to be approximately 7.89.3 billion Brazilian real (2.4 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016.2018. In the event Ambev is required to pay these amounts, AB InBev will reimburse the amount proportional to the benefit received by AB InBev pursuant to the merger protocol, as well as the related costs.

In October 2013, Ambev also received a tax assessment related to the goodwill amortization resulting from the merger of Beverage Associates Holding Limited (“BAH”) into Ambev. The decision from the first level administrative Court was unfavorable to Ambev. After considering a motion to clarify by Ambev, filed a defense in November 2013. In December 2014,the unfavorable decision was confirmed and Ambev filed an appeal againstto the unfavorableLower Administrative Court. In November 2018, Ambev received a partially favorable decision at the Lower Administrative Court and is currently waiting to be formally notified of the decision to analyze possible appeals. In April and August 2018, Ambev received new tax assessments charging the remaining value of the goodwill amortization and filed defenses, which are currently pending analysis by the first level administrative decision published in November 2014.level. Ambev management estimates the amount of possible losses in relation to this assessment to be approximately 1.52.1 billion Brazilian real (0.5 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

In November 2017, Ambev received a tax assessment related to the goodwill amortization resulting from the merger of CND Holdings into Ambev. Ambev filed a defense in December 2017. In November 2018, Ambev received an unfavorable decision from the first administrative level and filled an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court, which is currently pending. Ambev management estimates the amount of possible losses in relation to this assessment to be approximately 1.1 billion Brazilian real (0.3 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

Ambev and certain of its subsidiaries received a number of assessments from Brazilian federal tax authorities relating to the offset of tax loss carry forward arising in the context of business combinations. In February 2016, the Administrative Upper House of the Administrative Tax Court concluded the judgment ofruled unfavorably to Ambev in two tax assessments on this matter. In both cases the decision was unfavorable.such cases. Ambev filed a judicial proceeding.proceedings to discuss the matter. In September 2016, Ambev received a favorable first level decision in one of the judicial claims. In March 2017, Ambev received an unfavorable first level decision in another case and filed an appeal to the judicial Court. Both cases are awaiting analysis by the judicial Court. Ambev management estimates the total exposures of possible lossesloss in relation to these assessments to be approximately 0.5 billion Brazilian real (0.2(0.1 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016.2018.

In December 2014,2015 and 2016, Ambev received a tax assessment from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authoritiesassessments related to the disallowance of allegednon-deductible expenses and the deduction of certain losses mainly associated to financial investments and loans. In July 2016, Ambev was notified of the unfavorable first level administrative decision and filed an appeal to the Upper Administrative Court at the legal term. In December 2015, Ambev also received a new tax assessment related to the same matter. Ambev presented a defense and awaitsdefenses, which are pending review by the first level administrative decision. In December 2016, Ambev received a new tax assessment related to the same matter, regarding the period of 2011, 2012 and 2013. Ambev presented a defense and awaits the first level administrative decision.level. Ambev management estimates the amount of possible lossesloss in relation to those assessments to be approximately 5.64.6 billion Brazilian real (1.7(1.2 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection with this assessment.these assessments.

1Amounts have been converted to US dollar at the closing rate of the respective period.

DuringSince 2014, and the first quarter of 2015, Ambev receivedhas been receiving tax assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities related to the disallowance of deductions associated with alleged unproven taxes paid abroad, for which the decision from the Administrative Upper House of the Administrative Court is still pending. In September 2017, Ambev decided to include part of those tax assessments in the Brazilian Federal Tax Regularization Program of the Provisional Measure No 783. In June 2018, Ambev was notified of a favorable first administrative level decision cancelling four of these assessments (offsets of 2015 and 2016). However, in August and September 2018, the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service issued new decisions reestablishing these assessments and issued new tax assessments related to these matters. As of 31 December 2016,2018, Ambev management estimates the exposure of approximately 2.89.5 billion Brazilian real (0.9(2.5 billion US dollar) as a possible risk, and accordingly has not recorded a provision for such amount, and approximately 194 million Brazilian real (60 million US dollar) as a probable loss.amount.

In April 2016, Arosuco (a subsidiary of Ambev) received a tax assessment regarding the use of the “presumed profit” method for the calculation of income tax and the social contribution on net profit instead of the “real profit” method. In September 2017, Arosuco filed a defense and awaitsreceived the unfavorable first level administrative decision.decision and filed an appeal to the Lower Administrative Court. Arosuco management estimates the amount of possible losses in relation to this assessment to be approximately 0.6 billion Brazilian real (0.2 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Arosuco has not recorded any provision in connection therewith. In December 2016, CRBS (also a subsidiary of Ambev) received a tax assessment regarding the same matter. CRBS filed a defense and awaits the first level administrative decision. CRBS management estimates the amount of possible losses in relation to this assessment to be approximately 3.6 billion Brazilian real (1.1 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016.

ICMS Value Added Tax,VALUE ADDED TAX, IPI Excise Tax and Taxes on Net SalesEXCISE TAX AND TAXES ON NET SALES

In Brazil, goods manufactured within the Manaus Free Trade Zone intended for remittance elsewhere in Brazil are exempt from IPI excise tax. There is discussion on whether the acquisition of such benefited goods gives rise to the right of IPI excise tax credits by the relevant acquirers. Ambev’s subsidiaries have been registering IPI excise tax presumed credits upon the acquisition of exempted inputsgoods manufactured therein.therein and are discussing the matter at the courts. Since 2009, Ambev has been receiving a number of tax assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities relating to the disallowance of such presumed IPI excise tax credits and other IPI excise tax credits, which are under discussion before the Brazilian Supreme Court.Court, with a trial expected to occur in April 2019. Ambev management estimates the possible lossesloss related to these assessments to be approximately 2.03.8 billion Brazilian real (0.6(1.0 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

Over the years, Ambev has also received tax assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities charging federal taxes consideredallegedly unduly offset with the disallowed presumed IPI excise tax credits which are under discussion in the above mentionedabovementioned proceedings. Ambev is challenging thosethese charges before Courts.the courts. Ambev management estimates the possible lossesloss related to these assessments to be approximately 0.71.1 billion Brazilian real (0.2(0.3 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

In 2014 and 2015, Ambev received tax assessments from the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities relating to charge the IPI excise tax, supposedly due over remittances of manufactured goods to other related factories, for whichfactories. The cases are being challenged at both the decision from the Upper Houseadministrative and judicial levels of the Administrative Court is still pending.courts. Ambev management estimates the possible lossesloss related to these assessments to be approximately 1.51.6 billion Brazilian real (0.5(0.4 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

Ambev is currently challenging tax assessments fromissued by the States of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and other States which questionquestioning the legality of ICMS tax credits arising from existingtransactions with companies that have tax incentives granted to Ambev by other States.incentives. The cases are being challenged at both the administrative and judicial level of the courts. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to these assessments to be approximately 1.82.1 billion Brazilian real (0.6(0.5 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

In 2013, 2014 and 2015, Ambev has been partywas assessed by the States of Pará, and Piauí to legal proceedings withcharge the State of Rio de Janeiro where it was challenging such State’s attempt to assess ICMS supposedly due with respect to unconditional discounts granted by Ambev from January 1996 to February 1998. In 2015, these proceedings were beforeAmbev. The cases are being challenged at both the Superior Courtadministrative and judicial level of Justice and the Brazilian Supreme Court. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, Ambev received similar tax assessments issued by the States of Pará and Piauí relating to the same issue, which are currently under discussion. In October 2015 and January 2016, Ambev paid the amounts related to the State of Rio de Janeiro’s proceedings in an incentive tax program under which discounts were granted, in the total amount of approximately 0.3 billion Brazilian real (0.1 billion US dollar). After the above mentioned payments,courts. Ambev management estimates the possible lossesloss involved in these proceedings to be approximately 0.6 billion Brazilian real (0.2 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

Over the years, Ambev has received tax assessments relating to charge supposed ICMS differences considered due when the price of the products sold by the company reaches levels close to orAmbev is above the fixed price table basis established by the relevant States, cases in which the State tax authorities understand that the calculation basis should be based on a value-added percentage over the actual prices and not the fixed table price. Ambev is currently challenging those charges before Courts. In August 2016,the courts. Among other similar cases, Ambev received a new assessment,three assessments issued by the State of Minas Gerais in the original amount of 1.4 billion Brazilian real (0.4 billion US dollar). In the fourthfirst quarter of 2016,2018, the Upper House of the Administrative Tax Court of the State of Minas Gerais ruled unfavorably to Ambev on these three cases. The State of Minas Gerais filed tax foreclosures to charge the amounts discussed in these three cases and Ambev filed defenses with the judicial courts. In 2017, Ambev received other assessments related tofrom the same issue, with lower values.State of Rio de Janeiro in the original amount of 0.9 billion Brazilian real (0.2 billion US dollar). Ambev presented appeals against such tax assessments and now awaits the decision by the Tax Administrative Court. Ambev management estimates the total possible lossesloss related to this issue to be approximately 4.57.7 billion Brazilian real (1.4(2.0 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016.2018. Ambev has recorded provisions in the total amount of 1.7 million8m Brazilian real (0.5 million(2m US dollar) in relation to thecertain proceedings for which it considers the chances of loss to be probable consideringdue to specific procedural issues.

Social Contributions

In December 2015, Ambev received a tax assessment issued by the Brazilian federalState of Pernambuco to charge ICMS differences due to an alleged non-compliance with the State tax incentive Agreement (“PRODEPE”) as a result of the rectification of its monthly reports. The State tax authorities understood that Ambev was not able to use the incentive due to this rectification. In 2017, Ambev had a final favorable decision in the sense that such assessment was null due to formal mistakes of the tax auditor. However, in September 2018, Ambev received a new tax assessment to discuss the same matter. There are other assessments related to this same tax incentive agreement. Ambev management estimates the possible losses related to this issue to be approximately 0.6 billion Brazilian real (0.2 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2018. Ambev has recorded a provision in the total amount of 3m Brazilian real (1m US dollar) in relation to one proceeding it considers the chances of loss to be partially probable.

SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Ambev received some tax assessments issued by the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities relating to amounts allegedly due under Integration Program / Social Security Financing Levy (PIS/COFINS) over bonus products granted to its customers incustomers. The cases are being challenged at both the first quarteradministrative and judicial levels of 2011. In 2016, Ambev received new assessments related to the same issue, for the subsequent periods.Courts. Ambev management estimates the possible lossesloss related to these assessments to be approximately 1.454.0 billion Brazilian real (0.5(1.0 billion US dollar) as of 31 December 2016. Ambev filed defenses against these assessments and currently awaits judgment.2018. No related provision has been made.

Other Tax Matters

During 2014, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. received a net proposed tax assessment from the United States federal tax authorities (IRS) of 0.3 billion US dollar predominantly involving certain inter-company transactions, related to tax returns for the years 2008 and 2009. In November 2015, the IRS issued an additional proposed tax assessment of 0.1 billion US dollar for tax years 2010 and 2011. Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. has filed protests with the IRS for the 2008 to 2011 tax years and intends to vigorously defend its position.OTHER TAX MATTERS

In February 2015, the European Commission opened anin-depth state aid investigation into the Belgian excess profit ruling system. On 11 January 2016, the European Commission adopted a negative decision finding that the Belgian excess profit ruling system constitutes an aid scheme incompatible with the internal market and ordering Belgium to recover the incompatible aid from a number of aid beneficiaries. The Belgian authorities have contacted the companies that have benefitted from the system and have advised each company of the amount of incompatible aid that is potentially subject to recovery. The European Commission decision was appealed to the European Union’s General Court by Belgium on 22 March 2016 and by AB InBev on 12 July 2016. The appeals do not suspend the recovery process, and AB InBev cannot at this stage estimate the final outcome of such legal proceedings. Based on the estimated exposure related to the excess profit ruling applicable to AB InBev, the different elements referred to above, as well as the possibility that taxes paid abroad andnon-recognised non-recognized tax loss carryforwards could eventually partly or fully offset amounts subject to recovery, if any, AB InBev has not recorded any provisions in connection therewith as of 31 December 2016.2018.

Warrants

In addition, the Belgian tax authorities have also questioned the validity and the actual application of the excess profit ruling that was issued in favor of AB InBev and have refused the actual tax exemption which it confers. Against such decision AB InBev has filed a court claim before the Brussels court of first instance. Also in respect of this aspect of the excess profit ruling matter, considering the company’s and its counsel assessment, as well as the position taken by the tax authorities’ mediation services, in respect of the merits of the case, AB InBev has not recorded any provisions as of 31 December 2018.

On 24 January 2019, AB InBev deposited 68m EUR on a blocked account. Depending on the final outcome of the European Court procedures on the Belgian excess profit ruling system, as well as the pending Belgian court case, this amount will either be slightly modified, or released back to the company or paid over to the Belgian State.

On 14 February 2019, the European General Court concluded that the Belgian excess profit ruling system does not constitute illegal state aid. The European Commission can appeal the judgment of the General Court.

WARRANTS

Certain holders of warrants issued by Ambev in 1996 for exercise in 2003 proposed lawsuits to subscribe correspondent shares for an amount lower than Ambev considers as established upon the warrant issuance. In case Ambev loses the totality of these lawsuits, the issuance of 172,831,574 shares would be necessary. Ambev would receive in consideration funds that are materially lower than the current market value. This could result in a dilution of about 1% to all Ambev shareholders. Furthermore, the holders of these warrants are claiming that they should receive the dividends relative to these shares since 2003, approximately 0.80.9 billion Brazilian real (0.2 billion US dollar) in addition to legal fees. Ambev disputes these claims and intends to continue to vigorously defend its case. Five of the six lawsuits were ruled favorable to Ambev by the Superior Court of Justice (STJ). Two of them during the year of 2017. All of these five cases are pending final judgment by STJ’s Special Court. In November 2017, the Federal Public Prosecutor filled a motion favorable to Ambev’s position in one of the cases. Considering all of these facts, the company and its external counsels strongly believe that the chance of loss in these cases is remote.

Antitrust Matters

In August 2011, the German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) launched an investigation against several breweries and retailers in Germany in connection with an allegation of anticompetitive vertical price maintenance by breweriesvis-à-vis their trading partners in Germany. The Bundeskartellamt eventually concluded these proceedings in December 2016 after it had issued fines against a number of retailers. Due to AB InBev’s cooperation with the Bundeskartellamt, AB InBev received full immunity from fines, which was confirmed by letter on 13 December 2016.ANTITRUST MATTERS

On 12 December 2014, a lawsuit was commenced in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Brewers Retail Inc. (known as The Beer Store or “TBS”) and the owners of Brewers Retail Inc. (Molson Coors Canada, Sleeman Breweries Ltd. and Labatt Breweries of Canada LP). The lawsuit was brought in Canada pursuant to the Ontario Class Proceedings Act, and sought, among other things: (i) to obtain a declaration that the defendants conspired with each other to allocate markets for the supply of beer sold in Ontario since 1 June 2000; (ii) to obtain a declaration that Brewers Retail Inc. and the owners of Brewers Retail Inc. conspired to fix, increase and/or maintain prices charged to Ontario licensees(on-trade) for beer and the fees charged by TBS to other competitive brewers who wished to sell their products through TBS and (iii) damages for unjust enrichment. As part of this third allegation, the plaintiffs allege illegal trade practices by the owners of Brewers Retail Inc. They are seeking damages not exceeding 1.4 billion Canadian dollar (1.0 billion US dollar), as well as, punitive, exemplary and aggravated damages of 5 million5m Canadian dollar (4m US dollar) and changes/repeals of the affected legislation. AmbevIn March 2018, the court granted summary judgment and dismissed the class claims. The plaintiffs have appealed. The company has not recorded any provision in connection therewith.

On 30 JuneIn 2016, the European Commission announced an investigation into alleged abuse of a dominant position by AB InBev in Belgium through certain practices aimed at restricting trade from other EU countriesEuropean Union member states to Belgium. The fact that an investigation has been initiated does not mean that the European Commission has concluded that there is an infringement.In connection with these ongoing proceedings, AB InBev is fully cooperating with the investigation. It is not possible to indicate how long the investigation will take or what the outcome will be and nomade a provision has been made in connection therewith. There is no connection between this investigation and the combination with SABMiller.

2009 Dispositions Pension Litigation

On 1 December 2009, AB InBev and several of its related companies were sued in Federal Court in the Eastern District of Missouri in a lawsuit styled Richard F. Angevine v. AB InBev, et al. The plaintiff sought to represent a class of certain employees of Busch Entertainment Corporation, which was divested on 1 December 2009, and the four Metal Container Corporation plants which were divested on 1 October 2009. He also sought to represent certain employees of any other subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. (ABC) which were divested on 1 October 2009. The lawsuit contained claims that the class was entitled to enhanced retirement benefits under sections 4.3 and 19.11(f) of the Anheuser-Busch Companies’ Salaried Employees’ Pension Plan (the “Plan”). Specifically, plaintiff alleged that the divestitures resulted in his “involuntary termination” from “ABC and its operating division and subsidiaries” within three years after the 18 November 2008 ABC/InBev merger, which allegedly triggered the enhanced benefits under the Plan. The lawsuit claimed that by failing to provide the class members with these enhanced benefits, AB InBev, et al. breached their fiduciary duties under ERISA. The complaint sought punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. On 16 July 2010, the Court ruled that the claims for breach of fiduciary duty and punitive damages were not proper. The Court also found that Angevine did not exhaust his administrative remedies, which was required before filing a lawsuit. Angevine filed an appeal of this ruling with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. On 22 July 2011, the Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the lower court. No further appeals were filed.

On 15 September 2010, AB InBev and several of its related companies were sued in Federal Court for the Southern District of Ohio in a lawsuit entitled Rusby Adams et al. v. AB InBev et al. This lawsuit was filed by four employees of Metal Container Corporation’s facilities (“MCC”) in Columbus, Ohio, Gainesville, Florida, and Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin that were divested on 1 October 2009. Similar to the Angevine lawsuit, these plaintiffs sought to represent a class of participants of the Anheuser-Busch Companies’ Inc. Salaried Employees’ Pension Plan (the “Plan”) who had been employed by subsidiaries of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. that had been divested during the period of 18 November 2008 and 17 November 2011. The plaintiffs also alleged claims similar to the Angevine lawsuit: (1) that they were entitled to benefits under section 19.11(f) of the Plan; and (2) that the denial of benefits was a breach of fiduciary duty. AB InBev believed that it had defenses to these claims, and filed a motion to dismiss. On 25 April 2011, the Court dismissed the breach of fiduciary duty claims, and the only remaining claim was for benefits under section 19.11(f). On 28 March 2012, the Court certified that the case could proceed as a class action comprised of former employees of the divested MCC operations. On 9 January 2013, the Court granted AB InBev’s motion for Judgment on the Administrative Record. The plaintiffs appealed this decision on 5 February 2013. On 11 July 2014, the Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit reversed the lower court and remanded the case for judgment against AB InBev. On 16 September 2014, AB InBev’s Motion for Rehearing En Banc was denied. A Final Order and Judgment was then entered by the District Court on 24 December 2014, which ordered the Plan to provide the enhanced pension benefit under Section 19.11(f) to members of the certified class. The company believes that the total amount of the enhanced pension benefit is approximately 8m US dollar. Plaintiffs’ counsel has received approximately 1m US dollar in legal fees.

On 10 January 2012, a class action complaint asserting claims very similar to those asserted in the Angevine lawsuit was filed in Federal Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, styled Nancy Anderson et al. v. Anheuser-Busch Companies Pension Plan et al. Unlike the Angevine case, however, the plaintiff in this matter alleges complete exhaustion of all administrative remedies. The company filed a motion to dismiss on 9 October 2012. This was still pending when the Court allowed the complaint to be amended on 19 November 2012 to name four new plaintiffs. AB InBev filed a motion to dismiss on 17 December 2012. While this motion was pending, on 11 March 2013 the Court consolidated the case with the Knowlton case (see below) which had been transferred from California to Missouri.

On 10 October 2012, another class action complaint was filed against Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, Anheuser-Busch Companies Pension Plan, Anheuser-Busch Companies Pension Plan Appeals Committee and the Anheuser-Busch Companies Pension Plans Administrative Committee by Brian Knowlton, an employee of the divested Busch Entertainment Corporation (“BEC”). This complaint, filed in Federal Court in the Southern District of California, was amended on 12 October 2012. Like the other lawsuits, it claims that the employees of any divested assets were entitled to enhanced retirement benefits under section 19.11(f) of the Plan. However, it specifically excludes the divested Metal Container Corporation facilities that have been included in the Adams class action. On 6 November 2012, the plaintiffs filed a motion asking the court to move the Anderson case to California to join it with the Knowlton case for discovery. The company filed a motion to dismiss/motion to transfer the case to Missouri on 12 November 2012, which was granted on 30 January 2013. As outlined above, on 11 March 2013, the Knowlton case was then consolidated in Missouri with the Anderson case. On 19 April 2013 a consolidated complaint was filed, and a Motion to Dismiss was filed by the company on 10 May 2013. On 30 October 2013, the court dismissed the breach of fiduciary claims, and an answer was filed on 13 November 2013. On 19 November 2013, plaintiffs amended one count of the consolidated complaint. On 16 May 2014, the Court granted class certification. The class consists of divested BEC employees. On 10 November 2014, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings based on the decision by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in the Adams case. On 8 July 2015, the Court issued an order of partial judgment on the pleadings, holding that the employees of BEC were entitled to enhanced retirement benefits under the Plan. The 8 July 2015 order, however, was not a final, appealable order. On 21 August 2015, the company filed a motion seeking entry of a final, appealable order, as well as a stay pending appeal, both of which were granted on 9 October 2015. The company subsequently appealed. That appeal remains pending. The company believes that the total amount of the enhanced pension benefit at issue in this case is approximately 68m230m US dollar.

33.NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

33. Non-controlling interests

As of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, materialnon-controlling interests relatedrelate to AB InBev’s 62% ownership of Ambev, a Brazilian listed subsidiary ofin which AB InBev.InBev has 62% ownership. The tables below provide summarized information of Ambev’s audited consolidated financial statements as of as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.IFRS.

Summarized financial information of Ambev, in which the company’scompany has materialnon-controlling interest interests, is as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015 

Summarized balance sheet information

    

Current assets

   7 329    7 251 

Non-current assets

   18 396    15 843 

Current liabilities

   8 829    7 719 

Non-current liabilities

   2 582    2 484 

Equity attributable to equity holders

   13 754    12 378 

Non-controlling interests

   560    513 

Summarized income statement and comprehensive income information

    

Revenue

   13 123    14 333 

Net income

   3 765    3 951 

Attributable to:

    

Equity holders

   3 611    3 812 

Non-controlling interests

   155    140 

Net income

   3 765    3 951 

Other comprehensive income

   (1 534   1 244 

Total comprehensive income

   2 231    5 195 

Attributable to:

    

Equity holders

   2 190    4 935 

Non-controlling interests

   41    260 

Summarized cash flow information

    

Cash flow from operating activities

   3 552    7 234 

Cash flow from investing activities

   (1 697   (1 840

Cash flow from financing activities

   (3 351   (4 702

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   (1 496   692 

Million US dollar

  31 December
2018
   31 December
2017
 

Summarized balance sheet information

    

Current assets

   6 537    7 472 

Non-current assets

   17 755    18 783 

Current liabilities

   6 408    8 672 

Non-current liabilities

   3 032    3 078 

Equity attributable to equity holders

   14 540    13 908 

Non-controlling interests

   312    597 

Million US dollar

  2018   2017   2016 

Summarized income statement and comprehensive income information

      

Revenue

   13 819    14 961    13 123 

Net income

   3 130    2 452    3 765 

Attributable to:

      

Equity holders

   3 033    2 290    3 611 

Non-controlling interests

   97    162    155 

Net income

   3 130    2 452    3 765 

Other comprehensive income

   629    809    (1 534

Total comprehensive income

   3 759    3 261    2 231 

Attributable to:

      

Equity holders

   3 629    3 090    2 190 

Non-controlling interests

   130    171    41 

Summarized cash flow information

      

Cash flow from operating activities

   4 928    5 583    3 552 

Cash flow from investing activities

   (1 011   (960   (1 697

Cash flow from financing activities

   (3 638   (4 018   (3 351

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   279    605    (1 496

Dividends paid by Ambev tonon-controlling interests (i.e. to entities outside the AB InBev Group) amounted to 0.8 billion US dollar, 1.1 billion US dollar and 1.2 billion US dollar for 2018, 2017 and 1.3 billion US dollar for 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Other non-controlling interests not deemed individually material by the company mainly related to the company’s operations in Africa in association with the Castel Group (e.g., Botswana, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia), as well as non-controlling interests recognized in respect of the company’s subsidiaries in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

34.RELATED PARTIES

34. Related parties

Transactions with Directorsdirectors and Executive Boardboard OF Management Members (Key Management Personnel)(KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL)

In addition to short-term employee benefits (primarily salaries) AB InBev’s executive board managementExecutive Board of Management members arewere entitled in 2018 to post-employment benefits. In particular, members of the executive boardExecutive Board of management participateManagement participated in the pension plan of their respective country – see also Note 25Employee Benefits. Finally, key management personnel are eligible for the company’s share option; restricted stock and/or share swap program (refer(see Note 26Share-based Payments). Total directors and executive board managementExecutive Board of Management compensation included in the income statement can be detailed as follows:

   2016   2015   2014 

Million US dollar

  Directors   Executive board
management
   Directors   Executive board
management
   Directors   Executive board
management
 

Short-term employee benefits

   2    18    3    25    2    21 

Post-employment benefits

   —      —      —      2    —      2 

Other long-term employee benefits

   —      —      —      —      —      1 

Share-based payments

   3    64    2    65    3    73 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   5    82    5    91    5    97 
   2018   2017   2016 

Million US dollar

  Directors   Executive Board
of Management
   Directors   Executive Board
of Management
   Directors   Executive Board
of Management
 

Short-term employee benefits

   2    27    2    28    2    18 

Post-employment benefits

   —      —      —      1    —      —   

Share-based payments

   —      24    3    68    3    64 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   2    52    5    97    5    82 

Directors’ compensation consists mainly of directors’ fees.

During 2016,2018, AB InBev entered into the following transactions:

 

The acquisition, through Grupo Modelo and its subsidiaries, of information technology and infrastructure services for a consideration of approximately 1m1.0m US dollar from a company in which one of the company’s Board Member had significant influence as of 31 December 2016.2018.

 

The acquisition, mainly through its subsidiary Bavaria S.A., of logisticaltransportation services, lease agreements and natural gas, as well as the lease of office spaceadvertising services for an aggregated consideration of 1.3m8.1m US dollar from companies in which one of the company’s Board Member had a significant influence as of 31 December 2016.2018. The outstanding balance of these transactions as of 31 December 20162018 amounts to 0.3m0.2m US dollar.

With the exception of the abovementioned transactions, key management personnel were not engaged in any transactions with AB InBev and did not have any significant outstanding balances with the company.

Jointly Controlled EntitiesJOINTLY CONTROLLED ENTITIES

Significant interests in joint ventures include three entities in Brazil, one in Mexico and two in Canada. None of these joint ventures are material to the company. Aggregate amounts of AB InBev’s interest are as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Non-current assets

   11    2    2    11    12    11 

Current assets

   5    5    4    5    5    5 

Non-current liabilities

   9    2    —      9    11    9 

Current liabilities

   6    5    5    12    6    6 

Result from operations

   (6   (1   6    4    (3   (6

Profit attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   (7   —      3    3    (3   (7

Transactions with AssociatesTRANSACTIONS WITH ASSOCIATES

Significant interests in associates are shown in note 16Investments in associates. AB InBev’s transactions with associates were as follows:

 

Million US dollar

  2016   2015   2014   2018   2017   2016 

Gross profit

   (47   (77   (92   74    91    (47

Current assets

   (8   2    2    152    73    (8

Current liabilities

   20    25    11    130    20    20 

Transactions with Pension PlansTRANSACTIONS WITH PENSION PLANS

AB InBev’s transactions with pension plans mainly comprise 12m US dollar other income from pension plans in the US.

35. Supplemental guarantor financial information

35.SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following guarantor financial information is presented to comply with U.S. SEC disclosure requirements of Rule3-10 of RegulationS-X.

The issuances or exchanges of securities described below are related to securities issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. (prior to 2013) andor Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. (from 2013 onwards), and in each case fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (the “Parent Guarantor”). Each such security is also jointly and severally guaranteed byAnheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, Brandbrew S.A., Brandbev S.à r.l. and Cobrew NV (the “Other Subsidiary Guarantors”), and in respect of debt issued from 2013 onwards, by Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. In December 2012, the guarantee structure(in respect of securities listed previouslydebt issued by Anheuser-Busch WorldwideInBev Finance Inc. was amended to accede) and by Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. as a subsidiary guarantor(in respect of such securities.debt issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc.). The following notes issued by Anheuser-Busch Worldwide Inc. and Anheuser-Busch Finance Inc. and registered with the SEC were outstanding as of 31 December 2016:2018:

 

On 13 October 2009, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. issued 2.25 billion US dollar principal amount of 5.375% unsecured notes due 2020, which were exchanged for publicly registered notes on 8 February 2010.

On 24 March6 January 2010, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. issued 1.00.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 5.0%fixed rate notes due 2020, which were exchanged for publicly registered2040. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 6.375% and will mature on 15 January 2040. The issuance closed on 5 AugustFebruary 2010. In connection with bond exchange on 6 April and 19 April 2017, 51.12% of the principal of the 2040 note was exchanged. The remaining principal of the note amounts to 0.24 billion US dollar.

 

On 24 January 2011, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. issued 0.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2021. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.375% and will mature on 15 February 2021. The issuance closed on 27 January 2011.

On 14 March 2011, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. completed an exchange offer for the following series of unregistered notes (i) 2.5 billion US dollar principal amount of 7.75 % notes due 2019, (ii) 1.25 billion US dollar principal amount of 8.2 %8.2% notes due 2039 and (iii)(ii) 1.0 billion US dollar principal amount of 6.875 %6.875% notes due 2019 and (iv)(iii) 0.45 billion US dollar principal amount of 8.0 % notes due 2039. In connection with the exchange offer, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. issued freely tradable,SEC-registered with otherwise substantially the same terms and conditions.

 

On 16 July 2012, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. issued 2.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2017, 3.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2022 and 1.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2042. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 1.375% for the 2017 notes, 2.500% for the 2022 notes and 3.750% for the 2042 notes.

 

On 17 January 2013, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. issued 1.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2018, 1.25 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2023 and 0.75 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2043. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 1.250% for the 2018 notes, 2.625% for the 2023 notes and 4.000% for the 2043 notes.

On 27 January 2014, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. issued 5.25 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of bonds, consisting of 1.2 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2017; 300m US dollar aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due 2017; 1.25 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2019;of; 250m US dollar aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due 2019; 1.4 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2024; and 850m US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2044. The fixed rate notes bear interest at an annual rate of 1.125% for the 2017 notes; 2.150% for the 2019 notes; 3.700% for the 2024 notes; and 4.625% for the 2044 notes. The floating rate notes bear interest at an annual rate of 19.00 basis points above three-month LIBOR for the 2017 floating rate notes and 40.00 basis points above three-month LIBOR for the 2019 floating rate notes. On 9 December 2016, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. redeemed in full the entire outstanding principal amount of the fixed rate notes due 2017.LIBOR.

 

On 23 July 2015, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. issued 565 million US dollar aggregated principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2045. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.60%.

 

On 25 January 2016, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. issued 46.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of bonds, consisting of 4.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2019; 7.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2021; 6.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2023; 11.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2026; 6.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2036; 11.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2046; and 500m US dollar aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due 2021. The fixed rate notes will bear interest at an annual rate of 1.900% for the 2019 notes; 2.650% for the 2021 notes; 3.300% for the 2023 notes; 3.650% for the 2026 notes; 4.700% for the 2036 notes and 4.900% for the 2046 notes. The 2021 floating rate notes bear interest at an annual rate of 126.00 basis points above three-month LIBOR.

On 25 January 2016, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. issued 46.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of bonds, consisting of 7.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2021; 6.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2023; 11.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 20261; 6.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 20361; 11.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes due 20461; and 500m US dollar aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due 2021. The fixed rate notes will bear interest at an annual rate of 2.650% for the 2021 notes; 3.300% for the 2023 notes; 3.650% for the 2026 notes; 4.700% for the 2036 notes and 4.900% for the 2046 notes. The 2021 floating rate notes bear interest at an annual rate of 126.00 basis points above three-month LIBOR.

 

On 29 January 2016, Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. issued 1.47 billion US dollar aggregated principal amount of fixed rate notes due 2046. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.915%.

 

On 16 December 2016, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. completed an exchange offer for up to 6.8 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of certain SABMillerSAB Group notes, in connection with which Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. issued (i) 309 million US dollar aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due 2018; (ii) 627 million US dollar aggregate principal amount of 6.500% fixed rate notes due 2018; (iii) 641 million US dollar aggregate principal amount of 2.200% fixed rate notes due 2018; (iv)(iii) 2.35 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 3.750% fixed rates due 2022; (v)(iv) 298 million US dollar aggregate principal amount of 6.625% fixed rate notes due 2033; (vi)(v) 300 million US dollar aggregate principal amount of 5.875% fixed rate notes due 2035; and (vii)(vi) 1.49 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 4.950% fixed rate notes due 2042. The floating rate notes bear interest at an annual rate of 69.00 basis points above three-month LIBOR.

On 6 April and 19 April 2017, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. completed U.S. private exchange offers for certain outstanding notes issued by either Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC or Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. in exchange for a combination of new Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. Notes due 2048 and cash. The new notes have 1,735,171,000 US dollar aggregate principal amount outstanding, mature on 6 October 2048 and bear interest at a rate per annum of 4.439%2.

On 21 August 2017, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. completed an exchange offer for the unregistered 1,735,171,000 US dollar principal amount of 4.439% notes due 2048. In connection with the exchange offer, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. issued freely tradable, SEC-registered notes with otherwise substantially the same terms and conditions.

On 4 April 2018, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. completed an exchange offer for up to 10.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of certain bonds and issued (i) 1.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 3.500% fixed rate notes due 2024; (ii) 2.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 4.000% fixed rate notes due 2028; (iii) 1.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 4.375% fixed rates due 2038; (iv) 2.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 4.600% fixed rate notes due 2048; (v) 1.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of 4.750% fixed rate notes due 2058; and (vi) 500 million US dollar aggregate principal of floating rate notes due 2024. The floating rate notes bear interest at an annual rate of 74.00 basis points above three-month LIBOR.

1

These notes were exchanged on 26 November 2018 by notes co-issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC.

2

In accordance to IFRS 9, on the transition date the difference between the new carry amount and old carry amount was booked in the Retained Earnings. See also Note 16Interest-bearing loans and borrowings.

On 26 November 2018, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC completed an exchange offer for certain notes originally issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc on 25 January 2016. The aggregate principal amount accepted for offer are (i) 9.5 billion US dollar of 4.900% fixed rate notes due 2046; 5.4 billion US dollar of 4.700% fixed rate notes due 2036; and 8.6 billion US dollar of 3.650% fixed rate notes due 2026.

The following condensed consolidatingconsolidated financial information presents the Condensed ConsolidatingConsolidated Statement of Financial Position as of 31 December 20162018 and 31 December 2015,2017, the Condensed ConsolidatingConsolidated Income Statements and Condensed ConsolidatingConsolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the yearsperiod ended 31 December 2016, 20152018 and 20142017 of (a) Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, (b) Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. (the Issuer prior to 2013, and guarantor(guarantor of notes issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc.), (c) Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc. (the Issuer from 2013 onwards, and guarantor(guarantor of notes issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and notes co-issued by Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC and Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc.), (d) Anheuser Busch Companies, LLC (guarantor of notes issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and notes issued by Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc.), (e) the Other Subsidiary Guarantors, (e)(f) thenon-guarantor subsidiaries, (f)(g) elimination entries necessary to consolidate the Parent with the issuer, the guarantor subsidiaries and thenon-guarantor subsidiaries; and (g)(h) the Company on a consolidated basis. Investments in consolidated subsidiaries are presented under the equity method of accounting.

Separate financial statements and other disclosures with respect to the guarantor subsidiaries have not been provided as management believes the following information is sufficient, as the guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned by the Parent and all guarantees are full and unconditional, except for certain customary release provisions, including: (1) the sale or disposal of all or substantially all of the assets of a guarantor subsidiary; (2) the sale or other disposition of the capital stock of a guarantor subsidiary; (3) the contemporaneous release of substantially all of a guarantor subsidiary’s guarantees of other indebtedness for which such guarantor subsidiary also provides a guarantee; and (4) if a guarantor subsidiary would be required to include full financial statements in any periodic filing or registration statement filed with the SEC in place of this condensed consolidatingconsolidated information.

Except as disclosed in Note 23 Changes in Equity and Earnings per Share, there are no restrictions on the Company’s ability to obtain funds from any of its direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries through dividends, loans or advances.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENT

 

For the year ended 31 December 2016

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
 Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
 Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
 Subsidiary
Guarantors
 Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total 

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
 Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
 Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
   Anheuser-
Busch
Companies,
LLC
 Subsidiary
Guarantors
 Non-Guarantors Eliminations Total 

Revenue

   506   —     —     14 135   32 884   (2 008  45 517    592   —     —      15 584   —     40 932   (2 489  54 619 

Cost of sales

   (300  —     —    (5 923 (13 587 2 008  (17 803   (370  —     —      (7 318  —    (15 160 2 489  (20 359
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Gross profit

   206   —     —     8 212   19 297   —     27 715    222      8 266    25 772    34 259 

Distribution expenses

   (27  —     —    (967 (3 549  —    (4 543   (35  —     —      (1 147  —    (4 588  —    (5 770

Sales and marketing expenses

   (204  —     —    (2 372 (5 169  —    (7 745   (187  —     —      (2 036  —    (5 660  —    (7 883

Administrative expenses

   (198 (4  —    (384 (2 297  —    (2 883   (205  —     —      (550 (51 (2 659  —    (3 465

Other operating income/(expenses)

   464  559   —    (1 283 598   —    338    579  1 125   —      (1 563 3  (179  —    (35
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit from operations

   241   555   —     3 206   8 880   —     12 882    374   1 125   —      2 970   (48  12 685   —     17 106 

Net finance cost

   (1 599  (1 283  36   (3 805  (1 913  —     (8 564   (209  (3 047  37    2 443   113   (8 066  —     (8 729

Share of result of associates

   —     —     —    2  14   —    16    —     —     —      3   —    150   —    153 

Profit before tax

   (1 358  (728  36   (597  6 981   —     4 334    165   (1 922  37    5 416   65   4 769    8 530 

Income tax expense

   —    280  2  (1 358 (537  —    (1 613   —    293   —      (726 (2 (2 404  —    (2 839

Profit

   (1 358  (448  38   (1 955  6 444   —     2 721    165   (1 629  37    4 690   63   2 365   —     5 691 

Income from subsidiaries

   2 599  1 958   —    1 322  1 469  (7 348  —      4 203  1 887   —      98  849  3 172  (10 209  —   

Profit from continuing operations

   1 241   1 510   38   (633  7 913   (7 348  2 721    4 368   259   37    4 788   912   5 537   (10 209  5 691 

Profit from discontinued operations

   —     —     —     —    48   —    48    —     —     —      —     —     —     —     —   

Profit of the year

   1 241   1 510   38   (633  7 961   (7 348  2 769    4 368   259   37    4 788   912   5 537   (10 209  5 691 

Profit from continuing operations attributable to:

                  

Equity holders of AB InBev

   1 241  1 510  38  (633 6 385  (7 348 1 193    4 368  259  37    4 787  912  4 215  (10 209 4 368 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —    1 528   —    1 528    —     —     —      —     —    1 323   —    1 323 

Profit of the year attributable to:

                  

Equity holders of AB InBev

   1 241  1 510  38  (633 6 433  (7 348 1 241    4 368  259  37    4 787  912  4 215  (10 209 4 368 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —    1 528   —    1 528    —     —     —      —     —    1 323   —    1 323 

For the year ended 31 December 2015

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
 Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
 Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
 Subsidiary
Guarantors
 Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total 

Revenue

   104   —     —     14 097   31 059   (1 656  43 604 

Cost of sales

   (72  —     —    (6 179 (12 542 1 656  (17 137
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Gross profit

   32   —     —     7 918   18 517   —     26 467 

Distribution expenses

   (3  —     —    (1 009 (3 246  —    (4 258

Sales and marketing expenses

   (147  —     —    (2 065 (4 701  —    (6 913

Administrative expenses

   (297  —     —    (258 (2 005  —    (2 560

Other operating income/(expenses)

   542  701   —    (1 210 1 135   —    1 168 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Profit from operations

   127   701   —     3 376   9 700   —     13 904 

Net finance cost

   (565  (1 791  41   (311  1 173   —     (1 453

Share of result of associates

   —     —     —    2  8   —    10 

Profit before tax

   (438  (1 090  41   3 067   10 881   —     12 461 

Income tax expense

   —    659  (36 (1 068 (2 149  —    (2 594

Profit

   (438  (431  5   1 999   8 732   —     9 867 

Income from subsidiaries

   8 711  1 374   —    3 484  1 410  (14 979  —  

Profit

   8 273   943   5   5 483   10 142   (14 979  9 867 

Attributable to:

        

Equity holders of AB InBev

   8 273  943  5  5 484  8 548  (14 979 8 273 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —    1 594   —    1 594 

For the year ended 31 December 2014

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
  Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Non-
Guarantors
  Eliminations  Total 

Revenue

   —     —     —     14 345   34 111   (1 393  47 063 

Cost of sales

   (4  —     —     (6 312  (13 833  1 393   (18 756
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

   (4  —     —     8 033   20 278   —     28 307 

Distribution expenses

   1   —     —     (969  (3 590  —     (4 558

Sales and marketing expenses

   (157  —     —     (1 888  (4 991  —     (7 036

Administrative expenses

   (320  —     —     (235  (2 236  —     (2 791

Other operating income/(expenses)

   884   815   —     (1 115  605   —     1 189 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Profit from operations

   404   815   —     3 826   10 066   —     15 111 

Net finance cost

   (548  (2 181  (35  2 175   (730  —     (1 319

Share of result of associates

   —     —     —     3   6   —     9 

Profit before tax

   (144  (1 366  (35  6 004   9 342   —     13 801 

Income tax expense

   (5  597   17   (1 303  (1 805  —     (2 499

Profit

   (149  (769  (18  4 701   7 537   —     11 302 

Income from subsidiaries

   9 365   1 797   —     2 327   1 223   (14 712  —   

Profit

   9 216   1 028   (18  7 028   8 760   (14 712  11 302 

Attributable to:

        

Equity holders of AB InBev

   9 216   1 028   (18  7 028   6 674   (14 712  9 216 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —     2 086   —     2 086 

For the year ended 31 December 2017

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
  Anheuser-
Busch
Companies,
LLC
  Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Non-Guarantors  Eliminations  Total 

Revenue

   540   —    —    14 015   —    44 235   (2 346  56 444 

Cost of sales

   (338  —    —    (5 838  —     (17 556  2 346   (21 386
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

   202   —    —    8 177   —     26 679    35 058 

Distribution expenses

   (23  —    —    (996  —     (4 857  —    (5 876

Sales and marketing expenses

   (181  —    —    (2 208  —     (5 993  —    (8 382

Administrative expenses

   (255  —    —    (338  (66  (3 182  —    (3 841

Other operating income/(expenses)

   793   1 066   —    (1 845  8   170   —    192 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Profit from operations

   536   1 066   —    2 790   (58  12 817   —    17 152 

Net finance cost

   (819  (3 064  26   3 218   942   (6 810  —    (6 507

Share of result of associates

      2    428   —    430 

Profit before tax

   (283  (1 998  26   6 110   884   6 435   —    11 076 

Income tax expense

   (16  614   (17  1 506   (177  (3 830  —    (1 920

Profit

   (299  (1 384  9   7 516   708   2 605   —    9 155 

Income from subsidiaries

   8 295   3 721    126   4 041   6 204   (22 387 

Profit from continuing operations

   7 996   2 337   9   7 641   4 749   8 809   (22 387  9 155 

Profit from discontinued operations

   —     —    —    —    —     28   —    28 

Profit of the year

   7 996   2 337   9   7 641   4 749   8 837   (22 387  9 183 

Profit from continuing operations attributable to:

         

Equity holders of AB InBev

   7 996   2 337   9   7 641   4 749   7 623   (22 387  7 968 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —     —    —     —    1 187   —    1 187 

Profit of the year attributable to:

         

Equity holders of AB InBev

   7 996   2 337   9   7 641   4 749   7 651   (22 387  7 996 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —    —    —     —     1 187   —    1 187 

For the year ended 31 December 2016

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
   Anheuser-
Busch
Companies,
LLC
  Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Non-Guarantors  Eliminations  Total 

Revenue

   506   —    —     14 135   —    32 884   (2 008  45 517 

Cost of sales

   (300  —    —     (5 923  —     (13 587  2 008   (17 803
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

   206   —    —     8 212   —     19 297   —     27 715 

Distribution expenses

   (27  —    —     (967  —    (3 549  —    (4 543

Sales and marketing expenses

   (204  —    —     (2 372  —    (5 169  —    (7 745

Administrative expenses

   (198  (4  —     (344  (40  (2 297  —    (2 883

Other operating income/(expenses)

   464   559   —     (1 286  3   598   —    338 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Profit from operations

   241   555   —     3 244   (38  8 880   —     12 882 

Net finance cost

   (1 599  (1 283  36    (83  (3 722  (1 913  —     (8 564

Share of result of associates

       2    14    16 

Profit before tax

   (1 358  (728  36    3 163   (3 760  6 981   —     4 334 

Income tax expense

    280   2    (1 386  28   (537  —     (1 613

Profit

   (1 358  (448  38    1 776   (3 731  6 444   —     2 721 

Income from subsidiaries

   2 599   1 958   —     1 030   292   1 469   (7 348  —  

Profit from continuing operations

   1 241   1 510   38    2 806   (3 439  7 913   
(7
348
 
  2 721 

Profit from discontinued operations

   —     —     —     —     —    48   —     48 

Profit of the year

   1 241   1 510   38    2 806   (3 439  7 961   (7 348  2 769 

Profit from continuing operations attributable to:

          

Equity holders of AB InBev

   1 241   1 510   38    2 806   (3 439  6 385   (7 348  1 193 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —    —      —     —    1 528   —    1 528 

Profit of the year attributable to:

         

Equity holders of AB InBev

   1 241   1 510   38    2 806   (3 439  6 433   (7 348  1 241 

Non-controlling interest

   —     —    —     —     —     1 528   —    1 528 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

As at 31 December 2016

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
   Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
 Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
   Subsidiary
Guarantors
 Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total 

As at 31 December 2018

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
   Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
   Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
   Anheuser-
Busch
Companies,
LLC
   Subsidiary
Guarantors
   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations Total 

ASSETS

                         

Non-current assets

                         

Property, plant and equipment

   52    —     —      4 829  22 641   —    27 522    45    —     —     5 009    —     20 856    —   25 910 

Goodwill

   —      —     —      33 056  103 477   —    136 533    —     —     —     33 226    —     100 085    —   133 311 

Intangible assets

   520    —     —      22 094  21 954   —    44 568    580    —     —     22 227    98    21 926    —   44 831 

Investments in subsidiaries

   126 200    41 488   —      8 042  (28 300 (147 430  —      123 120    86 240    —     30 594    24 623    170 569    (435 146  —  

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   —      —     —      40  4 284   —    4 324    —     —     —     —     —      6 136    —   6 136 

Deferred tax assets

   —      327   —      —    1 261  (327 1 261    —     130    —     —     —      1 465    (138 1 457 

Derivatives

   —      —     —      120  26   —    146    —     —     —     —     302    10    (21 291 

Othernon-current assets

   48 333    24 322  55 258    60 420  34 582  (221 949 966    22 196    13 850    24 037    26 158    8 701    36 766    (129 823 1 886 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

    145 941    100 220    24 037    117 213    33 724    357 813    (565 128  213 822 
   175 105    66 137   55 258    128 601   159 925   (369 706  215 320 

Current assets

                         

Investment securities

   5 500    —     —      —    159   —    5 659    —      —     —     —      —     87    —   87 

Inventories

   9    —     —      635  3 269   —    3 913    —      —     —     819    —     3 415    —   4 234 

Derivatives

   —      —     —      (120 1 091   —    971    —      —     —     25    5 399    464    (5 872 16 

Trade and other receivables

   12 072    7 937  2 338    16 622  27 215  (59 793 6 391    3 079    3 471    1 176    6 678    1 619    10 415    (20 063 6 375 

Cash and cash equivalents

   257    155   —      28 780  8 941  (29 554 8 579    1    3    28    581    6 094    8 481    (8 114 7 074 

Assets classified as held for sale

   —      —       —    16 439   —    16 439    —      —     —     —     —     39    —   39 

Other current assets

   —      —     —      (610 1 719   —    1 109    —      500    3    —       455    (501 456 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

    3 080    3 974    1 207    8 103    13 112    23 356    (34 550  18 281 
   17 838    8 092   2 338    45 307   58 833   (89 347  43 061 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total assets

   192 943    74 229   57 596    173 908   218 758   (459 053  258 381    149 021    104 194    25 244    125 316    46 836    381 169    (599 678  232 103 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

                         

Equity

                         

Equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   71 677    20 009   564    107 258   19 261   (147 430  71 339    64 486    55 403    597    74 635    29 258    275 253    (435 146 64 486 

Minority interest

   —      —     —      —    10 086   —    10 086    —     —     —     —      —     7 418    —   7 418 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

    64 486    55 403    597    74 635    29 258    282 671    (435 146  71 904 
   71 677    20 009   564    107 258   29 347   (147 430  81 425 

Non-current liabilities

                         

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   86 757    50 672  55 239    16 257  126 948  (221 932 113 941    72 756    46 552    24 042    33 147    3 314    55 391    (129 618 105 584 

Employee benefits

   4    —     —      1 290  1 720   —    3 014    5    —     —     1 048    —     1 628    —   2 681 

Deferred tax liabilities

   —      —    16    10 141  6 848  (327 16 678    —     —     8    6 692    —     6 601    (137 13 165 

Derivatives

   —      —     —      275  196   —    471    —     —     —     —     788    —     (21 766 

Othernon-current liabilities

   116    —     —      853  1 786  (18 2 737    81    —     —     150    —     3 312    —   3 544 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   86 877    50 672   55 255    28 816   137 498   (222 277  136 841    72 842    46 552    24 050    41 037    4 102    66 932    (129 776  125 740 

Current liabilities

                         

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   21 815    3 670  300    24 576  14 333  (56 076 8 618    4 535    1 679    253    5 783    5 234    4 483    (17 752 4 216 

Income tax payable

   —      (881 10    6  4 787   —    3 922    —     —     —     474    3    1 243    (500 1 220 

Derivatives

   —      —     —      (275 1 538   —    1 263    482    —     —     131    5 563    5 272    (5 872 5 574 

Trade and other payables

   2 068    759  850    4 583  18 542  (3 716 23 086    1 228    562    342    3 211    65    19 674    (2 515 22 568 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

   —      —     —      —    2 174   —    2 174    —      —      —      —      —      —      —     —   

Other current liabilities

   10 506    —    617    8 944  10 540  (29 554 1 053    5 450    —      —      42    2 612    893    (8 118 881 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

    11 695    2 241    595    9 642    13 477    31 565    (34 756  34 459 
   34 389    3 548   1 777    37 834   51 914   (89 346  40 116 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

   192 943    74 229   57 596    173 908   218 758   (459 053  258 381    149 021    104 194    25 244    125 316    46 836    381 169    (599 678  232 103 

As at 31 December 2015

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
   Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
   Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
   Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Non-
Guarantors
   Eliminations  Total 

ASSETS

            

Non-current assets

            

Property, plant and equipment

   80    —      —      4 895   13 977    —     18 952 

Goodwill

   —      —      —      32 831   32 230    —     65 061 

Intangible assets

   259    —      —      21 983   7 435    —     29 677 

Investments in subsidiaries

   78 857    56 214    —      44 555   21 778    (201 404  —   

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   —      —      —      31   181    —     212 

Deferred tax assets

   —      456    —      —     1 181    (456  1 181 

Derivatives

   —      —      —      282   13    —     295 

Othernon-current assets

   6 712    13 745    9 680    38 273   19 888    (87 335  963 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
   85 908    70 415    9 680    142 850   96 683    (289 195  116 341 

Current assets

            

Investment securities

   —      —      —      —     55    —     55 

Inventories

   —      —      —      581   2 281    —     2 862 

Derivatives

   —      —      —      2 878   390    —     3 268 

Trade and other receivables

   5 388    574    1 087    14 157   10 780    (27 535  4 451 

Cash and cash equivalents

   38    739    525    10 042   9 015    (13 436  6 923 

Other current assets

   —      526    —      (433  642    —     735 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
   5 426    1 839    1 612    27 225   23 163    (40 971  18 294 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total assets

   91 334    72 254    11 292    170 075   119 846    (330 166  134 635 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

            

Equity

            

Equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   45 719    34 401    526    116 127   46 770    (201 406  42 137 

Minority interest

   —      —      —      —     3 582    —     3 582 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
   45 719    34 401    526    116 127   50 352    (201 406  45 719 

Non-current liabilities

            

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   34 187    33 626    9 621    11 947   41 476    (87 316  43 541 

Employee benefits

   5    —      —      1 404   1 316    —     2 725 

Deferred tax liabilities

   —      —      12    10 014   2 391    (456  11 961 

Derivatives

   —      —      —      278   37    —     315 

Othernon-current liabilities

   149    —      —      672   1 115    (18  1 918 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
   34 341    33 626    9 633    24 315   46 335    (87 790  60 460 

Current liabilities

            

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   8 164    3 830    1 000    12 468   6 106    (25 656  5 912 

Income tax payable

   —      —      15    2   652    —     669 

Trade and other payables

   1 136    397    118    3 229   14 660    (1 878  17 662 

Derivatives

   —      —      —      2 780   1 200    —     3 980 

Other current liabilities

   1 974    —      —      11 154   541    (13 436  233 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
   11 274    4 227    1 133    29 633   23 159    (40 970  28 456 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

   91 334    72 254    11 292    170 075   119 846    (330 166  134 635 

As at 31 December 2017

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
   Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
   Anheuser-
Busch
Companies,
LLC
   Subsidiary
Guarantors
   Non-Guarantors   Eliminations  Total 

ASSETS

              

Non-current assets

              

Property, plant and equipment

   44    —    —     4 589    —     22 551    —    27 184 

Goodwill

   —     —    —     33 089    188    107 663    —    140 940 

Intangible assets

   584    —    —     21 947    158    23 185    —    45 874 

Investments in subsidiaries

   121 847    77 388   —     42 660    40 708    99 398    (382 000  ���  

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   —     —    —     28    —     5 253    —    5 263 

Deferred tax assets

   —     —    —     —     —     1 216    —    1 216 

Derivatives

   —     —    —     3    13    9    —    25 

Other non-current assets

   53 565    10 290   55 432    18 115    7 178    67 709    (210 623  1 664 
   176 040    87 678   55 432    120 430    48 246    326 966    (592 623  222 166 

Current assets

              

Investment securities

   1 301    —    —     —     —     3    —    1 304 

Inventories

   21    —    —     626    —     3 472    —    4 119 

Derivatives

   —     —    —     122    198    138    —    458 

Trade and other receivables

   16 585    1 514   1 947    3 265    21 972    19 942    (58 660  6 566 

Cash and cash equivalents

   43    242   8    1 872    4 110    9 768    (5 571  10 472 

Assets classified as held for sale

   —     —    —     —     —     133    —    133 

Other current assets

   —     —    —     —     —     908    —    908 
   17 950    1 756   1 955    5 884    26 281    34 364    (64 231  23 960 

Total assets

   193 990    89 434   57 387    126 315    74 526    361 330    (656 854  246 126 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

              

Equity

              

Equity attributable to equity holders of AB InBev

   72 585    38 307   586    89 304    42 352    211 452    (382 000  72 585 

Minority interest

   —     —    —     —     —     7 635    —    7 635 
   72 585    38 307   586    89 304    42 352    219 087    (382 000  80 220 

Non-current liabilities

              

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   102 398    49 230   55 464    24 874    4 131    83 459    (210 607  108 949 

Employee benefits

   5    —    —     1 240    —     1 748    —    2 993 

Deferred tax liabilities

   —     (337  9    6 528    —     6 907    —    13 107 

Derivatives

   —     —    —     1    919    17    —    937 

Other non-current liabilities

   131    —    —     1 012    11    2 573    (18  3 709 
   102 534    48 893   55 473    33 654    5 062    94 704    (210 625  129 695 

Current liabilities

              

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

   16 718    2 363   479    387    18 949    20 531    (51 994  7 433 

Income tax payable

   —     (665  3    726    8    1 486    —    1 558 

Derivatives

   —     —    —     31    1 329    97    —    1 457 

Trade and other payables

   2 033    535   848    2 207    3 274    22 530    (6 665  24 762 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

   —     —    —     —     —     —     —    —  

Other current liabilities

   121    —    —     5    3 553    2 894    (5 571  1 002 
   18 872    2 233   1 330    3 356    27 113    47 538    (64 230  36 211 

Total equity and liabilities

   193 990    89 434   57 387    126 315    74 526    361 330    (656 854  246 126 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

For the year ended 31 December 2016

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
 Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
 Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
 Subsidiary
Guarantors
 Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total 

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
 Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
 Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
 Anheuser-
Busch
Companies,
LLC
 Subsidiary
Guarantors
 Non-Guarantors Eliminations Total 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                 

Profit

   1 241  1 510  38  (633 7 961  (7 348 2 769 

Profit of the period

   4 368  350  37  6 297  911  5 643  (11 915 5 691 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   96   —     —    748  2 633   —    3 477    147   —     —    802   —    3 311   —    4 260 

Net finance cost

   1 599  1 284  (36 3 805  1 912   —    8 564    209  3 047  (37 (2 443 (113 8 066   —    8 729 

Income tax expense

   —    (280 (2 1 358  537   —    1 613    —    (293  —    718  2  2 412   —    2 839 

Investment income

   (2 599 (1 958  —    (1 322 (1 469 7 348   —      (4 203 (1 980  —    (1 502 (849 (3 382 11 916   —   

Other items

   56  (1  —    231  (368  —    (82   158   —     —    3   —    (118 (1 42 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

   393   555   —     4 187   11 206   —     16 341    679   1 124   —     3 875   (49  15 932   —     21 561 

Working capital and provisions

   (121 541  4  (650 (80 9  (297   182  360   —    (403 (15 (196 96  24 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash generated from operations

   272   1 096   4   3 537   11 126   9   16 044    861   1 484   —     3 472   (64  15 736   96   21 585 

Interest paid, net

   (1 543 (1 153 59  999  (1 108 25  (2 721   (137 (2 718 73  4 008  (190 (5 025 (28 (4 017

Dividends received

   9 256   —     —    4  40  (9 257 43    —     —     —     —     —    39  102  141 

Income tax paid

   —     —     —    (511 (2 745  —    (3 256   —     —    (8 (616 (7 (2 416  —    (3 047
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   7 985   (57  63   4 029   7 313   (9 223  10 110    724   (1 234  65   6 864   (261  8 334   170   14 663 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   —     —     —    25  186   —    211    —     —     —    47   —    390   —    437 

Sale of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of

   —     —     —    13  640   —    653    127   —     —     —     —    128   —    257 

Acquisition of SABMiller, net of cash acquired

   (57 712  —     —    (8 652 1 198   —    (65 166

Proceeds from SABMiller transaction-related divestitures

   —     —     —     —    16 342   —    16 342 

Proceeds from SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —     —     —     —     —    (330  —    (330

Taxes on SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —     —     —     —     —    (100  —    (100

Acquisition of other subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

   —     —     —     —    (1 445  —    (1 445   (27  —     —     —     —    (85  —    (112

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   (369  —     —    (650 (3 960  —    (4 979   (194  —     —    (857  —    (4 035  —    (5 086

Net of tax proceeds from the sale of assets held for sale

   —     —     —     —    146   —    146    —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —   

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of investment in short-term debt securities

   (5 500  —     —     —    (83  —    (5 583   1 300   —     —     —     —    (4  —    1 296 

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

   —     —     —    (31 4   —    (27   —     —     —    13   —    (185  —    (172

Net repayments/(payments) of loans granted

   (11 753 (900 (46 052 (229 (32 475 91 180  (229   29 335  4 599  31 459   
(19
654
 
 3 051  93 436   
(142
382
 
 (156
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   (75 334  (900  (46 052  (9 524  (19 447  91 180   (60 077   30 541   4 599   31 459   (20 451  3 051   89 217   (142 382  (3 965

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                 

Intra-group capital reimbursements

   (79  —     —    (2 115 2 194   —     —      —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —   

Purchase ofnon-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —    (10  —    (10   —     —     —     —     —    (923  —    (923

Proceeds from borrowings

   81 137  4 486  47 051  32 897  14 895  (94 164 86 292    6 337  9 762  9 755  23 483  157  (31 555 (157 17 782 

Payments on borrowings

   (13 370 (4 049 (2 200 (1 372 (5 600 2 974  (23 617   (36 673 (13 367 (41 259 (11 169  —    (62 273 142 253  (22 489

Cash net finance (cost)/income other than interests

   (628 (64 (5 (3 157 370   —    (3 484   263   —     —    5  10  (953 121  (554

Dividends paid

   (7 134  —     —     —    (10 573 9 257  (8 450   (6 541  —     —     —     —    (1 218 (2 (7 761
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   59 926   373   44 846   26 243   (1 276  (81 933  50 731    (36 614  (3 605  (31 504  12 319   166   (96 923  142 215   (13 945

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   (7 423  (584  (1 143  20 748   (10 858  24   764    (5 349  (240  20   (1 268  2 956   629   3   (3 247

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

   (1 832 739  525  (1 100 8 578   —    6 910    (74 242  9  1 929  530  7 720   —    10 356 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

   (989  —     —    194  1 540  (24 721    (23  —     —    (80 (5 (40 (3 (148
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of year

   (10 244  155   (618  19 842   (740  —     8 395    (5 446  2   29   581   3 481   8 309   —     6 960 

For the year ended 31 December 2015

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
  Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Non-
Guarantors
  Eliminations  Total 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Profit

   8 273   943   5   5 483   10 142   (14 979  9 867 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   74   —     —     727   2 352   —     3 153 

Net finance cost

   565   1 791   (41  311   (1 173  —     1 453 

Income tax expense

   101   (659  36   1 068   2 048   —     2 594 

Investment income

   (8 711  (1 374  —     (3 484  (1 410  14 979   —   

Other items

   57   —     —     85   (483  —     (341
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

   359   701   —     4 190   11 476   —     16 726 

Working capital and provisions

   (215  550   (2  (630  1 669   (35  1 337 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash generated from operations

   144   1 251   (2  3 560   13 145   (35  18 063 

Interest paid, net

   (442  (1 845  48   1 820   (1 122  (68  (1 609

Dividends received

   2 607   1 891   —     19   984   (5 479  22 

Income tax paid

   (9  —     —     (846  (1 500  —     (2 355
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   2 300   1 297   46   4 553   11 507   (5 582  14 121 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Acquisition and sale of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired/disposed of

   —     (2  —     (312  (604  —     (918

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   (105  —     —     (646  (3 998  —     (4 749

Net of tax proceeds from the sale of assets held for sale

   —     —     —     244   153   —     397 

Net proceeds/(acquisition) of other assets

   —     —     —     44   173   —     217 

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of investment in short-term debt securities

   —     —     —     —     169   —     169 

Net repayments/(payments) of loans granted

   (13 496  508   (565  598   (10 284  23 193   (46
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   (13 601  506   (565  (72  (14 391  23 193   (4 930

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Intra-group capital reimbursements

   156   —     22   3 294   (3 472  —     —   

Proceeds from borrowings

   19 965   24 078   565   6 933   12 163   (47 467  16 237 

Payments on borrowings

   (3 553  (24 869  (3  (3 845  (7 807  24 297   (15 780

Other financing activities

   159   (33  (1  (2 353  1 456   —     (772

Share buy back

   (1 000  —     —     —     —     —     (1 000

Dividends paid

   (6 586  —     —     (3 370  (3 489  5 479   (7 966
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   9 141   (824  583   659   (1 149  (17 691  (9 281

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   (2 160  979   64   5 140   (4 033  (80  (90

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

   502   (240  460   (5 789  13 383   —     8 316 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

   (174  —     1   (451  (774  80   (1 316
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of year

   (1 832  739   525   (1 100  8 578   —     6 910 

For the year ended 31 December 2017

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch InBev
SA/NV
  Anheuser-
Busch InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
  Anheuser-
Busch
Companies,
LLC
  Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Non-
Guarantors
  Eliminations  Total 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

         

Profit of the period

   7 996   2 338   8   7 741   4 749   8 837   (22 387  9 183 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   128   —     —     849   (78  3 377   —     4 276 

Net finance cost

   819   3 064   (26  (3 218  (942  6 810   —     6 507 

Income tax expense

   16   (614  17   (1 506  177   3 830   —     1 920 

Investment income

   (8 296  (3 721  —     (126  (4 041  (6 203  22 387   —   

Other items

   126   —     —     (9  2   (338  —     (219

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

   789   1 067   (1  3 633   (135  16 313   —     21 667 

Working capital and provisions

   (283  869   (4  (1 319  109   72   159   (397

Cash generated from operations

   506   1 936   (5  2 313   (25  16 385   159   21 270 

Interest paid, net

   (860  (3 156  79   106   245   (6 120  5 865   (3 841

Dividends received

   2   —     —     76   2   139   (77  142 

Income tax paid

   (16  —     (16  289   (4  (2 394  —     (2 141

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   (368  (1 220  58   2 785   217   8 010   5 947   15 430 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

         

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   —     —     —     20   (2  599   —     617 

Sale of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of

   —     —     —     42   —     —     —     42 

Proceeds from SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —     —     —     —     —     11 697   —     11 697 

Taxes on SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —     —     —     (3 449  —     —     —     (3 449

Acquisition of other subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

   —     —     —     (419  113   (292  —     (598

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   (126  —     —     (625  91   (4 081  —     (4 741

Net of tax proceeds from the sale of assets held for sale

   —     —     —     —     —     16   —     16 

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of investment in short-term debt securities

   4 177   —     —     —     —     160   —     4 337 

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

   535   —     —     4   (73  (746  —     (280

Net repayments/(payments) of loans granted

   (7 949  4 996   332   378   4 229   43 229   (45 002  213 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   (3 363  4 996   332   (4 049  4 357   50 582   (45 002  7 854 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

         

Intra-group capital reimbursements

   18 594   —     —     28   (21 180  2 558   —     —   

Purchase of non-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —     —     (206  —     (206

Proceeds from borrowings

   24 604   2 262   1 470   8 152   8 045   (219  (30 962  13 352 

Payments on borrowings

   (20 574  (5 876  (1 306  (6 541  (12 813  (46 006  69 783   (23 333

Cash net finance (cost)/income other than interests

   (463  —     —     (34  2 011   (3 055  —     (1 541

Dividends paid

   (7 992  (75  —     —     —     (1 285  77   (9 275

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   14 169   (3 689  164   1 604   (23 936  (48 213  38 898   (21 004

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   10 438   87   554   340   (19 361  10 379   (157  2 280 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

   
(10
244
 
  155   (617  1 464   18 376   (739  —     8 395 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

   (268  —     72   28   1 583   (1 891  157   (319

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of year

   (74  242   9   1 832   598   7 749    10 356 

For the year ended 31 December 20141

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
  Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Non-
Guarantors
  Eliminations  Total 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Profit

   9 216   1 028   (18  7 028   8 760   (14 712  11 302 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   91   —     —     688   2 574   —     3 353 

Net finance cost

   548   2 181   35   (2 177  732   —     1 319 

Income tax expense

   5   (597  (17  1 303   1 805   —     2 499 

Investment income

   (9 365  (1 797  —     (2 327  (1 223  14 712   —   

Other items

   59   1   —     (158  (44  —     (142
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

   554   816   —     4 357   12 604   —     18 331 

Working capital and provisions

   103   873   2   (1 527  830   76   357 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash generated from operations

   657   1 689   2   2 830   13 434   76   18 688 

Interest paid, net

   (467  (2 176  29   2 267   (1 767  (89)  (2 203

Dividends received

   3 945   4 100   —     2 826   2 524   (13 365  30 

Income tax paid

   (5  —     —     (667  (1 699  —     (2 371
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   4 130   3 613   31   7 256   12 492   (13 378  14 144 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Acquisition and sale of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired/disposed of

   —     (3  —     (146  (6 551  —     (6 700

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   (85  —     —     (468  (3 842  —     (4 395

Net of tax proceeds from the sale of assets held for sale

   —     —     —     —     (65  —     (65

Net proceeds/(acquisition) of other assets

   —     —     —     54   234   —     288 

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of investment in short-term debt securities

   —     —     —     —     (187  —     (187

Net repayments/(payments) of loans granted

   (7 813  —     (5 250  (1 945  (7 255  22 262   (1
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   (7 898  (3  (5 250  (2 505  (17 666  22 262   (11 060

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Intra-group capital reimbursements

   404   —     250   (135  (519  —     —   

Proceeds from borrowings

   16 868   6 657   5 250   2 095   9 681   (22 169  18 382 

Payments on borrowings

   (4 710  (7 966  (30  (967  (1 384  (102  (15 159

Other financing activities

   298   —     (7  (1 004  943   —     230 

Dividends paid

   (5 420  (2 510  —     (6 600  (6 235  13 365   (7 400
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   7 440   (3 819  5 463   (6 611  2 486   (8 906  (3 947

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   3 672   (209  244   (1 860  (2 688  (22  (863

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

   (3 101  (31  216   (3 449  16 198   —     9 833 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

   (69  —     —     (480  (127  22   (654
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of year

   502   (240  460   (5 789  13 383   —     8 316 

36.EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

None.

For the year ended 31 December 2016

Million US dollar

  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
SA/NV
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Worldwide
Inc.
  Anheuser-
Busch
InBev
Finance
Inc.
  Anheuser-
Busch
Companies,
LLC
  Subsidiary
Guarantors
  Non-
Guarantors
  Eliminations  Total 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

         

Profit of the period

   1 241   1 510   38   2 947   (3 580  7 961   (7 348  2 769 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

   96   —     —     811   (63  2 633   —     3 477 

Net finance cost

   1 599   1 284   (36  83   3 722   1 912   —     8 564 

Income tax expense

   —     (280  (2  1 386   (28  537   —     1 613 

Investment income

   (2 599  (1 958  —     (1 030  (292  (1 469  7 348   —   

Other items

   56   (1  —     231   —     (368  —     (82

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and use of provisions

   393   555   —     4 428   (241  11 206   —     16 341 

Working capital and provisions

   (121  541   4   (626  (24  (80  9   (297

Cash generated from operations

   272   1 096   4   3 802   (265  11 126   9   16 044 

Interest paid, net

   (1 543  (1 153  59   (110  1 109   (1 108  25   (2 721

Dividends received

   9 256   —     —     3   1   40   (9 257  43 

Income tax paid

   —     —     —     (494  (17  (2 745  —     (3 256

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   7 985   (57  63   3 201   828   7 313   (9 223  10 110 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

         

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   —     —     —     24   1   186   —     211 

Sale of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of

   —     —     —     14   (1  640   —     653 

Proceeds from SAB transaction-related divestitures

   (57 712  —     —     —     (8 652  1 198   —     (65 166

Taxes on SAB transaction-related divestitures

   —     —     —     —     —     16 342   —     16 342 

Acquisition of other subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

   —     —     —     (296  296   (1 445  —     (1 445

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and of intangible assets

   (369  —     —     (857  207   (3 960  —     (4 979

Net of tax proceeds from the sale of assets held for sale

   —     —     —     —     —     146   —     146 

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of investment in short-term debt securities

   (5 500  —     —     —     —     (83  —     (5 583

Net proceeds from sale/(acquisition) of other assets

   —     —     —     (10  (21  4   —     (27

Net repayments/(payments) of loans granted

   (11 753  (900  (46 052  (11 425  11 196   (32 475  91 180   (229

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   (75 334  (900  (46 052  (12 550  3 026   (19 447  91 180   (60 077

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

         

Intra-group capital reimbursements

   (79  —     —     85   (2 200  2 194   —     —   

Purchase of non-controlling interest

   —     —     —     —     —     (10  —     (10

Proceeds from borrowings

   81 137   4 486   47 051   11 088   21 799   14 895   (94 164  86 292 

Payments on borrowings

   (13 370  (4 049  (2 200  (410  (962  (5 600  2 974   (23 617

Cash net finance (cost)/income other than interests

   (628  (64  (5  (31  (3 126  370   —     (3 484

Dividends paid

   (7 134  —     —     —     —     (10 573  9 257   (8 450

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   59 926   373   44 847   10 732   15 511   1 276   (81 933  50 731 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   (7 423  (584  (1 142  1 383   19 365   (10 858  24   764 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at beginning of year

   (1 832  739   525   122   
(1
222
 
  8 578   —     6 910 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

   (989  —     —     —     194   1 540   (24  721 

Cash and cash equivalents less bank overdrafts at end of year

   (10 245  154   (618  1 505   18 377   (740  —    8 395 

1Reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.

36. Events after the balance sheet date

37.AB INBEV COMPANIES
BOND ISSUANCE

On 23 January 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV issued 15.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of bonds. The bonds comprise the following series: 2.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes due 23 January 2025 bearing interest at annual rate of 4.150%; 4.25 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes due 23 January 2029 bearing interest at an annual rate of 4.750%; 0.75 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes due 23 January 2031 bearing interest at an annual rate of 4.900%; 2.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes due 23 January 2039 bearing interest at an annual rate of 5.450%; 4.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes due 23 January 2049 bearing interest at an annual rate of 5.550% and 2.0 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes due 23 January 2059 bearing interest at an annual rate of 5.800%.

The net proceeds of the offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of upcoming debt maturities in 2021 to 2024 and 2026, including the funding of the company’s announced tender offers.

RESULTS OF TENDER OFFERS

On 08 February 2019, AB InBev announced the final results of offers by its wholly owned subsidiaries Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc. and Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC to purchase for cash any validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted notes up to an aggregate purchase price (excluding accrued and unpaid interest) of 16.5 billion US dollar of twelve series of notes issued by the companies. With the completion of the Tender Offers, the companies repurchased 16.3 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of several series of its outstanding notes.

The pool caps comprise the following series: 2.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes bearing interest at annual rate of 2.650%, 0.2 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of floating rate Notes and 0.2 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes at an annual rate of 4.375% due in 2021; 1.1 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes bearing interest at annual rate of 3.750% and 1.3 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes at an annual rate of 2.500% due in 2022; 0.6 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes bearing interest at annual rate of 2.625% and 2.9 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes at an annual rate of 3.300% due in 2023; 0.3 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of floating rate Notes, 0.9 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes at an annual rate of 3.500% and 0.5 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes at an annual rate of 3.700% due in 2024; and 5.9 billion US dollar aggregate principal amount of fixed rate Notes bearing interest at annual rate of 3.650% due in 2026.

37. AB InBev companies

Listed below are the most important AB InBev companies. A complete list of the company’s investments is available at AB InBev NV, Brouwerijplein 1,B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.

List of Most Important Fully Consolidated Companies1LIST OF MOST IMPORTANT FULLY CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES

 

NAME AND REGISTERED OFFICE OF FULLY CONSOLIDATED
COMPANIES

  % OF ECONOMIC
INTEREST AS AT
31 DECEMBER 20162018
 

ARGENTINA

  

CERVECERIA Y MALTERIA QUILMES SAICA y G - Charcas 5160 - C1425BOF - Buenos Aires

   61.9561.88 

AUSTRALIA

  

FOSTER’S GROUP PTY LTD – Southbank Boulevard 77 - 3006 Southbank – Victoria

   100.00 

CUB PTY LTD - Southbank Boulevard 77 - 3006 Southbank – Victoria

   100.00 

FBG FINANCE PTY LTD - Southbank Boulevard 77 - 3006 Southbank – Victoria

   100.00 

FBG TREASURY (AUST) PTY LTD - Southbank Boulevard 77 - 3006 Southbank – Victoria

   100.00 

BELGIUM

  

AB INBEV N.V. – Grote MarktGrand Place 1 - 1000 – Brussel

   Consolidating Company 

BRASSERIE DE L’ABBAYE DE LEFFE S.A. - Place de l’Abbaye 1 - 5500 – Dinant

   98.54 

BROUWERIJ VAN HOEGAARDEN N.V. - Stoopkensstraat 46 - 3320 – Hoegaarden

   100.00 

COBREW N.V. - Brouwerijplein 1 - 3000 – Leuven

   100.00 

INBEV BELGIUM S.P.R.L. - Industrielaan 21 - 1070 – Brussel

   100.00 

BOTSWANA

  

KGALAGADI BREWERIES (PTY) LTD –Kgalagadi Breweries (Pty) Ltd - Plot 20768, Broadhurst industrial estate - Gaborone21

   31.00 

BOLIVIA

  

CERVECERIA BOLIVIANA NACIONAL S.A. - Av. Montes 400 and Chuquisaca No. 121, Zona Challapampa - La Paz

   61.9561.88 

BRAZIL

  

AMBEV S.A. - Rua Dr Renato Paes de Barros, 1017, 3° andar, Itaim Bibi - CEP04530-001 - São Paulo

   61.9561.88 

CANADA

  

LABATT BREWING COMPANY LIMITED - 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 299 - M5J 1A7 – Toronto

   61.9561.88 

CHILE

  

CERVECERIA CHILE S.A. - Av. Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva 9600 - 8700000 – Quilicura

   61.9561.88 

CHINA

  

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (CHINA) SALES CO LTD. - Shangshou, Qin Duan Kou, Hanyang Area - 430051 - Wuhan City, Hubei Province

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (WUHAN) BREWERY CO. LTD. - Shangshou, Qin Duan Kou, Hanyang Area - 430051 - Wuhan City, Hubei Province

   97.06 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (FOSHAN) BREWERY CO. LTD. - 1 Budweiser Avenue, Southwest St., Sanshui District - 528132 - Foshan City, Guangdong

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV HARBIN BREWERY CO. LTD. - 9 HaPi Road Pingfang District - 150066 - Harbin City, Heilongijang Province

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (TANGSHAN) BREWERY CO. LTD. - 18, Yingbin Road - 063300 - Tangshan City, Hebei Province

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV SEDRIN BREWERY CO. LTD. - 660 Gong Ye Road, Hanjiang District - 351111 - Putian City, Fujian Province

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV SEDRIN (ZHANGZHOU) BREWERY CO. LTD. - Lantian Economic District - 363005 - Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (TAIZHOU) BREWERY CO. LTD. - 159 Qi Xia East Road, Chengguan Town, Tiantai County - 317200 - Taizhou Cithy, Zhejiang Province

   100.00 

NANCHANG ASIA BREWERY CO. LTD. – 183 West Sandian Road, Qing Yun Pu- 1188 Jinsha Avenue, Economic District - Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province

   100.00 

SIPING GINSBER DRAFT BEER CO. LTD. - Xianmaquan, Tiedong Area - Siping City, Jilin Province

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV BIG BOSS (JIANGSU)(NANTONG) BREWERY CO. LTD. - 666 Zhaoxia Road - Nantong City, Jiangsu Province

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (SICHUAN) BREWERY CO. LTD. - No. 1, AB InBev Avenue, Cheng Nan Industry Park, Economic Development Area - 641300 - Ziyang City, Sichuan Province

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (HENAN) BREWERY CO. LTD. - No. 1 Budweiser Avenue, Industry Park, Tangzhuang Town - 453100 - Weihui City, Henan Province

   100.00 

INBEV JINLONGQUAN (HUBEI) BREWERY CO. LTD. - 89 Jin Long Quan Avenue - Jingmen City, Hubei Province

   60.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV (SUQIAN) BREWERY CO. LTD. - No 1 Qujiang Road, Suyu Industry Park - Suqian City, Jiangsu Province

   100.00 

1Excludes companies classified as held for sale.
2The group’s shares entitle the holder to twice the voting rights.

NAME AND REGISTERED OFFICE OF FULLY CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES

% OF ECONOMIC
INTEREST AS AT

31 DECEMBER 2016

COLOMBIA

  

BOGOTA BEER COMPANY BBC S.A.S. – Avenida- Carrera 2485A-4753 A, No 127 - 35 - 110221 – Bogota

   97.22 

BAVARIA SAS.A. S.A. - Carrera 53 A, No 127 - 35 - 110221 Carrera 53A 127–35 – Cundinamarca – 111111 Bogota

   99.00 

AMBEV COLOMBIA S.A.S. – Calle 9012-28 Piso 2- Carrera 53 A, No 127 - 35 - 110221 – Bogota

   97.22 

1

The group’s shares entitle the holder to twice the voting rights

NAME AND REGISTERED OFFICE OF FULLY CONSOLIDATED
COMPANIES

% OF ECONOMIC
INTEREST AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2018

CZECH REPUBLIC

  

PIVOVAR SAMSON A.S. - V parku 2326/18, Chodov, 148 00
Praha 4

   100.00 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

  

CERVECERIA NACIONAL DOMINICANA S.A. - Autopista 30 de Mayo Km 61/2, Distrito Nacional - A.P. 1086 - Santo Domingo1

   34.0752.42 

ECUADOR

  

COMPAÑIA CERVECERA AMBEV ECUADOR S.A. - Km 14.5 Via a Daule S/N y Av. Las Iguanas, Guayaquil

   97.22 

CERVECERÍA NACIONAL (CN) SA - Via a daule km 16,5 y calle cobre s/n – Guayaquil, Guayas

   95.6095.58 

EL SALVADOR

  

INDUSTRIAS LA CONSTANCIA, SA DE CV ���- 526 Av. Independencia, San Salvador

   100.00 

FRANCE

  

AB INBEV FRANCE S.A.S. - Immeuble Crystal, 38, Place Vauban - C.P. 59110 - La Madeleine

   100.00 

GERMANY

  

BRAUEREI BECK GmbH & CO. KG - Am Deich 18/19 - 28199 – Bremen

   100.00 

BRAUEREI DIEBELS GmbH & CO.KG - Brauerei-Diebels-Strasse 1 - 47661 – Issum

   100.00 

HAAKE-BECK AG - Am Deich 18/19 - 28199 – Bremen

   99.96 

HASSERÖDER BRAUEREI GmbH - Auerhahnring 1 - 38855 – Wernigerode

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV GERMANY HOLDING GmbH - Am Deich 18/19 - 28199 – Bremen

   100.00 

SPATEN - FRANZISKANER - BRÄU GmbH - Marsstrasse 46 + 48 - 80335 – München

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV Deutschland GmbH & Co KG - Am Deich 18/19 - 28199 – Bremen

   100.00 

LOEWENBRAEU AG - Nymphenburger Str. 7 - 80335 – München

   100.00 

GHANA

  

ACCRA BREWERY LTD - Farra Avenue 20 1st Floor, Pkf Building, P.O. Box Gp1219 – Accra

   59.8460.00 

GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURGLUXEMBoURG

  

BRASSERIE DE LUXEMBOURG MOUSEL - DIEKIRCH - 1, Rue de la Brasserie - L-9214 – Diekirch

   95.82 

HONDURAS

  

CERVECERÍA HONDUREÑA, SA DE CV - Blvd. Del Norte, Carretera Salida a Puerto Cortes - San Pedro Sula, Cortes

   99.00 

INDIA

  

CROWN BEERS INDIA LIMITED - #8-2-684/A, Road No. 12 - Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500034 - Andhra Pradesh

   100.00 

SABMILLER BREWERIES PRIVATE LTD – M99, MIDC, Aurangabad – 431136 WalujINDIA LIMITED LTD. - Unit No.301-302, Dynasty Business Park, 3rd Floor - Andheri - Kurla Road, Andheri (East) - 400059 - Mumbai, Maharashtra

   100.0099.60 

ITALY

  

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV ITALIA SPA –Anheuser-Busch Inbev Italia SpA - Piazza Buffoni 3, 21013 Gallarate

   100.00 

MEXICO

  

GRUPOCERVECERIA MODELO DE MEXICO S. DE R.L. DE C.V.-C.V - Javier Barros Sierra 555 Piso 3 - Zedec Ed Plaza Santa Fe Alvaro Obregon –- 01210 Mexico City Distrito Federal

   100.00 

MOZAMBIQUE

  

CERVEJAS DE MOÇAMBIQUE SA - Rua do Jardim 1329 - Maputo2

   49.1049.00 

THE NETHERLANDS

  

INBEV NEDERLAND N.V. - Ceresstraat 1 - 4811 CA – Breda

   100.00 

INTERBREW INTERNATIONAL B.V. - Ceresstraat 1 - 4811 CA – Breda

   100.00 

SABMILLER AFRICA BV –AB InBev Africa B.V.- Ceresstraat 1, 4811 CA – Breda

   62.00 

SABMILLER BOTSWANA BV –AB InBev Botswana B.V.- Ceresstraat 1, 4811 CA – Breda

   62.00 

NIGERIA

  

INTAFACT BEVERAGES LTDBEVERAGE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LIMITED LTD. - 58 Akanbi Onitiri Close, Off Eric Moore Road, SurelereSABMiller Drive Niger Bridge Industrial Layout Onitsha – Anambra2Lagos

   37.5050.00 

INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC - Lawrence Omole Way, Omi Osoro Road, Imo Ilesha, Osun State21

   36.0037.50 

155% owned by Ambev S.A.
2The company is consolidated due to the group’s majority shareholdings and ability to control the operations.

NAME AND REGISTERED OFFICE OF FULLY CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES

% OF ECONOMIC
INTEREST AS AT

31 DECEMBER 2016

PANAMA

  

CERVECERÍA NACIONAL HOLDING SA - Costa del Este Business Park, torre Oeste Piso 2 - Ciudad de Panama

   60.00 

PARAGUAY

  

CERVECERIA PARAGUAYA S.A. - Ruta Villeta km 30 N 3045 - 2660 – Ypané

   61.9561.88 

PERU

  

COMPANIA CERVECERA AMBEV PERU S.A.C. - Av. Los Laureles Mza. A Lt. 4 del Centro Poblado Menor Santa Maria de Huachipa - Lurigancho (Chosica) - Lima 15

   97.22 

UNIÓN DE CERVECERÍAS PERUANAS BACKUS Y JOHNSTON SAA - 3986 Av. Nicolas Ayllon, Ate, Lima 3

   93.4893.65 

1

85% owned by Ambev S.A

2

The company is consolidated due to the group’s majority shareholdings and ability to control the operations.

RUSSIA

OAO SUN INBEV – 28 Moscovskaya Street, Moscow region – 141600 – KlinNAME AND REGISTERED OFFICE OF FULLY CONSOLIDATED
COMPANIES

  99.95% OF ECONOMIC
INTEREST AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2018
 

SOUTH AFRICA

  

SABSA HOLDINGS LTD – 2 Jan Smuts Avenue, GautengPUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY - 65 Park Lane, Sandown - 2001 – Johannesburg

   100.00 

THE SOUTH AFRICAN BREWERIES (PTY) LTD LIMITED BY SHARES - 65 Park Lane, GautengSandown - 2146 – Johannesburg

   100.0091.55 

SOUTH KOREA

  

ORIENTAL BREWERY CO., LTD – 151,Hyeondogongdan-ro,Seowon-guCheongju-si,Chungcheongbuk-do- 8F, ASEM Tower, 517, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06164, S. Korea

   100.00 

SWITZERLAND

  

SABMILLERANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV PROCUREMENT GMBH GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRÄNKTER HAFTUNG (GMBH) - Suurstoffi 22 Turmstrasse 26 – 6300 Zug6343 - Rotkreuz

   100.00 

TANZANIA

  

TANZANIAKIBO BREWERIES LTD PRIVATE COMPANY - Uhuru Street, Plot No 79, Block AA, Uhuru Street, Mchikichini, Ilala District
- - Dar es Salaam1

   36.00 

UGANDA

  

NILE BREWERIES LTD - Plot M90 Yusuf Lule Roa, Njeru, Jinja - Eastern Uganda

   61.76 

UKRAINE

SUN INBEV UKRAINE PJSC –30-V Fizkultury Str., BC “Faringeit” 4th floor – 3068 – Kiev

98.29

UNITED KINGDOM

  

ABI SAB GROUP HOLDING LIMITED - AB INBEVInBev House, Church Street West - GU21 6HT - Woking

100.00

ABI UK LTD –HOLDINGS 1 LIMITED - Porter Tun House, 500 Capability Green - LU1 3LS – Luton

   100.00 

PIONEER BREWING COMPANY LTD –AB INBEV UK LIMITED - Porter Tun House, 500 Capability Green - LU1 3LS – Luton

   100.00 

SABMILLERAB INBEV HOLDINGS LIMITED - AB InBev House, Church Street West Woking, Surrey,- GU21 6HT - Woking

   100.00 

SABMILLER HOLDINGS LTD –AB INBEV INTERNATIONAL BRANDS LIMITED - AB InBev House, Church Street West Woking, Surrey,- GU21 6HT - Woking

   100.00 

SABMILLER INTERNATIONAL BRANDS LTDZX VENTURES LIMITED - Porter Tun House, 500 Capability Green - LU1 3LSAB InBev House, Church Street West, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6HTLuton

   100.00 

UNITED STATES

  

ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, LLC. - One Busch Place - St. Louis, MO 63118

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INTERNATIONAL, INC. - One Busch Place - St. Louis, MO 63118

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH PACKAGING GROUP, INC. - One Busch Place - St. Louis, MO 63118

   100.00 

ANHEUSER-BUSCH, LLC – One–One Busch Place, St. Louis, MO. 63118

   100.00 

METAL CONTAINER CORPORATION, INC.Metal Container Corporation, Inc. – One Busch Place, St. Louis, MO.Mo. 63118

   100.00 

Anheuser-Busch North American Holding CorporationANHEUSER-BUSCH NORTH AMERICAN HOLDING CORPORATION - C/O THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY INC. - 1209 Orange Street - DE 19801 – Wilmington

   100.00 

URUGUAY

  

CERVECERIA Y MALTERIA PAYSANDU S.A. - Cesar Cortinas, 2037 - C.P. 11500 – Montevideo

   61.9561.88 

VIETNAM

  

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV VIETNAM BREWERY COMPANY LIMITED/No.2 VSIPII-A,
Street no. 28, Vietnam - SingaporeII-A Industrial Park, Tan Uyen District, Binh Duong Province

   100.00 

ZAMBIA

  

ZAMBIAN BREWERIES PLC - Mungwi Road, Plot Number 6438, Lusaka

   54.00 

1The company is consolidated due to the group’s majority shareholdings and ability to control the operations

List of Most Important Associates and Joint VenturesLIST OF MOST IMPORTANT ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES

 

NAME AND REGISTERED OFFICE OF ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES

  % OF ECONOMIC
INTEREST AS AT
31 DECEMBER 20162018
 

FRANCE

  

SOCIÉTÉ DES BRASSERIES ET GLACIÈRES INTERNATIONALES SA - 30 AV George V, 75008, Paris

   20.00 

GIBRALTAR

  

BIH BRASSERIES INTERNATIONALES HOLDING LTD - CC Building, 10th Floor, Main Street

   20.00 

BIH BRASSERIES INTERNATIONALES HOLDING (ANGOLA) LTD - Suite 10/3, International Commercial Centre, 2A Main Street

   27.00 

TURKEY

  

ANADOLU EFES BIRACILIK VE MALT SANAYII AS - Bahçelievler Mahallesi, Sehit Ibrahim Koparir Caddesi No. 4, Bahçelievler Istanbul

   24.00 

ZIMBABWE

  

DELTA CORPORATION LTD - Sable house, P.O. Box BW 343, Northridge Close, Borrowdale, Harare

   25.00 

RUSSIA

AB InBev Efes - 28 Moscovskaya Street, Moscow region - 141607 – Klin

50.00

 

F-88F-87